The other would run in a different
direction, and both would meet as soon as practicable for the
division of the spoils. It was yet so early that Paul could not
have sold many from his stock. As each contained a prize,
varying from one penny to ten, they would probably realize enough
to buy a good breakfast, besides the candy contained in the
packages. More money might be obtained by selling packages, but
there was risk in this. Besides, it would take time, and they
decided that a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush.
"That's a good idea," said Jim, approvingly. "Who'll knock his
hat over his head?"
"You can," said Mike, "and I'll grab the basket." But to this
Jim demurred, for two reasons: first, he was rather afraid of
Paul, whose strength of arm he had tested on a previous occasion;
and, again, he was afraid that if Mike got off with the basket he
would appropriate the lion's share.
"I'll grab the basket," he said.
"What for?" said Mike, suspiciously, for he, too, felt some
distrust of his confederate.
"You're stronger'n I am, Mike," said Jim. "Maybe he'd turn on
me, and I can't fight him as well as you."
"That's so," said Mike, who had rather a high idea of his own
prowess, and felt pleased with the compliment.
Pages:
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54