Page 131 - In A New World

"No, Jack; it won't do to leave our treasure unguarded. We will lounge here
and make sure that no one robs us of our discovery."

[Illustration: Finding the Nugget.]

So they sat down, and Obed lighted his pipe once more.

A neighbor strolled up and sat down beside them.

"You are leaving off work early," he said.

"Yes," answered Obed with a yawn, "we might as well take it easy. It's hard

work--this mining."

"What luck?"

"Our luck is to come," said our Yankee friend. "How is it with you?"

"I have got out seventy-five dollars this week," answered the other

complacently.

"Whew! that's good! What do you say to swapping claims?"

"Oh, no," answered the neighbor, wagging his head jocosely. "I'm not so

green. The fact is, Mr. Stackpole, I don't want to discourage you, but I don't
believe you'll ever see the money you put into this hole. Come now, what
did you pay?"

"Five and twenty pounds."

"If you can get five pounds for it, my advice is, sell."

"I don't know but you're right," said Stackpole in a rueful tone. "Will you
give me five pounds for it?"

"Ho, ho! I might give you five shillings, though it would be a risk."