Then he told him how years before two Chinamen, a giant and a dwarf, went out into the great world, far beyond the shining waters, to seek their fortune together. How, after a weary time and great labor, they found a cavern full of gold and precious stones, but at the entrance sat two men guarding the treasure.
The Chinamen were very cold and hungry, and the two men gave them food and warm blankets, but they would not allow them to touch even one of the lustrous gems that sparkled around them.
At last the Chinamen went away quite rested, and with plenty of food in their sacks. They had gone only a short distance down the cañon, when in the darkest shadow the giant stopped.
"Let us rest here," he said, "and talk over our plans for the future. There is a great treasure near us, I am strong, you are active, and we are separated from our wishes by only two men of ordinary strength."
The dwarf sighed heavily. "They have been kind to us, but for them we must have died of hunger."
"Fool," replied the giant, "there is enough for all."
Then it was they sat talking till the stronger prevailed over the weaker, and, at the still hour of midnight, they went back to the cavern of gold.
The dwarf had begged hard for the lives of the men, but the cruel giant was obdurate.
"Let them die," he said, "and the treasure will be ours."