Sheridan, stung by the piercing of his self-conceit concerning Mary Burrows, concentrated all his energies upon the work in hand. He became the crisp executive, laying out the little camp and impressing the cowboys with the fact that they were on an important mission where work and time counted. Quong was well established by noon and a lunch served, of cold food, except for coffee. The horses were picketed and one man was chosen to stay in camp. Sheridan gave his three men a little talk.
"We are after a cache of gold, boys," he said. "The secret of it is Quong's. I am his partner in the deal. It is going to be a hard job to tackle. Very likely pick and shovel work. But each of you have got a share in it. So has every one on the ranch. I am going to use mine, if we get what we are after, to start the irrigation for Chico Mesa that you all know has been my plan for a long time. Now, I don't expect any interrruption, but it may come. This cache does not now belong to any one, but Quong's possession of its secret, which he shares with me as a partner with him, gives us first right of discovery. However, others who might happen to be on the ground might put in claims, whether they would be held legitimate or not, which might tie up matters.
"Quong is the only man who knows how to find it. He gives me a half interest, mainly because I aided him against Hollister at Metzal Depot and at Coyote Springs. And also because he is interested in the plan to make Chico Mesa a top-notch cow country, from feed to beef. All of my share goes into that project, except what you boys are to get out of
