Page:B M Bower - Heritage of the Sioux.djvu/52

THE HERITAGE OF THE SIOUX on the split either. I'm paying her ten a week besides her board. That's good money for a squaw." He counted out the amount in ten dollar bills and snapped a rubber band around them.

"Now here is the profit, boys, on your winter's work. Applehead comes in with the use of his ranch and stock and wagons and so on. Here, pard—how does this look to you?" His own pleasure in what he was doing warmed from Luck's voice all the chill that Bill Holmes had sent into it. He smiled his contagious smile and peeled off fifty dollar banknotes until Applehead's eyes popped.

"Oh, don't give me so dang much!" he gulped nervously when Luck had counted out for him the amount he had jotted down opposite his name. "That there's more'n the hul dang ranch is worth if I was t' deed it over to yuh, Luck! I ain't goin' to take—"

"You shut up," Luck commanded him affectionately, "That's yours—now, close your face and let me get this thing wound up. Now—will you quit your arguing, or shall I throw you out the window?" 40