making money to restore my mother
and sister to their old position. I tried first in London, but soon
found out it would be vain to try and save a hundredth part of what I
ought to pay them, so I tried adventure. There were rumours of gold
being discovered in Australia, then in the Malay Peninsula, and again at
the Cape, so I went to each place in turn and failed. Other men made
fortunes, but I was always unlucky, till once at the Cape, where I hit
upon a place that promised well, but my luck was always against me. My
tent was attacked one night, and I was left senseless, to come to myself
next morning, and find that I had been robbed, and so cruelly ill-used
that the sight of one eye was gone for ever, and there was nothing left
for me to do but sell my claim for enough money to take me back to
England amongst my poor people to be nursed back to health. Then, as I
grew strong again, there came rumours of the gold in British Columbia,
and I started once more, taking passage as a poor man in the steerage,
and meeting on board one Mayne Gordon, with whom I became friends. Am I
right?"

"Indeed, yes," I cried, giving him my hand.

"That's well," he said, smiling. "Since then I have worked, as you
know, for the golden prize that, if it does not make those at home
happy, will place them far above want, but always without success,
passing away from Fort Elk, when there was abundance near, and returning
poorer than I went, to find out quite by accident that here was indeed
the golden land. Mayne, I have gold worth hundreds of pounds already
hidden away safe."

"I am very, very glad," I cried. "But I want to know--"

"Yes?" he said, for I had stopped.

"Have you--no, not now," for just then Esau came up to us.

"Look here, my lad," said Gunson, quickly, "I sincerely hope that we may
never have cause to use weapons against our fellow-men; but we must be
prepared for emergencies. Do you know how to handle a revolver?"

Esau shook his head.

"Hit ever so much harder with my fists," he said.

"But that will not do. The sight of our weapons may keep evil visitors
off. Let me show you how to load and fire."

"Will it kick?" said Esau.

"Not if you hold it tightly. Now, look here."

And as I looked on, Mr Gunson showed Esau how to load and fire, and
generally how to handle the weapon, the lesson acting as well for me.

"There," said Mr Gunson at last, "you ought to be a valuable help to me
now; for the be