laze that told them they were going towards the cave. But
the nearer they came to the claim, the greater was the destruction of
the forest. Finally they could see where the ledge had been, but so
massed up was the trash that had been swept down and over the side, that
it was impossible to reach the ravine.

Mike chuckled: "Him unner alla trees on Grizzly Sly--him yaller insides
safe nuff!"

"You're right, Mike," laughed John. "If the gold is in that spot it is
safe enough for a long time to come."

"I think this slide was the luckiest thing that ever happened to the
girls," ventured Tom Latimer, thoughtfully.

"Why?" anxiously demanded Mr. Brewster, visions of his darling being
carried away to school uppermost in his mind.

"When we are ready to bore for the gold, this trash will be an easy
thing to burn and clear away. Meantime, it keeps off all claim-jumpers
or thieves who need a little hard yellow metal."

"But you must admit that it is a tough proposition to mine here," said
Mr. Brewster. "A land-slide is apt to happen any moment and bury all the
apparatus. All previous efforts will be wiped out and you must begin all
over again. Then consider the difficulty of transportation, from this
peak down the long trail, and over miles of rough country to the Oak
Creek railway."

"Hoh! a mere bagatelle, Mr. Brewster, when gold weighs in the other
scale. Why, men will dig through the earth for gold! See what happened
in Alaska. Once men found gold to be had for the pain and privation they
would be forced to endure, they gladly gave up home, loved
ones,--all--for the lust of gold.

"And see what that drive did for Alaska. Railroads opened, cities
founded, people settled there, and all because men fought with odds
against finding buried gold!"

"We wouldn't have to worry over this out-of-the-way mine if father
would consent to have his cliffs utilized," hinted John.

"Not with my consent!" retorted Sam Brewster.

"Well, come on, Mike. Let's pitch camp and get something to eat," said
John, resignedly.

"It's not that I have any silly sentiment over the cliffs, my
boys--don't mistake me there. But I have a serious reason for refusing
to coin money out of that beauty--at least for a few years to come."

"If I guess the truth about it, will you admit it to me some day?"
quizzed Tom Latimer, his eyes twinkling.

"No, sir! Not even to my wife--it's _my_ secret!"

CHAPTER V

POLLY AND ELEANOR VISIT THE BEAVE