And, in return for this trifling civility, they were generous enough to offer him a full share of any light valuables they might find in the general's house.
Seaton trembled, and put his face in his hands a moment.

"I cannot do it," said he.
"Why not ?" "He has been too good to me." A coarse laugh of derision greeted this argument; it seemed so irrelevant to these pure egotists.

Seaton, however, persisted, and on that one of the men got up and stood before the door, and drew his knife gently.
Seaton glanced his eyes round in search of a weapon, and turned pale.
"Do you mean to split on us, mate ?" said one of the ruffians in front of him.
"No, I don't.

But I won't rob my benefactor.

You shall kill me first." And with that he darted to the fireplace, and in a moment the poker was high in air, and the way he squared his shoulders and stood ready to hit to the on, or cut to the off, was a caution.
"Come, drop that," said Butt, grimly; "and put up _your_ knife, Bob.
Can't a pal be out of a job, and yet not split on them that is in it!" "Why should I split ?" said Robert Penfold.