Dutchman and the Devil : The Lost Story (9781456612887) Read Free Book Online

turned to Waltz and said, “Let’s go! That’s where the real money is.”
    Waltz stared at Weiser and said, “Are you crazy? Why should we go to California when we’re doing all right here? $2,000 is good money for two months of working.”
    Weiser took a moment before saying, with a feigned look of sincerity, “I’m just thinking about you and your dream. If you’re really in a hurry to buy a farm an’ settle down, we need to go west.”
    Waltz frowned and said, “I don’t see what buying a farm has to do with California.”
    “Do you see any small farms around here?” Weiser asked. When Waltz didn’t answer, Weiser continued, “That’s right, my friend, there aren’t any. Here in the Deep South, rich men have huge cotton plantations worked by black slaves, and penniless sharecroppers have tiny worn-out fields. There’s nothing in-between. But California has lush, green valleys just waiting to be farmed, as soon as we go out there and get our share of those gold nuggets.”
    “You make California sound like the pastures of heaven,” Waltz said sarcastically.
    “It is,” Weiser retorted. “If we stay in South Carolina, all we’ll get for our efforts is more calluses and sore backs.”
    In spite of Weiser’s arguments, Waltz was not about to change his plan based on one letter from Adam Peeples. “I am content with South Carolina,” he said firmly. “You can forget about California. We’re going back to our strike tomorrow, an’ you better get going and pick up our provisions before the store closes.”
    Weiser buried his anger, but it continued to simmer beneath the surface as he led their packhorse toward Brown’s store. He thought to himself, “That goddamn Jacob Waltz makes me so mad I could spit! Who does he think he is, ordering me around like his servant? I’m the one who got him out of poverty, an’ the one who got him to America, an’ the one who got him connected with real prospectors. And I’m damned if I’ll waste much more time piddling around in this hick town. My God, a lousy thousand dollars for two months’ work! If we ever get rich, I’ll be too old to enjoy it.”
    Then Weiser had an idea. He found Brown and went right to the point. “I know you cheated us on that last load of ore, but I’m not going to say anything about it if I don’t have to, because I have another proposal that will be strictly between you an’ me.”
    “I’m listening,” Brown replied, his easy smile at odds with the shrewdness of his eyes as he folded his arms and rested them on his ample gut.
    “If you’ll pad the cost of your supplies,” Weiser said, “I’ll pay it an’ split the difference with you.”
    Brown drew himself up with a disdainful look that said Weiser’s offer was beneath his consideration, and replied, “I ain’t no crook, mister. And your offer is an insult to my integrity.”
    “Is that so?” Weiser said, raising his left eyebrow and peering keenly at Brown. “Are you going to tell me it was a trick of the light that made me think some of Edward’s money slipped into your pocket the last time we bought supplies?”
    Brown’s eyes flickered for a moment, then narrowed as he said, “That’s right, it must of been a trick of the light.”
    Weiser shrugged and said, “Well, that’s too bad, Mr. Brown. I guess I’ll have to take my trade to another store.”
    Weiser was halfway to the door when Brown laughed and said, “You’re a shrewd man. I expect you realize I wouldn’t want to risk my reputation on a one-time deal.”
    “I understand perfectly,” Weiser responded. “So what if I sweeten our deal by agreeing to ask no questions when you assay the ore from our next trip for half its worth?”
    Brown raised his bushy brows and said, “That’s too damn good to believe.”
    Weiser grinned and said, “Of course you’d split the profit with me.”
    “All right,” Brown said, “I’ll do it.”
    Certain his deal with Brown would result in