he had always been to us. But it was impossible, and I darted a
look at Esau which he understood, for he nodded at me in a curious way,
setting me thinking that I must speak to him seriously again about our
duty to Mr Raydon. I had hardly thought this when I saw the latter
coming towards us.

"Ah, Mr Gunson," he said, with a sharp, keen glance, "you have kept
your word, then, and come back."

"Yes, I've come back, and shall be glad of a day or two's rest."

"You are welcome," replied Mr Raydon. "Well, have you been very
fortunate?"

"What a question to ask me!" said Gunson; "the most unlucky man that
ever lived! Do I look fortunate?"

"No," said Mr Raydon, smiling; "far from it. There, come up to my
place, and let me hear what you have been doing."

As we approached the strangers' quarters, Quong made his appearance with
his eyes twinkling.

"Plenty flesh tea," he cried. "Plenty new blead."

"Hullo, my Celestial friend," said Gunson, smiling at the eager-looking
little fellow. "Did you see me coming?"

"No. Not see. Gley tell me Mr Gunson come, and make tea dilectly, and
cook bacon."

"Ready to come on with me now, Quong?" said Gunson. "I'm going up the
western part."

Quong stared.

"What! Go away? No. Stop allee long here."

"That's right, my lad. Don't leave good quarters. Been washing for
gold lately?"

"Eh? Washee washee gole? Too much piecy make work. Cook along big
meat. No go out at all. You likee likee flesh blead, not blead high."

"Indeed, it will be a treat," said Gunson, going into the place with Mr
Raydon, while we kept back until he had finished his meal.

"I say," said Esau, as we walked about the enclosure, "can't little
Quong tell fibseys."

"That's what I was thinking," I replied. "Why, I've met him twice up
the river trying for gold."

"Oh. I've seen him lots of times. He gets away when he has done his
work, looking as innocent as you please, and all the time he's hunting
for gold. I say, you see if Mr Raydon don't keep an eye on us for fear
we should tell old Gunson. My! wouldn't he like to know of our find. I
can't understand how it is that he who knows all about it should be so
unlucky, and you--"

"We," I said.

"Well, we, then--should be so lucky, and find so much. Dunno, though;
it hasn't brought us much luck as yet."

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.

QUONG IS MISSING.

It was all done in a quiet, unobtrusive way, but it seemed plain to me
th