Part 16 (2/2)
”You saw?”
”Yes”
”I thought you were asleep,” said Gale
CHAPTER VIII
THE KNIFE
In every community, be it never so small, there are undesirable citizens; and, while the little party was still at breakfast on the following , three such members of society ca the occupants boisterously
”Well, well!” said Lee, co to the door ”You're travellin' kind of early, ain't you?”
”Yes--early and late,” one of thehed, while the other two sprawled about as if to rest
”How far are you goin'?”
”Not far,” the spokesman answered
Now in the North there is one forh Lee knew these men for what they were, he said:
”Better have some breakfast, anyhow”
”We just ate” There was an uncomfortable pause, then the speaker continued: ”Look here It's no use to flush around We want a piece of this creek”
”What are you goin' to do with it?”
”Cut that out, Lee We're on”
”Who wised you up to this?” inquired the rily, for he had other friends besides those present whom he wished to profit by this strike, and he had hoped to keep out this scum
”Never mind who put us Jerry We're here, ain't we?”
Stark spoke up ”You can't keep news of a gold strike when the wind blows, Lee It travels on the breeze”
The harm was done, and there was no use in concealment, so Lee reluctantly told them of his discovery and warned them of the stakes already placed
”And see here, you fellers,” he concluded, ”I've been forty years at this gaoin'
to be called '”No Creek” Lee Creek' or I fight Does it go?”