Page 49 - In A New World

"But how did you lose your money?" asked Jack, who was eager to have
his curiosity gratified.

"When I got ready to leave the gold-fields, there was no party which I could

join. I did not like to go alone. In this emergency a man who had been
working an adjoining claim offered to go with me. He professed to have
been fortunate, and to be ready to go back to the city. I saw no reason to

distrust him, and accepted his proposal. We bought each a horse, made
other preparations, and set out together. He won upon my confidence, and I

told him everything. He was very comfortably fixed himself, he told me,
and was glad he had fallen in with me, as he had been afraid of being
robbed on the journey. All went pleasantly for three days, but on the

morning of the fourth day when I awoke I found myself alone. A little
startled, I felt for my gold, which I carried in a belt around my waist. It was

gone, and so was my horse. Of course you guess how it happened. My
companion had robbed me during the night, and left me in the woods
utterly destitute."

"What was the name of your companion?" asked Obed quickly.

"He called himself Fletcher."

"I thought so!" exclaimed Obed, slapping his leg with emphasis. "We know
the gentleman a little ourselves."