tion on our part. There
are socks and boots and other things on the tree for you, and when we
have gone you will divide the stuff equally between you. Spike, what's
the matter?" he demanded.

Spike had not touched his gold piece, but sat looking at it, drawing in
deep labored breaths.

"It's real, better grab while the grabbing is good," urged Hippy.

Spike shook his head and shoved both hands under the table.

The Overland Riders saw instantly that the man was agitated.

"If you don't wish to accept our gift, you need not do so, Spike," said
Tom. "We shan't lay it up against you if--"

"It ain't that!" exploded the lumberjack.

"Then what is it, old man?" questioned Hippy.

Spike, rising awkwardly, swallowed hard several times and essayed to
speak.

"Talk, if you feel like it. It will do you good," urged Tom kindly.

"It's 'cause I ain't fit ter touch it, that's why," blurted Spike. "Yer
wants me t' talk. I'll talk. I ain't fit 'cause I ain't fit, that's all.
I'm a thief, and I'm a skallerwag, and I served a term in Joliet prison.
I ain't never had nuthin' but kicks and cuffs and dodgin' perlice afore
I got inter this outfit. First off, I thought it was soft here--that ye
folks was easy, but somehow it warn't. There was somethin' else in the
kind o' treatment yer give me that I couldn't git through my haid."

The hair of Spike's head was now a bristling flame of red.

"You're excited. Hook your canthook on the other side and stop the log
from rolling before it mashes you flat," advised Hippy.

"I got ter talk now, and then I'll quit and git out fer good. I took
money fer ter do ye an inj'ry. I took it from that houn' Ainsworth. I
was to tell him 'bout things that was goin' on here and--"

A low, rumbling, menacing growl, at first coming, it seemed, from the
very boots of the lumberjacks, startled the Overland Riders. The growl
suddenly burst into an angry roar. Acting upon a common impulse, every
jack in the room sprang to his feet and made a savage rush for the
red-headed Spike.

"Sit down, you rough-necks!" bellowed Hippy Wingate. "This is Christmas.
Sit down unless you want me to give you a clip on the jaw!"

The jacks hesitated, drew back, then slouched to their seats, scowling
threateningly.

"It'd serve me right if ye fellers beat me up," resumed Spike. "I'm no
good. I never was and I'm goin' ter quit onless ye fire me afore I've
got through speakin', but I wants ye folks t' know that I throwe