Part 2 (2/2)
Bennie was an early riser, as became a faithful cook; but, early as he usually was, this morning he was startled into wakefulness by a jarring chug, as Zephyr, with a relieved grunt, dropped a squashy sack on the floor near his bunk. Bennie sprang to a sitting posture, rubbing his sleepy eyes to clear his vision; but, before he could open his eyes or his mouth beyond a startled e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n, Zephyr had departed. He soon reappeared. There was another chug, another grunt, and another departure. Four times this was repeated. Then Zephyr seated himself on the bunk, and, pus.h.i.+ng back his sombrero, mopped his perspiring brow.
”What the--” Bennie started in, but Zephyr's uplifted hand restrained him.
”The race is not to the swift, Julius Benjamin. The wise hound holds his yap till he smells a hot foot. Them indecisive sacks is hot footses, Julius Benjamin; but it isn't your yap, not by quite some.”
”What's up, Zephyr?” asked Bennie. ”I'm not leaky.”
”Them gelatinous sacks,” Zephyr went on, eyeing them meditatively, ”I found hidden in the bushes near the mine, and they contain mighty interesting matter. They're an epitome of life. They started straight, but missed connections. Pulled up at the wrong station. I've thrown the switch, and now you and me, Julius, will make it personally conducted the rest of the trip.”
”Hm!” mused Bennie. ”I see. That stuff's been pinched from the mill.”
”Good boy, Julius Benjamin! You're doing well. You'll go into words of two syllables next.”
Zephyr nodded, with a languid smile.
”But, to recapitulate, as my old school-teacher used to say, there's thousands of dollars in them sacks. The Rainbow ain't coughing up no such rich stuff as that. That rock is broken; ergo, it's been under the stamps. It's coa.r.s.e and fine, from which I infer it hasn't been through the screens. And furthermore----”
Bennie interrupted eagerly.
”They've just hung up the stamps and raked out the rich stuff that's settled between the dies!”
”Naturally, gold being heavier than quartz. Julius Benjamin, you're fit for the second reader.”
Bennie laughed softly.
”It's Luna or Morrison been robbing the mill. Won't Frenchy pull the long face when he hears of your find?”
Zephyr made no farther reply than to blow _There'll Be a Hot Time_ from pursed lips as he rolled a cigarette.
”So there will be,” Bennie answered.
”Not to-night, Bennie.” Zephyr was puffing meditative whiffs in the air.
”Great things move slowly. Richard Firmstone is great, Benjamin; leave it to him.”
Bennie was already dressed, and Zephyr, throwing the stub of his cigarette through the open window, followed him to the kitchen. He ate his specially prepared breakfast with an excellent appet.i.te.
”I think I'll raise my bet. I mentioned a sack of flour and a side of bacon. I'll take a can of coffee and a dab of sugar. St. Peter'll appreciate that. 'Tis well to keep on the right side of the old man.
Some of us may have occasion to knock at his gate before the summer is over. You've heard of my new claim, Bennie?”
Bennie made no reply. Between packing up Zephyr's supplies, attending to breakfast for the men, and thinking of the sacks of stolen ore, he was somewhat preoccupied.
Zephyr stowed the supplies in his pack and raised it to his shoulder.
Bennie looked up in surprise.
”You're not going now, are you?”
<script>