mpany. Then the three adventurers passed through the Gap, and were
soon lost in the wild recesses of the mountain range.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

SUCCESS.

For more than a month did the prospecting party wander among the
Californian mountains in quest of gold, but found none--at least not in
paying quantities.

At first the trip was to each of them full of romance, interest and
hope. Even Buckley began to cheer up after a few days had passed. The
craving for drink began to wear off, and grief for his lost brother--
whom he had truly loved--began to abate. The wild scenery through which
they passed was in itself sufficient to rouse to a high pitch the
enthusiasm of such youths as Philosopher Jack and Watty Wilkins, while
their comrade, though not so impressionable in regard to the sublime and
beautiful, was roused to sympathy by their irresistible ardour. The
necessity of hunting, too, in order to obtain food, added excitement of
a more stirring kind, and an occasional encounter with a grizzly bear
introduced a spice of danger to which none of them objected. Their
various washings of the soil and examination of river beds afforded a
sufficient quantity of gold to foster hope, though not to pay expenses.
Thus they progressed through many a scene of loveliness, where the hand
of God had sown broadcast all the forms and hues of grace and beauty
which render this world attractive; they also passed through many a
savage defile and mountain gorge--dark, gloomy, almost repulsive--which
served to enhance their enjoyment of the beautiful by contrast.

But as the time passed by they became accustomed to the life, and
therefore less appreciative. They failed, also, to find gold in larger
quantities, and as the finding of gold was their highest aim, they were
proportionally disappointed and downcast. Watty, indeed, kept up his
spirits pretty well. He experienced the benefit of the change that had
taken place in his soul that time when he was alone with God in the
little boat upon the sea. He prayed in secret for light, and tried to
believe that "all things work together for good to them that love God;"
but his faith was weak, and the old heart of unbelief was still very
strong.

As for Philosopher Jack, his spirit was still engaged in rebellious
warfare. He growled a good deal at his "luck," and was heartily
seconded by Buckley. In addition to this, Jack's spirit was much
troubled by his promise to Daniel Buckley on h