Achmed Abdullah

“ Macdonald smiled serenely.
"I tell you I won. Why? You fellows will have to work like the devil to get the money. The money for the insurance, and my own little pile; the three thousand. And just as soon as I've got my three I'm going to begin my last chapter, and, believe me, it's going to be some chapter! The fat of the land; peace and plenty; no more cheap tobacco, no more ham-and round at the Dutchman's, no more cheap lodging-houses. No. I'll live at a decent place. ”

“ Macdonald laughed.
"Not on your life. You can't expect a man to kill himself for six bits. Also, don't you think, Hayes, it would look rather fishy to the insurance people if a man who can afford to take out a whopping big life insurance, has to live like a piker and pinch and scrape?"
"Yes," the Californian agreed. "That's right."
"Three thousand bones," Macdonald insisted. "That's the very least we can give to our suicidal appointee. Add the twelve hundred insurance premium, and you have four thousand two hundred dollars. ”

“ We've jolly well got to. Besides, hang it all, it shan't be so deuced hard to earn seven hundred dollars. Why, we are men of education and ability, of strength, what?" He quite forgot the sentiments he had expressed only half an hour ago, and continued serenely. "The country is young and rich. 'Pon my word! I am convinced that personally I shall be able to earn my little bit to no time."
A sarcastic remark trembled on Macdonald's lips, but he suppressed it when he saw the lugubrious expression on Hillyer's face. ”