“Ther’s a deal to do yet,” he said calmly. “A piece farther up the creek is Le Gros’ old working. The map shows that just as it hands us a picture of this shanty, and that queer spire of rock standing up right over there,” he added, nodding his head at the curious crag which rose sheer from the bed of the creek and towered above the high walls enclosing it. “Yes, we got to prospect that working, and try out the creek right along. If the ‘strike’ is right, and the old yarn proves true, the rest’s easy—or should be.”
Chilcoot lit his pipe. But he shook his head emphatically.
“Guess I can’t hand no sort of opinion,” he said coldly. “I ain’t wise to a thing.”
The tone of voice, the curtness of the thing he said, should have had their effect. But Wilder still refused to be disturbed out of his calm. His eyes smiled as he gazed out over the gravel bed where the thin stream of the creek flowed on almost without a murmur. He was smoking with that leisurely luxury suggesting a contented mind.
“Just so, old friend,” he replied. “You don’t know a thing—yet. But you’re going to know it right now. All of it.”
“I’m glad.” The asperity was still in the other’s tone and Wilder’s smile deepened.
“You see I hadn’t the nerve to insult your intelligence, boy, by handing you a fairy tale—while it was just a fairy tale,” he said. “Guess I can’t stand the laff when it’s on me, either. So I guessed I best cut the talk and stand for a grouch. Well, it’s not a fairy tale now. No. Not by a long piece. An’ the laff—well, it’s not on me anyway.”
Chilcoot had sat up. His sturdy legs were drawn up and tucked under him in the fashion supposed to belong to the tailor. He was gazing round on his friend with a look of expectancy. Somehow his whole expression had undergone a swift change. He had clearly forgotten his resentment. He was always quick to react. His nature was easy where Wilder was concerned. Now a twinge of compunction at his own hastiness set him eager to make amends.
“You don’t need to say a thing, Bill. If it suits you to keep your face shut it goes with me all the time.”
But Wilder shook his head. He grinned and raised a hand and thrust back his cap.