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The man appeared to be hunched forward in a heap

"Guess he's plugged," said Smith "But he ain't cashed Hear him

breathe?Heaves like a sick hoss"

Gulden reached with brawny ared the

miner off the seat and out into the road, where he flopped with a

groan There was blood on his neck and hands Gulden bent over hi, and then, with a

swing, he held aloft a broad, black belt, sagging heavy with gold

"Hah!" he boomed It was just an exclamation, horrible to hear, but

it did not express satisfaction or exultation He handed the gold-

belt to the grinning Budd, and turned to the young old?"

"No I--I wasn't a old-belt, then slapped at his pockets "Turn

round!" ordered the giant

"Aw, Gul let hi hand upon Gulden's broad shoulder

"Turn round!" repeated Gulden, without the slightest sign of

noticing his colleagues

But the youth understood and he turned a ghastly livid hue

"For God's sake--don't un!"

Gulden spun him round like a top and pushed higered, and turning, he fell

on his knees