Page 129 - In A New World

CHAPTER XXIII.

RAISING THE NUGGET.

"It's lucky we covered up the gold," said Obed, in a low voice. "That's the
last man I wanted to discover our good luck."

"Shan't we keep on working?" asked Harry, in excitement.

"I will just probe a little to form some idea of the size of the nugget,"
answered Obed.

"Then you think it is a nugget?" asked Jack eagerly.

"Yes, I think our luck has come at last, boys. I think we will be able to pull
up stakes and go back to America. But about keeping on now, we shall

need to be cautious. Someone might come by, and see what we are about."

Then Harry made a suggestion.

"Let Jack go up to the top, and if anyone comes he can whistle. That will

put us on our guard."

"A good idea!" said Obed.

So Jack threw himself on the ground in a listless posture, and the other two

continued their explorations. They dug all about the boulder, which proved
to be about a foot in diameter. It was embedded in clay, from which it was

separated with some difficulty. It was encased in quartz, but the interior
was bright, glittering gold.

"It's a regular beauty," said Obed in a low tone, his eyes glittering with
excitement. "It isn't once in a dog's age that so big a nugget is discovered."

"How much do you call it worth, Obed?" asked Harry in the same low tone.