r reluctance to
receive a portion with your wife until you know that you can use it with
honor. Be assured that you can do so."

"Convince me of the fact by relating how it came into your possession,
and I am satisfied," returned Smith.

"O James, James, have mercy," murmured the distressed daughter, who was
a witness of the scene.

The sturdy Smith resisted her appeal, and did not withdraw his eyes from
the face of the stockman, who seemed slightly discomposed at the
pertinacity of his intended son-in-law.

The old man hesitated and muttered to himself, and at length appeared to
recover sufficient confidence to speak.

"Will all three of you solemnly promise me that you will not divulge the
secret which I am about to impart?" he demanded.

"We will readily give our consent, because we have fought too many
battles, side by side, to injure a friend, even if he has been guilty of
imprudence," he replied.

"And will you also promise not to interfere with my plans, and demand to
share my profits?" he asked.

We smiled, for we thought how little he was capable of coping with the
energy and enterprise of ourselves.

"I see that you consent," he cried; "and now for the friend that yielded
all the wealth which I possess. Follow me a short distance."

He led the way at a rapid pace towards the small stream which we had
crossed so many times, and near the very spot where we had encamped on
our first visit to that part of the country.

"There is where I obtained my gold," he said, stopping suddenly, and
pointing with his hand towards the bank of the stream.

"You are misleading us," I said, not knowing what he meant.

"So help me, Heaven, I am not. Here, on the banks of the stream, I have
dug and washed thousands of pans full of earth, and yet no living soul
ever saw me at work. Here did I collect my gold, a shilling's worth at a
time, some days, and on other occasions by the ounce, until I gained
what I possess. I have toiled for it during heat and wet, and every
grain that you saw was obtained that way."

We were silent from wonder, and could hardly realize that he spoke the
truth. At length, Fred remarked,--

"For months, then, you have been aware of the existence of gold in this
particular spot?"

"Not only in one spot, but all along the stream can gold be found. Even
where you stand scales of dust can be obtained. The earth is full of
treasure, and requires but little stirring to enrich all who choose to