When the actual transaction took place, McTeague had been obliged to get the money to pay for the mule out of the canvas sack.
Cribbens was with him at the time, and as the dentist unrolled his blankets and disclosed the sack, whistled in amazement.
"An' me asking you if you had fifty dollars!" he exclaimed.

"You carry your mine right around with you, don't you ?" "Huh, I guess so," muttered the dentist.

"I--I just sold a claim I had up in El Dorado County," he added.
At five o'clock on a magnificent May morning the "pardners" jogged out of Keeler, driving the burro before them.

Cribbens rode his cayuse, McTeague following in his rear on the mule.
"Say," remarked Cribbens, "why in thunder don't you leave that fool canary behind at the hotel?
It's going to be in your way all the time, an' it will sure die.

Better break its neck an' chuck it." "No, no," insisted the dentist.