“I'm the leader,” replied Kells, deliberately. “I'll make the plans. I'll issue orders. No jobs without my knowledge. Equal shares in gold—man to man.... Your word to stand by me!”
A muttering of approval ran through the listening group.
“Reckon I'll join,” said the man who had wished the conditions repeated. With that he advanced to the table and, apparently not being able to write, he made his mark in the book. Kells wrote the name below. The other men of this contingent one by one complied with Kells's requirements. This action left Gulden and his group to be dealt with.
“Gulden, are you still on the fence?” demanded Kells, coolly.
The giant strode stolidly forward to the table. As always before to Joan, he seemed to be a ponderous hulk, slow, heavy, plodding, with a mind to match.
“Kells, if we can agree I'll join,” he said in his sonorous voice.
“You can bet you won't join unless we do agree,” snapped Kells. “But—see here, Gulden. Let's be friendly. The border is big enough for both of us. I want you. I need you. Still, if we can't agree, let's not split and be enemies. How about it?”
Another muttering among the men attested to the good sense and good will of Kells's suggestion.
“Tell me what you're going to do—how you'll operate,” replied Gulden.
Keils had difficulty in restraining his impatience and annoyance.