“Why, I should think you would be happy, as we will soon reach Santa Fe, where you expect a good time, and after that you are going back home.”
“Home is what makes me blue, pard. I hes lost to ther boys all I got fer my leetle drove o’ hoof critters, an’ I’m going back to ther old folks without a dollar, unless I kin win some dust in Santa Fe.”
“I have some money with me,” said the prisoner.
“Guess yer will keep it, too.”
“Not if you want it.”
“Pard, I isn’t ther man ter take gold from a corpse, fer yer is leetle more, seein’ as how yer’ll be h’isted soon as we reach Texas.”
“That is just what I wish to avoid. I have gold with me, and if by any chance I could escape, why, then, you wouldn’t have to go back poor.”
The guard started and turned pale, for the wily tempter had touched his sordid nature.
“Well, Poker Dick, what say you? I have gold and you have none.”