It's a common cause we have to take care of, for I happen to know that Captain Fullam--and this I take to be his troop--has orders from the governor to see to us all, and clear the lands in no time.

The state, it appears, thinks the land quite too good for such as we, and takes this mode of telling us so.

Now, as I care very little about the state--it has never done me any good, and I have always been able to take care of myself without it--I feel just in the humor, if all parties are willing, to have a tug in the matter before I draw stakes." "That's just my notion, Wat; and d--n 'em, if the boys are only true to the hub, we can row this guard up salt river in no time and less.

Look you now--let's put the thing on a good footing, and have no further disturbance.

Put all the boys on shares--equal shares--in the diggings, and we'll club strength, and can easily manage these chaps.