"I wish I knew. There's the money, and you won't let anybody have it, except mother or me, will you?" "You may be sure that I will take good care of it this time. Don't forget that bear hunt, tomorrow." "No. I'll be on hand bright and early. Good-by." David hurried out, and picking up the basket and bundles he had left in the barn, started for home. When he got there, he was surprised to see that Dan was at work. He had pulled off his coat, rolled up his sleeves and with a frow and mallet in his hands, was busy splitting out shingles. David said nothing to him, but went into the house to put away the tea, coffee and sugar and place the articles he had bought for his mother in a conspicuous position, so that she would be sure to see them, the moment she entered the door. While he was thus engaged, Dan came in smiling, and trying to look good-natured. David was on his guard at once. "I'll tell you what I've made up my mind to do by you, Davy," said Dan, "an' when you hear what it is, if you don't say I'm the best brother you ever had, I want to know what's the reason why. I ain't goin' agin you like I told you I was." "I am very glad to hear it," said David. "No, I ain't. I'm goin' to be pardners with you, an' I'm goin' to give you half the money we make outen them quail. I'll give you half what I've got hid away, too." "I have no claim upon that," replied David. "It belongs to Don Gordon, and if you are honest you'll give him every cent of it." "I can't do it," said Dan. "Kase why, I give pap three an' a half of it, an' spent six bits myself." "Then give him what you have, and tell him that you will hand him the rest as soon as you can earn it." "Not by no means, I won't," said Dan, quickly. "Ten dollars ain't nothing to him." "That makes no difference. It is his, and he ought to have it." "Wal, I'll tell you what I'll do: I'll pay him outen them fifty dollars we're goin' to get fur them quail. An', Davy, if you'll give me the money you've got in your pocket, I'll hide it with mine whar nobody can't find it, and then it'll be safe." "It is safe now." "But if I go halves with you, you had oughter go halves with me. Let's go out to them traps agin, and we kin talk it over while we're workin'." "I am not going to do anything more with those traps." "You hain't give it up, have you? You ain't goin' to let them fifty dollars slip through your fingers, be you?" "What encouragement have I to do anything after what you said this morning? I have made other arrangements. I am going to work over at the General's." David expected that his brother would be very angry when he heard this, but if he was, he did not show it. He looked steadily at David for a moment and then turned and walked around the corner of the cabin out of sight. CHAPTER VI. BRUIN'S ISLAND.