“The speculator grasped the specimen with great eagerness. Sure enough it was gold-bearing rock, and no mistake. It was generally believed in the town that the Indians knew of valuable deposits, but were very unwilling to divulge their location to the white men.”
“‘Where did you get this?’ the speculator asked.
“The Indian made a sweep of his arm that embraced two thirds of the horizon, but said not a word.
“‘Is there any more where this came from?’ queried the speculator.
“‘Yes; heaps, heaps more,’ and the red man made a circle with his arm that might mean anything from a mole hill to a mountain.
“‘Will you show me where you got this?’ said the speculator.
“The Indian said nothing except to pronounce the words ‘five dollar.’
“Unlike many of his associates, the speculator happened to have some money about him. He thrust his hand into his pocket, drew out a five-dollar gold piece, and placed it in the extended palm of the red man.
“The latter examined the coin very carefully, even to the extent of biting it between his teeth. Then he placed it in some mysterious receptacle under his blanket and said:—
“‘You with me come. You with me go share.’