To The West Part 111

"Yes," I said; "and this was to have been our home."

"What!" cried Esau, giving such a start that he raised a little puff of black dust.

"This valley, with its pleasant meadows and the park-like entrance, was to have been our home. Mr Raydon had chosen it for Mr and Mrs John."

"Well," cried Esau; "then it is too bad. It was bad enough before for such a glorious place to be burned up; but as it was to have been ours-- Oh, I hope they'll transport those fellows for life."

We tramped back, having seen enough of the desolation to make our hearts ache, and stayed for a couple of hours in the lower part catching trout to take back with us before starting homeward, and pa.s.sing two parties of gold-diggers from the coast on their way to the Golden Valley.

They asked us eagerly to direct them, and I showed them the way with a curious feeling of dissatisfaction.

But that was of little use, for if I had not pointed out the way some one else would, for the news had spread far and wide, and the gold-washing was going on more vigorously every day. Crowds of people were flocking up the valleys, some to gain fortunes, but the greater part nothing but ill-health and disappointment.

The constant accessions of strangers made it the more difficult for Gunson's claim to be held; but, in spite of all opposition and complaint, this was done, the four men, or others in their place, being always kept on guard.

At last came the day when, in spite of Mr Raydon's advice to stay longer, Gunson declared himself quite strong and well.

"I am anxious to get back," he said, "and the more so that I am keeping your men there."

"I have not complained," said Mr Raydon.

"No; and you puzzle me," replied Gunson. "I should have thought you would have tried all you could to keep me back."

"Why should I? What difference does one make?"

"Then one more or less is of no consequence?" said Gunson, laughing.

"Well, I am not going to repeat all I have said before as to being grateful."

"I beg you will not," said Mr Raydon. "We had our duty to do to a sick man, and we have done it."

"n.o.bly," said Gunson, warmly.

"And you intend to start?"

"To-morrow morning, eagerly but unwillingly, for I am loth to leave the society of the tender friends who have nursed me back to life."

He looked at Mrs John and then at Mr John, ending by beckoning to me to come out with him into the enclosure, where Mr Raydon joined us, to begin talking about the stores he meant Gunson to have.

"But really, I cannot be putting myself under fresh obligations," said Gunson.

"Very well then," said Mr Raydon, rather bitterly; "pay me, and be independent." Then facing round and looking at me, and at Esau, who was some little distance away, he said sharply--

"You will take these two lads to help you, of course?"

"Yes," said Gunson, as the blood flushed to my temples, "of course. I could not do without them." I saw Mr Raydon frown, but no more was said, and we spent the rest of the day making preparations for our start, Mrs Dean helping, with the tears trickling down her cheeks as she worked, and bringing forth appeal after appeal from Esau not "to do that." Those few hours seemed to run away, so that it was night long before I expected it, and at last I went to Mr Raydon's quarters to say good-bye.

"There is no need," said Mr John, sadly. "The morning will do."

"But we start directly after daylight," I said. "Yes, I know; but we shall be up to see you off." I went away to my own quarters sadly dispirited; and my feelings were not brightened by the scene going on between Esau and his mother; and I gladly went out into the cool dark night to try and grow composed, when a high-pitched voice saluted me.

"Allee leady," it said. "Plenty tea, plenty flou, plenty bacon. Quong velly glad to go."

I could not say the same, and I pa.s.sed a very poor night, gladly rising at Gunson's call, and dressing in the half-darkness, so eager was I to get the painful farewells over and make a start.

Mr and Mrs John had kept their words, and Mrs Dean was waiting to kiss me and say good-bye, and beg me to take care of Esau.

"For he is so rash," she whimpered. "Do keep him out of danger, my dear."

I promised, and it was understood that we all parted the best of friends, Mr Raydon inviting us all to come over and see them when we chose, and offering to take charge of any gold Gunson might feel disposed to bring over to the Fort.

Then we were off, all well laden, and with two of the men and their Indian wives to carry stores.

The way chosen was through the forest, and away over the mountain ridge, so as to avoid pa.s.sing all the little camps; and in due time we reached the claim, dismissed the bearers, and once more settled down to our work.

"We must try hard to make up for lost time, my lads," said Gunson.

"Why, Gordon, you don't seem to relish the task."

"Oh, yes," I said, "only I feel a little dull at leaving the Fort."

CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE.

MR. RAYDON QUOTES LATIN.

"Nothing has been touched," said Mr Gunson, the next morning. "I don't believe Raydon's men have even washed a pan of gold, and my bank is quite safe."

I looked at him inquiringly.

"I examined it while you were asleep, Mayne," he said.

"Then you have a good deal stored up here?"

"Yes--somewhere," he said. "I'll show you one of these days. Now then; ready?"

We declared our readiness, and once more we began work, out in the silence of that beautiful valley, digging, washing, and examining, as we picked out the soft deadened golden scales, beads, grains, and tiny smooth nuggets.

We all worked our hardest, Quong being indefatigable, and darting back, after running off to see to the fire, to dig and wash with the best of us.

We had very fair success, but nothing dazzling, and the gold we found was added to the bank on the fourth day, this bank proving to be a leather bag which Mr Gunson dug up carefully in my presence, while I stared at him, and burst out laughing at his choice of what I thought so silly and unsafe a place for his findings.

"Why do you laugh?" he said, quietly. "Do you think I might have had a strong box instead of a leather bag?"

"I should have thought that you would have buried it in some out-of-the-way, deserted corner," I said. "I could find hundreds about."

"Yes," he said; "and so could other people, my lad. Those are the very spots they would have searched. I wanted a place where no one would look."

"And so you hid it here," I said, wonderingly, for I could not quite see that he was right, and yet he must have been, for the gold was safe.