“I reckon you ought to know better than to ask it,” returned the gold digger. “I reckon, further, that if you know what’s good for you you’ll be mushing out of this as fast as your legs will carry you, unless you are looking for trouble. Git!”
178CHAPTER XVIII
AN UNFRIENDLY RECEPTION
Tad gazed at the gold digger in amazement.
“I–I don’t understand, Mr. Darwood.”
“Don’t you understand plain English? I said ‘git.’ We don’t want anything to do with you, and if we find you fooling about our outfit after this we’ll try something else to keep you away,” warned the prospector.
“I don’t know why you appear to have taken such a dislike to me. I am sure I have done nothing to merit it. However, I am equally sure that I don’t want anything to do with you. If you change your mind and can act like a man, instead of a kid, I shall be glad to see you. But don’t get funny. We may be boys but we are quite able to take care of ourselves,” answered Tad, turning away.
“Stop!”
Darwood’s voice was stern. Tad halted and turned towards the two men.
“You reckon you’re mighty smart, I know, 179but you must think I’m a natural-born fool not to know that you have been following us all the way up here.”