Part 29 (2/2)
He threw the whole of his money on the table.
”Help yourself,” he cried. ”Take as much as you please: all I ask is the sum of ten pounds to settle a little account which will be very pressing this evening at eight o'clock, when a gentleman named Rock Cod and his estimable mate, Macaroni Joe, are dead sure to roll up, expectant.”
The digger, who, in spite of his return to the regions of civilisation, retained his wildly hirsute appearance, slowly counted the notes.
”I make it a hundred-and-sixty,” he said.
”That's right,” said Tresco: ”there's sixty-seven for you, and the balance for me.”
Bill took out the two IOUs, and placed them on the table. They totalled 117, of which Benjamin had paid 50.
”I guess,” said the Prospector, ”that sixty-seven'll square it.” He carefully counted out that sum, and put it in his pocket.
Benjamin counted the balance, and made a mental calculation.
”Ninety-three pounds,” he said, ”and ten of that goes to my respectable friends, Rock Cod and Macaroni. That leaves me the enormous sum of eighty-three pounds. After tearing round the town for three solid days, raising the wind for all I'm worth and almost breaking my credit, this is all I possess. That's what comes of going out to spend a quiet evening in the company of Fortunatus Bill; that's what comes of backing my luck against ruffians with loaded dice and lumps on their necks.”
”Have you seen them devils since?” asked the Prospector.
”I've been far too busy sc.r.a.pin' together this bit of cash to take notice of folks,” said Benjamin, as he tore up the IOUs and threw them into the fireplace. ”It's no good crying over spilt milk or money lost at play. The thing is for you to go back to the bush, and make good your promise.”
”I'm going to-morrow mornin'. I've got the missus's money, which I'll send by draft, and then I'll go and square up my bill at the hotel.”
”And then,” said Benjamin, ”fetch your swag, and bunk here to-night.
It'll be a most convenient plan.”
”We're mates,” said the Prospector. ”You've stood by me and done the 'an'some, an' I'll stand by you and return the compliment. An' it's my hope we'll both be rich men before many weeks are out.”
”That's so,” said Benjamin. ”Your hand on it.”
The digger held out his h.o.r.n.y, begrimed paw, which the goldsmith grasped with a solemnity befitting the occasion.
”You'll need a miner's right,” said the digger.
”I've got one,” said Tresco. ”Number 76032, all in order, ent.i.tling me to the richest claim in this country.”
”I'll see, mate, that it's as rich as my own, and that's saying a wonderful deal.”
”Damme, I'll come with you straight away!”
”Right, mate; come along.”
”We'll start before dawn.”
”Before dawn.”
”I'll shut the shop, and prospect along with you.”
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