按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Thereafter the journeys of the sack to the scales were more frequent；
and the celebration of Kink's natal day waxed hilarious。 He even essayed
to sing the old…timer's classic； 〃The Juice of the Forbidden Fruit；〃 but
broke down and drowned his embarrassment in another round of drinks。
Even Bidwell honoured him with a round or two on the house； and he and
Bill were decently drunk by the time Ans Handerson's eyelids began to
droop and his tongue gave promise of loosening。
Bill grew affectionate； then confidential。 He told his troubles and
hard luck to the bar…keeper and the world in general； and to Ans
Handerson in particular。 He required no histrionic powers to act the part。
The bad whisky attended to that。 He worked himself into a great sorrow
for himself and Bill； and his tears were sincere when he told how he and
his partner were thinking of selling a half…interest in good ground just
because they were short of grub。 Even Kink listened and believed。
Ans Handerson's eyes were shining unholily as he asked； 〃How much
you tank you take？〃
Bill and Kink did not hear him； and he was compelled to repeat his
query。 They appeared reluctant。 He grew keener。 And he swayed
back and forward； holding on to the bar and listened with all his ears while
56
… Page 57…
The Faith of Men
they conferred together on one side； and wrangled as to whether they
should or not； and disagreed in stage whispers over the price they should
set。
〃Two hundred andhic！fifty；〃 Bill finally announced； 〃but we reckon
as we won't sell。〃
〃Which is monstrous wise if I might chip in my little say；〃 seconded
Bidwell。
〃Yes； indeedy；〃 added Kink。 〃We ain't in no charity business a…
disgorgin' free an' generous to Swedes an' white men。〃
〃Ay tank we haf another drink；〃 hiccoughed Ans Handerson； craftily
changing the subject against a more propitious time。
And thereafter； to bring about that propitious time； his own sack began
to see…saw between his hip pocket and the scales。 Bill and Kink were
coy； but they finally yielded to his blandishments。 Whereupon he grew shy
and drew Bidwell to one side。 He staggered exceedingly； and held on to
Bidwell for support as he asked …
〃They ban all right； them men； you tank so？〃
〃Sure；〃 Bidwell answered heartily。 〃Known 'em for years。 Old sour
doughs。 When they sell a claim； they sell a claim。 They ain't no air…
dealers。〃
〃Ay tank Ay buy；〃 Ans Handerson announced； tottering back to the two
men。
But by now he was dreaming deeply； and he proclaimed he would
have the whole claim or nothing。 This was the cause of great pain to
Hootchinoo Bill。 He orated grandly against the 〃hawgishness〃 of
chechaquos and Swedes； albeit he dozed between periods； his voice dying
away to a gurgle； and his head sinking forward on his breast。 But
whenever roused by a nudge from Kink or Bidwell； he never failed to
explode another volley of abuse and insult。
Ans Handerson was calm under it all。 Each insult added to the value
of the claim。 Such unamiable reluctance to sell advertised but one thing
to him； and he was aware of a great relief when Hootchinoo Bill sank
snoring to the floor； and he was free to turn his attention to his less
57
… Page 58…
The Faith of Men
intractable partner。
Kink Mitchell was persuadable； though a poor mathematician。 He
wept dolefully； but was willing to sell a half…interest for two hundred and
fifty dollars or the whole claim for seven hundred and fifty。 Ans
Handerson and Bidwell laboured to clear away his erroneous ideas
concerning fractions； but their labour was vain。 He spilled tears and
regrets all over the bar and on their shoulders； which tears； however； did
not wash away his opinion； that if one half was worth two hundred and
fifty； two halves were worth three times as much。
In the end；and even Bidwell retained no more than hazy recollections
of how the night terminated；a bill of sale was drawn up； wherein Bill
Rader and Charles Mitchell yielded up all right and title to the claim
known as 24 ELDORADO； the same being the name the creek had
received from some optimistic chechaquo。
When Kink had signed； it took the united efforts of the three to arouse
Bill。 Pen in hand； he swayed long over the document； and； each time he
rocked back and forth； in Ans Handerson's eyes flashed and faded a
wondrous golden vision。 When the precious signature was at last
appended and the dust paid over； he breathed a great sigh； and sank to
sleep under a table； where he dreamed immortally until morning。
But the day was chill and grey。 He felt bad。 His first act；
unconscious and automatic； was to feel for his sack。 Its lightness startled
him。 Then； slowly； memories of the night thronged into his brain。
Rough voices disturbed him。 He opened his eyes and peered out from
under the table。 A couple of early risers； or； rather； men who had been
out on trail all night； were vociferating their opinions concerning the utter
and loathsome worthlessness of Eldorado Creek。 He grew frightened；
felt in his pocket； and found the deed to 24 ELDORADO。
Ten minutes later Hootchinoo Bill and Kink Mitchell were roused
from their blankets by a wild…eyed Swede that strove to force upon them
an ink…scrawled and very blotty piece of paper。
〃Ay tank Ay take my money back；〃 he gibbered。 〃Ay tank Ay take
my money back。〃
58
… Page 59…
The Faith of Men
Tears were in his eyes and throat。 They ran down his cheeks as he
knelt before them and pleaded and implored。 But Bill and Kink did not
laugh。 They might have been ha