“And the mommer bear said to the little bear, ‘well, it’s about time you showed up, you tyke; where you been till this hour in the mornin’?’” Nick exclaimed, grinning.
“Visiting,” Teddy said, answering Nick’s grin with one of his own. “Seen quite a lot of excitement lately. Say, Nick—” He moved his head slightly. Nick understood and walked to one side.
“I suppose you know what’s up?” Teddy asked seriously.
“You mean about that gold strike? Yea, I know. But it don’t mean nothin’ to me. The story’s around that some old geezer made a find—a big nugget—an’ that he got knocked off an’ robbed. Me, I don’t see much to it.”
“But it’s true, Nick!” Teddy watched the cowboy’s face.
“True?” Nick’s eyes opened wide. “Somebody did make a strike an’ got robbed?”
“Uh-huh. And, what’s more, it was Pop’s cousin.” Teddy told the puncher of finding Decker. “So, Nick, it isn’t all wind,” he finished.
“Well, bust my boilers!” Nick said slowly. “Pop’s cousin! What do you know about that? Snakes, I hope he makes the grade! Have you heard—”
“Here comes Roy now,” Teddy interrupted. “He just ’phoned to the 8 X 8 for news.”
Roy’s face was reassuring as he approached them. Pop leaped to his feet and ran forward.