He asked himself why could he not steal the nugget which Joe had found?
“He can spare it, for he has sold the claim for a fortune,” Hogan reasoned. “It isn’t fair that he should have everything and I should have nothing. He ought to have made me his partner, anyway. He would if he hadn’t been so selfish. I have just as much right to a share in it as this infernal Yankee. I’d like to choke him.”
This argument was a very weak one, but a man easily persuades himself of what he wants to do.
“I’ll try for it,” Hogan decided, “this very night.”
CHAPTER XXXVII
THE NUGGET IS STOLEN
At this time Joe and Joshua were occupying a tent which they had purchased on favorable terms of a fellow miner.
They retired in good season, for they wished to start early on their journey on the following morning.
“I don’t know as I can go to sleep,” said Joshua. “I can’t help thinkin’ of how rich I am, and what dad and all the folks will say.”
“Do you mean to go home at once, Mr. Bickford?”
“Jest as soon as I can get ready. I’ll tell you what I am goin’ to do, Joe. I’m goin’ to buy a tip-top suit when I get to Boston, and a gold watch and chain, and a breast-pin about as big as a saucer. When I sail into Pumpkin Holler in that rig folks’ll look at me, you bet. There’s old Squire Pennyroyal, he’ll be disappointed for one.”