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Updated: May 2, 2025
His ridiculous anatomy had escaped the grave so long, he was so industrious and so inoffensive, that the boys began to have a sort of affection for the boy who had come so far to "help the folks." Finally, some weak miner, unable to hold the open secret any longer, told the Pet about Grump's operation in dust.
I wish he'd hurry up!" Grump placed a hand upon each bag, and the colonel felt for his trigger. Grump's left hand opened wide the mouth of Pet's bag, and his right hand raised his own; in a moment he had poured out all his own gold into Pet's bag, tied it, and replaced it under Pet's head.
"I hev," quickly answered Grump, who had approached, unnoticed, while the newcomer was being interviewed. Every one started, and Grump's countenance did not gather amiability as he sneakingly noticed the general distrust. "Yer needn't glare like that," said he, savagely; "I sed it, an' I mean it. Come along, youngster it's about the time I generally fry my pork."
It was agreed, however, that all the boys should "hang around" the express agent next day, and should, if Grump made the Pet any trouble, dispose of him promptly, and give the Pet a clear title to all of Grump's rights and properties. The agent came, and one by one the boys deposited their dust, saw it weighed, and took their receipts.
At the end of the sixth game after dark he made his way to Grump's hut and quietly located himself at the same crack as before. The Pet and his friend were both lying down, but by the light of the fire the colonel could see the eyes of the former were closed, while those of the latter were wide open.
But even one of these, after having dealt himself both bowers and the king, besides two aces, suddenly imagined he had discovered Grump's motive, and so earnest was he in exposing that nefarious wretch, that one of his opponents changed hands with him.
Grump's room, declared that the practice was an absurd, newfangled, dandified folly, and daily cursed the laundress who slopped the staircase by which he had to pass. Grump, now much more than half a century old, had indeed never used the luxury in question. He had done without water very well, and so had our fathers before him.
Meanwhile, Grump's Pet, as Mix had been nicknamed, afforded the camp a great deal of amusement. He was not at all reserved, and was easily drawn out on the subject of his protector, of whom he spoke in terms of unmeasured praise.
The colonel's report was productive of the choicest assortment of ejaculations that had been heard in camp since Natchez, the leader of the Vinegar Gulch Boys, joined the Church and commenced preaching. The good-natured Bozen was for drinking Grump's health at once, but the colonel demurred. So did Slim Sam.
The colonel retired quietly for a hundred yards, or more, then he started for the saloon like a man inspired by a three-days' thirst. As he entered the saloon the crowd arose. "Any feller ken say I lie," meekly spoke the colonel, "an' I won't shoot, I wouldn't believe it ef I hedn't seen it with my own eyes. Grump's poured all his gold into the Pet's pouch!"
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