"But it must have required a bank-roll to sit in a game with them. They seem to be heavy spenders. How did you manage that?"
"I sold some mining property the day before. I got the captain of the ship." Fraser chuckled.
"Did you swindle that old fellow?" Emerson cried, angrily. "See here! I won't allow—"
"Swindle! Who said I 'swindled' anybody? I wouldn't trim my worst enemy."
"You have no mining claims."
"What makes you think I haven't? Alaska is a big country."
"You told me so."
"Well, I didn't have any claims at that time, but since we came aboard of this wagon at Juneau I have improved each shining hour. While you and George was building canneries I was rustling. And I did pretty well, if I do say it as shouldn't."
Emerson shrugged his broad shoulders. "You will get into trouble! If you do, I won't come to your rescue. I have helped you all I can."
"Not me!" denied the self-satisfied Fraser. "There ain't a chance. Why? Because I'm on the level, I am. That's why. But say, getting money from these Reubs is a joke. It's like kicking a lamb in the face." He clinked some gold coins in his pocket and began to whistle noiselessly. "When do we pull out for Chi?" he next inquired.