while you stay at home and read Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress."

"I won't read that at all," I countered; "I'll read nothing but the
ship news to see if you are stranded."

"Well, I won't do it!" snorted Bunch.

"You'll have to do it if you want to win out that wedding money," I
retorted. "Is this the way you thank me for what I've done for
you?"

"Done for me, nothing!" Bunch bit back. "I put up as much coin as
you did, and now you want me to do all the work!"

"Work!" I echoed; "what work is it to count money, eh, Skinski?"

"Counting money is a hot pastime, isn't it, Dodey?" he answered.

"You betcher sweet!" responded the fair lady, gazing dreamily at
the empty flagon of Pommery.

"Well, take my word for it," snarled Bunch, "I don't hanker for
that sort of amusement. If there's any train-hopping to be done,
it's up to you, John. It's your game, not mine."

"Say, are you going to welsh on me now that we've passed over our
contract to Skinski?" I asked hotly.

"No, I'm not going to welsh," Bunch came right back, "but I'm only
a silent partner in this concern, so you for the Bad Lands to do