Веснянки
Chapter IV
Thentheymakeupthefunitureoutofcheaperwoodandcoveritwiththemaple—veneer,theycallit.Whenit’salldoneandpolishedyeneversawonythin’grander.Gangintoaretailshopthenexttimeyeareintownandseesome.Bysawin’itthinthatwaytheygetfinishforthousandsofdollars’worthoffurniturefromasingletree.Ifyedinnawatchfaithful,andBlackJackgetsoutafewhehasmarked,itmeansthelossofmoremoneythanyeeverdreamedof,lad.Theothernight,downatcamp,somesonofBalaamwassuggestin’thatyemightbesellin’theBossouttoJackandlettin’himtak’thetreessecretly,andnobodywadeverkentilltheganggetshere.”
AwaveofscarletfloodedFreckles’faceandheblazedhotlyattheinsult.
“AndtheBoss,”continuedDuncan,coollyignoringFreckles’anger,“helaysbackjustascoolascowcumbersan’says:’I’llgiveathousanddollarstoonymanthatwillshowmeafreshstumpwhenwereachtheLimberlost,’sayshe.Someofthemenjustsnappedhimopthatthey’dfindsome.SoyouseebowtheBossistrustin’ye,lad.”
“IamgladderthanIcaneverexpriss,”saidFreckles.“AndnowwillIbewalkingdoubletimetokeepsomeofthemfromcuttingatreetogetallthatmoney!”
“Mithero’Moses!”howledDuncan.“YecantrusttheScotchtobunglethingsa’thegither.McLeanwasonlymeanin’toshowyeallconfidenceandhonor.He’sgoneandsetahighpriceforsomedirtywhelptoruinye.Iwasjusttryin’toshowyehowhefelttowardye,andI’vegonean’giveyethatworrytobear.
