Part 67 (2/2)
”Don't do it,” said Roderick, but Caesar saw at a glance that his old master, of whom he stood in wholesome fear, was unable to harm him, and he proceeded to unlock the door.
”Go and call the boy!” said Fred.
Caesar disappeared within the cavern, and soon emerged with Rodney following him.
”Are you unhurt?” asked Fred anxiously.
”Yes, and overjoyed to see you. How came you here?”
”We followed the n.i.g.g.e.r from Oreville.”
What happened afterwards Rodney did not need to inquire, for the two outstretched figures, stiffening in death, revealed it to him.
”They are the Dixon brothers, are they not?” asked Fred, turning to Caesar.
”Yes, ma.s.sa.”
”Then we are ent.i.tled to a thousand dollars each for their capture. I have never before shed blood, but I don't regret ending the career of these scoundrels.”
Half an hour later the two outlaws were dead and Rodney and his friends were on their way back to Oreville.
CHAPTER x.x.xVI.
THE RODNEY MINE.
Rodney was received by Jefferson Pettigrew with open arms.
”Welcome home, boy!” he said. ”I was very much worried about you.”
”I was rather uneasy about myself,” returned Rodney.
”Well, it's all over, and all's well that ends well. You are free and there has been no money paid out. Fred and Otto have done a good thing in ridding the world of the notorious Dixon brothers. They will be well paid, for I understand there is a standing reward of one thousand dollars for each of them dead or alive. I don't know but you ought to have a share of this, for it was through you that the outlaws were trapped.”
”No, Mr. Pettigrew, they are welcome to the reward. If I am not mistaken I shall make a good deal more out of it than they.”
”What do you mean?”
Upon this Rodney told the story of what he had seen in the cavern.
”When I said I, I meant we, Mr. Pettigrew. I think if the gold there is as plentiful as I think it is we shall do well to commence working it.”
”It is yours, Rodney, by right of first discovery.”
”I prefer that you should share it with me.”
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