Such a sight he had never seen before. The box was literally filled with gold coin—some of it packed away in little drawers, and the rest tied up in canvas bags. Two of these bags the owner lifted out of the box and handed to the trappers, saying:
“There is the money I promised to give you if you succeeded in restoring Julian to me safe and sound. I give you my hearty thanks beside, for you have rendered me a most important service. Pedro, show Sanders and his friend to the best room in the house.”
“Nary time, if you please!” exclaimed the trapper, with a frightened look. “We’ll feel a heap better, an’ sleep a sight easier, if we camp in the mountains.”
“But I want to talk to you about Julian. Where did you find him?”
“We’ll tell you all about that when we bring the other feller to you.”
“The other fellow?”
“Yes; that is, if we can come to tarms.”
“Whom do you mean?”
“Silas Roper. Say another five thousand fur him, an’ we’ll have him here to-morrow bright an’ arly.”
“Silas Roper!” exclaimed the gentleman, gleefully. “Am I not in luck? Certainly, I say it; bring him immediately.”