emen far before them as they rode, and
clothing hill and dale, bush and tree, with a soft light, as if a cloud
of silver gauze had settled down upon the scene. The incident in the
ranche was quickly banished, and each traveller committed himself
silently to the full enjoyment of the beauties around him--beauties
which appeared less like reality than a vision of the night.

CHAPTER NINE.

A NIGHT RIDE IN THE WOODS--THE ENCAMPMENT--LARRY'S FIRST ATTEMPT TO DIG
FOR GOLD--AN ALARM--A SUSPICIOUS STRANGER--QUEER CREATURES.

In less than two hours the travellers reached the second ranche, which
was little better, in appearance or accommodation, than the one they had
left. Having no funds, they merely halted to water their cattle, and
then pushed forward.

The country became more and more undulating and broken as they advanced,
and beyond the second ranche assumed the appearance of a hill country.
The valleys were free from trees, though here and there occurred dense
thickets of underwood, in which Maxton told them that grizzly-bears
loved to dwell--a piece of information that induced most of the party to
carry their rifles in a handy position, and glance suspiciously at every
shadow. Large oaks and bay-trees covered the lower slopes of the hills,
while higher up the white oak and fir predominated.

About an hour after midnight the moon began to descend towards the
horizon, and Ned Sinton, who had been unanimously elected commander of
the little band, called a halt in the neighbourhood of a rivulet, which
flowed round the base of an abrupt cliff whose sides were partially
clothed with scrubby bushes.

"We shall encamp here for the night, comrades," said he, dismounting;
"here is water and food for our nags, a fine piece of greensward to
spread our blankets on, and a thick-leaved oak to keep the dew off us.
Now, Maxton, you are an old campaigner, let us see how soon you'll have
a fire blazing."

"I'll have it ready before you get the camp kettles and pans out,"
answered Maxton, fastening his horse to a tree, seizing an axe, and
springing into the woods on the margin of the stream.

"And, Captain Bunting," continued Ned, "do you water the horses and
mules: our vaquero will help you. Jones will unpack the provender. Tom
Collins and I will see to getting supper ready."

"An', may I ax, commodore," said Larry O'Neil, touching his hat, "wot
_I'm_ to do?"

"Keep out of everybody's way, and do what you pleases, Lar