Page 127 - In A New World

"No, Obed; but one of the sailors gave me a piece of tobacco to chew once.
I didn't like it and spit it out."

"The best thing you could do. I wish all boys were as sensible."

In their hours of rest the three often chatted of home. Their conversation
was generally of one tenor. They liked to fancy themselves returning with

plenty of money, and planned how they would act under such pleasant
circumstances. Instead of the barren hills among which they were

encamped, familiar scenes and faces rose before them, and the picture was
so attractive that it was hard to come back to the cheerless reality.

"Well, boys," said Obed, at the end of an hour, "we may as well go to work
again. The gold's waitin' for us."

It was an old joke, and scarcely elicited a smile now. In fact, the boys felt
that they had waited a long time for the gold. It was not, therefore, with a

very hopeful feeling that they obeyed the summons and returned to the
claim. Though of a sanguine disposition, they began to doubt seriously

whether their efforts would ever be rewarded. They had pretty much lost
the stimulus of hope.

About four o'clock, when Jack was at work with the pick, something
curious happened. Instead of sinking into the earth it glanced off, as from

something hard.

"What is it, Jack?" asked Obed quickly.

"I must have struck a rock, Obed."

"Here, give me the pick," said Obed eagerly.

He struck, and lo! a yellow streak became plainly visible.

"Boys," said he in an agitated voice, "I believe our luck has come."