“What a pig-headed fellow,” said Frank, angrily. “I’ve a mind to teach him a lesson!”
“I wish you would,” said Nicodemus, eagerly.
“Look here, my friend,” shouted Frank, “let’s have no nonsense about this. That gold does not belong to you more than it does to us. For that matter, if I should choose, I could prevent your securing one jot of it. It is better for you to talk reason at once!”
“The only reason I will talk with you,” said Dooley, obstinately, “is that you go on about your business and leave us and our affairs alone!”
Frank turned from the rail.
“There is no use to talk with that fellow,” he said.
“What shall we do?” asked Nicodemus.
“I will think up a plan,” said the young inventor, “in the meanwhile our best plan is to sail over to the other side of the lake and wait for it to recede. When it does we must be first on the scene where the gold lies.”
“Good!” cried Nicodemus; “if they attack us there——”
“Then it will be time enough to retaliate!” declared Frank.