The partners agreed to take turns in keeping guard over the premises until the result of Mr. Hale’s search was known; and it was decided that Ben should take the first night. “It’s exasperating not to know how much there is in the amalgam. In all justice, it’s mine!” said Ben, with flashing eyes. “And I intend to watch it,--and fight for it too, if need be.” “You’ve got to fight such mean sneaks with one weapon--and only one--and that’s the law,” remarked Mundon, carefully whittling a stick he held. “There ain’t no other way you kin git the best of ’em.” He pointed up the hillside. “There’s your cousin now. She’s ben down here askin’ after you.” “Come out on the Point for a while, Ben,” said Beth. “It will rest you.” With a grave face he joined her, and they slowly walked along the beach. CHAPTER XI A MIDNIGHT FIGHT “I’ve met one square man, and that’s Mr. Hale,” Ben said with emphasis, after he had told her about his trouble. “Then, you don’t think Mundon’s square?” Ben stopped and faced her. “What have you heard?” he asked. “They say that he was in with the smugglers and led you to discover their opium so that you’d get the reward,--and then he’d cheat you out of it.” “What nonsense! How could he?” “O, I don’t know,--somehow.” “I suppose Mr. Hodges and his wife started that. What more did they say?” He stooped and picked up a smooth bit of driftwood which he flung far out into the water. “I don’t care that for their opinion!” “They say that you’ll never get your money back; that Mr. Fish is the meanest man in town; that he won’t give you any show at all, and won’t let you take another cent out of the Works.” “Then, they’ve heard about it already?” he asked. She nodded. “Quick work! And that it serves me right. I dare say that’s another thing they say?” The girl’s face flushed. “Yes, they did. Mrs. Hodges was the worst. She said that Mundon was a sharper and that you were a greeny.” “Well, it isn’t over yet.” They walked on for a few moments in silence. Although Ben spoke up stoutly, he was very despondent. “Tell you what I wish you’d do, Beth?” he suddenly said. “I’m going to watch to-night at the Works; and if you should hear me blow a whistle, do you blow Hodges’ as loud as you can. Three times, you know. Does he still keep one at the house?” “Yes. Ever since he had that trouble about the land it has hung behind the kitchen door. I can easily take it up to my room.” “All right. Your house is so near that you’d be sure to hear me. The gates are nailed up, but I can’t help feeling a little nervous. Keep what I’ve told you to yourself.” “Do you think you will lose it all, Ben?” “I can’t tell. I’m going to make a fight for it.” “You’re awfully worried. I can tell by your face.” “Well, what if I am? Most men are--most of the time. It’s life.” Beth sighed. “We’re rushed along, just as if we were on a river, and all we can do is to do the best we can. If we do that, it’s enough.”