"Oranges!" cried Chris. "Here, father, we haven't looked at our grove."

"Come on with me, then," said Griggs, "and we'll take it on the way. I
want to see mine too. As to the grapes, if yours'll grow like this so
ought mine; and if they have--But wait a bit."

All mounted again, to make their mustangs breast their way in the
direction of the dried-up peach and orange-grove which they had toiled
over in despair, and at the first glance a shout of delight arose.

"Why, father," cried Chris, "what was the good of going there through
thirst and starvation to find phantom gold when it is glowing and
growing, and breaking down the branches here?"

For it was a golden sight indeed for weary, longing and disappointed
eyes.

Progress was difficult after they had literally gloated over the beauty
and promise of the orange-grove, for the tracks were wonderfully grown
over, everything showing that the settlement must have been forsaken
almost directly after the departure of the adventurers. Then Griggs'
plantation was reached and found to be as full of promise as that which
they had so lately quitted; and this proved to be the case wherever they
rode, for the change everywhere was complete, the crops, as far as the
encroaching wildings would allow, being abundant, but not a hand left to
gather, those whom the party had known having forsaken the place to a
man.

The rest of the day was devoted to cleaning and making the old home
suitable for temporary if not for permanent habitation. Creeper and
vine had to be cut back, so as to admit light and clear the choked-up
chimney, while with the growth endless intruders, insect, reptile, and
bird, were banished. The remaining stores, now very low, were brought
in, and what all declared to be a very jovial supper prepared and most
thoroughly enjoyed.

"One never knows what a day will bring forth," cried Bourne, smiling
upon his listeners. "Here we were this morning weary and despondent,
looking forward to someone taking us in to-night by way of charity,
while now we find that we have fallen on our feet, and are quite at home
in the midst of abundance."

"Yes," said Wilton; "I've seen enough to prove that Nature has retaken
possession here, and that an hour with a gun will give us all we want
to-morrow in the way of game."

"Yes," cried Chris; "and look there, Ned--fish."

"What about them?"

"The river's full, and I saw plenty leaping, waiting for rod and line or
ne