t's just as likely to
be here, and--"

"Let's go back and have some lunch in the boat first," said Brace,
smiling at his companion's earnestness. "We can then hoist the sail and
run back to the brig and tell my brother that you've broken out with the
gold fever, and that there is to be no more collecting of specimens."

"No, we won't," said Briscoe drily; "for I've said what I did to you in
confidence, and you won't say a word. I'm going to collect and do as
you do; but there's nothing to hinder me from making a grand discovery
besides, is there?"

"Oh, no," said Brace merrily; "but I don't see any reason why we should
keep it a secret from my brother and the rest."

"Perhaps not, but I do. We don't want the brig's crew to go mad, do
we?"

"Certainly not."

"Then don't you say a word about there being gold in this river for them
to hear or the consequences might be serious."

"I shall not speak about it, for I don't think there is any."

"Perhaps not," said Briscoe drily; "but I do. For there is, and plenty
of it."

"What?" cried Brace.

"That's right. Don't be surprised. By-and-by I'll show you, and open
your eyes."

No more was said, and, the order being given, the men trudged back to
the boat; the wind was fair, and soon after they ran back alongside of
the brig and reported the possibility of getting the boat up the
portage.

"That's good," said the captain. "Then I tell you what: as soon as Sir
Humphrey is well enough I'll have the brig safely moored, and we'll man
two boats and go right up the river."

"Then we'll go at once," said Sir Humphrey. "I shall get better much
more quickly lying back in the stern-sheets of a boat than sitting about
here on the deck of the brig."

"I think so too," said the captain. "What do you say then to starting
to-morrow?"

"Do you think we can manage that?" asked Sir Humphrey.

"Yes; I have everything ready," said the captain.

"But suppose the brig is attacked by Indians while we are away?"

"We won't suppose anything of the kind, if you please," said the
captain, "for it seems to me that we're quite out of their reach. If
there had been Indians about here we should have seen some sign.
Anyhow, the brig's mine, and I can do as I like with her. What I would
like is to come with you on this first trip, so we'll chance leaving the
brig well moored, and to-morrow off we go. I rather like a bit of
shooting when there's a chance."

CHAPTER TWENT