esh sagged. In contrast with the clean, hard, hawk-eyed miners, he
looked blotched and unwholesome.

Crossly he snatched from the other two their miner's certificates, made
the entries in his book, and gave them their receipts. It was my turn
now. I dashed forward eagerly. Then I stopped, for the man with the
bleary eyes had shut the wicket in my face.

"Three o'clock," he snapped.

"Couldn't you take mine?" I faltered; "I've been waiting now these
seven hours."

"Closing time," he ripped out still more tartly; "come again to-morrow."

There was a growling thunder from the crowd behind, and the weary,
disappointed stampeders slouched away.

Body and soul of me craved for sleep. Beyond an overwhelming desire for
rest, I was conscious of nothing else. My eyelids were weighted with
lead. I lagged along dejectedly. At the hotel I saw the Prodigal.

"Get fixed up?"

"No, too late."

"You'd better take advantage of the general corruption and the services
of Ten-Dollar Jim."

I was disheartened, disgusted, desperate.

"I will," I said. Then, throwing myself on the bed, I launched on a
dreamless sea of sleep.

CHAPTER XIII

Next morning bright and early found me at the side-door, and the tall man
admitted me. I slipped a ten-dollar gold piece into his palm, and
presently found myself waiting at the yet unopened wicket. Outside I
could see the big crowd gathering for their weary wait. I felt a
sneaking sense of meanness, but I did not have long to enjoy my
despicable sensations.

The recording clerk came to the wicket. He was very red-faced and
watery-eyed. Involuntarily I turned my head away at the reek of his
breath.

"I want to record eight below on Ophir," I said.

He looked at me curiously. He hesitated.

"What name?" he asked.

I gave it. He turned up his book.

"Eight below, you say. Why, that's already recorded."

"Can't be," I retorted. "I just got down from there yesterday after
planting my stakes."

"Can't help it. It's recorded by some one else, recorded early
yesterday."

"Look here," I exclaimed; "what kind of a game are you putting up on me?
I tell you I was the first on the ground. I alone staked the claim."

"That's strange," he said. "There must be some mistake. Anyway, you'll
have to move on and let the others get up to the wicket. You're
blocking the way. All I can do is to look into the matter for you, and
I've got no time now. Come back to-morrow. Next, please."

Th