"I have five-fifty," responded Jack.
"Golly gumption! Das mo' real money dan ah've seen fo' many a moon," grinned the negro. "Dey all de time talk ob millions an' plum fo'git ter pay me any wages."
"Well, that fifteen-fifty is yours if you aid us, Rufus. Will you do it?"
"Will ah do it? Kin a duck swim?" inquired Rufus with scorn. "Now when ah'm on duty as sentinel to-night," went on the negro, delighted to have an opportunity to show his skill in strategy, "yo' alls jes' sneak up behin' me and knock mah head in."
"Hold on! Not quite as bad as that!" exclaimed Jack.
"Well, ah don' mean ter knock all mah head in," modified Rufus, "jes a part ob it. Den yo' tie mah han's, shove yo rifles down mah throat, and leab me dah. Das a fine plan!"
"It certainly is. We'll put it into execution to-night," declared Tom delightedly.
Rufus' eyes shone with excitement.
"An'-an' ah tell you' what ah do," he cried. "Ah persuade dem two crazy loons dat de right ting to do wid yo' am to shoot yo' on de spot; dat'll show 'em dat I ain't got no use fo' you."
"Wait a minute," cried Jack. "Don't do that, they might take you at your word and——"