e."

"I need medicine," urged the tramp, with a smile.

"I don't," said the hunter. "Don't you bother about us, my boy. If we want
whisky we can buy it ourselves."

"I can't," whined the tramp. "If I had as much money as you"--for he had
noticed that Ernest had changed a gold piece--"I'd be happy, but I'm out
of luck."

Ernest paid no attention to his words, but left the store and struck the
path homeward.

"What's that boy?" asked the tramp.

"It's Ernest Ray."

"Where'd he get that gold?"

"He lives with his uncle, a mile from the village."

"Is his uncle rich?"

"Folks think so. They call him a miser."

"Is he goin' to die?"

"That's what the boy says."

"And the boy'll get all his money?"

"It's likely."

"I'd like to be his guardian."

Joe and Luke Robbins laughed.

"You'd make a pretty guardian," said Luke.

CHAPTER II

UNCLE PETER'S REVELATION

Ernest went direct to his home, for he knew his uncle would be waiting for
him.

The old man's eyes were closed, but he opened them when Ernest entered.

"Was I gone long?" asked the boy.

"I don't know. I think I fell asleep."

"Shall I give you some of the drink?"

"Yes."

He drank a small amount, and it seemed to brighten him up. "You look
better, Uncle Peter. You may live some time."

Peter shook his head.

"No, boy," he replied; "my time has come to die. I know it. I would like
to live for your sake. You will miss me when I am gone, Ernest?"

"Yes, uncle, I shall miss you very much."

The old man seemed gratified. Ernest was the only one he cared for in all
the world.

"I don't care so much about dying, but I am anxious for you. I wish I had
money to leave you, Ernest, but I haven't much."

"I am young and strong. I can get along."

"I hope so. You will go away from here?"

"Yes, uncle. I don't think I shall care to stay here after you are gone."

"You will need money to take you away."

"There is a little more in the trunk."

"But only a little. It is not quite all I have. I have a hundred dollars
in gold laid away for you."

Ernest looked surprised.

"I must tell you where it is while I still have life. Do you remember the
oak tree on the little knoll half a mile away?"

"Yes, I know it."

"Dig under that tree five feet in a westerly direction. There is a wooden
box about a foot below the surface. There's nothing to mark the spot, for
it was buried a year since, and the grass has grown over it. After