good place. They
agreed to it, and so far they have kept to it; not, of course, as they
had much chance to do otherwise on the way. Still, I think this fresh
agreement's likely to do good. We are working here on shares, and each
man is bound to do his best for the others."

After sitting by the fire for some time of an evening, Frank generally
got up and strolled round the camp, accompanied by Turk. There were many
phases of life presented to him. While the successful diggers were
drinking and gambling in the saloons, there were many who could barely
keep life together. It was true this was in most cases their own fault,
for men willing to work could earn their five dollars a day by labouring
in the claims of wealthier or more successful diggers; but many would
hold on to their own claims, hoping against hope, and believing always
that the ground would get richer as they went down.

Frank chatted freely with every one, and he and his great dog were soon
known to every one in camp. He was able to do many little acts of
kindness to those whose luck was bad; for on arriving at the end of the
journey each of the party had, at Abe's suggestion, put twenty dollars
into the common fund, and beyond this amount the sum he had brought with
him from Omaha was still untouched; and many a man who would otherwise
have gone to bed supperless after a hard day's work, was indebted to him
for the means of procuring a few pounds of flour and a pound or two of
pork.

His attention had been particularly attracted to two men who lived in a
small tent a hundred yards away from any of the others, and who worked a
claim by themselves. They did not seem to have any communication with
the rest of the diggers, and kept themselves entirely apart. While at
work Frank had heard several jeering remarks as to the absurdity of
working a claim in a part of the ground which had over and over again
been tried and abandoned, and Frank felt sure that the men were doing
badly.

One day he observed that only one of the men was at work, the younger of
the two; and as he continued to wield his shovel after the others had
thrown down their tools for the evening, Frank walked over to him.

"Is your partner ill?" he asked. "I see he is not working with you
to-day."

The man nodded, but continued his work without speaking. He was
evidently indisposed for conversation.

"Why I asked," Frank said, "was not for mere curiosity, but because we
have brought up w