the
belligerents.

"Come, gentlemen," said the host of the ranche, stepping forward, "it's
not worth while quarrelling about a miserable red-skin."

"Put on your coat, Larry, and come, let's get ready for a start," said
Ned; "you can't afford to fight till you've made your fortune at the
diggings. How far is it to the next ranche, landlord?"

This cool attempt to turn the conversation was happily successful. The
next ranche, he was told, was about ten miles distant, and the road
comparatively easy; so, as it was a fine moonlight night, and he was
desirous of reaching the first diggings on the following day as early as
possible, the horses and mules were saddled, and the bill called for.

When the said bill was presented, or rather, announced to them, our
travellers opened their eyes pretty wide; they had to open their purses
pretty wide too, and empty them to such an extent that there was not
more than a dollar left among them all!

The supper, which we have described, cost them two and a half dollars--
about ten shillings and sixpence a head, including a glass of bad
brandy; but not including a bottle of stout which Larry, in the
ignorance and innocence of his heart, had asked for, and which cost him
_three dollars_ extra! An egg, also, which Ned had obtained, cost him a
shilling.

"Oh, morther!" exclaimed Larry, "why didn't ye tell us the price before
we tuck them?"

"Why didn't ye ax?" retorted the landlord.

"It's all right," remarked Maxton. "Prices vary at the diggings, as you
shall find ere long. When provisions run short, the prices become
exorbitant; when plentiful, they are more moderate, but they are never
_low_. However, men don't mind much, for most diggers have plenty of
gold."

Captain Bunting and Bill Jones were unable to do more than sigh out
their amazement and shake their heads, as they left the ranche and
mounted their steeds; in doing which the captain accidentally, as usual,
drove both spurs into the sides of his mule, which caused it to execute
a series of manoeuvres and pirouettes that entertained the company for a
quarter of an hour, after which they rode away over the plain.

It was a beautiful country through which they now ambled pleasantly.
Undulating and partially wooded, with fine stretches of meadow land
between, from which the scent of myriads of wild-flowers rose on the
cool night air. The moon sailed low in a perfectly cloudless sky,
casting the shadows of the hors