ned her name, and he witnessed it, then paced
off four hundred and forty steps, where he squared a spruce-tree, which
she marked: "Lower centre end stake of No. I below discovery. Necia
Gale, locator." She was vastly excited and immensely elated at her
good-fortune in acquiring the claim next to Lee's, and chattered like a
magpie, filling the glades with resounding echoes and dancing about in
the bright sunlight that filtered through the branches.

"Now you stake the one below mine," she said. "It's just as good, and
maybe better--nobody can tell." But he shook his head.

"I'm not going to stake anything," said he.

"You must!" she cried, quickly, the sparkle dying from her eyes. "You
said you would, or I never would have brought you."

"I merely said I would come with you," he corrected. "I did not promise
to take up a claim, for I don't think I ought to do so. If I were a
civilian, it would be different, but this is government land, and I am
a part of the government, as it were. Then, too, in addition to the
question of my right to do it, there would be the certainty of making
enemies of your people, old "No Creek" and the rest, and I can't afford
that now. With you it is different, for you are entitled to this
ground. After Lee's friends have shared in his discovery I may change
my mind."

All arguments and pleading were in vain; he remained obdurate and
insisted on her locating two other claims for herself, one on each of
the smaller creeks where they came together above the house.

"But nobody ever stakes more than one claim on a gulch," objected the
girl. "It's a custom of the miners."

"Then we'll call each one of these branches a different and separate
creek," he said. "The gold was carried down one of those smaller
streams, and we won't take any chances on which one it was. When a
fellow plays a big game he should play to win, and, as this means such
a great deal to you, we won't overlook any bets."

Necia consented, and when her three claims had been properly located
the couple returned to the cabin to get lunch and to await with some
foreboding the coming of the others and what of good or ill it might
bring.

CHAPTER VII

THE MAGIC OF BEN STARK

Before the party came in sight, the sound of their voices reached the
cabin, and Burrell rose nervously and sauntered to the door. Uncertain
how this affair might terminate, he chose to get first look at his
enemies, if they should prove to be su