inhabitants of Oak Creek had felt the trembling of the ground caused
by the huge land-slide on Grizzly, and knowing that so many of their
prominent citizens were there at the time, they were grouped about the
public house anxiously talking over the chances for escape that might be
had on the mountain-top.

At first sight of the returned men, a wild welcome rang out, not only
from the families who feared their men-folks might never return, but
also from the citizens who were genuinely glad to see Bill and his
posse, and Simms and his boy, safely back.

After having had his hand shaken as if it were a pump-handle, Sam
Brewster continued on to the station to await the train from Denver. As
he sat on the edge of the horse-trough thinking over the recent
thrilling experiences, he suddenly realized that if Polly had lost her
mine again, she might also lose her desire to go away to school in the
Fall. This seemed a happy thought, for he sat beaming at the old box-car
until the whistle announced the over-due local.

Two handsome young men jumped from the rear platform the moment the
train slowed down, and soon Mr. Brewster had one of them by both hands
giving him a hearty welcome.

"Now, Dad, try your muscle on Tom's arm. Mine has had enough for one
day," laughed John, placing an arm affectionately over his father's
shoulder.

With a young man on either side explaining why the expert was not with
them, Sam Brewster walked down the street towards Simms' office. Both
young men were eagerly talking so the older man had not told them about
the avalanche.

"I was saying to John, what a different town this will be the moment we
begin operations on Polly's claim," said Tom Latimer.

"As the train pulled in I tried to look at the station and streets
through future glasses--seeing the rows of fine store-buildings and the
thrift that always follows on the heels of a rich find," added John.

"We'll drop in Simms' office, boys, as I have to borrow his horses. I
came on to meet you without bringing any mounts," said Mr. Brewster.

Both young men laughed heartily at this admission, and Tom said
teasingly: "I suppose you were so excited over Polly's discovery of gold
that you clean forgot we were city chaps who are not overfond of hiking
over these trails."

Simms was talking to the coroner about the witnesses to the death of
Bill's man, and the newly arrived young engineers heard him say: "Sam
Brewster was the other one who esca