“I want to know!” he ejaculated, beaming at them like a pleased sparrow

“I want to know!” he ejaculated, beaming at them like a pleased sparrow.
“I want to know! Smart lads, eh, Chief? Now–now–” He hesitated, his
eyes darting from Clint to Amy and from Amy to the Chief. Then he
cleared his throat nervously, slapped his hands together gently and
continued. “There–hem–there was no reward offered, boys, but–”