Grump untied the bag, set it upon his own pillow, drew forth his own pouch, and untied it; the colonel’s aim remained true to its unconscious mark.
“Ef that’s the game,” continued the colonel, to himself, “I reckon the proper time to play my trump is just when you’re a-pourin’ from his bag into your’n. It ’ll be ez good’s a theatre, to bring the boys up to see how ’twas done. Lord! I wish he’d hurry up!”
Grump placed a hand upon each bag, and the colonel felt for his trigger. Grump’s left hand opened wide the mouth of Pet’s bag, and his right hand raised his own; in a moment he had poured out all his own gold into Pet’s bag, tied it, and replaced it under Pet’s head.
The colonel retired quietly for a hundred yards, or more, then he started for the saloon like a man inspired by a three-days’ thirst. As he entered the saloon the crowd arose.
“Any feller ken say I lie,” meekly spoke the colonel, “an’ I won’t shoot. I wouldn’t believe it ef I hedn’t seen it with my own eyes. Grump’s poured all his gold into the Pet’s pouch!”
The whole party, in chorus, condemned their optical organs to supernatural warmth; some, more energetic than the rest, signified that the operation should extend to their lungs and lives. But the doubter of the party again spoke:
“Mind yer,” said he, “to-morrow he’ll be complainin’ that the Pet stole it, an’ then he’ll claim all in the Pet’s pouch.”
The colonel looked doubtful; several voices expressed dissent; Bozen, reviving his proposition to drink to Grump, found opinion about equally balanced, but conservative. It was agreed, however, that all the boys should “hang around” the express agent next day, and should, if Grump made the Pet any trouble, dispose of him promptly, and give the Pet a clear title to all of Grump’s rights and properties.
The agent came, and one by one the boys deposited their dust, saw it weighed, and took their receipts. Presently there was a stir near the door, and Grump and Pet entered. Pet’s gold was weighed, his mother’s name given, and a receipt tendered.
“Thinks he’s goin’ to hev conviction in writin’,” whispered the doubter to the colonel.