“Drop that,” cried Sparwick. “If you do it another time, I’ll put a bullet through you. I’m one against two, an’ if it comes to a shootin’ match, possibly I might get wiped out; but I reckon you won’t kill me for fear of hangin’. An’ I reckon you’ll agree ter what I ask, since if you refuse, your game is up. I don’t mean that you should give me half of the ten thousand. We’ll go shares alike. Make the lad write them letters over ag’in an’ change the figger to fifteen thousand. That will give us five thousand apiece. Make up your minds purty quick. I’m in the game fur full shares, an’ I intend to stay.”
It was evident that Sparwick meant every word, and would submit to no arbitration. He glanced calmly and aggressively at the two baffled rascals, conscious that he had turned the tables upon them.
Bogle glanced at Raikes, and in that glance was a subtle meaning, known only to the two. In a contest of wits and cunning, Sparwick was immeasurably their inferior.
“Your greediness will spoil the whole game,” growled Bogle. “It’s flying mighty high to ask ten thousand dollars. If we make it fifteen thousand, this lawyer will likely pitch us overboard and appeal to the police.”
“The one amount would be paid as quickly as t’other,” replied Sparwick. “To a man as well off as John Larkins is reckoned to be, five thousand dollars ain’t anything. Is it yes or no?”
“It’s yes,” muttered Bogle. “It couldn’t well be anything else, since you’ve got the drop on Raikes and me. We’ll carry the thing out as you say. Only if they stick at the amount, you’ll shoulder the blame.”
“If the thing is well done, there won’t be any stickin’,” said Sparwick.
His aggressive manner disappeared as he stepped forward and laid his rifle on the table.
Raikes and Bogle did the same. Their faces assumed a good humored expression that seemed to say: “We are going to take our defeat gracefully.” The next minute the three men were conversing on amiable terms.
It was now past midday. Raikes at once began to prepare dinner. Bogle and Sparwick overhauled the contents of the two sleds and stored the dishes and provisions away in the cupboard.