Scipio started and looked up as a joyous greeting from the children outside warned him of the approach of a visitor. He was rather glad of the interruption, too. He found the Bible offered him such an enormous field of research. It was worse than enormous; it was overwhelming. The Bible was really more than he could study in the few minutes he had allowed himself. As yet he had not found even one single mention of the few subjects he still retained a vague recollection of.
As he glanced at the doorway it was darkened by a familiar figure. Sunny Oak, as ragged, disreputable and unclean as usual, smiled himself into the room.
“Howdy, Zip?” he greeted genially. “Guessed I’d git around, seem’ it was Sunday. Y’see, folks don’t work any Sunday. I’d sure say it’s a real blessin’ folks is ’lowed to rest one day in seven. Talkin’ o’ work, I heerd tell you’ve took a pardner to your claim. Wild Bill’s smart. He ain’t bluffed you any?”
The loafer seated himself in the other chair with an air of utter weariness. He might just have finished a spell of the most arduous labor, instead of having merely strolled across the dumps. Scipio smiled faintly.
“He hasn’t bluffed me any,” he said gently. “Seems to me he wouldn’t bluff me. Yes, he’s in on ha’f my claim. Y’see, he thinks ther’s gold in sight, an’––an’ I know ther’ ain’t. That’s what’s troubling me. I kind of feel mean some.”
Sunny yawned luxuriously.
“Don’t you worry any,” he said easily. “Bill’s mighty wide. If he’s come in on your claim he’s––needin’ to bad. Say––”
He broke off and turned alertly to the door. A sound of voices reached them, and a moment later Sandy Joyce and Toby stood grinning in the doorway.
“Gee!” cried Sunny. “Gettin’ quite a party.”
“I’m real pleased you folks come along,” Scipio declared warmly. He stood up and looked round uncertainly. “Say,” he went on, his pale face flushing a little ruefully, “come right in, boys. I don’t see jest where you’re goin’ to sit. Maybe the table’s good an’ strong. This chair’ll do for one.”