“Not by no manner of means,” answered Godfrey.
Dan was thunderstruck. He could scarcely believe that his ears were not deceiving him. He began to think he could see what his father had determined upon. “Aint—aint you goin’ to give me my share?” he managed to ask.
“No, I aint a goin’ to give it to ye no more, ’kase I done give it to you onct, an’ I allers stand to what I say. Half of this money is yourn already, but ye’d best let yer poor ole pap take keer on it fur ye, Dannie.”
“Whoop!” shrieked Dan, jumping up and knocking his heels together.
“What do a boy like yerself know about money?” continued Godfrey. “Yer pap is older an’ knows more’n ye do; an’ it’s the properest thing that he should take keer on it for ye. I’ll keep it in the box with mine, an’ then it will be safe.”
Dan’s rage was wonderful to behold. Was this the reward he was to receive for his services? He had acted as a faithful scout for his father, and kept him posted in all that was going on in the settlement. More than that, he had, as he believed, destroyed all his chances of living at home again, and he had done it all on the strength of his father’s promise that, when David’s money had been secured, he (Dan) should have half of it for his own. Dan understood by that, that the money was to be placed in his own hands, and that he would be allowed to do as he pleased with it; but, when he found that his father put a different construction on their agreement, he was almost beside himself with fury. He danced about the camp like an insane boy, knocking his heels together, clapping his hands, and yelling at the top of his voice; and all the while Godfrey sat smoking, with a most provoking smile on his face, but still keeping a wary eye on the boy’s movements, for fear that his rage might lead him to attempt some mischief.
“’Taint no arthly use to take on that thar way, Dannie,” said his father, as soon as the boy’s wild yells had subsided, so that he could make himself heard. “I don’t conspute that the money’s yourn, do I?”
“Then, if it is mine, why don’t you hand it out here, like a man had oughter do?” cried Dan.
“Haint I done told ye that it’s the best and properest thing that I should take keer on it fur ye?”
“I don’t want ye to take keer on it for me, an’ ye shan’t. It’s nothin’ but a plan ye’ve made up all outen yer own head to steal the hul on it, an’ cheat me outen my share; but ye shan’t do that nuther. Now, pap, I’ll tell ye what’s the gospel truth ’bout them thar greenbacks: If ye don’t count me out my ninety dollars right now, I’ll—I’ll——”