Parker uttered an exclamation of alarm and started to clamber down. His movements brought matters to a head. The tree broke off at its roots and went over, carrying the ex-convict with it. As it hit the ground Dick saw a pair of legs, which belonged to Bulger, kicking like mad in the air. As they hit the roots of the tree they made the punky material fly about in a cloud. Parker was half-stunned for a moment and then he got up and went to his companion's aid, catching him by the legs and pulling him out, all covered with dirt. Bulger swore like a trooper, blaming his pal for the catastrophe. "Where am I goin' to roost now?" said Bulger. "You'll have to take me over to your place after dark and let me stay in your barn. I can't stay out here all night, and, what's more, I won't." "I s'pose you'll have to come, but it's dangerous for me." "Dangerous be blamed! It's your duty to help an old pal when he's in deep." He gave the roots of the tree a kick, expressive of his sentiments. The kick uncovered something that attracted his attention. "Hello! What's this?" he cried. He stooped and picked a bag out of the dust. "What have you got there?" asked Parker, looking interested. "Blame my hide, if it ain't a bag of money!" cried Bulger. "Money!" cried Parker. "Then we'll divvy up." "No, we won't divvy nothin'. Findin's is keepin's. I wonder if there's any more?" Down he got on his hands and knees and scratched in the dust, bringing to light a second bag. "Hurray! Another! I'm made for fair. Here's a third and there's more underneath. I'm rich!" Dick beheld all this with feelings of the greatest astonishment. Bags of money hidden in the roots of the dead tree! Then the gypsy woman's prediction occurred to him like a flash. This was his fortune, then, and these rascals had brought it to light. What was on his property belonged to him by right of ownership in all. And now these fellows had it in their clutches, or rather Bulger had it, and seemed disposed to hold on to all of it. That was too much for Dick to stand. He was about to rush on Bulger and order him to give up the money when Parker snatched up a couple of the bags. "Drop them!" roared Bulger. "I'm only takin' my share," said Parker. Bulger sprang up and jumped at the ex-convict, who had to let the bags fall to defend himself. In another moment they were both at it, hammer-and-tongs, with the advantage in Bulger's favor, owing to his build and strength. Dick saw his advantage. Dashing forward, he picked up the long stick which lay on the ground and began laying it on the heads and shoulders of the two fighters. That brought the scrap to a sudden end, and the men turned to face this new and unexpected trouble. They at once recognized Dick, and as they bore him no good will, Bulger particularly, they lost no time in making a rush at him. "Now we've got you!" hissed Bulger.