"You've told us what you think of us. Now tell us what we want to hear."
"Quite sure I've expressed myself strong enough?"
"Quite! Oh, quite!"—came from a dozen voices.
"Well, then, I'll tell you."
But he from the newly-found Eldorado stopped at the promise, and paused, regarding his audience. A strange silence came over the erstwhile struggling and swaying mass. The building was full, and the crowd extended into the street, where there were hundreds more; and to this great number additions were continually being made.
"Well, where is it?"
"It's on the south fork." The speaker put the bottle to his mouth once more.
Groans and hisses broke from the crowd. "If you don't tell us after keeping us here we'll string you up on a telegraph-pole."
"I did not keep you here: it was the free booze; besides, there ain't no telegraph-poles in Dawson."
"Well—we'll chuck you into the river."