it traveled all the way from the Missouri
river to this place.'

The huge hunter turned upon him with a fierce expression.

'Yer can't fool this yar boss in that style.'

'Don't you believe me?' asked the boy, who was fearful of offending
the stranger.

'No, sar; not a word.'

'How do you suppose we got it here?'

'Fotched in a wagon.'

'Let me show you what he can do.'

He was about to step into the wagon, when the hunter stopped him.

'See hyar, younker, who mought yer be?'

The boy gave his name and residence.

'What yer doin' hyar?'

'I'm traveling with this machine of mine.'

'How do you git it along?'

'I was just going to show you when you stopped me.'

'Hold on; no need of bein' in a sweat about it. Do yer come alone?'

'No. I came with a hunter.'

'What war his name?'

'Baldy Bicknell.'

'B'ars and bufflers! did yer come with him?'

'Yes; he was my companion all the way.'

'Whar mought he be?'

Johnny Brainerd hesitated a moment. While the huge hunter might
possibly be of great service to the beleaguered miners, yet he
recollected that it was the desire of Baldy that the fact of gold
existing in Wolf Ravine should be kept a secret from all except their
own party.

Should it become known to any of the numerous hunters and emigrants
who were constantly passing in the neighborhood, there would be such a
flocking to the place that they would be driven away and probably
killed for the treasure that they had already obtained.

The boy, therefore, chose to make a non-committal reply:

'Baldy is some distance away, in camp.'

'And what are yer doin' hyar?'

'I stopped here to get water for this steam man, as we call him. You
know anything that travels by steam must have the water to generate
it.'

'I say, younker, I don't want none of yer big words to me. Ef I h'ar
any more, b'ars and bufflers, ef I don't crack yer over the head with
Sweetlove, my shootin'-iron, so mind what yer say, fur I won't stand
no nonsense.'

'I didn't wish to offend you,' returned the boy, in the meekest of
tones.

'How far away might be Baldy?'

'I couldn't tell you exactly, but I think it is less than ten miles.'

'Be you goin' back to camp to-night?'

'It was my intention, that is, I meant to do so.'

'Guess I'll go with yer; but see hyar, younker, let's see yer try that
old humbug of yourn.'

The boy sprung into the wagon, glad of the opportunity of getting rid
of what looked like a dangero