Page 137 - In A New World

"That would be rather hard on us, for we are all tired. I don't believe I could
stay awake all night if I tried."

"Is there any way of concealing the nugget?"

"I don't know. If we had a cellar that would be a good place, but— "

"Stop, I have an idea!" cried Harry eagerly.

"Well, Harry, out with it."

"We can put the nugget in the trunk."

There was an old trunk, covered with hair, which had been left by the last

occupant of the cabin. The lock was broken, and it was not of much use or
value, but the boys occasionally used it as a seat.

"What security would that be?" said Obed. "It is easy enough to open the
trunk."

"I know it, but I have another idea. Wrap up that stone in the handkerchief
in place of the nugget. The thief--if one should come--would see it, and

make off with it without stopping to examine its contents."

Obed smiled grimly.

"That's a good idea," he said. "I believe you're right, boy. It's dark, and the

thief couldn't tell the difference till he came to examine it."

Stones and fragments of rock are rare in that part of Australia, and I am not
prepared to explain how this particular rock found its way into the mining
village. The boys had found it, however, and thinking it might be of some

use had carried it to the cabin. Never, however, in their wildest imaginings
had it entered into their minds to conceive the use to which they were now

putting it.