human
Now, he concluded,
gpt
Ham thinks, and we all agree with him most emphatically, that, since we are in a way responsible for bringing the robbers down upon you, it would be no more than fair for us to invite you to join with us in our search for this Cave of Gold, understanding, of course, that, if the gold is found, all are to share alike, as all will have to share alike the dangers and the difficulties of finding and keeping it; and, judging by the note we found on the table, the dangers will be real enough. Of course we are not sure that the cave really exists, nor, if it does exist, that we will be able to find it; but we have faith enough in it to give it a try. We plan to start on the hunt just as soon as we can get ready, probably sometime tomorrow. This I think explains the matter sufficiently for you to come to a decision. Are you with us?
human
Yes! Yes!
gpt
In to the death, as the note says, added Mrs. Dickson, smiling.
human
And we thank you from the bottoms of our hearts for the chance.
gpt
Do you know this murdered miner's name? Dickson asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
human
I think I know the man.
gpt
John Stackpole, the map says,
human
That's the man! declared Dickson excitedly.
gpt
The very man I went prospecting with last fall. He had some crazy idea in his head then about a Cave of Gold that an old Indian whom he had cured of some disease, he had been an army doctor once, had told him he had found in a hidden gulch that opened into a canyon. We hunted all up and down the canyon, into which the Indian said the gulch opened, but we couldn't find no such gulch as the Indian described, and had to give it up. You remember my telling you all about it, don't you, Mollie?
human
Yes, yes, assented Mrs. Dickson eagerly.
gpt
You went on the trip while I was away to Sacramento City and you told me all about it, when I got back. Queer how things do turn out!
human
And so Stackpole really found the cave at last; but at the cost of his life, and Dickson's face saddened.
gpt
Too bad!--I mean his murder; for he was a good sort of a fellow, when he was away from liquor, but, let him get a little whiskey down him, and he was as ugly as the devil. I reckon that it was drink that drove him out of the army in disgrace; and I reckon it was drink that caused his murder; for he was a very cautious man and would have said nothing about his discovering the Cave of Gold, especially to strangers, if he had been in his right senses--Can I, can I see that map? and Dickson's face suddenly lighted up.
human
Possibly I know the place.
gpt
Sure, and Mr. Conroyal turned to Thure.
human
Get out the map, Thure.