“I guess we’ll have to give it up,” said Mark, briefly. “You’ve got us, and that’s all that there is to it.”
“Do you mean,” cried Bull, unable to hide his joy, “that if we let you out and give you the revolver you are willing to give up the treasure altogether?”
“Yes,” said Mark. “We are.”
“But how am I trust you?” demanded Bull. “If I open the door how do I know you won’t——”
“I’ve said I wont!” interrupted Mark, with angry emphasis. “You know me, I guess.”
It was a funny thing. Bull himself would have lied all day without his conscience troubling him. But somehow or other he was sure that Mark wouldn’t. In spite of his cousin’s protestations, he stepped forward, removed the barricades and turned the key.
The six plebes came out, looking sheepish enough. Texas received his lost revolver meekly, though he felt like braining Bull with it. A minute later the six hurried off into the woods, leaving Bull and his cousin to gloat for hours over the chest of gold they left inside.
Truly, it was a triumph for Bull.