. He didn't squeeze it, but he shook it very warmly.

CHAPTER XVIII.

CONCLUSION.

I had often heard Tom Mason speak of his "luck" when telling his
stories, but I believe he was utterly confounded by the turn his "luck"
had taken in this particular instance. He was too amazed, so much so
that he couldn't speak, while Elam, it was plain to be seen, looked upon
him as a lucky omen. In these days he would have been called a "mascot."
I was completely thunderstruck, and if Tom had told me that there was a
nugget hidden under the biggest mountain in the valley, and I could have
it for the mere fun of digging after it, I believe I should have put
faith in his story.

"I wish that nugget could speak," said Elam, bringing his examination to
a stop and sitting down with his arm thrown over his find. "I would like
to hear it tell of all the places it has been in. After so many years of
waiting I have at last secured the object of my ambition, thanks to you,
Tom Mason. Nobody supposed you were going to make yourself rich out
here, did they?"

"No, and I don't suppose they know it now," replied Tom. "Do you really
imagine this is the nugget your father had?"

"What is the reason they don't know it now?" demanded Elam.

"Because the find isn't mine."

"Didn't I say that I would give you half of it the moment we dug it up?
You will find that I am a man of my word, Tom."

"How much do you suppose the thing will pan out?" I said, seizing the
nugget with both hands and trying to lift it from the ground. "It is
heavier than it was a while ago."

"That nugget will pan out between five and eight thousand dollars," said
Elam. "That's the price that Spaniard put upon it."

"Do you think this is the same find your father had?" continued Tom. "A
good many people have been searching for gold since then, and a great
many nuggets of the size of this one have been dug up."

"That's the reason I wish it could speak," said Elam. "Until I know
differently I shall believe it is the same nugget. Anyway it is mine.
Now, boys, I am going to Texas as soon as I can get there. You will go
with me, of course."

"What are you going down there for?" asked Tom.

"To buy some cattle. You can get them down there for half what they are
worth up here, and bringing them home across the plains will leave them
in good order for next winter."

"I don't know whether I will go or not. There may be some lawless men
down there, and you will have