Toby Sam was afoot, having abandoned his horse after he had ridden it nearly to death. He drew back, so that Black John could not see him, and then carefully picked his course in roundabout fashion to the cave.
The sun had set by that time. Still Toby Sam, being a cautious rascal, did not make his presence known. He was by nature a sneak, as well as a coward, and he sneaked now upon the man in front of the cave.
When not far off and on the point of making his presence known to Black John, who seemed to be alone, he heard Black John speak to the girl.
It made Toby Sam’s cowardly heart jump with a queer thrill, when he knew that Black John was speaking of the emeralds.
The girl had said something of an accusing nature, apparently, and Black John replied:
“Shet up about the emeralds! They’re mine, and I propose to git a lot of money out of ’em; and on that money we’ll live high.”
Toby Sam flattened himself against the rocks like a lizard when he heard that, for he knew that Black John had the emeralds, and he desired to get them. He remained there without movement until darkness had set in fully; then, with infinite patience and tortoiselike slowness, he made an advance.
Black John went into the cave and came out again. He was swearing, and was in an ugly mood. Being hungry had made him ill-tempered.
“A cuss on the emeralds,” he said, “I’d trade the very biggest of ’em fer a mouthful o’ somethin’ to eat! I dunno but I’d better try to git out o’ this to-night, fer to stay here long will be to starve to death.”
The moon came from behind a cloud while Black John sat in front of the cave; and then Toby Sam saw that he had the precious bag of emeralds out, and was toying with the gems, all of which he had picked up again.