"We're free and easy out here—it's the best way. When we get back to the East you may call me Mr. Rawson if you want to. I say, Eben, if we take the boy into partnership, he ought to have some capital."
"I am sorry that I can't put in any capital," said Dean. "Besides this watch I haven't over five dollars about me."
"You misunderstand me, lad. I mean that Eben and I should set you up in business. We've got six claims—between us. What do you say, Eben, to giving this boy two? Then we shall be equal partners, and share and share alike."
"It's just as you say, Ben," answered Eben, who was evidently guided in all things by his older companion.
"You are very generous, Ben," said Dean, "but I ought not to accept such a gift. If you don't mind giving me one, I will take it, and thank you."
"No, lad," persisted Rawson. "It's share and share alike, as I said."
"But I ought not to be on equal terms with you two, who have others to look out for."
"You won't be, lad—Eben and I have each got a pile salted down in one of the banks in Denver. It's near five thousand dollars apiece, isn't it, Eben?"
"Yes, not far from that, Rawson."
"We will share alike for the future—that's what I mean. There's more gold where the other came from, and I hope the claims will pan out well for your sake."