In the gold regions of California each man is for himself. To prevent
trouble his fellow-passengers had disarmed the Chinaman. The other
robber, seeing his partner overpowered, passed quickly along in front of
the line of passengers, placed his gun at Cummins' head, and fired. The
struggle had not lasted fifteen seconds when Will Cummins lay murdered
by the roadside.
CHAPTER III
The Girl or the Gold
Cummins was killed about one o'clock. Two hours later two prospectors,
in conventional blue shirts and trousers, each with a pack over his
back, were seen in the neighborhood of Scott's Flat. They excited no
suspicion, as no one at Scott's Flat had heard anything about the
hold-up; and even if news had come, there was nothing suspicious in the
appearance of these men. They had looked out for that. As a matter of
precaution they had provided themselves a change of clothing and their
prospectors' outfit. By common consent they had very little to say to
each other; for they knew that a careless word might betray them. They
were in a desperate hurry to reach Gold Run or Dutch Flat to catch the
evening train East; but from their motions you would not have suspected
this.
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