>is

2 NASSAU $T., N.Y.
Boston, Mass.

Ew
10
*)

ko RW

>
aU

3
PUBLISHERS

A, Williams & Co

 

IRWIN & CO.,

 

 

 

 

oa
NS
ay (=
eo
D
=
ec
Ga
|
b=]
Cc)
a
ve

 

 

 

 
 
AMERICAN NOVELS, No. 25>

 
Wy),

i) . 3

mh

 
  

& KALB OF CALIPORNEIS.«

   
  
   
      

:
, ‘BY P, HAMILTON MYERS, ESQ.
\ . 4 itt
Author of Fort Stanwie,” *® Chest of Gold,” “King
of the Hurons,” “Harlowe Estate,” “ Paul
Morton,” etc., etc.
as

~~ -

NEW YORK:
IRWIN ‘& Co., PUBLISHERS,

102 Nassav STREET.

  
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the Year 186f,

By IRWIN P. BEADLE & Co.,
In the Clerk’s office of the District Court of the United States,

for the Southern District of New York.

 
   

   

THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

CHAPTER I.

een.

Frederick Innis was a young lawyer of —— street, who
flourished amazingly. for three years on anticipations, and
whose nicely carpeted office during all that period. had
never once been soiled by the plebeian tread of a client.
But Fred was aman who. kept his own counsels, (which
he could well afford to do, as he had none of other people
1o keep,) and so he told no one that he was poor, and that
he could with difficulty pay his way, for he knew enough
of human nature to understand that of all ways to obtain
business, showing yourse!f to be greatly in need of it, is
the very worst. He paid his bills, when he did pay them,
With an air, and demandéd receipts like a man who is
quite used to handling that kind of manuscript. He put
off bills with an air, too, and always felt himself bound
in honor, when he sent a dunning artisan away empty
handed, to console him by a new order for something else
in his line,

“IT have taken the liberty, Mr. Innis, of bringing this
little bill,” says Mr. Mildman, ‘‘as I have a sum to make
up to-day.” :

‘So have I, Mildman. Singular coincidence, isn’t it?
Sorry I haven’t the spelter for you. It was a deuced fina
coat, too—equal to the best in the city ; and, by the way,
it’s almost gone now—getting quite seedy. Have you
any more of this piece?”
 

  

10 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

“Oh, yes,” says Mildman, with sparkling eyes, ‘* seve-
ral patterns.’ ;

“T’ll cell around and be measured this afternoon, and
next month I'll remember you.”

And the tailor would depart well pleased, nor was Fred
less so, having performed a good action, as he supposed,
for no doubt of ultimate solvency or even affluence ever
troubled his mind.

When it was to come, or where from, he had no very
distinct idea, but opportunity, he doubted not, would offer
itself to him, as it does to every man, once at least in his
life, and he watched and waited for it. Not idle either,
for he had his employments, though they were rather lite-
rary than pfofessional, and not a little laborious, too,
such as the plowman need not envy. It was thus that,
like, and yet widely unlike Micawber, he waited for some-
thing to turn up.

Well, something: did turn up. California turned up,
(literally, a great part of it, under the spade and pick-axe,)
and Fred’s qnick ear caught the first chink of the golden
gravel from that fur country. © Without thinking twice on
the subject, he resolved to go. He had few friends to
trouble him with their advice or warning; the love of ad-
venture was strong within him, and hope was bright and
buoyant.

If Mr. Innis had few friends, however, he had a great
Many acquaintanccs, and a great many heads were shaken
in derision at his project. :

“Better stay at home, and mind his business,” said old
Mr. Twiggs, who had been‘a particular friend of Fred's
father, and was now a very rich man, and tho President
of a Bink, but who had never once raised his finger to as-
sist the struggling young lawyer, when it would scareely
have required more than the raising of a finger on his part
to ensure him a prosperous business.

“YT thought he was-more steady. I really had hopes of
Fred,” continued Twiggs, who had given two handred

“Notes, and twenty or thirly mortgages to the fat firm of
Plod & Puller, to collect within the last year, ‘a tithe of

 

   

i i eee Tl ie in ten

  
  

re-

id

ed

er

7
er

   

  

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 11

which would have been the setting up of Innis; ‘‘but
some men.seem to have no stability.’’

‘“‘Then he is so handsome, papa, and has such a fine
figure,” said Miss Twiggs.  ‘‘It isn’t possible that he
means to dig.”

“Dig! Why not?” replied Twiggs, sinking into a lux-
urious yelvet-covered rocking-chair, and resting his arms
upon: its cushioned sides. ‘f Why shouldn't he dig, I
should like to know, as well as other people! I am only
afraid that he will find digging of uo ayail, unless, as is
most likely, he takes to canals or railroads.”

‘Oh, papa, how shocking!”

“Not at all. The world must have its ‘hewers of
wood and drawers of water,’” said Twiggs, uncorking a
bottle of sherry.

“But, papa,” continued Kitty, with a very innocent
look, ‘have not I heard you say that Mr. Innis’s futher
was a particular friend of yours ?’”* 5

“‘Certainly—that is to say—yes. What, of ites stam-
mered the banker, a little in doubt whether his daughter's
question had any hidden meaning

“Oh, nothing,” replied Kitty, with another very inno-
cent look,

“Yes,”’ continued: Twiggs, growing loquacious, and
pleased at having a good listener, ‘‘ Mr, Samuel Innis and
I were schoolmates, and intimate from childhool. He was
the son of a rich man. . I was the son of a poor man. He
died insolvent the very year that I was made President of
the Bank of --—, with a thousand shares of stock stand-
ing in my own name, besides as much more capital in real
estate. That is the difference between men. But-he was
a clever fellow, Innis was. He helped me to my first
good position in business—up the first round of the ladder

of fortune. After that I climbed myself. _He was. rich,
then, Innis was, and it was no trouble to him,’’

“How came he to fail? Was he very extravagant?”

‘No, but he was too easy and accommodating. He was
in a large business, and it was the old story of endorse-
ment for friends during that black year in commercial his-
  

   

12 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

tory, 1836. Efe was on the paper of Tom, Dick, and
Harry, and half a dozen more, who exploded around him
like a bundle of fire-crackers in July—a perfect feu-de-jot
of failures—he bringiag up the rear to the tune of a quar-
ter of a million.”

‘¢Ah, how unfortunate! I wonder he never came to
you for help.”

“He did come, twenty times. That just showed how
inconsiderate he was. Asif I were going to thrust my
nose into the trap, just as if was about to be sprung, too.
You see it was only a suspension at first, and he said he
could ‘get through with twenty thousand, for cash was
everything in those days, and worth just ten times what it
now is, and he had friends, he said, who could raise half
the sum, if he could procure the balance. He was certain
that ten thousand from me would save him.”

‘Well, did it?”

“Why, what a foolish question. He had not a parti-
cle of security to offer, excepting his tangled business. Of

course I could do nothing for him, though I was very ©

sorry for him.”
' “Fow much were you worth then, papa?”

“1?” said Twiggs, with brightening eyes, and totally
obtuse as to the drift of his daughter's questions, ‘* Two
hundred thousand dollars at least, in tie very soundest
‘property, and without a debt in the world.”

‘How long did Mr. Innis live after this?’

“Only a few years. I think he died in 1889, but Iam
hot quite certain of the time, asT rather lost sight of
him after his failure, though we had been quite intimate
before.”

Kitty sighed and remained silent, What her thoughts
were can only be guessed from her questions, and from a
very ingenuous and sweet expression of. countenance
which had grown mournful as she listened. to her worldly
and selfish sire. Kitty knew Fred well. They had often
met at parties, more often than Twiggs knew anything
about, and very good friends they were, too. There was,
indeed, something very much like love between them, if

     

it v
suc
allo
bot
tast
sim
fell
hea
nar
pes
tw
loc
enc
we

ter
wit
ble
fro
the

bri

for
ne
de!
he
tin
to

git
     

oe

— —

a

   

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 13

it was not the genuine article, but neither suspected any
such sentiment in the other, nor would Kitty haye even
allowed it to herself. There was sincere admiration on
both sides, which was unavoidable, as each possessed good
taste, and the qualities that gratify it, but Kitty, in her
simplicity, did not think herself worthy of such a noble
fellow as Fred, nor capable of inspiring affection in his
heart. As to Fred, he scorned all appearance of merce-
nary views in matrimony, and old Twiggs scorned all ap-
pearance of poverty in a suitor for his daughter, and be-
tween these two scorvings Kitty might as well have been
locked up in an enchanted castle, and Fred have been an
enchanted horseman on the gateway arch, so far apart
were they, and so inaccessible to each other.

Innis was therefore not a wooer of the banker’s. daugh-
ter. He had never suffered his mind to dwell upon her
with any matrimonial hopes, and it was with no percepti-
ble pang that he prepared to separate himself so_ widely
from her with the full expectation, if he thought at all on
the subject, that when next he saw her, it would be as the
bride of some one of her wealthy admirers,

 

‘

CHAPTER IL.

Innis did not find going to California quite the easy
matter that he anticipated. He met with a singular and
formidable obstacle at the very starting point of his jour-
ney. There was a judgment standing against him, for no
debt or proper diability of his own, an unjust claim, which
he had resol} iever voluntarily to discharge, unless the
time should cothe when it would be more easy to pay than
to resist it. But his wily creditor, or rather a pettifog-
ging attorney, Who hal charge of the demand, had watch-
ed his epportunity, and had contrived to attach poor Fred’s
baggage, and even his passage ticket, which was unfortu-
nately in one of his trunks, the very day before that of his
intended departure,

 
 
 
   
   
    
  
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
    
  
 
 
   
   
 
    

   

14 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

Never did blow fall more heavily and unexpectedly
upon a young aspirant for fortune than this. Ile was as-
tonished, stunned, overcome; all his bright visions of
wealth faded away from before his eyes, like the expiring
hues of the summer rainbow. For the first time in his
life he felt that he was poor. Ie had not a hundred dol-
lars in his pocket. All else was invested in a few well-
chosen articles for the California market, which would
have been sure to quadruple their cost there, and which.
filled his largest trunk. Here, they would barely suffize,—
with the passage ticket included, to pay the execution of
Mr. Attorney Swipes.

**Yt’s all up,” said Fred to a young friend who had
called to bid him good-by, ‘this confouaded levy knocks
my project quite in the head, and, at the same time, ren-
ders it the more necessary that I should go. I have
nothing in the world left, Whitman, excepting these traps |
and my California hopes.’

“*Cannot the claim be disputed 3

“No, it is a legal one, although without a shade of
equity. I did’ all I could to contest it before judgment, —
and then resolved never to pay it until I could do so with-
out incommoding myself, It has slumbered a long while,
as all my small means were in money, and consequently
beyond the reach of an execution and I had quite forgot-
ten there was such adebt. Swipes must have been watch-
ing me like a cat.”

“Tes hard, certainly. I wish I could help you, Fred,
but you know how it is with me. I might raise a hun-
dred for you——”"

“You are very kind, Charley, but I could not take it,

“ you know, with no dertainty of ever being able to pay you
again. Besides, the claim is five hundred, and it is quite
impossible for me to raise it. Let them sell, and then I
shall at least know that the worst has come.”

Whitman left his friend somewhat abruptly, with his
head full of a project of his own, for he was an ardent
and enthusiastic youth, with but little knowledge of the
world. He knew the rich Twiggs, and had heard from

 
    

THE GOLD CRUSHERS, 15

Innis that his father had started the banker in life, and the
ly inference to-such a mind jas Whitman’s,.was unayo idable,
g- that ithe old gentleman would fly, purse in hand, to the
of rescue of the-son of his benefactor. », He was mistaken, of

course, and shocked besides, for he was met. by the very
ig Coldest: rebuff.
iE Whitman urged, ‘‘It.is only a loan, and it is so impor-
yj. tant to him; all his prospects in life are at stake, sir—and
qe will be very sure to pay you, I think.”

“You think! Perhaps,you would endorse for him?”  »
‘, said Twiggs, sneeringly. ; i
af “Oh, with pleasure,’’ replied. Whitman. é
“Are you a merchant, and if so, of. whom, shall I in-
q quire of your commercial standing ?”’
**T.am a law student.”

  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
 
   
  
    
  
 
    

1a

‘3

‘ ‘¢Oh, indeed, that will do then.’’

3 “Will it?” said Whitman, eagerly, being quite deceived
A by the phrase, and, the tone in, which it. was, spoken,

“IT mean that Ican do nothing for you, and you must
excuse me now, as I have other business to attend to; but
¢ first, let me ask you whether Mr. Innis sent you on this
~) errand?” j :

x ‘«By no means... He knows nothing of my application,

I assure you.” :

“Thatis all, -sir.’?

Whitman went out ina white heat .of wrath, and left
the banker searcely less incensed, Twiggs’ anger was
the fiercer, because it was not unmixed with some up-
braidings of conscience; which he tried to stifle and divert
his mind from, by blaming Innis and Whitman, and the
whole tribe of yagabonds, a3 he usually styled all. poor
people. - He, had: a supreme contempt for every. person

- who could not ‘make money.” They were all miserable,
shiftless fellows, in lis: estimation, without distinction, no
matter how industrious or persevering they might be, or
what sickness or other .misfurtune had been theirs., No

matter, allhough: s

=

‘¢ Disaster
Had followed fast, and followed faster ”

 
 
   

16 THE GOLD ORUSHERS.

upon their footsteps, it was all one to Twiggs. He scorned
them. Hehad succeeded. It had been easy for him.
Why not they? Nobody need tell him, he said. They
did not éry, or what was the same thing, they did not try
in the right way.

Such was the banker’s language at home that evening,
as he paced his Turkey carpet in embroidered slippers,
and talked to his wife and Kitty. He had told them of
Fred’s misfortune, and of Whitman's application, and had
triumphantly justified himselfvas he supposed, in their es-
timation. But he was mistaken. His wife, indeed, who
was a fat, quiet, easy, aristocratic old lady, scarcely
troubled herself to think at all onthe subject. But Kitty’s
little heart throbbed with indignation. She had often
been obliged to blush at her father’s character, even’ as
painted by himself, and had felt it difficult to retain a du-
tifal affection for him. ‘But now her emotions of mortifi-
cation'and anger were overpowering, and she hastened to
her own room, where she gave way, in sen to her
feelings:

“Only five hundred dollars,’”’ she said, ‘‘and he refuses
it to the son.of his greatest benefactor, and when he is in #
distress, too. How paltry! how wicked, and how I
longed to tell him so. Poor Fred !’’

Kitty thought of appealing to her father in the. young
lawyer's bebalf, but she felt certain that it would be un-
‘availing, besides which, a maidenly delicacy of feeling ut-
terly forbade that she should say or do aught which might
imply a partiality for- Mr. Innis. “ Indeed she did not think
she had any such partiality.

“Such a trifle!’ she continued, opening a box of jew-
elry. ‘Why these gewgaws cost thrice the sum that
would make a worthy man happy,.and perhaps prosperous.
A. man, too, of education and talent.” -

She gazed long and thoughtfully at the treasure which
was her grandmother's gift, and was exclusively her own
property. ‘
“IT haye a right to do what I will with these,” she |

   
  

ed

ey’

 

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 17

said, ‘and if it: could only be done without: his knowl-
edge

Again Kitty looked long and earnestly into the | jewel-
box. Then she rose, and. wrapped it carefully in her
handkerchief, put on shawl and bonnet, and. calling a
young brother to accompany her, she went forth, with ex-
cited air and hurried step, ac if she had made up her mind .;
to some desperate act, and was afraid her resolution would
fail before she had accomplished it. She went to the
house of a lawyer in the next street, an old and very wor-
thy gentleman, who was a particular friend of her ‘father’s
family, and with whom she had long been on intimate
terms,

Parting with her brother at the door, she inquired for
Mr. Earl, and had the good fortune to find the parlor de-
serted, and in a few minutes to hear the creaking shoes of
her old friend, as he came out of his library. She nearly
fainted at the sound, for she was wrought up to a high
pitch of nervous excitement, but the. mild, trembling voice
of her friend partly re-assured her. Ss

“Why, Kitty,” said the old gentleman, offering his
hand, ‘‘are you all alone? All our young folks are at,
the opera this evening.”

_ “Ob, how:glad Iam. ‘I only want to see YOU,” said
Kitty, dashing out the word at a breath.

“Ah, something is the matter,” said Mr. Earl, who was
a close observer, ‘‘something is amiss here; tell me what
Tcan do for you.”

“Promise me the strictest secresy. oe

“Certainly, my dear.”

“And that you will not even try to learn, much less
divulge, my reasons for the request Lam about to make of .?
¥on,””

“T promise everything to my Kitty,” said the old ito,
playfully. Surely you are not afraid to trust me.’

The young lady hastily opened. her handkerchief, and
placing the box of jewels in the old géntleman’s hands,
said :

“In some way, by some meaus—I know not how-—I

 

 

  
   
  
 
 
   
  
 
 
    
  
  
   
    
   
  
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

18" THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

only know such things:are done—raise: for nie ‘five’ hun-

’ dred dollars on this pledge, and place it in the hands of Mr. *
Seth Whitman, Jaw: student in the office of Mrv —~, befure .
ten/o’clock to-morrow morning.” . =

‘¢T wilh advance it myself; don%t trembleso, my child; F
there is nothing difficult, invall this.’?

Oh, thank you, thank »you!’’ exclaimed Kitty,: with )
the tears now running unrestrain ed-dowm her cheeks. .

“Tdo notask your_reasons—some friend, I suppose, in 7

distress, but as I am to act professionally in this matter,
yow must allow me to ask a question or two,”

‘“No—no, ask nothing,” said Kitty, rising in alarm, and '
taking hold of the door-knob,

«Don’t be frightened, birdie,” said the old gentlem#n,
huighings ‘I was only going to.ask whether this’ money
is to: be ‘given to Mr. Whitman without any message of
any kind.’

‘Ol, certainly, he must not have the least hint as to
where ‘it comes from. ute vas know. what to do, with

te eae :
** Doubtless. “You may let chim ‘alone forithat.’/’ But
am [not evento ask a receipt?” ; 4

‘“*By no means,”’

‘Only just fling the money in his face, + and ‘come
away ?”’

* Yes,’? said Kitty, Jaughing.

f new well; now I know what I have to-do, and you
may depend on it being done before ten o'clock to-morrow
morning.”

Miss Twiggs heartily thanked the lawyer, and bade him
£00: night ;; she would not wlow him: to escort her home
in person, but accepted the services of one of his domes-
tics as her protector, and then departed.

Mr. Earl had no-difficulty in performing. his. promise

He knew the lawyer named. by Miss Twiggs, as the ove

7 in whose office Mr. Whitman studied, and at ten o'clock
the next morning he called there, check in hand. Whit-
man was at his desk, alone, drumming with his fingers a
dismal tattoo; and looking very. sober.
n=
ifs
re

we

Iz

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 19

“Ts this Mr. Seth Whitman?” asked Mr.-Tarl, advanc-
ing. politely.

“That is my mame,” answered Seth, looking suspi-
ciously at the paper in» the ‘stranger's hands, and by no
means certain that he was not about to share: the fate of
Fred.

“This, then, is for you,’ said Earl, presenting: the
check,

Whitman took it, glanced at it, and leaped from ‘his
stool with a hurrah.

“Then old Twiggs has relented,’ he said; ‘*I beg his
pardon—the right honorable Mr. Twiggs, I: mean. > This
came from him of course. Sit down, sir—thank ‘you, sir
—this will be the making of Fred—please to take a chair
while I draw anote; it’s just exactly in time—the ship sails
at twelve, and hé can go yet—oh, this is cap-capital;. how
shall I draw the note, sir?”

Seth had rattled all this off with such inconceivable
velocity, that Mr. Earl had no time to utter a word. As
soon asa pause did occur, he barely said“ good morning,”
and walked off, utterly deaf to a whole string of exclama-
tions and interrogations which Seth rattled after lim.

Whitman next went in pursuit of his friend, whom he
found negotiating with Swipes, and a third party, a candi-
date for California, for the. disposal of the seized passage
ticket, which it was his interest to turn into money in or-
der to reduce the debt, and which would be valueless af-
ter twelve o'clock. Too sad to: chaffer, Fred was just
about consenling to let it go at half price to the bargainer;
who was a shrewd Yafkee, when Seth made his appeéar-
ance.

‘* Hold on there,” he said,“ we are allright here, after
all. How much is this levy for, Mr. Swipes?’

“ Four hundred and eighty-seven dollars s sixty- -twvo and
a half cents.”

‘*Well, I have “here‘a eértified check for five = serie cel
BO filensd: get ready the change, aud trunks.”

““A check, Whitman? Impossible?“ Whose, and” by
what means obtained?” said Innis.

 
  

   

    

20 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

“That is more than J can tell; Ithought it was old

Twiggs at first, but ’tis neither in his name nor on his bank,”
replied Seth, drawing his friend aside, and recounting to
him the mysterious manner in which the paper was placed
in his hands. The signature was strange to them both,
and might as well have been an Egyptian hieroglyphic,
for any syllable they could make out of it; but the certi-
fication of the cashier of the bank upon which it was
drawn rendered it as good as gold for all practical pur-
poses.
_ “What possible reason had you to think it came from
that old miserly Twiggs?’ asked Innis, who knew nothing
of Seth’s application to him, and would have been very
angry, if he had known it.

‘¢ Well, I thought it possible.’’

‘Did not I tell you how he turned his back upon my
father in his greatest need, although under the weightiest
obligations to him—when by risking, and only slightly
risking a twentieth part of his own property, he might
have saved, as was clearly shown afterwards, an estate of
half a million to my father, and his Jife, too.”

Fred spoke fiercely and rapidly.

‘“‘Yes—yes, you have told me all—frequently,”’ replied
Seth.

‘‘How often, in my boyhood, have I heard my father
repeat the story, as in his poverty, he looked back long-
ingly at the golden vision which had flitted away from
him. Twiggs probably thinks I know nothing of all this,
or perhaps he cares nothing if I do.’’

“He is a scoundrel,” said Seth.

‘«But this money, Seth; how do you know it was in-
tended for me at all, if nothing was said about me by the
bearer?”

‘Oh, it’s for you; I am sure of that; you see it is just
the sum you wanted, and everybody knows how intimate
we are—and—and I am sure it is for you, Innis, and there

is no time to be lost either in rendering it available. It is
now half-past ten.”

ed

it |
afl
ot
to
tu
  

a re

 

21

 

THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

‘But I really think this money may have been intend-
ed as a present for you, Seth.’

‘‘Not it; nobody,ever gave me a dollar in the world, and
it is not very likely they would do it at this juncture of
affairs, Isay the money is yours, and if it turns out
otherwise, we will call it a California investment of mine
to be repaid with a bonus, when you have made your for-
tune out there, which I am positive you will do.”

“‘T have a strong presentiment of that kind myself,
Without jesting, and-I will take the money if you insist on
it, and will still.go by this very ship. If I succeed, Seth,
you shall not repent your kindness.”

‘Neither shall I repent it, if you do not succeed, Fred
—so make yourself easy on that score,”

 

CHAPTER UL

Fred went to California.

The deep significance of the last four words will be un-
derstood by those who have journeyed to that land, in the
early period of emigration thither before any systematic or
uniform mode of travel was established. He went to
Chagres, in-a vessel crowded to suffocation; he spent five
days in crossing the Isthmus in rain and mud and -fog,
and arrived at Panama, in company with hundreds of
others, worn, weary and fasting, to find that town already
overflowing with tired expectants of a never-coming ship,
which was to take them off. He secured, with difficulty,
the ‘narrowest accommodations at the most enormous
charges, and lived on food which he neither comprehend-
ed nor dared to inquire into,

A few days after his arrival, he fell into company witha
tall, limber Vermonter, who said he was.a Green Moun-
tain Boy, and whose appearance indicated that the ad-
jective was as justly due to himself as to his native hills.
Jotham Wakely, as he called himself, was about twenty-
six years of age, with a thin face and sharp features,

 

  
    

THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

which would have been quite uninteresting but for a re-
markably bright= pair of eyes, which were perpetually
moving and flashing, and seemed to permit nothiug to es-
cape their observation.

Wakely’s boarding-house was near that of Innis, and
they frequently met an.J engaged in conversation, so often
indeed, that Frederick thought their interviews were not
always accidental, and that the Vermonter had some de-
sign in cultivating his acquaintance.

** Wal,” said Jotham, one morning, on meeting his new
friend; “it is pretty tough work, this, to be kept here,
waiting for a ship till one’s money is spent, and you can’t
go when it does come, and can’t go home neither; that’s
pretty hard, isn’t it!”

“Tt is, indeed. I hope that is not your case.”

‘*But it 7s though, and it’s- the same with hundreds
of others; that's what kills so many, sir—they talk about
the Panama fever; it’s all nonsense, it’s the fever of anx-
iety and suspense. J’ve had it; it heats the blood a’most
to the b’iling p’int—and makes you feel as if you had a
~hot huckleberry pudding in your head instead of brains,
and then you get delirious of course, and there ain’t no-
body to do nothing for you, and if you ain’t remarkably
good pluck, you die.”’

“Then you are pretty good pluck, I suppose ?””

“Rather,’’ said Jotham, soberly; ‘*but I’m low-spirited
to-day—for they say there will certainly be a steamer here,
to take us off within three days, and I’m ont of money. I
haven't five dollars left, and they won’t take me, of
course.” :

“Ts it possible? Iam really very sorry for you.”

‘«That’s what fifty people have told me,” said Jotham,
“and most of ’em said they were nearly as badly off them-
selycs, they had all been here so long; but you bave just
come, as it were, only last week, and must be flush, and
now I’ve something to propose to you.”

“Oho,’’ thought Innis—we’re to have some new and
ingenious mode of begging, I suppose. ‘* Well what is it!’
he continued, aloud. é

   

    

you

we
sol
  

| Te.

ally
 e8-

and
‘ten
not

de-

ew
re,
Vt
t's

 

THE GOED CRUSHERS: 23

“‘I'm going to.proposea partnership between us two,
you and I.”

Fred looked inguinjagly .at-his) companion, to see if he
were jesting, but there.was aie appearance of the most
sober. earnestness,

‘* A partnership ?’’

“Yes, a partnership.”

“But you say you have nothing.”

“I’ve got an idee,” replied the Yankee, emphatically,
and—and’?——

“You propose to divide it with me,” asked- Innis,
laughingly.

“ Yes,”? continued the other, eagerly, and with a fire
glowing in his eyes, which might have been the light of
genius—or insanity: ‘*Yes—on condition (that. you. pay
hy, passage to San Francisco... It. isn’t, everybody that I
would make such an offer to; but I like your looks, and
am willing to help you to make your fortune. I can as
well do it as not-for I don’t see any. possible use that I
can have for a quarter of the gold Tam, going to get. I
don’t, indeed. I have laid awake nights, thinking what I
should do with it.”

‘Ah, indeed?”

“Yes, str, anda lucky fellow you are to have met me,
I’ve been trying to. make up my mind to make this. propo-
sition to you several days, but I could.not conckade to do
so until L heard this morning about this ; ship, that..was a
eoinin’ so soon, and. that degided. me. | i..would ‘rather
give half than wait here any longer, and. run the risk. of
dying.”

“Half of. what?”

“OF my idee, sir, of my ¢dee—it’s worth.a ton of gold.”

“And is not near a” diffi ‘ult to carry, I suppose ?”’

“Come this way,’ continued Jotham, . not. noticing
the snecring remark of, his: companion, and Jeading the
Way ‘0 his room—a very small apartment, which was quite
filled by a single bedstead, two trunks anda large. box,
and might be ealled crowded when its tenantwas in. »As
to Fred, he was. decidedly a supernumerary, and, was

 

  
    

24 THE GOLD: CRUSHERS.

obliged to step up on gqne of the trunks in order to
get in. :

“Shut the door—if—if—you canv™said Jotham, hesi-
tatingly, he having led the way, and being in advance of
his proposed partner. Innis complied.

“Now, do you see that box at the foot of the bed? It’s
in there.” :

“What! your idea?” asked Fred, who began now to
think his companion was really mad.

“Yes; but before I let you sce it, you are to promise
me on your honor that you will take no advantage of it,
unless you accede to my terms.”

‘*Most certainly ; I proniise.”

‘¢Wal,” said Jotham, striding over the trunks toward
his treasure, ‘‘I ain’t afraid but what you'll agree fast
enough, and a lucky thing it is for you, too—but first,”
said he, seating himself on the box, his long legs dangling
against its sides—‘‘ first, let me tell you how Icame to
think about it. When I first came here, about two months
ago, there were two Hampshire'men here, who had jast
come from California, where they were living when the
gold was first discovered, and long before we heard any-
thing about it in the States; they had picked it up off the
‘ground like gravel stones, and in three’ months they had
such big piles that they started home with it for fear they
would get robbed, and then they were coming back again,
but they sartinly hadn't Tess than seventy or eighty thous-
and déllars’ worth a piece, and I think one of ’em, a sly
fellow, had twiee as much, for he pretended that one of
his bags, that weighed over a hundred, had specimens of
lead in if. It’s a likely story that he woul carry lead so
far! They were the big chunks,” and Jotham gave a
knowing nod with his head.

‘Of course,’ said Innis.

“Well, sir, one of these fellows was a very sensible
chap, and he talked a great deal about California, and I

_ listened. I asked some questions, too—a@ few, you know.”
» Very probable.” ,
“ He said the surface gold was pretty much all picked

   

up,
lot!
ib

all

m
Vi
or te

hesi-
e of

It's

tO

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 25

up, or would be before I could get; there, but there was
lots of it into the rocks, if it could only be got out; but
it cost more than it.come to, he said, for you to hammer
all day on a few pounds of rock before you could get it to
pieces, and get the gold out of it, and then it wouldn’t be
more than half an ounce. But it was ¢here, he said, mil-
lions upon millions, and there wasn't any end to it. He
told me of one place where there were rocks enough to
build a city, and all sparkling with very fine Boe dust.”’

“ Yes,

‘But it wasn’t any use, he said again, "cause it cost
more than it was worth to. get it out. That was very
aggravating, but it set me to thinking. I thought all
night about it, and never shut my eyes once—not once,
str,’

‘*T3 it possible ?”’

“Yes, sir; and then it was I got my idee. ..The next
morning I went to Mr. Smith—that was his name—aud
said, said I: ‘Have you got any speciments of them gold
rocks ?? and he said he had, and he took a piece out of
his trunk, weighing about eight pounds, and showed it to
me. I shouldn’t have known there was any gold. in_ it,
for the particles were so fine you could scarcely sce them
without a microscope, and most people would never no-~
tice them at_all,or would, judge, like Mr. Smith, that it
was quite preposterous to think of making anything by
getting them out.”

‘* Well, what did you dot” 2

“T bought it of him, and then I went to thinking again,
and then, sir—(Innis noticed. that here Jotham’s eyes
sparkled again with that-same,wild delight which he had
before observed, ) and then I invented a machine, sir, that
will munch up’ these rocks as easily as you would. eat ap-
ples, sir! That’s what I did, sir!”

‘Is. it possible ?’’ said Innis, beginning to, be inter-
ested.

“Yes, sir!” said Jotham; jumping down from the box.

‘And now, perhaps, you would like to seevit eat”,

 
   

26 THE GOLD ORUSHERS.

“ Most certainly, if it it feeding ‘time,’’ said Innis,
laughing.

“Oh, it’s always as hungry as a Vermont schoolmaster.
It can eat at any time, and what is better, its ‘digestive
organs never get out of order. ‘It’s only a smull one, this
is, but I have tle castings making for a much a larger ma-
chine.’?

“ But how can you get them done here ?”

“Tt has been very difficult; but there is a kind of
foundery here where they make small castings for plows,
&c., and where, by doing half the work myself, I) man-
aged to get them done.’ Of course, I made all the pat-
terns myself, and I had but one ‘piece cast at a time,and
took that away, and the pattern, too, before making the
next piece, so that they should not suspect what < was
about.”

**A very discreet plan.”

“But I could not raise money to get the set of large
castings out of their hands, thourh there is only twenty
dollars due on them. Think of that, sir! Just thinle of
that! Won't that be something to laugh at when I ama
millionaire?”

Yes, indeed.”

“Well, sir, now Dll set this little fellow in motion, just
for your satisfaction, but remember that yours will be the
first eyes, excepting mine, that have ever’ seen it go, or
have ever seen it at all when it. was put together. But
first, just step across the street, where you see that little
ledge of granite rocks, and pick up a few of the pieces
that you will find lying around, Don’t bring-any larger
than your hat, for this is only a small machine—not much
more than a model.’

Innis complied unhesitatingly wits this request, -and
soon returned with a piece of solid granite, of nearly the
dimensions to which he had been limited. As he re-en-
tered, he heard a great clanking and clattering of iron and
“steel, and he stopped, astonished at the sight which met
his eyes. Jotham, in his shirt sleeves, was at the side of
the now open box, turning a crank which he had

   

ot
Tunis;

Ster,
stive
thig
Das

of
Ws,
au
ut.
nd
he
as

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 27

“shipped” in its place during his absence, and setting in
motion a strong, ponderous and complicated machinery of
wheels, levers and hammers, which banged, rattled,
creaked and screamed at a most terrific rate, and seemed
to threaten instant demolition to anything which came
Within its iron grasp.

“Throw it in! Throw it in!’ he shouted, with suf-
fused face and sparkling eyes, as he plied the crank more
vigorously. ‘‘Jest drop it right in there where you see
them steel teeth and hammers—throw it in! Take care—
don’t go too near!”

Fred dropped the stone in the required place, and im-
medately heard one loud crash, and then a multitude of °
smaller cracklings.

“Ttold you so!” shouted Jotham, still pursuing his
task. ‘‘I told you so! Didn’t she do it nice? Didn't
she munch it up like old cheese! Throw in another,
quick! Another! Don’t you hear her calling for more?”
and he worked away at the crank more earnestly than
ever.

“*T did not bring any more,”’ replied Frederick. ‘Stop,
and let us see what has become of the stone. If it is
pulverised, the proof is already as perfect as you can
make it.”

“Pulverised! Ef you can find a piece as big asa
pin’s-head, sir, Ill give you the machine, JZ know.
Look !”

Jotham took up a portion of the material of the late
stone converted into powder, and showed it to his com-
panion.

“You might eat it, sir, with a little seasoning, There
ain’t any finer dust in the highway.”

Innis examined it with great astonishment.

‘Now, ef that had been the golden granite of Ci lly for-
ny,” continued Jotham, ‘all we should have to do would
be to separate the gold in the same way as they do from
other dirt, and there it is, sir. How much do you think
we could do of that in a day, sir? Ilow much in a week?
a month? How much inayear? I don’t agi bat just

 

 
       
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
    
   
  
 

28

 

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. re

one year, sir, and if we don’t make over one million of vite
dollars apiece, then, sir, we are spoonies.’ in'm

“But why not go back to New York, get your machine A
patented, and make a fortune selling the patent rights.”’ ring

‘*And be six months getting my letters from the Patent ,

Office, and then find no one to believe in it—or if it suc-
ceeded, to be cheated out of all by some braiuless rascal’s

‘improvement’ on it, in the shape of an extra cog-wheel, :

ft which turned nothing, excepting the money out of my Nal

pocket into his. That would be nice, wouldn’t it?” hs

Jotham spoke bitterly, and like a man who had had ex- ob
perience in patent rights.

‘*No, no,’’ he continued, ‘‘we can make a fortune fu

quicker by using these machines, and after that we can ¥

patent them or not as we choose, or we can sell them out cl

there for an immense sum. I don’t mean that any living h
soul shall ever see them ’cept you and I until we haye
done using them.’ ; :
“No one but you andI? Surely you do not think we :
can do all the work alone ?’’ :
‘*We can feed it, sir. Don’t you suppose there are |
any waterfalls in Callyforny to turn the cranks fur us?
We can feed it, can’t we?”
he “Oh, yes, I see,” said Fred, who began to imagine him-
self and his companion dwelling alone in some wild, hilly
region, with their tents pitched beside a stream, and their
‘Crusher’ forever rattling and banging by their side.
He was awoke from his reverie by his companion:
‘Wal, what say you now to the partnership %”
“‘T agree to it.” -
“‘T knew you would,” said the other, without mani-
festing the least surprise. ; 4
“But what security am I to have that you will perform 4

your part of the contract.”

‘*You may keep the ‘Crusher.’’’

“That will do.” ‘

“You see, I ain’t afraid to trust you. But, then, I
shall have the other and the larger one, after you haye
paid for it,”

=
1 of
ine

ne
IC~

adie

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 29:

“ Certainly.”

“We shall have no difficulty with each other, I am con-
vineed. TI have confidence in you, and you ought to have
in me, after this great mark of my regard for you.”

All this was said with the air of a man who was confer-
ring a favor, not receivin® one.

**T have,’”’ replied Innis,

“Tt’s a bargain, then ?”

SMiris.”

And thus was this strange compact coucluded, without
writing or memorandum of any kind, but with a perfect
simplicity and truthfulness on each side, which. entirely
obviated the necessity of any such formula,

Innis had barely enough money left to enable him to
fulfil his bargain, but he relicd on obtaining more at San
Francisco, from the sale of a few choice articles of mer-
chandise, which, as ha’ been said, he had brought with
him. .

He advanced the means necessary to release the cap-
tive castings, which, on his suggestion, were not framed
and made ready for use, but were packed in separate par-
cels, and the smaller machine was taken apart “and simi-
larly disposed of. Thus they would be subject to a lighter
charge as freight, and would admit of more easy transpors
tion from San Franeisco into the interior of the country.

 

CHAPTER Iv.

To the great delight of the expectant crowd at ~Pana-
ma, the steamship came within the appointed time, but
she did not prove to be of sufficient capacity even to take
all who were willing to pay the most exorbitant fares for

“the most limited accommodations.

But Frederick having a “through ticket” for himself
found it easy, by’an early application, to secure a steerage
berth for his friend, who did not ask for any better place,
and who said he would rather swing his hammock under
the bow-sprit, than ‘to’ wait any longer for a passage.

 
  
  
 
 
 
    
  
  
  
 
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
 
  

»

80 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

Their voyage was a quick one, and unmarked’ by any
more striking incidents than the many ludicrous annoy-
ances resulting from crowding fifteen hundred people into
& space calculated to. accommodate Icss than two-thirds
of that number,

Jotham, however, did not allow his time to pass uns
improved. Though a steerage passenger, he was to be
found in pretty much every part of the ship, conyersing
with everybody; guessing and calculating a great many
things, and asking questions of somebody at the rate of
one for every stroke of the piston all the way up to San
Francisco. :

He said nothing about the ‘Crushers,’ but he heard a
great deal about other matters connected with the general
object of the voyage, and among other things he encoun-
tered another shrewd Yankee, almost a counterpart of

himself, who had invented a new. ‘‘ Lifter, Separator, and
»  Precipitator,” as he grandiloqnently styled a little, insig-

nificant-looking machine, for separating gold from its kin-
dred dust:

He had many of these articles for sale, each being
pasted over with printed certificates from m: any unknown
generals, judges and clergymen, that they were altogether
perfect, and sure to capture the finest particles of the pre-
cious metal, not allowing the very aura to escape.

‘*Tt precipitates the Aull,” said the vendor, ‘even that
which is tew small for gravitation to act on, and which
would float in the air like motes in a sunbeam—it precipi-
tates the hull.’’.

- Jotham’s eyes. sparkled when he saw the machine, and
sir the boasts of its inventor.

‘If it is half what, he tells,” he said, aside to Fred, ‘it
is beyond all value to us.” So he began to decry the in-
vention vociferously, insomuch that one might naturally.

have supposed that he had not the remotest design of be--

coming a purchaser. But the other party understood him

better, and a scene of. bantering ensued for about. half an.

hour, well worthy these two representatives of Yankee-
dom. .It resulted in Jotham beating down the price of

   

sanacdaomnillen

  
y any
nnoy~
- into
hirds

uns

0 be
rsing
nany
te of
San

rda
eral
un-
of
and
sip
cin- |

ing
vit
ler
res

at
cht

THE GOLD CRUSITERS. 81

one of the machines something like fifty per cent. below
What the other had at first stated to be its actual cost, and
then obtaining the privilege.of making a trial of it before
paying for it—to all of which the vendor consented with
the air of a man who knew very well what he was about,
and who was quite satisfied with his bargain.

The Vermonter had in his possession ‘a small quantity
of gold dust, the proceeds of the fragment of golden gran-
ite which he had bought and crushed at Panama, and
which he had imperfectly separated by some rude process.
This, after first carefully weighing it, he mixed thoroughly
with several quarts of scrubbing sand, which he obtained
from one of the stewards of the vessel, and then, with In-
nis, he retired to the state-room of the latter, to make a
private experiment with the ‘‘Precipitator.” The result
Was a most astonishing confirmation of all that had. been
claimed in behalf of the machine. Jotham. recovered his
gold from the myriad grains of baser. dust almost to the
Jast precious atom; and both he and Frederick were fully
Convinced of the great value of the invention.

“We will take it of course,’’ said Innis.

*Sartingly,” said Jotham, ‘and another also. Taey
are beyond all price to us.”

« Frederick consented, and Jotham went back to his fel-
low-Yankee.

“T don’t think any tew much of your machine,’’ he
said, with a careless air.

“Don’t you! Iam sorry for that.”

‘‘No, it’s rather a queer affair; it may be good for :
something possibly under some coe eae
say, it is rather better than nothing.” ,

“cc Weg? s ‘

“But I don’t know but I might take one or two to
sell ag’in, if you'd let ’em.go for’—and so forth, aud
80 on.

But the bargain was concluded after much talking and
“whittling, and after many times turning their backs upon
cach other, and walking off—and the two,,machines were
bought without any further dimiaution of their price.

 
  

32 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

Innis paid for the Precipitators, and) Jotham stored |

them carefully away, and in due time the voyagers ar-

rived at their desired port, and entered the gate of the

golden land.
Enthusiasm is always infectious, and Innis had by this
time become nearly as sanguine as his Hustern friend in
regard to their joint prospects,
fis first day in San Francisco was spent in seeking a
market for his fancy wares, whica he speedily disposed of
at a profit equal to his best expectations,
This at once gave him’ ample funds for all imme-
diate wants, and for expenses of traycling and. trans-
portation of necessary freight to any part of the
mining region which he might calculate to seek.
They spent a few days in the capital, which they em-
ployed chiefly in obtaining information in regard to. the
mines—and Frederick found, to his great satisfaction, that
while very many bore testimony to the abundance and
richness of the quartz rocks in certain specified’ locations,
all concurred’ in’ €péaking of the labor bestowed upon
them as uuremuterative; and very few sought the places
where they most abounded.
“We are like to have very fow speommne thant? he said
to the Yankee.
“The fewer the better. We don’t want no competi-
tors, nor no spectators. But here is a list of things we do
want,” said Jotham, who made no- hesitation in calliag
_ freely upon his companion for any outlays which he
“thought requisite to their object.
5 What are they?”

A barrel of sea-biscuits, six kegs of gunpowder, two

kegs of rum, two rifles, two six-barrel revolvers, two |

bowie knives, lead, bullet moulds, &c., &e,’”’
“Why, Jotham, you must intend to open a store,”
‘*No, sir; we shall want all this, and as to so large

a quantity of powder, we may have some blasting to do,

though I think not much.”

** And are we to live on sea-biscuits ?”

wy 4

     

act

 
 

 

  

    
THE GOLD QRUSHERS. 83

ored : ‘With the game and fish which we can obtain there,

_ar- | 8d yery good living it will be, too.”

the ‘*And how are all these things to be transported ?”
““Two good mules and a smallish wagon will do it—

this Slowly,” &

| in ‘* But it will take my last dollar.”
. ‘What of that? Let it.”
g A ‘*How far shall we probably have to go?”’
1 of ‘* Not near so far as you may imagine. I have heard

of a place in a wild spot, not eighty miles from here, ex-
ne- Actly suited to our purpose, and where we shall be as
ns- quiet and unmolested as a frog under a flag-stone. But
the We will start from here in quite another direction, for I

ok, 4m determined nobody shall know which way we go.”
m- “Do you feel confident that our two Crushers are large
he | enough for. valuable service?” “x
iat | “A plenty, sir, for two individuals, They are all that
nd | Wecan feed any way, and that ought to satisfy. Us; and
8, if we find the quarter such as it is represented, near: the
mn | Bottomless Sound, I calculate we can bag about fifty
oe] Ounces a day.’’

‘« Fifty ounces? Impossible |” ,
d “Not at all—-rather over than under that mark, I think,

but we must take with us materials enough for a small
Water-wheel.”’ 5
‘And can you make the wheel when we get there?”
‘*Let me alone for that; Ican make anything that I .
have ever seen, ef I only have the things to do it with.” ‘
‘And some things that you have not seen, if we -

a

judge by the ‘ Crusher,’ ” replied Innis, laughing.
f It will be borne in mind that at the time now spoken 0
| the quartz mining system was as yet unknown in Califor-
hia, and undreamed of, excepting by our Vermont adyen-
( turer. No ponderous machines, of ten tons digestive
ie power, had yet been constructed to grind the auriferous
: a for the benefit of the hundreds of members of an in-
Corporated. company, who, remaining quietly at-home,
- Pooketed the golden returns, without well knowing where
~ California was, or how remote from their comfortable par-

*

   
  

 

 
     

84 THE GOLD CRUSHERS

lors and snug counting-houses. Jotham was in every, An
sense an inventor. The idea was original with him; and ple
if it was ‘carried into practice on a limited scale, it was, a8)
e said, large enough for them two ;
Innis having so far submitted hivself to the guidance of iir
Jotham, did not now draw back. He freely supplied the 4

whole motley bill of wants, and everything was soon ine ni

    
 
 
 
    
  
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

readiness for setting out On their inland journey. a
’ Yv

3 wh W

CHAPTER Y. 4

J

They started with their asinine team, one morning at’) |
dawn of day, in a direction nearly opposite to the one
which they intended to pursue, having laden their wagon {
by night to avoid observation, but not leaving any one the |
right to complain of their clandestine departure.’ But they
had not proceeded far before they discovered that they
were not the’only early risers in San Francisco; for on
looking back from an eminence which they ascended,
few miles from the city, they perceived a horseman about
sixty rods behind them, traveling at a moderate pace in
the same direction’ with themselves. A: little disturbed
at this discovery, Jotham diminished his own already slow |
progress, for the purpose of allowing the stranger to over-
take and pass them, but the latter seemed to manifest no
such desire. He came nearly up with them, indeed, and
ast many curious glances at their vehicle and its contents,
rding at the same time a better view of himself and his
lipage. :

Ile was a short, stout, sandy-complexioned man, with
a shock of yellow hair, protruding in all direetions from —
beneath a sort of jockey-cap, and resting in matted . curls,
or rather knots, upon the faded velvet collar of a sbo:
frock coat, which seemingly had’ once ‘been blue, but
which retained no definable color, His coat was buttoned

to the chin; a soiled cotton cravat covered the spot where

a shirt collar ought te have been, and brown linen trousers,

 

  
 
 

s

   
 
  

 

 
5 at
one
ron
the
ley
1ey
on

ub
in

 

 

 

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 85

And thick, stiff boots, white with long-dried mud, com-

Pleted his costume.

Ilis horse was like himself, short, stout and scraggy,
Mnd behind. him, on his sheepskiu saddle, he carried a cy-
lindrical leather yalise, very small, and looking not unlike
4 seoment of a kitchen stove-pipe. He was well-armed, a
Nifle being slung at the side of his steed, and two revolvers
and a bowle knife projecting from his belt.

When he had attained a convenient proximity for con-

Yersation, Jotham gave him a civil ‘‘good morning ;’’ to

Which he replied with a broad grin, and a silly, good-na-
lured look; but there was a sharp twinkling in a pair of
ery bright eyes underneath his cap front, which had in
them more the expression of a fox than a goose.

“You've got a tough little pony there?” said Jotham,
trying to be agreeable, and being unable, without manifest

Absurdity, to make any nearer approach to a compliment,

Cither to the beast or its rider.

“‘Yes, pretty tough.”

‘And fast, too, I darsay 2?”

The stranger gave another remarkably close a pry-
dng look into the wagon, before he replied to the ques-
tion,

“Yos, pretty fast—want to see him 5° 5 :

“Yes; I should like to see his paces.”

And at the word, ‘the pony, in obedience to some quict
intimation of its master’s wishes, started onward at a rapid

Tate, which it continued without intermission, until both

horse and rider disappeared in the distance. Jotham and
Thnis laughed at the incident as a singular one, but speed-_
ily dismissed it from their thoughts—and soon afterwards

Changed their own route to a course running nearly at
Tight angles with their former direction. Fred thought
atone time that he saw the equestrian watching them

from aremote point; butas the Yankee could not see hina,
he concluded he was mistaken,

This hallucination, however, if such it were, returned
On the following. evening, and also, on the third day of
their journey—but as Jotham, who was by no means near-

 
 

36 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

sighted, could in neither instance discern anything like the
object which Iunis described, the latter concluded that the
yellow-headed savage had taken undue possession of his
imagination. Their traveling was slow and toilsome;
their wagon was their couch by night, and some sail cloth
which they had taken with them to construct a tent in
their desert home, was their covering.

Jotham’s information in regard to the locality which he

sought had been obtained entirely from two miners, who
had passed it in returning from a more distant field of
labor, and who possibly were the only white people who
had ever trod its soil, or bathed in the waters of what,
with a traveler’s exaggeration, they had called the Bot-
tomless Pond. They had told him as nearly as they could
its exact direction from San Francisco, and all the land-
marks of streams, hills and woodlands which distinguished
the route, and all this information Jotham had carefully
written down. The great recommendation of the place in
the Vermonter’s eyes was the peculiar condition of the
quartz rocks, which were to be found there in multitudes
of small boulders, as well as in a more massive state, and
which would rarely require a resort to blasting to render
them fit food for his ‘Crushers. In addition to this, the
obscurity of the region rendered it a highly desirable local-
ity for his experiments, ~and its comparative nearness to
the capital was also a favorable circumstance.
_ “If we can only find it,” he said, consulting for the
“hundredth time his pocket compass and his soiled memo-
randa. ‘We cannot be far away from it, if we have
kept the right course, for we must have come a, a
hundred miles.’”’

Ilis conjectures proved correct. On the next day they
came to a remarkably sinuous stream, which wound like a
snake. through the landscape and which was the last link
in his chain of evidences. It proceeded from, and by fol-
lowing it up, led them to the Bottomless Pond, which
proved to be a nearly circular little lake embedded between
two mountainous ridges, which partly ae it from dis~
tant observation.
‘THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 87

But the conspicuous feature. in its scenery was the
granite rocks, which not only extended in low ledges for
miles along the bases of the hills, but which lay scattered
in myriad boulders on every side,

On that very day, before their tent was pitched, or
their wagon unladen, did the eager adventurers put up
their largest crushing machine, and make their first expe-
riment, and with a completeness of success which aston-
ished even the enthusiastic Yankee himself. Se

“We've hit it, we have!” he said, emphatically, after
gloating for some time over the ‘precipitated’ dust from
his first ““smashings,” as he called the powdered rock.
‘«There ain't any mistake about it, Mr. Innis. This here
dust, which we have got by ten minutes’ labor, would pay
our bill to-night at the best hotel in New York, including
champagne and oysters.” cnet

“That's a fact,” said Fred, no less elated, and scareely
able to keep himself on the ground by reason of: his elas-
ticity of spirits; ‘but it won't buy us a supper here, Mr.
Wakely, and Lam feeling as if I could almost digest a
boulder myself. What is there left to eat?”

‘*Plenty of biscnit and a little cold ham, and whisky
and water to wash it down with. What do you want bet-
ter than that?’

‘That will do very well for a hungry man.’

** Fall to then—the table is set,” said Jotham, opening
the provision bag on the wagon seat, and Innis waited no. ~
Second bidding,

‘When this ham is quite gone,” said Fred, ‘we shall
have to-shoot some of these inquisitive deer around here,
Which come and stare at us so coolly, scarcely beyond pis-
tol shot. See that fellow peeping over the hillock there
atus. Suppose I pop him over now, just to teach him
better manners.”

“Not now, Mr. Innis, if you please. JI fear it would
be a bad omen to shed blood here, on the very day of our
artival; besides, there is no time to dress him. Let. us
wait fill it becomes necesary.”’

After finishing their meal they emptied their wagon of ©

 
 

88 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

most of its contents, in order that it might more easily
subserve the purpose of a couch, and then commenced set-
ting up their tent in a circular form around it. They
were provided with axes, with which they cut poles for
this purpose from a neighboring woodland, and ere the
sun went down the work was far advanced. The fore
part of the following day was devoted to the completion of
their cloth house, and the storing away within it of a por-
tion of their stores, after which Jotham sect himself about
constructing the water-wheel, which was to turn his
Crushers. He worked vigorously and handily at every-
thing he took hold of, and with some awkward and bung:
ling assistance from Innis, all was in due time completed.
The inlet of the pond was a creek of respectable dimen-
‘sions, and had some natural falls which requ’red but Jit! lo
aid of dams to give themthe small water-power required.
Beside one of these the Crushers were duly established, and
set at work, grinding ont their golden grist, Innis an 1
Jotham finding full employment in selecting the stones ant
‘feeding the machines. Jotham flew around as if he was
set in motion by the machinery, and with scarcely lest
clatter. Now shouting encouragement to the “ Crushers,”
and bidding them go ahead and keep lively; and now
iterating his “I told you so’s,” to Innis, and occasionally
dealing him a slap of congratulation which fairly staggered,
him. They both looked forward with the greatest interest t0
the result of their first day’s experiment, and everything
gave promise of a success brilliant beyond all their expec:
tations. Their plan of ftabor was to stop their machines
early enough every afternoon to allow time to separate all,
the gold on the same day, and, accordingly, after tel
hours of occasionally interrupted labor, the ‘‘Crushers”
were allowed to repose at about five o'clock, and the Sepa
rators were brought into play. Several hours more.of a¥
siduous work completed their task, and placed befor?
them the glittering proofs of the vast and speedy fortun?
which was at their command. More than fifty ounces ol
pure gold rewarded their day’s labor, and they were as’
— to find that they had pulverised probably not less

|
:
}
i

s
THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 39

y than four tons of the rocks. . They little dreamed that the
time would come, within two short years, when mammoth

SS “Crushers” would open their devouring jaws around the
y Same devoted ledges, and devour them at the rate of five
" tons to the hour all the day long; and all the seasons
7 through.

. They secured their treasure, and retired to rest and
‘ golden dreams. . But Innis awoke on the ensuing morning
4 with painful proofs of over-fatigue at his laborious task,
we His spirits, however, were buoyant, and he resolved not to
ig be daunted by the labor, which he knew would seem
y" lighter as he became more accustomed to it.

as They prepared their early meal, but while they were
a partaking of it they were alarmed at the sound of a gal-
"a loping horse, and almost before they could _rise to their
7 feet, a face was protruded through the doorway of their

| a~ tent, and a pair of huge, grcenish-grey eyes peered inupon
Y them, which they at once recognized as belonging to bhels.

 
 

 

" singular companion of the road, a
ia “Want to hire?” he drawled out, as he saute. oe
a brought his whole body inside the tent, and part of his

9S ,

a horse’s head, the bridle being thrown over his left arm.

There was such a stupid, dull look about the visitor’s ©
7” face, and he showed such a powerful muscular frame, that
uy the idea of his great utility at once flashed upon the mind ~~
et ot Jotham, who was himself aching with the*over-exertion
be of the preceding day.
ing “Don’t know,” answered the Yankee, ‘‘Come in, but
ec leave your horse outside. What can you do?” j
_ The stranger fastened hls horse without, and then re-en-
at tered the tent.
ton

a “ What can you do?” repeated Jotham.

. “ Anything.”

pa “How many hours a day?”

“4 “Sixteen.” "
ore <*What do you ask ?”

- * Half an ounce and found,” iit
| “ Jotham would not have objected ta the price, had he
ad hot been anxious to keep the savage in ignorance of. the

40%

 
 

40 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

extreme profitableness of their business, lest it might
lead to injurious competition, or some other disastrous
result.

‘© Half an ounce?’? he exclaimed. ‘*Why, you'd bet-
ter go home and go to Congress—that’s jest member of
Congress pay, that is.”

“‘Tain’t too much for me and my horse.”

“11 tell you what, we'll give you a quarter ounce, and
if we have good luck, after the first week, it shall be a
half. What say you to that?”

st Acreed.” °

«But you must work hard, for that is great pay.”

*¢ You'll see.”

The stranger breakfasted, and was at once set at bis
task, which he entered upon with much energy, and con-
tinued to prosecute faithfully through the day, to the
great relief of both Jotham and Innis, who attended to one
machine at alternate hours, while their employee took ex-
clusive charge of the other. The separating process was
managed by the proprietors alone, who carefully concealed
from the stranger the amount of their gains; but he mani-
fested no curiosity on the subject, and continued steadily
at his work, like Samson at his mill.

‘*We must have got more than three ounces to-day,”
said Jotham to Iunis, in the hearing of the workman, after
depositing between four and five pounds’ weight of the
dust in the place of concealment.

**Doubtless,”’ replied Innis.

Hercules, as Fred had christened the stranger, expressed
no surprise, but stared stupidly at his employer.

“Tf it keeps on as well as that, I'm to have half an .

ounce you know.”

. Certainly.” 2

And it did keep on aswell asit had begun. Daily did
Jotham and Innis store away their thousand dollars or
more of treasure, and nightly did they retire to rest joy-
ous and elated with their prosperity for many successive
weeks.

Hercules continued to be a most valuable auxiliary, but

 

|

 

   

th
F

ca
ch
ei

 
 
Side of the tent, and but a few yards distant from the en-

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 41

nota companion. Ue never talked but about his pay, or
at times to praise his horse, which seemed as strong and
as stupid as himself; for Wolf, as the shaggy pony was
called, was at times employed to draw rocks, on a sort of
sled or hurdle, to the machines. At times, too, Fred
honored the brute by riding him on a hunting excursion,
on which occasions he was sometimes surprised by a sud-
den and vicious display of fire and mettle on the part of
the animal, which, joined to its extreme strength, render-
ed if not a@ little difficult to manage.

   
  
    
 
   
  
   
    
  
   
   
  
    
   
  
  
  

<

CHAPTER VI.

Two months had passed by, and the accumulated trea-
Sure of the adventurers was already very large, when one
hight Innis, who was a light sleeper, was awakened at
Midnight by a slight noise outside the tent.

He listened for some minutes, and hearing no repetition
of the sound, was about resuming his slumbers, when he
distinctly heard the step of a horse near the doorway.
Knowing that Wolf's grazing ground was at some dis-
tance from the tent, he was a little surprised at this cit-
cumstance, and he immediately arose, went silently to the
door-way, and looked out. It was a cloudy night, but
there was enough of light to render objects visible at ae
Short distance, and Innis at once perceived, very near the

trance, both a horse and man, the Soutlinessof which he
thought corresponded to the figures of Herenles and Wolf,
Fred, with fearful suspiofons, stepped. quickly to the bel
of the workman, which he found vacant, and then he
Carefully and hastily awoke Jotham, who was deeply en-
Chained in sleep, and conld with difficulty be made
either to keep silent, or to comprehend what was the -
Matter. is

As soon, however, ‘as he did understand the natu

the disturbance, he sprang. for his*rifle, but it had been

NBs
   

42 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

moved, and Innis, to. This astonishment, now found that
his gun was also gone.

‘He is trying to rob us, without doubt,” whispered
Jotham, as he hastily dressed himself.

‘We has already doue it,” replied Innis, returning from
the place where the gold had been kept. ‘*The bags are
gone.”

‘We have our pistols left, and we are two to one,” said
Jotham. ‘‘Come!”

He hurried to the doorway as he spoke, followed by
Innis, cach pistol in hand, but already the laden beast,
led by its master, was departing on a fast walk. The dust
hed been kept in a considerable number of the small,
strong bags which are usually provided by the miners for
that purpose, holding only a few quarts each, and these
had been placed by the robber in a large bag, which he
had securely fastened upon the horse by means of a belt.

“These things ain’t of any use in the dark,’’ whispered
Jotham, thrusting his pistol in his belt. “ ae me, now,
like a catamount, or all is lost.”

As the Yankee spoke, he sprang forward, atmos with

   

the impetuosity of the animal he had named, aad before |
the well-armed robber, who heard his approach, could |

bring any weapon to bear upon him, the agile Jotham was
upon his back, with his hands clenched, talon-like, into his
throat, and shouting to Innis to come on.

Fred, who was scarcely behind his friend, at once-threw
his arms around the ruffiun, with a view of pinioning him,
and preventing his using his weapons; but the giant at

the same instant sprang furiously forward, and threw him- |
self and his assailants together upon the ground, The ©

shock disengaged the hold of Jotham, and before he

could renew it, Hercules rolled rapidly over several times, —

sprang to his feet, and darted off, followed by his steed,
an! in another minute man and beast, and fifty thousand
dollars of treasure, had disappeared in the surrounding
gioom.

Innis and Jotham immediately ghve chase, with the
enerzy of desperation, but there was scarcely any light to

|
|
|

  
 
 
    

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 43

direct them, and they were unarmed, excepting with their
Tevolvers and knives. For a while they kept within hear-
ing of the fugitive horse, the noise of whose clattering
hoofs guided them in the pursuit, and they were in mo-
mentary, expectation that the beast, which they supposed
had not effected a union with its master, would slacken
its pace and allow them to come up with him. But they |
underrated the sagacity of Wolf, who continued to dash
forward as if fally conscious of the part which he was
taking in his master’s financial transactions. His course
was along the ouilet of the lake, over an open, prairie-like
} Plain, and nearly in the direction which the adventurers
had come on the last day of their travel toward the Bot-
tomless Pond. Every minute the noise of his progress

    
 

grew fainter on the ears of the pursuers, at times entirely
| Ceasing, as a softer road was gained, and then again grow-
. ing more distinct as the flying hoofs struck the pebbled
| strand. , ;
: But as one sense failed them, anotherecame to their aid,
: | for atdength the parting clouds allo 6 moonlight to

fall upon the landscape, and the quick ‘eye of Innis at

‘ Once discovered the riderless horse about sixty rods in ad-
3% Vanee. He was progressing with unabated speed.

i “The brute goes as if he was possessed with an evil

Spirit,’ said Fred. ‘

y “Blam’d if Lain’t afraid it’s Belzebub, himself,” said
Jotham, panting as he spoke, but not slackening his pace.
t _ “Didn't you see how his eyes shone like balls of fire, jest
% afore he started off? Perhaps Hercules, there, has ‘sold
4 | himself,’ and this here gold is the price that he gets—who
i knows ?”"

“The old fellow must be hard up,” replied Innis,

5, A : : : ;
L | laughing, ‘if he can’t raise money without working for it
‘a in the mines, and then carrying off two hundred weight on

his back.”

8ee how he goes! How could he have sense enough to
Tun like that if he was only a common horse ?”” ;
Wolf was at this moment ascending a slight eminence,

“Better work in the mines than in hot brimstone. Just 4

aa

    
      
     
  
   
   
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
  
  
   
 
    
    
   
      
 
 
    

aS Ses

  

  
   

 
 
 

 
  

44 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

and his speed seemed rather increased than diminished by
the obstacle; and Innis could not himself refrain from
wondering what inflicnee could be actirg upon the ani-
mal to impel him thus frantically forward so long after his
temporary fright must have subsided.

The darkness, the wildness of the landscape, the re-
markable character of. the events through which he had
recently passed, and the strange aspect and conduct of
both Hereules and his steed, gave weight to the words of
Jotham, and began to awaken in the heart of Innis some
long dormant superstitions, which had been implanted in
childhood, and which the light of mature intellect had con-
cealed without eradicating. It required, however, but a
slight effort to shake off from his mind this impression,
and he hastened to dispel it also from that of his compa-
nion, lest he should relax his efforts under the belief that
they must prove futile.

Wolf, in the meantime, had attained the summit of the
litUe hill, where he was for awhile more plainly seen in
relicf against the sky, but soon afterwards he disappeared
from view as he descended on the opposite side. Scarcely
a minute aftewards, however, the burly figure of Hercu-
les, before unobserved, was seen toiling up the ascent, and
disappearing in turn over-the summit, rendering it prob-
able that his proximity to the horse had been all the while
sufficient to admit of urging him forward with his voice.
This sight fired the Yankee with a vehement indignation
which overcame the last remnant of his superstitious fears,
and sceme4d to impart to him renewed strength and activ-
ity. But, alas, no energy could avail to lessen the dis-
tance between the pursuers and the treasure-laden steed,
or even to prevent its being increased, as long as the lat-

ter continued his present rate of progress, for although his

motion was not exceedingly rapid, it was far beyond hu-
man competition for any prolonged period. Even Hercu-
les, who was greatly in advance of the young men, was
continually losing ground in comparison with his steed,
although the animal was not beyond the reach of his
voice, and would probably have instantly. stopped at his

   

|
|
|
:
:

    
    
   
  
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
  
    
   
  
   
         
     
   
      

THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

command. It was probable, indeed, that so far from mak-
ing any effort to stop him, he was continually urging
him forward. When the pursuers had in their turn gained
the top of the hill, the horse was no longer visible, and
Hercules was standing still about sixty rods in advance of
them, apparently waiting to see if they continued the
Chase. The event proved that he was also waiting for’a
Very different purpose, for no sooner were the figures of
the young men brought in relief between him and the sky
than Innis, whose sight was remarkably acute, perceived
the ruffian raising his rifle and levelling it at_them. He
had barely time to exclaim, ‘‘Down! down! he is going
to fire!’ and to throw himself upon the ground, when the
flash was seen and the report heard, and the whizzing bul-
let went flying past them, not alittle frightening Jotham,
Who had not had time to follow his friend’s example.

‘‘Darn his picter!’” exclaimed the Yankee, ‘‘Come
On, now! WHeain’t loaded. Come on!’ and he dashed
down the hill, followed by Innis. Hercules did not await
their coming, but again started off on arun, maintaining
his advantage of distance, though ngt apparently increas-
ing it, 3
as he leaped rapidly along. ‘He can’t hold out forever at
this rate.” a

**Nor we either,” said Fred.

*‘T can. Iam as long-winded as a locomoky!”

**We must not give him time to reload his rifle.”

**No; the murderous villain!”

A chase of half a mile had ensued when the steed again
Came in view, now in his turn standing. still, probably in
Obedience to some call of his master, and awaiting his
Coming up. To the dismoy of the pursuers, Hercules
threw himself upon the pony, which, although so Neavily
laden, started off without apparent effort at quite his
former pace. nFieo

Hoping to see the wearied beast falter under his great: *
load, the young men continued, though with failing cours

4ge, to press forward; but doubt gave way to discourage-

“ We'll have him,” said Jotham, putting gut the words 2
   

 

 

46 THE GOLD CRUSHERS

ment, and discouragement to despair, as they found them-
selves rapidly falling behind their gold, and still saw no
sign of diminution in the speed at which it was departing.
Soon the horse and its rider entirely disappeared in the dis-
tance, but still they ran on, stopping occasionally for a
minute to regain breath and strength, until day dawned,
without revealing to them, as they had anticipated, a
sight of their enemy, and seemed to leave them no further
ground for hope. But they decided, on consultation, to
goon. Tho tracks of the steed were distinctly visible in
the sandy soil, and as long as they had this clue to the di-
rection of the robber, they resolved not to abandon the
chase.

About sunrise they saw before them, at the distance of
a few miles, another hill of considerable height, the sum-
mit of which they supposed must command an extensive
view, and might enable them again to get sight of the fu-
gitive.

They were not mistaken in their calculations, and. when
they reached the height they saw the robber scarcely two
miles in advance of them, proceeding at a very moderate
pace, while still further on, and moving in the opposite di-
rection, was a considerable party of men, with one or
more teams and wagons. The appearance of this caval-
cade had, doubtless, been the cause of Iercules lessening
his speed, lest he should assume the appearance of a fugi-
tive and be stopped, and he probably believed that he had
so far distanced the two young men as to be in no imme-
diate danger from them, if they had not, as he hoped, al-
together given up the pursuit.

Hope now revived in tlie breasts of Innis and Jotham,
and although both were nearly exhausted, they still ran on
with no little velocity, Hercules, in the meantime, plod-
ding slowly onward with a careless and easy air. He knew
enough of the general character of the mining population
to feel assured that if unsuspected as a thief, he would not
be molested by the party he was about to meet, for in that
lawless region every individual, even though not punctili-

   
  
  
 

    
 

 

ou:
fos

pro
and
tior
ent
His
the
he (
ture
to t
gre

hast
the
the

T
hin
Whe
proc

N
Were
hurr
Joth
had
Seem
hour

he ni
Plain
fugit
With
Main

  
      
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
    
   
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
   
   

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 47

ously honest, feels that he best consults his own safety by
fostering a sacred regard for individual rights.

But it was a matterof course that the robber would not
Proceed far without looking to see if he were pursued,
and when at length he did so, sudden doubt and _ irresolu-
tion seemed to take possession of his mind. He at first
entirely stopped his progress, then went slowly forward.
His pursuers were about a mile and a half behind him, and
the other party less than half that distance in front, and if
he did not escape before their union was effected, his cap-
ture was almost certain. This conviction seemed at length
to take possession of his mind, for after a few rods pro-
gress, he turned his horse’s head to the south, aud started
off at a rapid pace.

Innis and Jotham, instead of directly following him,
hastened to meet the strangers and communicate to them
the true character of the fugitive, and the great value of
the booty which he was bearing away.

 

\

 

CHAPTER VIL. « ‘ ag

There were eight men in the party, all of whom were
Ihiners returning to their diggings from Sin Francisco,
Where they had been to dispose of their gold dust, and ta
Procure supplies.

No sooner did they learn the state of affairs than all who
Were mounted, to the number of four, set off with a loud
hurrah in pursuit, and on a rapid gallop, while Innis and
Jotham, as before, could only follow on foot. Hercules
had a very considerable start, and his extraordinary’ horse %

' Seemed to haye been husbanding his powers for this final”
hour of necd, such tremendous and telling exertions d
he now make. But they were ona very extended, open
Plain, which afforded no shelter nor turning place to fle *
fugitive for many miles, and it soon became apparent that
With the heavy load which Wolf carried, Le could not long
Maintain his advance, which was soon indeed lessened to

 

 
      
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
     
       
   

48 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

about halfa mile. The miners were all armed with rifles, Yr
and appeared like resolute and determined men, and they ti
continued to send forth, at-intervals of a few minutes, a |
repetition of the charging shout with which they had set ri
out on the chase, with a view of intimidating the robber. p
Ilercules, however, was not easily scared, and was prob- 7
ably accustomed to perilous situations. The miners con- Yr
tinued to gain upon him, and when the half mile interyal l
was reduced to a quarter, one of them, a tall, lithe Ken- te
tuckian, who was considerably ahead of his companions,

drew his rein, and raising his rifle, took deliberate aim, c

and fired at the fugitive. The shot proved harmless, and
received no notice whatever from Hercules; but when it
was repeaicd at a nearer interval, the latter stopped, and
it at once became apparent that he was about toreturn the | t
complimeut. Three of the men were, unfortunately, near |
together, affording with their horses a wide mark for the §
practiced eye of the rufflan, who sent a bullet into the
midst of the group, which lodged in the shoulder of one
of the party, inflicting a painful but not serious wound.
Rage now took possession of the minds of the pursuers,
who pressed more furiously forward, fully resolved not to
allow the robber an opportunity of reloading his weapon,
and the fate of Hercules soon became so desperate that he
drew his knife, aud-cutting the belt which bound the bag
of gold to his horse, allowed the whole treasure to fall to
the earth.

A shout fromthe miners greeted this triumph, but if
the robber had calculated on the gold being accepted as a—
peace offering he was mistaken, for the whole-party dashed ©
past tlie rich prize with scarcely a glance at it, and conti- |
nued the chase,
_ Wolf, dightened of so great a part of his load, began

« increase his pace, when the Kentuckian ordered a

alt.
2 ‘Give him a broadside!” he shouted, ‘and aim at
the pony.” His own gun was unloaded, and snatching
that of his wounded companion, the three men fired toge-
ther, When it is said that the distance was about forty

oy

‘

a. “ae
ee ee A UO Gm Ce

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 49

rods, the target a horse, and two of the marksmen Ken-
tuckians, the result need scarcely be related.

Wolf staggered, plunged and fell, and his rider, despe-
rate and frantic, gained his feet, and turning to face his
pursuers, awaited their coming, with a pistol in each hand.
The miners halted a little beyond pistol shot, and quickly
reloaded their rifles, when the one who had acted as their. *:
leader presented his weapon, and called out to the rufflan
to surrender.

“What will ye do with me?” doggedly asked Her-
cules.

‘JT will give you to the crows in just one minute, if you
don’t,” said Kentucky, taking out his watéh.

‘Will you agree to send me to San Francisco to be
tried ?”

‘J will send you somewhere in just thirty seconds,”
Said the other, bringing his rifle to his eye, and perfecting
his aim.

There was no help for it, and Hercules threw his pis-
tols upon the ground, when the whole party immediately
rushed up, took from him his knives, and. heme his hands
Securely together.

He made but one attempt at self-exctiation, and in
doing so condemned himself by his own words.

‘Tt was as much mine as theirs!’ he said.

** As much ? Then you at least stole half of it, by
your own confession.”

He was conducted: back to the spot where the miners
had left their companions and the wagon, and»of course
the recovered treasure was not left behind.

** How long will it take to try this man ?” said Ken-
tucky the first.

‘‘Our horses need half an hour to rest,’”’ naples a Mis- ~
sissippian.

‘IT should think that ought to be enough.”

*«And too much, for there’ll be something to be done ©
after trial, probably. and if we don't look sharp we shall
lose a hull hour more in this business, when every one
knows we ought to be moving.” a

te t

*

 
   
 

   

. 50 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

“Very true.”

“There is just nine of us here, besides the witnesses. I
nominate Mr. Beldon, there, for Judge. He’s been judge
at ithe horse-races many a time, and he’s qualified.”

The motion was put and carried.

“Tll_ be prosecuting ’torney, or prisoner’s counsel, I
don’t care a chaw of tobacker which, and Mr. Meek shall
be counsel on the other side. Then there is just six of
you left for jarors. What say you to that ?”’

It was agreed to.

“Now, Mr. Meek, I'll toss up with you who shall be
who. Heads, district attorney—tails, prisoner’s attorney.
Heads itis! I’m the prosecutor. Is the court ready ?”

“©All ready.”

‘Gentlemen, this man isa thief. He stole a bag of
gol@, and he has admitted it. Besides, we can prove it.
Let the witnesses step forward.”

Jotham came, and was sworn, with some show of so-
lemnity, to tell the truth, which he did with very little cir-
cumlocution, -

Innis was ealled, but declined testifying, and protested
earnestly against the whole proceeding, off-ring to be at
the trouble and expense of conducting the prisoner to San
Francisco, to be tried and punished according to uw, but
he was overruled, and put down clamorously by judge,
jury, and counsel on both sides.

‘*We can do without his testimony,” said the prose-
cutor,

«So we can,” said the prisoner's counsel.

‘¢ What say you, genilemen of the jury, guilty or not
' guilty ?” asked the former.

“Wait a little,’ said Mr. Meck, ‘‘how do you know
but we have a defence? Hallo, there, carrot-head, what
have you got to say for yourself ?”

“It was as much mine as theirs. I worked hardest for
it.”

‘© Ts that all you have to say ?”

“No; if you ain’t fools you'll go and get their ‘Crush-
ers.’ “I cant Bug you the way, and you can all make
“THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 51

your fortunes in six months. They shell out a thousand
dollars a day, and there is enough for all—them too,”
Pointing to Jotham and Innis. “Come, don’t be silly,
now. We can all go into partnership.”’

“Is that all you have to say? Haven’t you got any
Witnesses?”

‘I have witnesses enough to my good character, if
you’ll give me a chance to call them,”

** Call away.”’

“But they ain’t here. I don’t carry them about with
me.”’

“You had better, though. Suchaman as you might
Very often have need of them.”

‘* The horses are done eating,” said the judge, ‘‘ and it
is time the trial is over—we ought to be moving.”

‘“‘ Well, gentlemen, the prisoner has no witnesses, and
there isn’t any time to make speeches. You have heard
What he has to say for. himself. Are you ready to give
Your verdict.’

The jurors exchanged a few words, and one said they
Were ready.

‘Guilty or not guilty ?”

** Guilty!”

““Then the judge will pass the sentence, if he pleases,
Jackson; jest pick up a rope, will you, so that we don’t
lose so much time. You ain’t wanted any longer on the
jury.”

“J ain't any speech-maker,”’ said the judge—‘‘the man
is convicted of theft, and by the laws of the mines he must
die,

“T gentence him to be hung—instanter, and Smith, if
You hadn’t been a spooney, you'd have shot him when you
fired at him an hour ago, and saved us all this trouble.
Go ahead.”

The rope was ready, and before the man well knew
Whether he was convicted or-not, the noose was around
his neck, and he was dragged back toward the wagon,
the pole of which, fixed erect, was to serve for a galluws,
there being no tree within sight.

 
   

  

52 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

Innis again interfered, and sought earnestly to prevent
the tragedy; but he could not effect anything. The pris-
oner himself did not beg. ‘There was a baleful fire in his
eye, which indicated that his thoughts were on another
subject; and as he passed toward the wagon, he suddenly |
snatched a pistol from the belt of one of his conductors, |
and fired it at the Kentuckian, who had been the chicf
cause of his capture. His ball missed its mark, but
brought a speedy termination to his own misery, and saved
a revolting scene, for quick as thought the rifle of the as-
saulted man was levelled, and its bullet went crashing
through the head of the robber.

‘“*He was too near for a good mark,’ said Kentucky,
coolly—proceeding to re-load his gun, without stirring from
his tracks,

‘‘He was game though, wasn’t lie?”

‘He wasn'@nothing else,” said Mississippi.

**Come, let us be off,” said the judge.

Innis was sick at heart at the terrible scene which hae
had witnessed; but he was convinced that however im-
proper the execution of Hercules might have been, the
wretch fully deserved his fate, and the safety of the min-

ing population might be said almost to require it. There —
was no longer a doubt on his mind that his recent crime
had been long premeditated, and indeed that he had fol-
lowed and sought employment with himself and Jotham for
no other purpose—all his seeming dullness and stupidity
having been feigned for the furtherance of his object.
The miners made immediate preparativns to depart, and
‘so far from molesting the treasure of the young men, they
did not even ask a compensation for their great services in
recovering it. They did not, however, refuse it when it
was urged upon them, and about a thousand dollars’
worth of the dust was divided among them by Innis and
Jotham, the tall Kentuckian receiving a double portion.

‘“‘We don’t want your money,”’ he said, pouring it into
his bullet pouch—‘‘ but we'll take it just to remember you
by.”

Fifty ounces more were paid by Jotham and Innis to

 

 
et EM

oot. tn. Se

poe 3

 

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 53

the owners of two of the best’ horses in the company, in
exchange for their animals, which they were greatly de-
lighted to,obtain even at that high price. The miners de-
parted without manifesting any curiosity-as to the location
of the rich diggings of the young men, or showing any dis-
Position to trespass upon them, seeining to exercise a
punctilious honor in this particular. Jotham and Innis
remained to bury the sluin man, and then returned at their
leisure to their sylvan home.

For several weeks after these exciting events they con-
tinued to prosecute their labor alone, and althouch with
Tich returns, yet not without a constant fatigte of body,
Which they feared might, if long continued, produce seri- .
ous results.

Their treasure had also become so large, that with the
recent example of its insecurity in their minds, tlay did
Not deem it prucent to expose it longer to the dangers of
the desert, and they resolved to return to San Francisco,
both for the purpose of @isposing of. their gold, and of
procuring assistants at their work. They took down their
tent, and concealed its materials, together with their.
“Crushers” in the earth, and allowed their mules their
liberty—pretty certain of finding them somewhere in the
Vicinity of the Pond on their return, and nearly indifferent
Whether they did so or not. Their numerous little sacks
of gold they placed in other and larger bags, taking care
to fill the mouths of each of these with other materials,
and also arranging them in the wagon in such a way that
they would serve for seats, and might easily be shielded _
from observation. Their new team was fresh and strong,
and their journey back to the capital, although attended
With hourly solicitude, was effected without harm or loss,
in Jess than half the time whiteh had been before consumed
in traveling it.

They found a ready and good market for their dust,
which they immediately sold, and, under the advice of
Some judicious capitalists, they invested the greater part of
their money in real estate, in a part of the town which
they deemed certain of augmenting many-fold in value if

 
     
    
  
 
    
   
   
  
 
   
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
     

54

 

THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

the immigration continued long as it had begun, The ree || Te
mainder of their capital they left inthe hands of reliable | Many
bankers, and having procured at a high salary the services | &uhgj
of two strong laboring men, whose fidelity was well | “Tithe

vouched for, they prepared to set out on their return. “oul

Though some asked, it may well be supposed that none } sate:
learned from either Jotham or Innis their location, or the | Why
process by which they acquired their gold, and there were

so many, and such continual rumors of rich discoveries in been
every direction, and so many cases of signal success, that | shay

no one instance long occupied the public attention. had)
“Are you in the wet diggings?” one would ask of him
Jotham, anxious to get some clue to his whereabouts. tae >
‘‘Yes—wettish, rather, there is a good deal of water — Slass
about there.” head
‘Are you in the dry diggings, Mr. Wakely ?”’ another | ~ar
would ask, N
“Y-e-s——dryish—rather, particularly when it don’t ‘toy
Taine? and
“A long way from here I reckon?” : 4 sty

.  Yes—a good bit.” huic
‘“‘North—L s’pose 2?” r

 

-_ ¥es—northish—rather—a part of the way.” |
Bat few knew the extent of their success, and as the — Very

time of their second departure was kept secret, there was | Cll;
little difficulty in gétting off unobserved, or at all events libe
unmolested, > ) Vide
Two more horses, tough and rugged little animals, had — “ore

been purchased for their followers, who were sent in ad- Cru

- vance, with directions for the first half day’s journey, in =

order to diminish the chances of attracting attention to "nj
their movements. lion
‘* We'll follow on ahead,” said Terence O'Grady, a bold, “ud
stout “boy” of thirty, who was one of the ‘hands,’ as
Jotham called his employees, and whose laughing, honest
face, seemed a better guaranty of fidelity than the ‘‘first-e |]
rate character’ which he brought from Brown, Smithers | lig
& Co., of the golden city, whose notes he held for over # | lov,

thousand dollars of his savings.
Ye
le

8
ul

dete togte t\ Tee -Wae. J

f

 

| THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 55

| Terence had been in the mines—had been through all
Manner of rough experiences, and had been content to
‘thside into the position of ahired man with day wages
| Tather more than equivalent to a month’s earnings in
| “ould Ireland.” ;

| “It’s a hired man I was born sure,” he said, ‘and
| Why should I be gittin’ above my business ?”’

_, His colleague, Nick Doyle, was an ex-soldicr who had
"deen in the Mexican war, had belonged to a corps of
‘harp-shooters, and who still carried a rifle with which he
Md brought down an officer at eighty rods, by shooting
tim through a field-glass with which he was surveying
the Yankee forces. ‘The ball crushed through the spy-
Slass—through his eye, and through the back of his
fad,” said Nick, ‘fas we heard after the battle was won
nd it spoiled the whole concern.”

Nick was a Southern Ohioan, of about thirty-five years,
Stoutish, with black hair and eyes, too fond of his pipe
nd whiskey, but honest, tractable and obedient, and quite
“Stranger to fear of any kind, excepting the fear of short
‘ions. He always addressed Innis as Captain.

_ The journey back to the Bottomless Pond was a fa-
'Seing one of four days duration, for the weather was
| Yery warm, and the wagon was heavily Jaden with a mis-
| “cllaneous assortment of stores. The capitalists felt at
berty to indulge in some luxuries now, and they had pro-~
| Yided themselves with many comforts of which they had
| “orely felt the need during their first sojourn in their
| Msoe-like solitude.
/ > But they arrived in safety, and without serious mishap,
“id found everything as they had left it, with the cxcep-
Yon of the mules, which had strayed to parts unknown,
Md were not inquired after.

 

 

 

: CHAPTER VIIL —

, 1b was now about the middle of August. No time was
lst in unearthing the ‘ Crushers” and other implements,
ether with the canvas walls of their tent, and every-
Ling Was in readiness, in a day or two, for renewed ope-

 
 

\

56 THE GOLD CRUSHERS,

     

rations. Moaterinls for anew tent for the laborers hai) ho

been brought with them, and this was erected a few feeb)
distant from that of Innis and Wakely.

Work was resummed; the gollen harvest again poured |
in more profusely than before, and for a period of nearly)
three months there was little abatement of their wonderful
success,

No secresy was now observed: the new workmen werd
made small share-holders in the concern, and were them-
selves acquiring what they regarded as wealth, and once}
a week the accumulated treasures were buried in ingeni)
ously constructed caches, at some distance from the tents, |
where they would probably have remained undiscovered
for years, if any stress of danger had driven the miners)
suddenly from their post.

We have said that they were provided with many coms,
forts and even luxuries; ard Terence, who was a tolef-
able cook, aud learned rapidly by practice, served up
their savory meals acceptably, being excuse from hardet
labor a few hours each day for this purpose.

_Fresh meat, indeed, was scarce, for the deer and ante-
lopes which bad scarcely run away from them on theif
first advent into this wilderness, had grown shy after oné
or two raids had been made upon them, and had retreated
up the wooded hills, where it was thought imprudent t0
pursue them. :

But when their bacon and jerked beef was consumed,
they began to feel the want of some heartier food that
“hard tack,’? and the few small fish which they were en-
abled, with much Ilibor aud waste of time, to take from
the lake. True, the tea and coffee which they now had
in abundance, went far to mend their deficient meals, and
their Killikinick was a solace after the day’s labor, bul)
these things did not “mike muscle,’ and that was cel’
tainly what these hard-working men required.

So it was decideu, one brigit November mornin g, thal
Mr. Innis and Nick Doyle, should go on foot up the ‘mou
tain in pursuit of game (the ascent was too steep fo

 

 

 

mi
lie
tor
da

be
yo
the

Ni
th
Bid
pre
Wa
“wl

be
to

wi
th:
the

th.
in

ing
toy
tal
bu

Bal
toy

ha
th«

pr
tar

be:
 

 

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. bT

horses), exercising the utmost wariness in their move-~
ments, and that in case of any pursuit, (which was be-
lieved most improbable,) they should retreat by @ cireni-
tous route, and only return to the tents after it was quite
dark, when no outlying foe could see them.

“Touch your guns off aisy,’’ said Terence, ‘and don’t
be making too much noise wid ’em: If it was me that
you'd sind now, I'd rin the deer down, and ketch ’em by
the horns, I would, and make no noise at all.”

“‘You shall go next time, Terry,’’ said Fred, as he awd
Nick went gaily forth, fording the shallow inlet, whence
they directed their course towards the hills on the opposite
Bide of the little lake. There was no particular reason for
preferring that side of the valley, excepting that, all the
Way up the acclivity, it commanded a view of the home

“which they had left.

The ascent, now gradual, and now so precipitous as to
be overcome only by clinging to boughs an: bushes, rose
to a height of nearly three hundred feet, and might,
Without much license of speech, be styled a mountain, and
they saw nothing which tempted them to fire a gun, until
they had reached its summit.

A few rabbits and squirrels, indeed, crossed their path ;
there were some partridges on the logs, and many pigeons
in the trees—and now and then a majestic eagle, swoop-
ing duwn from the clouds, found his prey on the forest
tops, and flew away with it, screaming, in his relentless
talons.

It was hard for the sportsmemto refrain from shooting,
but they had resolved not to awaken the echoes unneces-
sarily, and they passed on panting and climbing to the
lop.

Here their forbearance was soon rewarded—for they
had not gone halfa mile along the crest of the hill before
they discovered a herd of five deer, led’ by a many-
pronged stag, browsing quietly off the bushes, at a dis-

_tance of about fifiy rods from the slope.

They dropped to the ground to consult how they might
best approach them, for though Nick protested that he want-

 
  

   

    

58 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

ed no better shot than from where he stood, Innis, less ex-
perienced, insisted on getting nearer, that he might make
more sure of his aim. They crept on hands and feet a
dozen or fifteen rods without startling the animals, and
then Fred yielded to the most violent gesticulations and
head-shakings of his companion, and consented to make
the trial without going further.

‘«V'll take the stag, Captain,” whispered Nick, ‘and
you may take your choice of the does—hey ?”

Innis nodded assent, but as they rose to fire, the ani-
mals threw up their heads, and before the rifles could be
brought to bear, they were all in rapid motion.

Two quick reports followed, but with no visible effect,

except to increase the speed of the herd, who now darted |

forward like the wind, while the mortified hunters hastily
reloaded their weapons, and then followed on the run.

“Tt was my fault, E know,” said Fred, who saw the
vexed look of his companion; “but I longed for the hour
of bringing down a deer, and they were too far for me at
first.”

“We'll have them yet,’ said Nick, propitiated now.
“T reckon that stag is hit near the left shoulder, but a lit-
tle too high to do mich harm—but we'll see.”

The chase was continued with varying hopes and doubts
for about three miles, without catching more than occasional
and distant glimpses gf the herd through the trees, and
the pursuers, treading lightly, and avoiding all cracklipg
bushes, believed themselves unseen and unheard by the
game, whose alarm at length abated, their speed subsiding
gradnally, until they were again walking and browsing as
before,

At sixty rods Nick begged permission to fire, promising
certain success, and Fred consenting now, of course, also
took aim, and the rifles rang as before almost simultane-
ously.

The stag dropped ; the herd fled, and Nick, proceeding
to reload before quitting his tracks, replied to the congratn-
lations of Innis by saying:

 
eM oo WR

Ve

oe

\-

 

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 59

“T'll show you the other bullet-mark now. That's
What I wanted him for chiefly.”

*<Don’t be too sure,” replied Fred.

“Tf it ain’t there, I agree not to taste the venison,’’ said
Doyle, confidently.

They hastened to the stag, which was yet alive and
Struggling, and having dispatched it, the sharpshooter
Pointed in triumph to the two wounds.

“This was what brought him down,” he said, pointing

tothe lower bullet hole. ‘Clus to the heart you see,

That’s the place to hit’em. | Where did you aim, Cap-
tain 9”

Fred laughed.

‘Why, I aimed at two or three of them in a huddle,”
he said. “I thought I must hit one.”

“Like enough you did,” replied the other, proceeding
to skin the stag, ‘‘there’s many places you. can hit an ani-
Mal without bringing him down. Always aim at the vitals,
Captain, and don’t try to kill but one deer at a time.’’

Though this was said soberly, Fred knew his “ hand’
Was making fun of him, but-he took it in good part, and

€gan to assist in the fluying operation,

When the animal was skinned and quartered, half of it
Was enveloped in his hide, and deposited in the crotch of
§tree, where it would be tolerably safe from beasts of
Prey, until they could return for it the next day. The
two hind quarters Fred and Nick believed they could
asily carry home, after first fortifying themselves with a

€arty meal, and for this purpose they proceeded to cut
two large, juicy steaks from one of the haunches before
them.

A fire was kindled, and these were cooked after a _
fashion known to the ex-soldier, and were eaten, unsedson-
d, by the hungry hunters, with a relish unknown in
lands of civilization and plenty.

‘““We cut them too small,” sail Nick, as he smacked

lips over the Jast mouthful.

“Fact,” replied Fred, laughing. ‘*Let’s try it over.”

 

 

 

 
    
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
    

a

THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

CHAPTER IX. &

Doyle hastened to gather fuel to replenish their failing
fire—when a crackling in the bushes behind them was

heard, and a very hungry-looking ‘‘diner-out’’.made his x
appearance, in the shape of a ferocious grizzly bear.
_ He was so near when discovered, and was advancing on t
such a rapid trot, and with such evidently hostile intent, ~
that nothing remained for the hunters but to take to the x
nearest trees.

“Up! up!” shouted Nick, suiting the action to the S
-word, and clambering, squirrel-like, up a moderate-sized N
maple, the trunk of which was about twice the size of his Gi
own body. th

Innis was standing near the tree in which the fore- 2
quarters of the stag had been placed. He hesitated a a
breath—to see if he could recover ,his gun, which stood fi
against an adjoining oak, but the danger was too close and
too imminent, and he, too, ‘‘ went up’’—and was scarcely 3
in the lowest fork of the tree before the monster was’ bel- a
lowing at its base, with snout upraised toward him, fe

‘This is a pretty kittle of fish,” said Doyle, from his d:
tree, for the two were within easy talking distance. :

Tunis, who had been a little nearer the monster's jaws af
than the other, was yet too excited for words, but ‘he
busied himself in trying to secure the venison from falling,
for he had nearly displaced it in climbing. r

‘* He has enough for a good meal down there, I’m sure,” <
he said, after awhile: “ Perhaps he will eat, and go away _
content,’? be

Bruin was not- long in finding the hind-quarters of the ~
stag, which lay invitingly upon the ground before ‘him, »
and he attacked them with a voracity which, for awzaile, a

seemed to render him oblivious of everything else.
Nick instantly began to descend—bat whén- Innis saw 4
his design, he called quickly to him to desist. : S
‘Hist! we must bave the guns,” was the low reply. i
eta. ae tee.

-

= --.

8
ly
ey

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 61

F red still protested. The danger was too fearful.

“But I must,’ said the brave fellow. ‘He'll. keep us
treed here all day and all night, till we drop into his jaws, ;
I know what a grizzly is.”

“Let me go then.. I’m nearest to the gun.”

“*Stay where you are,” replied Nick, continuing slowly
to descend on the side of the tree most remote from the
beast, ‘‘if he looks this way tell me.’’

Bruin did not—but at this moment, pausing in his meal,
he raised his head high, and uttered a long howl, after
Which he resumed his work more rayvenously, as if to
make up for lost time.

“He is calling for his mate,” said Innis, wlio knew
something of the habits of these animals.  ‘ Be careful,
Nick!”

Nick's feet were on the ground, and he was peering around
the trunk which interposed between him and the beast,
When a crash in the bushes was heard, followed by a howl
of recognition, and another bear, nearly as large as the
first, came rushing into the arena.

“Back, Nick—back! or you are lost!’ shouted Fred
—but the Ohioan needed no. warning. His ficulties were
all sharpened to the utmost, and he. was: already clam-
bering back into the tree, at the first note of this new
danger,

“This is gittin’ a little too ser’ous, Captain !” he said,
after regaining his elevated post.

‘* Rather,” replied Fred, trying to keep calm.

The gluttonous quadruped, although considerate enough
to call his mate to his luscious repast, had left very little
for her to eat. Two-thirds of the dinner was devoured
before she came, after which there was a brisk competi-
tion between the two, to see who should get most of what
Temained.

The appetite of the female was thus only fully aroused
When the meat was gone, and licking her red chops, she
looked into the face of her companion, and thence (:nided
by his upward gaze) into the trees, where, for the first
time, she discovered the human game,

 
  

   

62 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

Rendered furious by the sight, she ran from one tree to
the other, growling terrifically, and ever and anon stand-
ing up on her hind-legs, and scratching the bark from the
trunks with a ferocity dreadful to behold.

“ That’s no use,” said Nick, coolly. ‘You can’t get up
here, you know, which is mighty fortenet for us.”

The other animal, less demonstrative, looked lazily up

“into the trees, and contented himself with an occasional
growl,

“T'll throw down the other half of the deer,” said Fred.
* When they have eaten that, perhaps they will go away
contented. What do you say?”

“Hold on, Captain. Let's see first.if they don’t go
without. This baitin’ on ’em may have a bad effect, and
keep ’em around here all day.”

They waited patiently nearly an hour, but still the ani-
mals raged and howled below, passing to and fro between —
the two trees, and occasionally clasping and shaking the
smallest of them (Nick’s maple) until its upper boughs
could be seen to sway with the motion.

‘Shake away!” cried Doyle, sitting astride of a lower
branch, with his back against the trunk. ‘ But you won’t
git nothin’, old feller. This fruit ain’t ripe.”

“They show no signs of going, Nick, and it’s past
noon,”’ said Fred, looking at his eats 3

“Fact. Iwish they had an appointment somewhere
that couldn’t be put off.”

“Tsn’t it best to throw the venison down now ?”

**Reckon I would, Captain. Perhaps it will pacify ’em. —
But hold on a minute. You'd better cut off a few slices
first. Possible you may want them before they quit us.”

This was not encouraging, but Innis procceded to do as
suggested,

‘‘Well--shall I let this slide now ?”

No, don’t Ict it slide—but throw it as far from the tree |
as you can, off that way,” and Nick pointed in a direction
Opposite to the oak against which their guns were leaning.
“Oh, yes—I see.”

Innis took one of the quarters, and after swaying it

   
 

  

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 63

backward and forward at arms’ length for some time, flung
it several rods off, and the watchful bears pounced upon it
almost as soon as it struck the ground, tearing it fiere ely
to pieces with tooth and nail.

‘*Suppose that had been one of us now,” said Doyle.

‘*That isn’t a pleasant thought,” replied Fred, shudder-
ing.

** Now throw the other, and then I’ll go down after the
guns.” 2 j

Innis did not consider it rizht to let his companion take
all the risk, and after throwing down the other quarter of
Venison, he again offered.to undertake the dangerous en-
terprice, ‘

“It’s my turn now, Nick, and I’m nearer to the guns
than you.”

“Yes, and you’re nearer to the bears, too. Besides,
you couldn’t git a gun for me, you know.”

Nick was watching the bears as he spoke.

“There ; now their heads are both turned away from
us,” he said, beginning to descend. ‘Silence now!”

In a moment he stood upon the ground—hesitating.
The guns were full twenty yards distant, and the tree
against which they leaned was not one to be climbed.
But all this he knew before—it was for another cause
that he wavered. The beasts had quarreled over their
food, and at this moment the female, espying the quarter
Which had been thrown down last, suddenly snatched it up
and ran back with it toward the place where the animals
had made their first meal, nearly midway between the two
refuge trees.

She did not stop until she had gained that spot, and be-
fore she had quite done so, Nick was sorrowfully enough
re-ascending. i

*Tt’s no use,” he said; ‘‘’twas a mistake throwing that
last piece. They'd both had to stuck to one joint if it
hadn’t been. for that.”

** What’s to be done now ?”
‘Nothing bat to wait.”

ae

 

 

   
  

THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

CHAPTER X.

Wait they did. The bears finished their meal, without
entirely devouring the carcass, and as they were evidently
gorged with food, the unfortunate men hoped they would
go away.

But they manifested no such design. After looking up
into the trees, and growling wildly at the prisoners, they
began to play, gambolling like elephants, and tossing about
such light things as came in their way.

One of them went up to the guns, and after smelling of

them, took Fred’s rifle in his mouth, and ran around with

it, like a pig with a wisp of. straw.

“Blamed if Idon’t think he is goin’ to shoot us, Cap-
tain,’? said Nick.

Fred laughed, despite his forebodings, but his uneasi-
ness momentauily deepened. The hours were rapidly pass-
ing, and there were no signs of relief. By and by, the
bears lay down, apparently for a s¢esfa, but they did not
seem to sleep. They licked themselves and each other,
and now and then looked up into the trees with a monitory
growl.

They were much nearcr to Innis than to Nick, and the
gun which they had dropped now lay direcily under the
boughs of the tree in which Fred had taken refuge. If
they slept, he felt that it would be incumbent upon him to
go down and get that gun.

He shuddered at the thought—but he resolved to do it
—and he appreciated Nick’s forbearance in not having
already proposed it.

Suddenly, however, a new idea struck him, and he took

out his knife and began to cut the deer skin into strips. |

‘What are you at, Captain ?” ae Doyle.
"I'm going to fish for the gun.”
“ Capital 1” said Nick. , ‘* You ought to bea back |

' Woodsman, and not a New Yorker. Your genius is comin’ —

“out strong.”
Fred laughed.

    

It was the work of a few minutes to .

    
THE GOLD CRUSHERS. ~ 65

make his line, with a large noose in one end, and: he was
soon directly over the coveted weapon, lowering the snare
from which so much was hoped. He tried to get it under
the butt of the gun, which did not seem to lie close to the
ground—but a hundred efforts failed.

He next tried the muzzle, with similar results. An hour
passed in these endeavors. ‘Tire perspiration rolled from
his face, and fell to the ground, as he lay prone upon a
limb, thus fruitlessly fishing.

Nick looked anxiously on, encouraging him to perse-
vere. The bears watched him, too, from time to time, but
seemed too lazy to rise, and one of them appeared to sleep.

But at last—at last—the noose caught! It slipped un-
der the muzzle, and was easily pulled along to the stock,
where it held, and in another minute the rifle was dangling
in the air, and was drawn slowly into the tree.

Never in his life had Fred enjoyed a moment of such
exquisite triumph. The conqueror of Waterloo could
scarcely have been more jubilant, and Nick, who was
almost equally excited, swung his hat, and led off in three
vociferous cheers, in which, of course, ‘‘the captain”

heartily joined.

The gun was already loaded, and Innis’ powder flask
hung at his side, aud his bullets were in his pocket, so that
he was not at a Joss for ammunition. He brushed off the
dirt and leaves from the weapon and at once prepared to
fire.

«Take the big one,” said Nick, eagerly. “ He's layin’
on his side. Plump him in the body, jest back of the
shoulder—rather low. Thunder! But I'd give fifty
ounces for that shot!” ;

“Keep cool! Ican hit a barn door, Nick.”

“ Yes—but it’s the keyhole you want to hit now, and
that’s tae heart.”

Never was heart more fairly exposed—but Fred, who
was an indifferent marksman at the best, was flarried now,
and Bruin’s organ of life escaped untouched. The ball,
however, entered the shoulder of the beast, who sprang up
With a growl, aud ran furiously toward Tunis’s tree, seem-

 
  

 

66 - THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

\
ing to understand that he had inflicted the sting, After
some futile demonstrations against the bark, he returned ©
and lay down again beside his mate, rather contemptuously,
Fred thought, and seeming to say, ‘Pop away, my boy, if |
it amuses you.’

*¢ He doesn’t even limp,” said Innis, re-loading.

**No—but he’s hit. I saw blood. You can drive ’em
away, if you can’t kill’em, Captain. They won’t stand
much peppering .like that. Keep cool—and take good |
aim. He lays about right now.”

A second bullet entered the body of the beast, appar-
ently but a few inches from the heart, and again brought
him to his feet, raging.

‘First rate, Captain!” shouted Nick, clapping his hands
With glee. ‘‘He can’t stand many such.”

Innis hastily re-loaded, and was ready to fire while the
beast was almost under him, bellowing, with upraised snout
and with distended jaws.

‘Dry his eye now, Captain; you’ve got him so clus to |
you. Try his eye! That’ll let the ball right into the
brain.” on

Fred did not, He fired, instead, into the open gulf be-
fore him, and with what seemed at first a fatal effect.

The animal ‘dropped and rolled over, struggling, but
rose again and flew at the tree.

“Bravo! Bravo! You nearly done it that time,.Cap-
tain,’? shouted Nick. ‘‘ Another ball will fetch him, I
reckon, if he only don’t run—which I’m afraid he will.”

“T have given him a sore throat, I guess,” replied Fred, |
terribly excited.

All this while the female bear, being gorged to repletion |
with food, and unprovoked by a wound, remained lying |
down—in a semi-comatose state, seeming to take little heed
of what was going on. She would raise her head at the |
crack of the rifle, or at an unusual growl from her com- |
panion, and then would drop it again and seem to sleep.

The wounded animal stood his ground until he had re-
ceived two more shols—the last of which entered the neck

 
  
 

    
av er

[=
ft

is

(e
Lt

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 67

and seemed to tap the jugular, so profuse was the flow of
blood which followed. ;

Then he began arapid but unsteady retreat, bellowing
loudly, limping, staggering and traveling in nearly a half
circle clear beyond Nick's tree—where he stood shaking a
moment and then dropped.

“He’s down! He’sdown! And bleeding like a stuck
pig,” shouted Nick, who could see him, though Fred could
not. ‘* Now for the other!”

But madame did not seem disposed to await many leaden
compliments. Missing her mate, she rose and followed
him, receiving only one ball, (in the haunch), which merely
served to quicken her speed.

She found, and moaned a little while over her dying con-
sort, and then retired, howling, into the wilderness, whence
her voice came back faint and fainter, until the relieved
hunters knew that it was safe to descend.

Devoutly thankful for escape from the impending dan-
ger, and proud of an exploit which was thenceforth to ren-
der him renowned, Innis lowered himself qnickly to the
ground, and exchanged hearty greetings with his liberated
friend.

They hastened to the side of the fallen monster, which
still lived, but could be safely approached and dispatched,
and Doyle was about giving it the finishing stroke when he
drew back and handed the knife to Fred.

“Do it yourself, Captain,” he said. ‘You shall have
the hull honor of killing this bear. You've done it all so
farJ?

Innis complied, not without some pity for his fallen foe
—and said :

‘‘T should like his skin for a trophy—but we can’t stop .
for that.”

“Take his scalp and ears, while I cut some steaks ont
of the critter to take home. And let’s be goin’. We have
made such a rumpus about here, I am afraid we
shall start up somethin’ worse than grizziies. So I pro-
pose, if it suits you, Captain, that we tale the short-
est cut to the hill-side, and down the hill-side to tho

 
 

68 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

Sound, and that we walk along in. the edge. of the
water the rest of the way home. That may throw ’em
off; though I have my misgivings even then.’’

‘It’s a good plan. We'll do it.’

 

CHAPTER XL

They were between two and three miles yet from camp,
but they were only some sixty or eighty rods from the long
and steep declivily which led down to the margin of the
Bottomless Sound, as Mr. Wakely had named the body of
water which might more properly have been termed a Jake.

They had barely started in their changed direction when
they were startled by a sharp, short cry, seemingly from
a human voice, and Nick, with Indian-like instinct,
dropped itstantly to the ground, Fred, of course, follow-
ing his example.

“Tt ain’t an Indian,” he said, cocking his gun, and
looking around as he lay on his hands and knees. * Least-
ways, he ain’t afier us or he’d keep still.”

“It sounded like some one in pain.”

“Yes; and it sounded far off—or rather as if it was
down in a hollow.”

‘But it came from the north side.’

**Yes—well, there may be a descent that way, too. I
think this is only a kind of ridge we are on, and that we
are a great deal nearer the north slope than the south.
Tell you what!”

“What?”

“That may be a panther. Tneir ery is mighty like a
human, I should dearly likato shoot a panther. May I
go back a little way and see, Captain.”

' Fred laughed, and told him to do as he chose.

‘Cause if there is any special danger, we ought to
know what itis. I'll be careful, and will be back in a
jiffy.”

“I may as well go with you,” :
“Come on. We'd better keep together, of course.”
They had not gone a dozen rods before Nick aunounced

 
  
   

    

Pn

ar

  
THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 69

that they were close to the slope, and they approached the
edee of the declivity very cantiously.

Whatever they hal expected to seo, we will venture to
say their anticipations were surpassed by the reality. The
long and steep hill-side was but thinly wooded, and . pre-
sented but little obstruction to a view of the landscape
beyond—a charming landseap?, and. destined, doubtless,
hereafter to be dotted everywhere with the lappy-homes
of civilization.

_ A beautiful little lake, varying from. half .a, mile, to, a
mile in width, almost washed the base of the hill, while its
inlet descended from the west, a narrow but shining
stream, gracefully sinuous, and forming a_ large, silvery
“S$” upon the prairie-like plain.

It was not these beanties of nature, however, which now
attested the gazevof the hunters, and bell. them .speli-
bound in their tracks, but something of more immediate
and far.deeper interest to them.

A fleet of five bark, canoes lay moored. at the: water's
edge, almost ‘directly.in, front.of them, and at the very
mouth of the inlet. ‘These boats seemed atefirst view to —
be all empty, but there was a single Indian on the shore,
near one of them, who had probably been left as a guard,
while his companions were off on the chase. ;

But the actions of this savage were very strange. He
secmed to be dancing and gesticulating with rage. He
picked up stones and dirt on the beach, and threw them
at one of the canoes; he waded into the lake, and scoop-
ing up water with his hands, threw that into the boat, and,
finally, rushing» up to it, he seemed to deal a heavy blow
at the same inanimate object of his wrath.

“JTe isa madman!” said Innis, but at that instant, and
simultaneous with the blow, came up the same short,
sharp ery, which had first arrested thelr altention,

“'There’s some one in the boat,"’ said. Doyle, ‘on the
bottom, probably. Tt must be a prisoner, and that red
himself torturin’ on him—or takin’

fiend is amusing ¢
¢on guard, while all the rest_are

his revenge for bein’ lef
enjoyin’ the pleasures of the chase.”’

 
  

    

70 THE GOLD CRUSHERS

“Poor fellow!” exclaimed Fred. ‘‘Let’s rescue him,
Nick.”

Innis’s first impulse at the sight of the canoes, had been
to fly—but he forgot his fears, in sympathy for the wretch-
ed object before him.

Nick had meanwhile begun to climb a tree, saying: ‘*T
want to sce whether the captive is an Injin or a white
man. Ef he’s an Injin he ain’t worth reskin’ our lives
for.”

“TTere—take this!” said Fred, in great excitement,
and handing up a pocket spy-glass which he always
carried.

The Tennessean ascended to a high bough—used the
glass for an instant, and then descended quickly, and in
silence.

“Is a white man! A young chap—face all bloody i
he said, wrathfully. ‘‘ Now, what do you say?” t

Fred’s lips were tightly compressed for a moment—his
eyes flashing—and then he spoke solemnly:

** We will rescue him! So help us,God!”

“ That's tWe ring of the true metal! I knew it was in
you! Come on! The first thing to be done is to put a
bullet through the head of that savage.”

“Of course.”

‘And I want to get alittle nearer for that. Not but
what I could do it well enough from here—but I want to
do it so he can’t screech, you see.”

“ Yes—ecrtainly.”

“Plump through the brain.”

Nick looked as delighted at the job before him as he
possibly could have been, gourmand as he was, if he had
been about to sit duwn to a Thanksgiving dinner, and had
the odor of the turkey and plum-pudding already in his
nostrils. -.

They descended about half way down the hill, and
while doing so, they heard the faint report of two guns in
an easterly direction.

“They're far off,” whispered Doyle, stopping to listen,

  
 
    
 

 
   
  

  

THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

*‘and they seem to be down onthe plain, _ That's the rea-
son we haven’t heard them before.”

“* Hunting buffaloes, perhaps.”

** Perhaps.”

‘‘We are about right, now,”’ said Nick, coolly. ‘Stand
still a. moment.” ay

The Indian was seated now on the bow of the boat,
which was drawn up a little way on the shore. His rage
seemed to be sated, or his strength exhausted. His back
was toward the hunters, and his face teward the prisoner ;
and as Doyle raised his rifle, Innis stepped a@ little aside
with his glass to get a view of the position.

“Stay!” he said. ‘The ‘Brisoner is almost exactly in
range, Ain’t you afraid

The report of the rifle was his answer, and the savage
fell forward into the boat.

““You shouldn't speak to a feller at sich a time,” said
Nick, proceeding to re-load before quitting his tracks.
** You came nigh pilin’ the finest drawn sight I ever tuk
in my life,”

“But I was afraid —— Ie was leaning forward with
his head so low, and you shooting down, you see.”

‘*Bless you! I know’d where the t’other man was. The
bullet didn’t go within two inches of him, even if it passed
clean through the Injin’s head, which isn’t probable. I
could ha’ shot a squirrel’s nose off at that distance, with-
out disfiggerin’ on him much, neither.” :

All this was rapidly and excitedly said, and then the
two men ran down the hill-side as fast as they could go—
for they knew that their own danger was now. most immi-
nent.

““What—do you—suppose—that monster was doing—
when—you fired?” asked Fred, as they ran, the words
being jolted out of him by his violent motion, _

“Don’t know—some deviltry.””

““Yes—he was poking—the other one—with a long
stick—in the face.”

When they reached the canoe, a singular and affecting
sight presented itself. The Indian had fullen over, quite

 

  

 
 

  

72 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

dead, upon the bound man, who, vainly striving to release
himself from the hideous contact, and to catch sight of
his hoped reseuers, had struggled partly up from his: re-
cumbent position, and was looking wildly around, with a
face covered with blood and tears.

“Take courage, my friend!” said Fred, ‘‘we’ve come
to free you.”

“Thank God!’? murmured the young man, feebly, and
then fell back insensible.

He was quietly lifted out and Jaid on the beach—the
thongs of hide which tightly bound his hands and feet
were cut—some water was dashed in his face—and he re-
vived. :

‘Water! water!’’ were his first words; and he tried
to crawl to the cooling element, which, with a refinement
of cruelty, had been denied to his raging and feverish
thirst, even when gliding for many a mile over its mock-
ing wave.

Fred sprang to the boats, and in one of them found a
gourd cup, which he brought brimming to the sufferer,
and allowed him sparingly to partake.

“Thank God, again, and you, dear friends, whoever
you are,’’ he said, indistinctly. “But we must not’ stay
here another instant. There are twenty fierce warriors in
this party, and some ef them may be within sight of u
now.” ;

‘*Come on, then! We will help you up the hill,” said
Fred; ‘‘our camp is but a few miles distant, and you will
gain strength as we proceed.”

But it was impossible. Mr. Vibbard (such was the
stranger’s name) could not even stand. The ligature upon
his limbs had been so tight that his feet and ankles were
numb and swollen, and the atiempt to support himself
upon them gave him excessive pain.

_ He looked appealingly, yet’ hopelessly, at his rescuers
when this alarming fact was-ascertained.

**We’ll put him back in one of the boats, and row up
the inlet,” said Innis. © ** Quick, Doyle, help—lift him in.
Perhaps when the circulation is fully restored he can

 

  

»

   
 
 
  

     
  

THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

walk; if not, we must find a hiding-place for the night.”

“«That’s it, Captain. Come on!”

The young man looked his gratitude as they carried and
deposited him quietly in one of the largest canoes, and he
said in a feeble voice: =

“Tf they come—you must run and save yourown lives,
and I shall be no worse off than I was before. Youcannot
fight against so many.”

No time was wasted in talking, for all felt the necessily.
of haste. The sun was low in the west, and the hunters

- would soon return—even if not re-called by the sound of
Nick’s rifle. That, however, even if heard, it was hoped
would not awaken any suspicion, as the slain Indian had
had a gun, and might ‘naturally be supposed to have fired
at some passing game,

His gua, which was an old battered rifle, of little use,
they took, of course, together with his knife and tomahawk,
which might come into play; and as they were about hur-
riedly casting off, Nick said, jumping out: di

**Hold on a minute, till I set him up.” :

Tie ran back to the slain man, and raised the body toa
sitting position in the bow of the boat, propping up his
drooping head by placing under ‘his chin the very stick,
sharp-pointed, with which he had been pricking his pris-
oner, when death so swiftly overtook him,

‘Now, he looks quite natteral like,” said Nick, jump-

 

 

ing into the waiting boat, and taking the oars. ‘You
see, they won’t be so apt to hurry home if they see him
sittin’ there all night. And an Injen can see a great
way.” i
Gaya true; I only hope they won’t see us,’ added
Vibbard, faintly. _‘* There will be no hope for me if they
| do—for they can run twice as fast as you can row, espe-
that crooked inlet.”
ant whoop responded, as it were, to this
iking terror into the hearts of the fugitives,
y-glass with a hand that slightly

  
 

cially up
A dist
remark, str
and Innis, raising his sp
shook, said quickly:
“They are comin

  
 
   
 

g, gure enough, on the full ruan—the

 

 

  
  

74 THE GOLD. CR”SHERS.

whole band—and not more than a mile off. They have
seen us, of course.” ,

“Run—run, then—and save yourselves!” exclaimed
Vibbvard, ‘Take tothe woods! You can do nothing
for me!”

Innis and Doyle looked for a moment into each other's
eyes. Escape in their present mode was clearly impos-
sible, But to leave a fellow-being in such 4 str it was too
horrible, doomed as he wonld be to the direst torvure, in
expiation of the Indian’s death,

‘¢Back to the shore!” said Fred. (They had. barely
left the beach, and it was but an instant’s work to cegaia
it.) ‘Perhaps he. can walk now, and we Can ass‘st hin
till we can find some hiding place, or some defensinle po-
sition.”

It was impossible. The hapless youth could not svp-
port himself on his feet, and to drag him up the steep bill,
which it was difficult to climb unburdened, was clearly im-
possible. As to the plains, there was no refuge there.

“It’s a terrible bad job, Captain. I reckon we'll have
to leave him, after all,’? said Doyle, ‘‘and no time to be
lost neither.”

He looked anxiously eastward as he spoke, where the
savage pack was now in full view, swiftly but silently ad-
vancing. The single whoop which had been heard had
doubtless been a signal of alarm to the band, by the first
discoverer of the strangers; but after that the prefoundest
silenve had been maintained by the fleet-footed foe.

A look of anguish was on Fred’s face—Vibbard was still)
urging them to fly before it was too late—and Nick, with
foot and body advanced, stood ready for a leap up the
hill.

‘“‘Go—co—my friends!’ repeated Vibbard, ‘‘ you can
do nothing more for me—unrless you will, in mercy, give m
a bullet from your revolver. It will be but an instant’s
work, and surely not a crime in you or me,”

He spoke imploringly, and bent his head as if in hope
of receiving the fearful boon he had begged.
‘Impossible!’ replied Fred, shuddering.

   

 

 

   
    

th

to

lift
THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

ve “The other one, then,” said Vibbard, anxiously, Look
the other way, but an instant, my friend, while he does it,
d It will be the greatest act of mercy — you ever accorded
s to a miserable mortal.’

‘God of Heaven—no! Nick, there is a chance yet!
‘| A-chance for us all! Why had we wt thought of it bes
- | fore?”

‘i The thought came like inspiration.

2 “Quick!” he continued; ‘lift him back into the boat,
We will try to escape down the Jake—drag all the canoes
. after us—and scuttle them, as soon as we gota good
0 | offiog. Then they will have no means of pursuit.”

a ** You’re captain, and we'll try,” replied Nick, as they
o-| lifted Vibbard back, “but think it’s too late. They'll
begin to fire in a minute.”

 

es CHAPTER XII.

e They did try. The corpse of the slain Indian was
28| pitched like a log into the water—the four empty canoes
were shoved off, and turned around, and their bows being
@) drought close to the stern of the other boat, Innis grasped
1- theit> short cables (made of twisted bark), and Doyle,
id) springing to the oars, pulled vigorously outward, dragging
st} the tiny fleet after them.
4 No sooner had the savages witnessed this bold exploit
than they sent up a wild shout of rage, and although

Il still nearly half a mile distant, two or three stopped run-
th ning to fire at the boats; but their bullets went wide of
he the mark, skipping across the water many yards ahead of
the fugitives.

‘¢Can't Vibbard hold them ropes?” asked Nick, samtciy,

saw this,

7 eed right hand is strong and well as eyver.’’

“Then, Captain, you take the a a minute—and let
me have a pop at ’em. This so a game that two
can play at. We won't lose no time.

The disabled man crawled forward, and took the ropes,

 

 

 
   
 

 

    

  
  

TUE GOLD CRUSHERS.

Innis climbed over him to the oars, and Nick, between the
two, raised his rifle.

‘“S:iddy, a minute,” he said, dropping on his knees:
**she topples a little—stiddy! Hold the oars out, and sit
still! You, Vibbard, there, don’t wriggle so!”

*ANL right.”

“There she is—she’s stiddy, now—don’t move a
finger. This shootin’ out of. boat is ticklish business,

and something like shootin’ out of a balloon; but I've got

him now!”

The report followed, and the foremost man of the band
fell to the earth, pierced by the ball of Nick’s unerring
rifle.

Ayell of rage followed from the foe—an involuntary
shout of triumph from Fred—and Nick, proceeding to reload,
said :

“*Good for somethin’, ain’t I, Captain?” _

“Good? Why, you’re worth your weight in gold, Nick.”

“No—I ain’t. 1 ain't worth more than my weight in lead
and I wish I had it here now to run into-bullets for them
fellows—for I hayn’t got any too good a supply.”?

‘““Down! Down! They're goin’ to tire !’’ said the watch-
ful Vibbard, lowering his own head beneath the gunwale.

example, and the volley went harmlessly by—a few of the
balls striking the rear boats.

“That’s comin’ onpleasantly near,” said Nick, who had
reloaded. ‘‘Let’s return the salute. I don’t like to be out- |
done in politeness—I don’t.”

‘The canoe was again stopped and steadied—-but when the
Vigilant and far-seeing enemy discovered the fatal rifle again
levelled, they dropped simultaneously to the ground, and
not a few of them went rolling over and over, in order more
effectually to elude the aim of the terrible Tennessean. !
‘9 Tain’t no use—that ain’t,” said Nick.” “ That foremost
feller will roll right against my bullet. You see if he don't.”

He did. He was the only one that did not rise and run to
cover after Nick fired, and again a shout of glee went up
from the boat, followed by a discordant yell from the shore.

Fred, (who had resumed rowing), and Nick followed his |

 

   
  
 

 

  
or

-

~~ =

 

~~ Fe

nner mg de

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. qT

But the Indians had run much faster than the boat had
been propelled, and they had, of course, materially dimin-
ished the distance between themselves and the fugitives —
though thus far only to their own cost. But having now
reached the head of the lake, not far from the point where
the canoes had been moored—they fired a few rounds from
the shelter of some bushes, to the imminent danger of their
adversaries.

The balls struck all around them—one passed through
Doyle’s hat—and they did not dare to show any portion of
their bodies above the edge of the bout, lest it should be-
come a target for the savages. :

The design of the quick-witted foe seemed to be to keep
them from using the oars, so that the boats would gradually
drift shoreward—tbere being aiight wind blowing up the
lake, which must inevitably, though very slowly, waft the
boats back almost to the place whence they had started.

A consultation was held by the three men, crouching in

the bottom of the canoe. The peril was pronounced great,

aud momentarily increasing. _The oars must be put in mo-
tion at all hazards,

‘Pell you what,” said Nick; ‘the other canoes are too.
much of a drag-upon us. We must abandon them.”

“«They’ll swim out and get them.”

‘I know-it.. It can’t be helped. No body can go into
them to scuttle’em in this storm of bullets, and we must
shake ’em off.”

“Then what ?” .

“Then ll take the oars and row for dear life. If [
ain’t hit—every minute will make us more safe, and six min-
utes will place us out of theirreach.. Night isn't far off, and
that will favor us.” ; ;

« You are right, Nick—in all but one thing,” replied Innis,
resolutely. ‘The duty isas much mine as yours. I will
draw lots with you as to who shall take first innings at the
oars for fifty strokes—aiter which we'll take turns. Your
life is a dear to you as mine to MOL og ngn

“No, Captain. V’m a better rower than you—and I've

 
  

  

78 THE GOLD CRUSHERS

faced more bullets. Besides, I can almost lay down and | |
Tow, which you can’t.”

“The post of danger for which you contend ought to be
mine,” said Vibbard, mournfully, ‘and most gladly would I |
take it, if it were possible. You have placed yourselvesin |
this dreadful jeopardy for me, and I can do nothing to assist
you.”

‘¢Never mind,” reslion’ Nick. ‘ There’s no time for
words now. What do you say, Captain? Shall he let go?”

“Yes.”

“Cast off, then,” said Doyle.

Z “Not yet,” replied Vibbard. ‘We must at least take
Ahe oars out, and J can do that.”

He drew the vessels up one by one, alongside of the lead-
ing canoe, seized the oars and pulled them in, and then cast | ¥
off the boat. His appearance in a sitting posture was the | s
signal for a fire ‘all along the line,” but he persevered, un- | t
flinching, until his self-imposed task was done, and then | s
dropped heavily back to the bottom of the canoe. 4

“‘He’s drawn their fire now,” said Nick, seizing the oars; | ti
“we won't argufy about the first innings, but V’ll take ’em, | s
and ef theyre goin’ to hit me, they must be pretty quick
about it.” /

The little boat now leaped and danced across the water, |
impelled by the Tennessean’s vigorous strokes —and it was a
full minute before a gun was fired from the shore. PP

Then came a volley, and in the midst of it the oarsman ta
tumbled over backward, to the great consternation of his
friends, who at that terrible moment gave up all for lost. tr

© Allright!” he exclaimed, quickly regaining his position. _ tr
“IT only dodged at the first flash, but I didn’t mean to go th
clear over. All right!” th

‘The boat was struck in several places, but no ene was sb
harmed. Again he leant to the oars, and with rapid and ex
powerful sweeps, he added nearly a furlong to their distance |
from the foe before another discharge ensued, which, like the | u¢
first, proved innocuous. ol

“TI reckon we're nearly safe now,” he said. ‘I don’t

     
   
   
  
   
  
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

— ~ e« @ uw

+
—
THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 79

believe a ball would go through into the vitals if it should
hit a feller here:” ;

But it was seyeral minutes yet before Nick relaxed his
efforts, and lay upon his oars with a sense of security.

“We're safe for the present,” he said, emphasizing the
words; “but jes’ look back there. They’re dividin’ in‘o
two parties to follow us—one on each side of the lake—
and when they catch up with us on shore, they won’t be
more’n a quarter of a mile off on either side, even if we
keep quite in the middle.”
_ He resumed rowing as he spoke. :

“But we have a good start,” replied Innis.

Nick shook his head. :

*“<T don’t want to croak,’ he added. ‘But we may as
well look things in the face. An Injin can rua a mile in
seven minutes. That’s nearly twice as fast as it’s possible
to rowacanos. There’s lots of shelter for’em in them

| scattered trees and bushes, and when they've once overtuk
* | us, they can run along parallel to the boat, dodgiu’ behind
trees, and pick us off at their leisure without exposin’ them-
selves,”
** But the night ——”
“It will be clear and moonlight, Captain. *Sides that,
, they'll overtake us tong before dark. See how the imps run.”
1 It looks bad, certainly. Bat we must trust in that kind
Providence which has thus far protected us. Let me now
take your place for awhile.”
3 As they changed places, a groan from young Vibbard at
tracted attention, and on tyrning to him, they found him
. trying to staunch the blood flowing from a severe wound in
» theshoulder. He had been hit while securing the oars of
the cast-off canoes, and had tried to keep it secret, lest he
should add to the alarm and trouble of his friends, whose

s
1 energies were already so fully tasked.
| Nick bound up the wound with some skill, and pro-

d it to be not a dangerous one, but said the ball
o be extracted, and that he would undertake to do it,
ent emergency had passed, if it ever did

e | bounce
| ought t

t as soon as the pres
| pass,

 
   

80 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

“ As things stand,”’ he said, bluntly, ‘‘it’s hardly worth
while to put you to the pain, since we may all be riddled
with bullets before an hour is over.”

“ You ought not to talk like that, Nick,’’ said Innis.

   

“T’s best to look things in the face, Captain,” replied
Doyle. ‘‘I got pretty well used to that when I was a |
goldier—thoigh I must say I never was in quite as bad a |

box as this.”

|
|

“There’s an island,” whispered Vibbard, “just beyond

that headland—atd not more than a mile and a half from
here, I should think—perhaps not that.”

“An island! . Pull, then, Captain, with a will. All de-
pends on our gittin’ there afore they git abreast of us. Pall
with a will! I'll take the oars again myself in about. two
minutes.”

There was a bend in the lake, around a sort of promon-
tory, which. concealed their anticipated place of refuge
from view—but Vibbard, who had come up the lake with
his captors on the preceding day, had noticed and remem-
bered the locality. i

In answer to Nick’s eager inquiries, he said there were
trees and bushes upon it, but that it was very small, not
being more than fifty or sixty rods long.

“‘The smaller the better,’’ said Doyle, ‘*so we can get
foothold on it and find shelter. It will be the more easily
defended.”

The prospect was a dismal one at the best, for it was
evident that so small a territory, lying so near the mainland.
on either side, could be commanded at all points by the
guns of the enemy, and that only constant and close con-
cealment could give even temporary safety. <A siege
would soon starve them out—and all knew the untiring
vigilance of an Indian foe, when stimulated by hoped re-
yenge for a slain brother.

Still, temporary safety was something, and every effort

was pin to gain the wished asylum with speed and with- | |

out farther damage... Tle race was exciting and doubtful.
The cnemy, uo longer attempting concealment, rapes |

|

 
ee

————s Saat sa een ee

THE GOLD) CRUSHERS. 81

along the shore with shouts and yells, which evinced their
confidence of a speedy triumph.
When the island came in sight, they were not eighty

’ rods behind the fugitives, and were rapidly gaining. They

did not stop to fire, nor did Nick, who now had the oars,
and was bending like.a Hercules to. his task, dare for a
moment to intermit his labors,

Innis and Vibbard looked on in amazement. The light
canoe seemed to leap over the water which foamed under
her prow, and hissed and boiled in her wake,

That such violent exertions could not long continue wag
evident, but in reply to a hint to spare himself a little,
Nick replied, panting:

‘“‘No; it’s neck or nothingnow. If they get abreast of
us, there’ll be no: more rowing—and we'll never set foot on
the island. Twenty guns. can’t all. miss us, at stich a
range.”

Innis was meanwhile suryeying the foe,with his glass,
first on one shore and then on the other, and he could
compare them to nothing but a pack of yelping wolves as
they rushed forward, gliding in and out among the trees
and bushes which lined the shore at intervals.

“Give them a shot—on each side,” said aS oct

may hold them in check a little.’’

Fred took his rifle.

$4 = shan’t hit them,’ he said.

telling, A bullet is sometimes guided, J think,
3 away.”

; Innis did so, without visible effect, other than a moment.
ary pause of the pursuers. :

‘“«Try the other side now, with my rifle... It carries fur-
ther. Aim at the middle of the gang.”

Vibbard.seized the glass aud watched the result. -

A sayage tumbled headlong, ang the whole pack stopped
aud gathered around him.

“That's the talk, Captain!” shogiea Nick, pausing a
moment on his oars.  ‘‘Aim the other side now with your

un. . They’ve seen it!”
empty &
Fred did so, and the watchful savages, ape by tha

 
  

   

     

82 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

fate of their comrade on the opposite shore, dropped like
logs upon the ground.

“*So—so; we can rest a little now,’ exclaimed Doyle,
laughing. ‘Let them lay there, if they will.”

They did not, of course, lie long, but crawling, snake-
like, to shelter, they rose and resumed their race, a little
further from shore, dodging behind the trees and stooping
beside the low bushes which lay between them and the
water.

The other party, being also again in motion, Nick, much
rested, resumed the oars, but no longer with any fears
about reaching the island, which now seemed to be fairly
floating toward the fugitives, so rapidly was its distance
lessened,

The savages seemed also to yield the point, as far as the
race was concerned, for they slackened their speed, and
slunk away from the shore, knowing full well that the asy-
lum which the white men were compelled to accept was a
trap more easily entered than escaped from,

 

CHAPTER XIII

The refuge was quickly gained, and whatever théir des-
tined doom, it was a wonderful relief to tread the solid
earth, and to rest, panting, upon its velvet breast, beneath
the shade of sheltering shrubbery, which concealed, them
from distant view.

Here Vibbard, who had been tenderly lifted out, and
laid upon the green sward by his companions, told them
for the first time the story of his capture.

He had belonged to s party of miners, who were Io-
cated about a dozen miles further north, on a mountain
gully which ran into the outlet of this very lake. This
stream, which was of considerable width, was their fre<
quent resort, both for bathing and fishing, and three of
their party had been surprised, while engacd in the latter
amusement, by this band of savages, Who were bound on
a hunting ¢xpedition up the-lake
a aE - ~.
— seo nae ae tee ee

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 88

Two of their number had been shot dead, and himself
slightly wounded and captured, and that he had been re-
served for torture he judged from various indications, In
fact, he said, the unprovoked aggressions of the miners
upon small bands of roving savages had been so frequent,
that they had become greatly exasperated, and no mercy
was to be hoped for at their hands,

‘‘ When will men learn the law of human kindness, to
which all hearts, even the most untutored are open?”
asked Innis,

‘TI don’t know about that,” replied Nick, morosely,
**An Injin is an Injin, and he’s naterally cruel; and I'd
shoot ’em wherever I could find ’em.”

“Tt is this estimate of them, and this treatment of them,
that makes them what they are—at least, in a great de-
gree. They are human beings, and you may be assured
that they have kindly and generous sympathies like other
men.”

But there was little time to moralize. Hunger began
to press, and fortunately there was a good meal for all in
the bear steaks which Innis carried in his coat pocket. A
fire was built in a hollow, and supper was speedily pre-
pared, and eaten with great gusto, and there was some-
thing even reserved for the morrow.

What the enemy’s designs were it was difficult to
guess. They kept out of sight, and with the exception of
an occasional bullet, sent at random to the island, they re-
mained quiet. It was a moonlight night, and flight was
evidently impracticable, and a couch of bushes, bush-cov-
ered, was fitted up for Innis and Vibbard. :

“*You shall sleep quietly to-night, and I'll watch,’ Nick
said. ‘‘The redskins ‘may have got hold of some of them
boats by this time, and they might make us a visit before
morning. They’re very polite Peopie, and very attentive
to strangers. DLWSES call on ’em when they move into -
their neighborhood.’

The good-natured fellow would hear of no other ar-
rangements; he dressed Vibbard’s wounds, and when .

 
84 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

both the young men were bestowed on their leafy couch,
he covered them with bushes.

“Youll call us if it clouds up enough for flight,” said
Fred.

“Oh, yes; I’ll see that you wake if there is need.
Sleep as sound as you choose. I shall walk across the is-
land once in fifteen minutes, all night long, and keep
watch of both shores. So never fear a surprise. If any-
thing shakes you in the night, it ain’t an Injin—it’s me.”

‘Allright. Good night.”

CHAPTER XIV.

Nick Doyle was reasonably vigilant. He patrolled the
island nearly all night, occasionally visiting the_ sleepers
and the boat. But Nick’s apprehensions were, unfortu-
nately, confined to one view of danger, 7. ¢., an invasion by
means of the recovered boats. Notwithstanding his boast-
ing, he was not quite prepared for all the daring and sub-
tlety of an Indian Brave.

Had he used Innis’s glass, which he held in contempt,
insisting that he could see better without than with it, he
might possibly have discovered, about two o’clock in the
morning, a small, black object in the water, a third of the
way out from the eastern shore, and slowly approaching
the island. ‘The moon was nearly full, and the surface of
the lake, rippled only in spots by the slight breeze, was
everywhere aglow with its mild light; but the object al-
luded to was scarcely one to excite suspicion, even if
seen,

It disappeared from time to time, like a diving duck or
loon, but always returned to the surface nearer than it
went down to the island, although not in a direct line from
the point of departure te any part of the little coast. It
seemed rather to be drifting down the lake, though gra-
dually approaching the northern extremity of the isle—the
opposite end to that where the fugitives had landed and
had bivouacked.

The swimmer, for such it was, made his last dive about
a dozen rode from the shore, and come up under thé

   

 

    
 

  

THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

shadows of the coast, where he waded to land, ‘and having
rubbed his chilled limbs awhile, he lay down to rest; for
his exertions had been enough to fatigue the hardiest
frame. . ‘

He was naked, with the exception of a belt, in which
were a knife and a tomahawk, the latter of which he took
from his belt, and held in his hand during his brief repose,
Very brief it was—no longer than was needed to recover
his natural breathing—and then, after a short period of in-
tent listening, he proceeded slowly, aud in a stooping pos-
ture, along the westera shore.

When he had thus traversed nearly half the length of
the little island, skulking in the shadows, creeping at times
past some little patch of moonlight, and ready, like the
beaver, to plunge into and) under the water, if serious
danger threatened, he stopped -suddenly, threw himself
upon the ground, and lay there for some minutes quite
motionless. .

A crackling among the bushes had announced the ap-
proach of sentinel Nick, who was marching to the eastern
terminus of his beat, without suspicion of danger, and who
passed within a few yards of the prostrate Indian, and
stopped on the shore, gazing outward. Nick was not an
inviling object of attack to the nearly unarmed savage, for
he carried a rifle and revolver, and the hatchet and knife
of the Indian who had been slain at the head of the Jake
were in his belt; and the red scout did not emerge from
his hiding-place until the sentinel had resumed his march
to the opposite side of the island.

The savage did not follow, but when the way was clear,
he again proceeded northward along the shore, on the route
which he had been pursuing before his course was inter-
rupted.

What was his design? Had he conjectured that since
one played the sentinel so vigilantly the others might be
securely sleeping, and might prove his unresisting vic-
tims ? £

Within five minutes he was at the head of the littie is-
land, and not twenty yards from the forest couch for which

 

  
  

86 THE GOLD CRUSHERS

he seemed to be looking. Certainly he was looking for
something, as, with slow and cat-like tread, he stepped
over bush and briar, bending low now and then, and care-
fully putting aside the boughs which impeded his way.
The shadows lay thick around the sleepers, and now,
when he stands within a dozen paces of their hiding-place,
he sees them not. The noise of the breeze that murmurs
through the tree-tops alone prevents him from hearing
their loud breathing—for they sleep securely and dream of
home.

His course was still onward, slowly onward, towards the
couch of bushes, which lay directly in his path; but now
it deviates to the left, and his eye is on the shore, which
he has never quitted far. Suddenly he starts, and steps
quicker, for he catches sight of the canoe, which, it soon
became evident, was the principal object of his expedtion
to obtain. _ He stands at its side—he pushes it off the
beach, and lingers a moment, as if in doubt whether to
make off with his great prize, or to return and add to his
now ensured laurels the always coveted trophies of an In-
dian brave, the scalps of his foes.

Discretion prevaiis—he steps into the boat, and using 9
single oar as ascull, he propels it silently and rapidly
from the shore, exulting in the thought that he has thus
deprived the besieged men of all chance of escape, while
he has, at the same time, secured to his own people the
means of attack. An attack. too, at a time of their own
choosing, in the darkness of some clouded night, amidst
the howlings of some furious storm, when they might land
a boat-load of warriors to accomplish their fell purpose in
safety.

But that start, and quicker step of the savage, when he
first discovered the canoe, had broken some crackling
bushes near the head cf the sleepers, and Vibbard (who
slumbered lightly, and woke often, in consequence of his
wounds), was roused. He looked around, expecting to
see Nick, who had several times visited them during the
night, and not finding him, he carefully wakened Innis,
but whispered to him to be silent.

     

    
 
 

 

  

THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

‘¢There is somebody near us,” he said, ‘*or some ani-
mal. Listen.”

Hearing nothing further, Fred rose:silently, after a few
seconds, and looked about ‘him, and he was about to re~
turn to bed; when something like a faint plash reached his
ears, ‘

“‘There is something wrong,” he said; ‘‘maybe an at-—
tack. I will give the signal for Nick.”

Se saying, he fired one chamber of his revolver, and,
with’ presented weapon, awaited the result; not without
fear that the foe would be upon him before his ally could
arrive. But Nick had not far to come, and he came
bounding like the panther, and was very soon at Innis’s
side, fierce for the struggle, which he believed to be at
hand. seed

‘¢ What is it?” he asked quickly. ‘An attack ?”

Fred told him what’ they had heard, and they proceeded
quickly to the water’s edge, while Vibbard, who found
that he could once more stand, followed them with slow
and limping step.

Their loss was at once discovered, and the departing
boat was seen, not thirty rods from shore, slowly moving
outward, but without an occupant, for the Indian, had,
doubtless, leaped out at the sound of Fred’s revolver.
But it was evident he was in front of the. canoe, swim-
ming and towing it along by its little cable, for there was
nothing in wind or current to account for its outward pro-
gress. THe could not be seen or hurt, and he seemed. ta
know it, for several random shots not only failed to scare
him from his purpose, but brought back a faint shout of
defiance from the water.

The magnitude of the loss impressed all hearts, and
something like despair was visible in the faces of the
younger men, : > ,

But Nick Doyle rose to the occasion. ,

é« There is only one thing to be done, and only one man
to do it,” he said, throwing of coat. and boots.. ‘I
ought to be able to ‘swim faster without a boat than a
redskin with one. Good bye, boys, if I don't come back,

 

  
   

 

838 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

but I feel as if I had the strength of twenty giants in me
now.”

~ Remonstrance was unheeded, perhaps unheard, for Nick
was in a furore of excitement, caused partly, no doubt, by
the fact that he had been outwitted by the savage, and
that the threatened calamity was due to his remissness as
a sentinel.

Tightening the belt which held his hatchet and knife,
(of course his:rifle and revolver were discarded, ) he took a
running leap into the Jake, and then struck boldly out
with a strong, equable motion, and at arate of progress
which gave some promise of success, yet failed to inspire
Innis and Vibbard with anything like hope.

‘«It’s terrible,” said the former; ‘‘even if he overtakes
the boat, this ducl in the water can scarcely fail to be fatal
to both. What do you think? Is he lost?”

“JT fear so; but I think he will turn back. It is hard
swimming, half-clothed, like that.”

‘He is very strong.”

“He need be—if he follows far.”

They watched him breathlessly ; he gained rapidly, but
he was far from shore, and the chase was very much farther.
When about midway between the boat and the beach, he
rose partly out of the water, and sent forth a succession of
terrific shouts, such as‘he had sometimes joined in, during
a charge on the field of battle. They were designed to
notify the Indian of pursuit, and to drive him from his
prize; and there is little doubt that they astonished, if
they did not frighten the savage, for he sent back ‘no re-
sponse, unless it was lost in the prolonged war-cry which
presently arose from the eastern shore,

The puzzled warriors onthe main land did not fire—for
they did not understand the position of affairs, but they
continued for many minutes to ‘‘make night hideous’
with their discordant yells.

Nick, in the meantime, inereased his. efforts and his
speed. It seemed as if he had had a fund of reserved
power, which he was just bringing into play. . He was
soon within a dozen rods of the boat, and his renewed
THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 89

shouts, doubtless, caused him to seem much nearer to the
red man, for the motion of the little vessel immediately
slackened, and then they ceased altogether. It was evi-
dent that she was abandoned, and that the halfexhausted
Indian had no mind to try the prowess of his foe in the
water. The memory of the sturdy sentinel, as he had
een him on the shore, probably did not present an invit-
mg object of attack. 2

At all events, he fled ingloriously, and the triumphant
Nick soon climbed, dripping, into the deserted boat,
which, (after some short, but earnest ejaculations of thanks
‘> Heaven for his preserved life,) he put in rapid motion
for the island. e

How breathlessly his friends on shore had watched all
this—how their prayers went up for his safety—how their
gratitude now gushed forth—how they swung their hats
and hurrahed—and how they hugged their heroic ‘friend,
in their transports, as he leaped ashore—all this need
scarcely be told. i

‘*Nonsense,”’ said Nick, in reply to those attentions,
twarn’t much. But if he'd had the pluck to stop anl
fight, it would: have been somethin’ of a tussle, I dessay.””

The threatened loss had been so great, the danger in
all respects had been so imminent, that the besieged men
>egan to look upon their present condition as one of com-
parative safety. Tbey had a boat—they had a little food;
and might, perhaps, procure more. Vibbard was recover-
ing the use of his limbs, and they had only to be vigilant
in guarding their little territory, not easily assailable, and
to await the first dark night to effect their escape.

These calculations, in fact, proved correct. The after-
noon of that very day, which was now near its dawn, gave
warning, or rather gave promise of a storm. Tleavy
clouds skirted the west at sundown, andere midnight,
spread to the zenith, and overhung the whole sky like a
pall. Nothing could have been more favorable for flight—
for, although the wind was high, and the Waves were
rough, they had little fear that their dancing canoe would

not ride the billows in safety.

 
   

 

  

90 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

‘*Tf she capsizes, all we’ve got to do is to swim round
and right her agin, as the Injins do,” said the exultant
Nick.

About twelve o’clock they,embarked, steering directly
up the lake, and preserving perfect. silence, except when
the ex-soldier now: and then gave way to an involuntary
chuckle,

‘¥fell you what,” he said, ina whisper, as he rested a
minute from the labor of the oars, “it’s my private opi-
nion that they’ll guess this out, and that some of ’em will
be up around the head of the lake, and especially about
‘the inlet.”

“T’ve thought of that,” replied Vibbard.

**S0 we won’t go there; we'll stop half a mile this side,
on the east shore, and cut across the plains for the hills
and the woods.”

“I'm afraid Vibbard can’t ‘eut’ much,’ replied Fred.

“* Well, there’ll be no great hurry, probably. He can
walk slowly.”

“IT can run, I think,” said the young man, ‘though
with some pain. The swelling is subsiding, and the cir-
Culation seems to be restored.”

Nick’s plan was. followed, and with perfect suecess.
No one appeared to dispute their passage to the hills,
which were gained in safety, and although their progress
was slow up the steep ascent, and through the woods
(which were utterly dark, and were resonant with the cry
of panthers and wolves, they reached the camp long be-
fore day.

Wakely and Terence were already up, and received
them with inexpressible delight. They had been out all
the preceding day, searching for their missing friends, and
their anxiety and alarm had.1 become extreme.

This, of course, terminated the mining campaign of our
heroes, They could not remain longer in their present
quarters in safety, nor had they any desire todo so. The
season was far advanced—their gains had been very large,
and they proceeded at once to break up their encampment,
and prepare for departure, little dreaming that the months

 

  
THE GOLD CRUSHERS. $1

~ which had een pouring such a golden harvest into their
laps were working even greater miracles for them in an-
other quarter. The rapidity with which San Francisco
became a large aud wealthy city, and her sou . more valu-
able than that of the time-worn metropolises of the old
world, is yet the standing marvel of the age, and when In-.
nis and Jotham returned to the capital, more richly
freighted than before, it was to find themselves, by the un-
exampled rise of their real estate, among the very heaviest
zapitalists of the city. They at once devoted themselves
to the business of improving and selling their estate, an
employment which occupied them fully for a considerable
portion of another year. Leaving them tius engaged, let
as return to take a view of some events which ‘were in the
mean time occurring in New York.

CHAPTER XV.

Thirteen months had rolled by since the departure of
[nnis from New York, without bringing a word of tidings
‘rom him to his friends at home, when at length rumors
began to arrive that he was rapidly amassing a fortune in-
El Dorado. Still there were no letters. But one morn-
ing, as Seth Whitman was sitting in rather a dull mood in
his office, (he now had an office of his own,) drumming
the same old dismal tattoo, and mentally debating whether
he could affurd to take his sweetheart to the opera, to hear
a new singer, an express agent came in, and deposited a
dirty-looking package on the table, remarking only that
the charges were paid. As the messenger hurried out,
Seth glanced lazily at the parcel, without rising from his
seat. :

“‘ Winter stockings from home, I guess,” he said,
poking at it with his cane. But it felt like something
heavier.

“Chestnuts,” said Seth, giving it‘another poke, . Hut it
did not feel like chestnuts.

He rose, yawning—took out his knife to cut ‘the airings,

and lifted up the parcel.
“Pluto! how heavy,” he said: ‘‘Joe has been-playing

 
  

   

  

92 i THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

off one of his pranks here; I shouldn't wonder now if this
was a flat-iron.”’

He cut string after string, and tore off wrapper after
wrapper, until his patience was well-nigh exhausted, and
there lay glittering before his expanding eyes a large
lump of solid and burnished gold.

“It’s from Fred Innis!’ said Seth, ‘‘and it’s for me!”
and he danced around the room, gold in hand, for a few
minutes, like a nradman. Next, he caught up his hat, and
ran to the assayer’s to learn the weight and value of his
prize. It was not a native specimen, but had been run
into its present shape for convenience of transportation,
and its vaiue proved tu be over two thousand dollars,

“T guess I can afford to go to the opera,”’ said Seth to
himself, as he went gaily homeward.

Rumors began te increase of Innis’s great prosperity in
California; it was said that, after remarkable success at
the mines, he had returned to San Francisco, became a
land speculator, and realized a princely fortune. The
story of the lump of gold which he had sent to Whitman
became current, and hundreds flocked to Scth to know if
it was really true; to see it, handle it, and inquire what
tidings came with it of the fortunate adventurer. It was
astonishing to see how many people became suddenly in-
terested in Mr, Innis’s welfare. Hiven old Twiggs, half of
whose fortune had been swamped by a speculation in con-
nection’ with a scoundrel, who had given him the ‘‘ very
best security,”’ and the other half of which was in immi-
nent jeopardy from the same cause—even old Twiggs be-
came greatly solicitous ‘‘ for poor Fred's’? welfare.

‘* His father was my best friend, as I have often told
you,* he said to his daughter, ‘‘and it is my duty.to be
his. If Frederick Innis wants any assistance, I am ready
to help him personally, and our bank will afford him all
business facilities that he may require. I shall write to
him at once.” :

‘¢Oh, papa, 1 would not,’ said Kitty: she was about
to add that he would make himself appear very ridiculous,
but she dared not.

 
 

  

THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

“Why not? it is best tobe on good terms with him.
Ile may be serviceable.”

“But you know ——”

“Know what?”

“You did not help him, nor his father,” stammered
Kitty, desperately.

“ N-no—it was not quite convenient, then: but I am
going to offer now, ain’t 12 How ridiculously you talk!
What more would you haye?”

“Yes, now, when he does not want help.”

“Besides that, young Whitman said that Frederick did
not know anything abont his having applied to me in his
behalf, and never would know it. Then I always meant
to help him as soon as it was convenient. J shall write
to him. The truth is, Kitty, Fred is a first-rate, clever
fellow—as his father was before him—and I always
thought he would get along.”

Twiges wrote.

Time passed on, and the next arrival from California-
brought a letter from Innis to Whitman, more than con-
firming all the reports of his extraordinary success, and
inclosing a draft to his young friend for five thousand
dollars.

‘*Do not hesitate, dear Seth,’? he wrote, “to accept
this as freely as it is gladly given, and be assured it is only”
an earnest of what I intend to do for you. I call myself,
to-day, a millionaire, and am about closing up my affairs’ |
here, and returning home. Leave no effort untried to
ascertain who was my generous helper in the hour of
need, for my happiness will be incomplete until I am able
to requite that noble act.”

Seth now went nearly crazy. He hardly knew whether
he rejoiced most for himself or for Innis, for the sum he
had received seemed like an immense fortune to him, and he
immediately employed himself in procuring and sending
considerable presents to his brothers and sisters in the
country. After this, he set earnestly about the task as-

ioned him by his friend, of learning the name of his bene-

signe . = : r
factor ; but all his efforts proving futile, and not feeling at

 

  
 

   

 
 

94. THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

liberty to take any steps which would make the affair public, he resolved to post
pone further inquiries until the return of Innis.

This event was not long postponed. Frederick returned, and took quarters at
a fashionable ho el, where his self-styled friends soon flocked around him, to-
gether witha few like Whitman, whosa friendship was genuine, and who heart
ily rejoiced in his successes for his own sake. - But these were not the first te
greet him, nor the loudes: in their congratulations (always excepting Seth, who
went wild with ecestacy), for the parasites, of course, made themselves heard the

_soonest and longest. red, fortunately, understood them. He was soon closeted
with Whitman, and one of his first ques'ions was, wheth*r any discoveries had
b.en made in regard to the donor of the five hundred dollars. Great was his dis-
appointment to learn that all inquiries to this end had been fruitless.

“{ must find him out af some rate,” he said. “ Whoever she is, 1 owe my for-
tune, under Providence, to him, and I am determined he shall share largely of
it. Surely, Seth, it wasa most noble and lofty act.. I should be ashamed to think
of rewarding such a deed with gold. I have fifty pounds weight of the solid
metal, in bars, ready a be delivered into his hands.”

.

 

“Is it possible, Fred : "

* Yes, but donot be alarmed, Seth,” he added, laughing. “I have enough for

ou besides.”
se As for that matter, you have done enough for me already; you haye mado
me quite the happiest man in the-city.” _ :

“Havel? Why, then Iam afraid I shall spoil your joy, and make you look
graye with the embarrassment of riches. Iam going to astonish you, Seth—I am
indeed. Why, Lassure youl have over twelve hundred thousand dollars, and
have it all hore under my thumb in the very best of drafts, excepting the triflo
of bullion I told you of, and that is in yonder box.” :

“1s it possible, Fred? Well, { »m sure I am greatly delighted.”

“Very well, then—do you think this. gold has such a transforming power as to
turn me into a churl and a miser instantaneously ? I know not what it may do
in the lapse of \ears, but, thank God, Iam free from the plague-spot yet. How
many times did I think, Seth, while so rapidly, so almost miraculously amassing
this great wealth, of the pleasure which [should have in assisting you—you,who
have always been so kind to me—you who hiaye done so much for me.”

“ Nonsense, Fred ; stop there, if you please.” :

.“ Do not think I mean to pretend to any Damon and Pythias like attachment to
you, but you are greatly mistaken if you expect to get off with less than fifty
thousand dollars.”

“ fifvy thousand, Fred ??

“ Yos, why not ?”? x

“What! I have fifty thousand dollars? I, Seth Whitman, and own it myself?”

“Yes, yous”?

« Ph-e-e-w 1” whistled Seth. “It’simpossible! 1t fever can be!* .

* We'll see. I will deposit it in tho Bank of —, and hand you a certificate this

very diy.
. “Why, Tshall be richerthan old. Twiggs. By the way, Twiggs is on his tast
legs, Fred. Tiley say he has ‘ost everything in a coal speculation.”

“Can it be possible? Well, if that is not retribution, it certainly looks very
much like it. J cannot pity him, but I will at least try not to exult over hisfall.
How is Kitty? Married, I suppose ?”

“No, but she is handsomer thanever, and a general favorite.”

“‘HWumph !” said Fred, and the conversation was changed to other topics.

Innis fulfilled his muniticent promise to Whitman on the same day, and Seth.
dispatch. d an express to nis father in the country with ‘he tidings. and then, no
knowing what else to do, followed his messenger, outstripped him, and brought
~ the news himself. Nor was that all that he brought, for he immedia‘ely paid of

a mortgage of several thousand dollars on the homestead, which had nearly
fretted his father to a shadow, started two of his brothers in business, and sent
off his sister to a boarding-school. Then Seth went back to New York, quite be-
sido himself with delight. —

CHAPTER XVI.

Mr. Twiggs preserved his consistency of character. He called upon Innis—
white cravat, gold-headed cane and all—not without a deal of pomposity, which
was partlythe result of habit, aud partly assumed to prop un his falling’ dignity.
Frederick received him with the most chilling ceremony and politeness; but as
the banker was not a close observer, and was well cased in conceit, he did not
discover anything amiss. He repeated the offer of services which he had made
by letter, (the letter had neverbeen received), and said he should be always haps
py to oblige the son oi an old riend. Innis refrained, with an effort, from a bit-
ter reply, and bowed his visitor out.

But this semblance of respect proved far worse for Twiggs than more open
coldness; for being obtuse to all the signs of Wrederick’s disgust, he went away

 

I
pe AN

 

AN 7 IT

  

THE GOLD CRUSHERS,

fully persaaded that he stood high in the young man’s esteem, an "
make ee pit He wes ee hinself into thie Welish ther Tse
nis Was his protege, and led many to believe that the young n oy
obligations to =. ‘ . young man was under great

““We must mke a party for him at once,’”’ he said to Kitty, “there i Ee
ing what may be the result. You and he, I believe, used to be pretty. ae
friends; you were always taking his part.”

Kitty blushed erimson, but protested against the party, urging its absurdity
on the ground that Mr, Innis had never becn intimate in their family, and had
not even called there since his return from California.

“Never mind that; we must not be too particular,” said Twiges, ‘besides,
wo do not say that the party is made especially for him. We will certainly doit
at once, and all that you will have to do, my dear, will be to make suro and ap-
pear to the best possible advantage ” ?

The banker’s anticipations began torun exceedingly high, Let but his daugh-
ter marry the millionaire, he thought, and his own former pecuniary standing
might yet be entirely recovered, for none knew better than he that weal:h he-
gets wealth, and he did not doubt that he should have the management of his
son-in-law’s estate. He believed that he couldthus more than make goot his
losses, or if not that, he would, at least, hide :hem from the World, and retain
his office in the bank, and his influential position in society. Now, he was daily
threatened with the foreclosure of a heavy mortgage upon alt hisreal estate, in-
cluding the very house in which he resided; his bank-stock Was also deeply hy-
pothecated, and he saw nothing in the fature which could long postpone his
ruin, excepting this one remedy. But this wasa bright hope, growing brightey
and more dazzling the longer he contemplated it, and coming so opportuneiy
that it seemed to him like a special arrangement of Providence in his behalf. He
by no means partook of his daugh’ev’s delicacy of feeling on the subject of pay-
ing such open court to Innis, and he spoke often and freely, while the party wag
in prospect, of its being given “ for his young friend, Frederic k.”

This remark, singularly enough, reached the ears of Seth Whitman, who,
red with wrath, flew to Innis, and told him what he had meant never to tell, all
the particulars of his application to Twiggs, and his cold, heartless, taunting re-
ection. an

“Don’t go to the hypocritical old toady’s,” he said—don’t go near him, the
selfish, narrow-minded, cold-blooded, close-fisted, scheming, plotting ——”

How long Seth’s string ofyvituperative adjectives would have become is uncer-
tain, but Frederick interrupted him. ;

“You may spare your anathemas when I tell you that Ixnow him, fully—
tompletely. I did not, of course, know the fact of which you have informed me,
but it is in keeping with his chaxacter, and ] am not at ail surprised at it.”

“ But you will not go?’ :

“J certainly shall not, and I have already written my regret.”

+4 Gool, ante glorious!” __ i se

“But this story opens a new chapter in the history of your kindness to
Seth. I did not know how much } was obliged to you. Thevapplication was ae
liscreet, to be sure, but it was well meant, and it may have led in some way to
pur receiving the required aid through some otherchannel. Did any one over-
hear your conversation wi h Twiggs ? R

«There was a door open, and several persons were in tho adjoining room. They
may have heard—— . &

“Or he may have spoken of it to some one. :

Frederick paused, and seemed lost in thought for some time; at length a light
seemed to dawn upon his mind. 3 =

“Seth!” he said, suddenly, “perhaps—possible; I mean—that is to say, it
may be ——” 4 . 1

“What ?”

“ What Fre dv? said Seth, approaching him, laying his h

«What, Fred said Seth, ay ching: , laying his i
Jer, and looking closely into his blue eyes—* wha; ?” ‘and upon his shoul-

“Kitty,” said Fred. ee es or

Whitman was so incenst agains iges that he cou : hi
thing good spoken of any one connected with him, but “ imminent:
have said nothing of Kitty that was not in her favor, and Whi:man had no mani
yolence. - : .

“Kitty is an angel,” he said, promptly; “but I don’t think that was her

ek.” . ve be ©) :
she obably not; angels do not give checks, but it may have en her gift, still:
. 3

arte oe ae aon would never have allowed her the
jent funds. She could net have done it wi i q
; ficie ably Meat Monge it without his knowledge, no;

« Fear?

control of
r With it’?

 

  
 

 
 

96 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

“Seth, I will be frank with you. I—I~-I like Kitty—I always did—I cannot
help it. Day before yesterday I met her in Avenue ; it was the first time t
hau seen her since my return. TI walked a long way with her, talking, a full
hour I believe, before Idrea ned of such a thing, She is the nerfection of beau y
and grace! Her smile is Heavenly; her voice is music. Shei sensible, intel-
ligent, accomplished, modest, a littie diffident, and, if I were only sure that she
has none of the leaven of that old raseal’s sordidness in her, I would offer her my
hand this very day —there!”’ said Fred, nearly out of breath. ods

“You asiound me!” said Whitman, with distended eyes; ‘‘and yet, if it were
not ‘or that old Turk, Ishould say you could not make a better choice; but I
cannot endure to think that that old sycophantic, miserly churl, should be sot
upon his feet again, and especially by you.” E

* Be ass 'red he sha!l not!” exclaimed Innis, with flashing eyes; “whatever
else may happen, that never shall. If I become his son-in-law, of course I wil!
never see him want for the means of subsistence, but beyond that heshall have
nothing fromame. {k-» ow him! and whatever 1 have to bestow in charity, shal]
go to worthier recipients.” S

“Good! in that view of the case, I care not how soon you and Kitty agree,
Your wealth will only bean aggravation to him; the thirsty Tantalus, submerged
tothe chin in the cooling wave which he could never reach with his lips, will be
but another name for Twiggs.”

“And unless I nvarry Kitty, I fear it will be but another name for Fred
Innis,” replied the other, lauzhing. a

“TI see that the matter is settled, and I do really believe that she is every way
wor hy of your choice; then, if she is really your benefactor, the claims of
€ratitude will be added to those of love.” ‘ *

“ it is by no means as se‘tled a thing in my mind as you seem toimagine. I
will never marry. any lady out of gratitude, nor, if Miss Twiggs is all that I
hope, will my love for her need any such auxilary. It is not 1m that point of
view that I seek to ascertain whether she was our unknown friend; but it is as
a trait of character; as °n_evidence that she is entirely uncontaminated with
the covetous spirit of her father, that [long to learn if she is the author of this
generous deed. Besides, it would show a regard, porh:os affection for me, at a
time whon it must have been disinterested, while if such a sentiment were now
first evinced, when our respective itions in regard to wealth are completely
reversed, it would, of course, be liable to suspicion.”” e =

“Very true. Lam certain that she is above all méreenary viows. If she loves
you now, she did so before you went from home. In fact, Fre}, this may be the
reason she has remained sv long single, notwilhstauding she has been so much
soncht after? 5

“Nonsense, Seth.” : ;

“T don’t know. about that; there was that Minch fairly prosecuted her with
his addresses ”

* But Minch is an owl.” -3

“He may be an*ewl, but let mo tell you he has a deuced fine nest; besides, he
has ‘wo splendid blocks.”

** And a bleck-head. He is not worth mentioning.” ’

“ Well. there was Mr. Chink, the banker, an educated and wealthy gentleman.”

** Did Chink offer himself ?”

“Certainly, abouta year since. Everybody know it, for he was half crazed by
her refusal, and old Twiggs was raving with wrath at Kitty, and would f:irly
have compeiled her to accent him, if the suitor had not had the manliness to re-
fuse a bride on such terms.”

“Tt is very strange.” a ‘

“ Not at all. I see through it plainly, now. Sheis partial to somebody that is
neither Minch nor Chink. Nothing can be more certain, and probably it is you.”

“ Nonsense,” said Fred again, but looking exceedingly delighted.

CHAPTER XVI 5
- Unspeakable was Twiggs’ mortification on receiving Innis’ note. He had
talked so much, and so patronizingly, and to so many people about Frederick,
and had promised to so many the pleasure of meeting him at his house, that he
felt quite overwhelmed with the prospective ridicule which ho foresiw to be in
store forhim. He knew not what to say, and was really abashed even in tho
Presence of his own daughter, while poor Kitty, on her part, without being at all
to blame, had an equal share of shame and gricf to undergo. If she had enter-
tained any idea of Frederick’s partiality, arising from their second interview, it
was now entirely dispelled. He could not have shown his indifference for her,in
® more marked manner, and she only wondered that she could have ever in-
dulged any hopes of his regard. Kitty was very sad, but uncomplaining. —
The party was now something to be endured, and to be got throngh with in the
best way possible. Sho deported herself irreproachably well, showing no discom.
vosure of any kind, and completely neutralizing, by her gentle and lady-like de.

 

  

ee 5 TT

   
 
 
 
 
  

    
ieee

THE GOLD CRUSHERS. 97

rtment, every laugh and sneer that was levelled agai i
who made his mortification apparent by a housed aoe Siri as
which proved nothing, excepting his own sense of his ridiculous situation aa

«But he will doubtless call,and giye us some more specific excuse,” gai
Twiggs, on the morrow, when discussing the subject at the breakfast table, te

He was mistaken, Innis did not call. He called at the next door, however,
the rich Miss Boggs, and at the next block, on the aristocratic Miss Boodle ; bad
poo: Kitty saw, from her window, his carriage flashing back the sutlish t from
its shining wheels as it rolled away from. their stately mansions, ani! sho avon
saw Fred himself looking attentively towards their house as he passed it.

Many days passed away, and she saw him no more, excepting by such ocea-
sional gli: pses. Other parties were made for him, which he attended, and from
which Miss Twiggs was carefully left out by the prudent mammas, who feared
her fascinations. She heard of Innis from every quarter—ot his ‘accomplish-
monts, of his wit, of his talents, all of which the world was just beginning to
find out, and all of which Kitty had long ago seen and appreciated. e

The fortunes of Twiggs, in the meantime, grew daily more desperate and it
was only by continual importunity that he procnred temporary postponements
of the sale of his estate, hoping and believing that something must oceur to pre=
vent so great a calamity at his bankruptcy. So colossal were his ideas ot his
pwn consequence that he could not believe in his approaching descent to the
vale of poverty, and what seemed to him a synonymous term—insigniticance

He retained his office in the bank, but he was in danger even there of falling a
victim to a rule of his own framing several years before, when he had excluded
the claims of a dangerous rival for the Presidency by procuring the passa-re of a
by-law, which required the incumbent of that office to wn a@ large amount of
stock. ‘The hand-writing against him on the wall was his own hand-writing.

About this time, Mr. Chink, who had never been able to free himself from the
fascinations of Kiity, vencured to repeat his proposals to her father, hoping that
time might have wrought some change in her feelings, and Willing, as he said,
to take her hand and trust to the future to obtain her heart. * :

Twiggs gladly accepted the offer in her behalf, never doubting that now, in
thoir season of adversity, his daughter would readily comply, and being fully re-
solved that she should do so; for he was accustomed to the most implicit obe-
dience from his children, and like all out-of-door sycophants, he played the
tyrant in his own family.

But Kitty refused, and was resolute and fixed in her refusal, and a domestic
storm raged for a week in the house of Twiggs, growing each day more violent
until it resulted in anentire rupture of all social ties. Kitty was taunted, was
ridiculed, was denounced in the bitterest terms known to ungovernable raze, and
was Jaen threatened wit an approuticeship to a trade, if she still continued
uucomplying.

“rat, at least, is beyond your power,” she replied, mi wee
the taw gives you no Pee control me.’’ Ith “1 oe eee

* Nor does it compel me to support you. ank fe indi
his day, if you coatinue obscinate, you shall quit ur heuen? ee ee

“This hour,” said Kitty, flashed with wrath, “this xour I will quit a house
where I have heard. language which no lady should ever hear, even trom a

étranger.” ‘
* Lady!” achioed Laeee Borate: a
“Tf Lam nota lady in your eyes, lam at least to othe: Wil

the name,” she said, going out. rs, nor will I ever forfeit

* You will becomea z
The interposing door shut out the odious phrase from Kitty’s ears, but the

word was spoken by a father’s tongue, which, if Heaven’s retributi

tarried, would have paralyzed it forever. r etal bu om SecmesIo§

matte ee wns Pen cuee eee aoe unopposed,
er mother had yirtually sided with her father in his coerci

neither believed, even after she had gone, that she would contiaue ungiaiiaar.

They Hattered themselves that the violent crisis which had now arrived would

still result fayorably, and they looked hourly for ber return, penitent and

complying. ;

‘Twiggs could not overrate the importance to himself of succeeding in his

scheme. ‘

But Kitty did not return. Shoe sought shelter at the house of a matern:

who fully Justified her conduct, and gave her a hearty welcome. Her fathnnae

ter im vain waiting a few days for her return, sousrht out her retreat, with a view

of renewing his persuasions, but when she learned his errand she utterly refuse {

tosee him. She did more—she wrote a letter to Mr. Chink, so entirely definite

and decisive in its refusal, so dignified and noble in is appeal to him to cease ad
Ns become a persecution, that that gentleman at once took Sone

3 hich had
dco ginal himself, and utterly refused to negotiate furthor with Twises,

 

 
  

98 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

whom he accused of having entirely deceived him in regard to the state of his
dauhter’s feelings. , Y a

About a week after she had taken up her abode with her aunt’s family, Kitty,
oppressed with many powerful thoughts, went out one bright morning, designing
tocall upon a friend who lived about a mile distant. Nothing was further from
her thoughts than the expectation of meeting Innis, yet strangely enough, while
crossing a park, his carriage rolled by and stopped in front of the gate which sho
Was anproaching.

Kitty would have fled if she could, but being unable to do so, she walked slowly
and looked steadily the other way, hoping that Innis would not perceive her.

But she was mistaken. Hoe was at her side in a trice, and his dismissed carriage
Was rattling off down the avenue. ~ ‘

It was an embarrassing interview at first to both parties, but it soon grew less
80, until restraint became ease, and ease confidence and cordiality. They walked
slowly and a long way, for Frederick had a great deal to say, and it seemed that
he never would have done talking. Before Kitty knew where she was, they wero
half a mile beyond her friend’s house, and afterwards, when they had turned to
retrace their steps, they again passed it, and were half a mile on the other side,
before the error was noticed, and all that long way, although walking very
slowly, Fred was talking earnestly and sometimes rapidly, but always in a low
voice. Kitty had almost nothing to say, but she seemed to have a great deal to
look at on the pavement, from which she scarcely raised hor eyes, for either tho
dust, or the wind, or something else, affected them sadly.

“Tt was my blunder,” said Fred, “I should have looked for the number.
Lot usgobackagain.”” —. §

“Tt is not material—some other day will answer for the call. I think I would
prefer to go home now,” and Fred escorted Kitty back to her aunt’s residence,
succeeding, by great vigilance, in gaining the right house without further

blunders. —
CHAPTER XVIII.

Innis possessed but little vanity or love of ostentation, but he now had reasons
for making a disolay and seeking the eclat of the fashionable world. He pur-
chased one of the modern palaces of the metropolis, and furnished it in a style of
gorgeousness quite unsurpassed in the city. His table, his plate, his ser-
vanis, and his horses and carriages, were all in a style of magnificence which
excited comment and envy among those who were accustomed to rank first in all
those expensive luxuries. It was with a kind of magical celerity, too, that he
had ealled all these things around him, as if unwilling to loso a day in seizing
upon the many vleasures of life from which he hed heen so long debarred.

_ He became, of course, the talx of the town, and tlre lion of the fashionable
world, anu a thousand conjectures were afloat, and a thousand hopes and expec-
tations were awakened as to his matrimonial designs. Ss

He did not ocenpy his great hou-e alone. His only relations, a widowed aunt,
a lady of much elegance of mind and manners, and her two young daughters,
had heen sought out by him, in the indigent state to which they had been re-
duced, and had been made sharers of his home and his fortunes. He had not
Jong been a householder before it was announced that preparations were on foot
for a magnificent party under his own roof.

He had attended a round of these entertainments at the houses of his friencts,
ani theve was a propriety in returning their civilities, now that he had every fa-
cility for doing so. Tho cards of Mrs. Harvey were indeed soon in circulation for

- this purpose, and happy were all on whom these coveted favors fell. Miss Borgs

and Miss Boodle were in ecstasies of hope and expectation, and dozens of other
distinguished maidens, from sixteen to sixty, were busy calculating their various
eh neces of enchanting the returned Californian.

Kitty was not this time “ left out.” Both she and her aunt were invited, to
the great surprise of the latter, and Mr. Twiggs, to his equally great surprise,
was not. The time came, and the people. A brilliant throng they were, as far as
externals went, and brilliantly were they received and entertained. Never had
Upper-Tendom seen anything superior 1m costliness and elegance to the fete of
the young millionsire, whose exquisite taste had directed everything, more for
its own gratification than for the applause of the multitnde. zi

All the grand dames, who had tried to outdo each other in the splendor of their
parties, and all their bedizened daughters were there, and all were glad to see
that Kitty Twiggs, whose name some foolish rumor had once connected with that
of Innis, was absent. ' r

Arrangements were made for dancing in several of the rooms, and this
amusement was expected to commence at an early hour, it heing understood that
the young host himself, with one of his fair guests, would 1@ad the first co illion.

iss Boggs and Miss Boodle were both sure of the post of honor, because they.

adkalready received such distinguished attentions from Innis at their own
ouses, and the general expectation of the company might be considered as fa.

  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 

 

)
ye

 
   
     
   
       
   
    
 

 

  

THE GOLD ORUSHERS. . 99

ring tho pretensions of one or the other of those yonng ladies. But there were
Snieen other misses and two widows who had hope, besides a few spinsters just
on the hither side of fifty, whose complexion stood the gaslight amazingly well.

But when the expected tims for dancing camo, there was a great delay in be-

ginning that diversion, which no one seemed to comprehend. The musiciang —

were all at their post, givi nany a note of warning and preparation, and every
one was in momentary expectation of hearing the ofder to choose partners during
along half hour, bust still no erder came. Innis sauntered about the rooms,
seomingly uneonscious that anything was amiss, chatting easily with a dozen
different belles, and carrying with him an atmosphere of hope to every fluttering
heart which he approached. When the patience of many was well nigh ex-
hausted, a new arrival was announced, and the next moment Kilby Twiggs, .a-
diant with exquisite beauty, was receiving the kind greetings of Frederick, who
had has‘ened to meet her, and the polite attentions of his aunt.

Al! saw in a moment how matters stood. In fiye minutes the nvusic sounded a
peremptory note; there was a call to choose partners, and Innis led off his beau-
tiful guest, for whom they had so long been kopt waiting.

 

* * s « * * * * * ° * ° * » °

*
_ Three days after the fete, everybody knew perfectly we'l that Frederick and
K-tty were engaged to be married. Rumor brought the astonishing, but still
most welcome tidings to Mr. Twiggs’ ears, who, although a little humbled, again
f OR a pe thay ent tbe porters restoration of his fortunes, and the accom-
plishmont of a us brilliant cesigns ‘“ ze

x SeArponenL will periete’ ital Ls a aan, in a cone conversation with
a committee of directors on the subject of the violated ordinance.

“Task no exemption, gentlemen, from a rule of my own framing, and which I
consider an eminently wise one for the interest of our institution. Let the law
stand unalterable as that of the Medes and Persians. I ask only a month.”

“es Tee spots pompouny ie content aut Se eerie wos
agreed to, with an intimation that both parties shou held strictly to it.

“Only a month, Mr. Tilden,” said Twigys to the attorney for the ror! tag03,
e Postnone: the eS for that short Be Pee both eee and ats
terest. Iknow what I am saying, and if my wo ails do not again favor ma.

The boon was cheerfully granted, with the full understanding (hat under no
circumstances should the time be furtherextended. :

A fow days later Frederick Innis and the beautiful Kitty were marrie!, unos-
ee = the Daeeenoa e a few ecu at at us they ee
irectly to the house of the bridegroom, a palace in all but the name, whic’

the discarded daughter was to be the chee mistress. :

ane Sa e not eens eens loft ee vie grout Bee ans earn

is delight was mingled wi itter mortification ai © slight which a
received, but his self-conceit soon regained the ascendancy, ane he contluded
that-if he bad beets ee ae — Hoth the party ie tie wedding, it

esiilted from a belief on the part of Innis that he was opposed to the marriage.
as it was, however, he resolved speedily to set it right,and he never
doubted that the least approach to conciliation on his part would be met by all
the kind and cordial Hii, to which the most generous and affectionate father

. ave been entitled. ’ ¢
cond bee to see his daughter, and found her kind and gentle as usual; but
there was some invisible barrier between them. which provented a return to tha
fumiliarity of former days, and his words of congratulation, despite every efforg
to she contrary, sounded cold and formal to his own ears.

Innis received him ie the same chilling politeness which had marked their

1 i view, or 1f there was any change, ‘a8 even more ceremonious
Loxton Smear eeeae This was at first highly encouraging to Twicga. (ive hare
avain hefound himself Senn Mee NT ee to Sarigrity,

ow a +, and when a w sed without any res
fhe eee bie oullnen. his doubts grew stronger and darker. Erinisblan ana
doesn ate, be again.calied, to meet with a precisely similar reception, and another
' was passed in futile hopes and surmises. * S
Wirhen he wrote fe his daughter, peclceros eae He tie fonda nw, in whieh

abn is embarrassments,and coo'ly requeste é latter to ta i t
a site debts merely, until some u nexplained conbingshciee sheath nie
fally to roliawe him. en pane be be ae ee 7 oe of Ewanky thousand

1; 6 be advanced, and everythi ould slumber quietly ti F
agliags eae amere form, which scarcely required more then, he ncraten ie
enon everything would be arranged.

P Toole roped in a letter which was most profuse of respects and courtesies. Ho

aid he did not comprehend with any distinctness the nature of the faver that
ee asked of him, but he saw by the repeated assurances of his correspondent
that it wa! something rey ae and which there could be no doubt anv of
the numerous frionds of Mr. Twiggs, whom he must have often greatly obliged,

 

 

 
 
    
  
   
   
    
    
  
   
     
    
  
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
    
  
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
  

   
   
   
   

    
 

100 THE GOLD CRUSHERS.

would be happy to grant. For himself, he had fully resolved to avoid all bust
ness transactions, and he did not mean that any circumstances should induce
him to deviate from his rule.

Kitty shed tears when she read her husband’s letter, but she did not ask him
to relent. He assured her that he was not influenced by revengeful feelings, but
that he did not think it was right to assist in sustaining in a station of influence
aman sothoroughly selfish and unjust. At the same time he accorded to his
wife full permission to disburse freely to her parents, if they should ever be in
want, whatever allowance was necessary to maintain them in comfort.

{n a few weeks the banker failed, with a crash which startled the financial cir-
cle to which he belonged, and surprised the whole community. His large losses
had been so skillfully concealed, he had so well preserved all the external show
of wealth long after the substance was gone, that few dreained of his coming
downfall. Everything went by the board. His creditors proved more than
usually inexorable, and friends he had none, for he had never shown friendship
to man. In all positions he had been severe, exacting and stern, insomuch that
there was not a subordinate in the institution of which he was the chief officer
who did not both dread and detest him. His property was so situated that he
could make no concealments, and when he had made an assignment to bis prin=
cipal creditors they at once took possession of everything, leaying him only #
tenant at sufferance of his dwelling house, and in te..porary possession, by a
similar tenure, of his household furniture.

He resigned, of necessity, his place in the hank, and it was not long before he
solicited and giadly received the pecuniary stipend which his daughter was per-
mitted to allow him, and which was adequate to all his reasonable wants.
Having always made money the standard of merit, he was thoroughly humbled
by his loss, and he sank rapidly in the social scale te the level to which his nar-
row intellect and a heart void of all ennobling moral qualitics belonged,and from
which he had long been kept only by his wealth, He had scorned-the poor and
unfortunate without distinction, and now he was poor and unfortunate himself,
and was scorned in turn. Galling as were his reverses, they were aggravated by
the remembrance of some of his more marked misdeeds in the day of his pros-
perity, and especially by the thoughts of his having deserted and coolly witnessed
the downfall of the man to whom he owed his own fortune, when a slight eflors
on his part might have saved himfrom ruin. That Innis had a perfect knowl-
edge of all these facts he did not long doubt, and therefore he indulged no hope

of increased favor from his son-in-law, whom he never met without a sense of

shame and mortification.

Innis and Kitty continued happy, and the dispensers of happiness to others.
Frederick does not seek to increase his great wealth, and a considerable portion
of his large income flows constantly into the various channels of benevolence
which are ever open to those who are desirous of doing good t> their fellow bs-
ings. Seth Whitman is still hisright hand man, andis the same hilarious, frank,
generous fellow who first assisted the Californian to shake off tho shackles of
debt, and leave his native shores for the land of gold.

Jotham Wakely was not sitisfied with his wealth, and went back to found a
new city in El Dorado, confident of secing the day when he should o@ the Astor
of thaf New World—bnt instead of realizing his brilliant expectations, he lost
his embryo town by a failure of title, and returned to Vermont shorn of falf his
wealth, but stili abundantly rich, and fully convinced of the value of the ancient
adage, ‘Let well enough alone.” ;

THE END.

ie. eee % Bi

— ap rr a oa

 

 
 

 

 

 

‘o be Issued March 18. "yj
|

“IRWIN'S 2 AMERICAN WOVELS, NO. 26, Il

| The Mysterious Letter., |

BY GEORGE CANNING IILL.

This is a-peculiar tale, written by a master’s hand, full of inci-

dent and mystery, the plot skilfully conezaled to its close, and, from
| its absorbing interest-and masterly delineation of character, well

worthy of a place among the people’s favorite series, “AMERICAN

NOVELS.”
The following *‘American Noyels” have been already issued,
and are sold by ‘all News Agents and Booksellers, #4 will be sent,

post-paid, ou receipt of price—Ten Cents each. A liberal discount | af

to the trade.

» DIE OCEAN PEARL: ; 2. TILE HERMEEP:

|

 

ee

Tus WOOD RANGERS. :15. TRIAT ann TRIUMPIL |

3. THE GREEN MOUN- "14. KENTUCKY RANGERS
TAIN: BOYS. bGERMANTOWN, 2.
.O-1-CHEE: By J. Frnt 16. Tne Ranoueno & Gampirr.
more Coorrn. Double No. -Price 10c,
5. PRAIRIE RANGERS. °17. VALE or SIFADOWS.
5. TMIE RESCUE: Sequel 18. PELEG SMITIT.
to + Prairie Rangers’: 19. THE LOYALIST. |
FORT STANWIX. 20. THE WOODMEN.

| ORUISER ef THE BAY. 21. THE BUG ORACLE. 4

_ DAE BEB HUNTER. . 22. THE SEA VULTUR:
. WITHIN THE LINES. : 23. THE PHANTOM CHIEF.
1. THE TRATR-OPTHIE ; 24. THE PRAIRIE TRAIT
OSSIPEES ;
AMBRIGAN SONG BOOK, No.-1, (Comto axp Sayrimeyrat.)
AMERICAN SONG BOOK, No. 2. (Comic ayp SentrMenrat.)

IRWIN & Co., Publishers,

102: NASSAU STREET, N.