"No, not then. I only thought of myself, and of how I could secure the treasure without being suspected and robbed--for I believe that, in my madness then, I would have denied my own father a nugget from all that store. It was horrible--that sensation. I can realize now what a miser feels. God protect me from another such attack!" shuddered Duplin. "But your plan--what do you intend doing?" "I've weighed the matter well, and this is what I've decided upon. We three are enough. I selected you two, because I knew that I could depend upon you. Our first move will be to desert the wagon-train." "Desert?" "Yes. What is there to hinder us? Nothing. We are passengers, and our fare is already paid. We owe them nothing. They will be the gainers as well as we." "How can we get our tools without exciting suspicion, though?" "We don't need them. One pick-ax will be enough. We can shape wooden shovels with our knives. This, our blankets and weapons are all we need. Remember that what mining we do, will only be in the soft sand. The gold is in nuggets, not dust or scales, so there will be little or no washing to be done. As for food, a day's hunt will furnish enough to last us a week, with care in curing it. You see I've neglected nothing. True, we may encounter dangers and suffer privations, but no more here than there where we first started for. "Two, or perhaps three weeks' work, then we can start for _home_. Two months, at the furthest--then we will be made men for life. Now you know all. What is your decision?" "You say we must desert?" mused Wythe, thoughtfully. "Yes. What excuse could we give? We must slip off to-night, without a word to _anybody_. I know what you are thinking of, Wythe. Nay, don't flush up so. 'Tis nothing to be ashamed of. She's a noble, true-hearted girl, and one that would be a rich prize for any man. I might have loved her myself, only that I had a talisman. In Ohio there is one waiting for me, who, please God, will one day be my wife," and Duplin, as he spoke, reverently uncovered his head. "You are right, friend, and I'm not offended. But--I would like to speak a word to her before we go, just to keep her from thinking hard of us." "You could not, Burr, without giving a broad clue to our purpose. She would not be able to see you to-night, anyhow, after her poor mother's death. You must have patience. Think how short the time will be, if you do not fling this chance from you, before you can go to her with a free heart and full hand." "He talks good sense, Burr. Some other time will do to say good-by in." "Well, maybe it is for the best. I'd only make a fool of myself. Then, here's my hand. I'm with you, Duplin, for better or worse." "I'm number three!" chimed in Tyrrel.