"Sure," said Ralph coolly. "But what can I do for you?"
"Take me with you in your boat," Stack blurted out.
"Well, upon my word!" cried Ralph.
"Don't refuse! Don't refuse!" said Stack breathlessly. "They wouldn't dare touch me if I was with you. They're afraid of you. That was magnificent of you to come to their camp and sit in the game as if nothing had happened. It had its effect, I can tell you! Oh! take me with you!" he went on, stuttering in his eagerness. "I can help you escape from them. Two heads are better than one. I have a good head for planning when I'm not in mortal fear of my life!"
"Fine!" said Ralph. "And you get right in on my strike!"
"I wouldn't ask much," said Stack. "I'd be content with whatever you wanted to let me have. Why can't we work together? You need a representative outside. You've got to file a lot of dummy claims to cover the whole field. You've got to form a company. I can attend to all that for you. It's just my line!"
"Thought you said newspaper reporter?" remarked Ralph.
"That was just making out," said Stack hastily. "I know the mining business from A to Z. I've got legal training. You need me!"
"Thanks," said Ralph coolly. "I prefer to pick my own company."
"If anything happens to me it'll be on your head," whimpered Stack. "Aren't you going to take me with you?"