How much did you send?"

"Only 1000 pounds," replied the captain.

"Come, don't joke. I'm anxious to know, because he was very hard up
when I left."

"More shame to you for leaving him, my young Philosopher," returned the
captain, "but I tell you the truth; I sent him 1000 pounds sterling, and
I believe there's as much lyin' here in gold-dust and nuggets that
belongs to you. We've all done equally well, I'm thankful to say, and,
better than that, good fortune seems to have brought us good health.
Even Ben Trench there is able to dig like the rest of us."

"Not exactly," said Ben with a pleasant smile at his old friend Wilkins,
"but I'm very well, thank God, and able to do a little. I wouldn't have
been what I am now but for the care of this dear little nurse."

Polly was quite pleased with the compliment, and made a liberal offer to
supply more tea to any of the company who might want it.

All this, and a great deal more, was corroborated by every one present;
moreover, it was told them that there were many other claims which had
suddenly turned out well, and that the whole aspect of these diggings
had changed for the better.

"And what of Mr Luke?" asked Jack, glancing round the circle.

"Gone," said the captain, "nobody knows where. He became gloomier and
stranger than ever after you went away, and one morning announced his
intention to leave us and return to San Francisco. He left, and has not
been heard of since. Bob Corkey, too, is off. He got restless and
disappointed at our bad luck, said he'd go away prospectin' on his own
hook, and went."

"Good luck go with him! He was altogether too fond of argifying," said
Simon O'Rook.

"He's not the only one," remarked Baldwin Burr, with a grin.

After much consideration and consultation, it was agreed that, in the
meantime, the party should remain where they were, and, when their
claims began to fail, go off to Grizzly Bear Gulch.

This being decided, Jacob Buckley rose, saying that he was going to
visit his friends at Higgins' store. Jack followed him. When they were
alone he said--

"Now, Jacob, don't go, there's a good fellow. You saved my life, I may
say, and that gives me a claim on you." Buckley frowned, but said
nothing. "If you get among your old mates," continued Jack, "and begin
to _taste_, you're a gone man. God has been very good to us. He has
made us rich. We may live to be useful, Jacob. Think of it."

A half sarcastic smi