Tell me that, Bucky?" Buckrow puffed at his cigar a minute, and seemed to consider the matter before replying.

Ye'll end on the gallows, Bucky.

Just keep that in mind, Bucky.

" "What's up now, Bucky?" asked Petrak.

But he ought to knowed better as to come any smart tricks with ye, Bucky, and we're pals, ain't we, Bucky?

We can play fair on that score, can't we, Bucky?

" "Ye mind what he says, Bucky?"

" "Ye can thank Bucky for it," went on Thirkle, craftily turning his conversation to Petrak, who was more easily influenced and had a hearty dread of death or prisons.

Well, I'm sorry for ye; but ye can't blame me if Bucky gets ye in a jam.

I say stick to Bucky if ye like, but ye'll find he ain't Thirkle.

"Never a word will I say, Bucky.

"That's it, Bucky.

It was all a mistake, Bucky.

"Oh, limber up a bit, Bucky," said Thirkle.

"All square now, Bucky, and never a word.

" "Gold don't rust, Bucky," called Petrak, and he laughed immoderately and slapped his knees with his hands.

" "That's entirely my idea, Bucky.

"No argument there, Bucky." "Then, lay on again, ye fool," growled Buckrow, turning to the sacks once more.

"It's the drink talkin', Bucky.

There isn't as much water as ye think, Bucky; and it's under foot what there is of it, and, the way we've got it stowed here, one atop of the other, only the bottom one'll be very wetand gold don't rust.

" "That was silver, Bucky.

"I wouldn't do the likes o' that to ye, Bucky; not if ye never agreed along with meit's rotten mean.

I never did like Bucky; but I like you, Red.

"That's what I told Bucky, but you and me'll get along better than we did with Bucky; and ye don't intend to hold me to thatdo ye, Red?" "I was only joking a bit, Thirkle.

That was a good job ye did for me with Bucky, even if he did play you mean.