"EVERYTHING'S GOT TO GO BY WEIGHT. NO ASSAY-OFFICE IN THIS CORNER OF ARIZONA."
"Can't help that," replied Captain Skinner. "Everything's got to go by weight. No assay-office down in this corner of Arizona."
So it was gold they were dividing in those little bags of buckskin that they stored away so carefully. Yellow gold, and very heavy.
Pockets, money-belts, saddle-bags, all sorts of carrying places on men and horses were brought into use, until at last a miner exclaimed:
"It's of no use, boys. I don't care to have any more load about me. Specially if there's to be any running."
"Or any swimming," said another.
"Swimming! I've got enough about me to sink a cork man."
"And I've got all I keer to spend. Enough's as good as a feast, I say."
One after another came to the same opinion, although Captain Skinner remarked: