He peered timidly into the cabin and found it empty. On the floor in thecorner was a pallet. He put the nugget under the upper part, thusraising it and supplying the place of a pillow. It was hard enough, asthe reader will imagine, but it was better than nothing; and appeared tocombine safety with a chance to rest.
The thief fell asleep, and slept soundly. When he awoke it was bright,and the morning was evidently well advanced. In an instant consciousnesscame, and with anxious thought he felt for the nugget. It was stillthere, as he realized joyfully. He was on the point of examining it,when a step was heard. He looked up startled, and saw a man entering thecabin. This man was such another as himself--an adventurer--and thetramp remembered to have seen him about the camp. He was an ill-favoredman, poorly dressed, and might have passed for a brother of the firstcomer so far as his moral qualities and general appearance wereconcerned.
"Halloa!" the new arrival said, gazing with a little surprise at theprostrate man.
"Halloa," returned the other, surveying the new arrival withapprehension.
"Is this your crib?"
"No, I'm only passing the night here."
"Haven't I seen you at the mines?"
"Yes, I have been there."
"And now you are leaving, are you?"
"I don't know exactly. I haven't made up my mind."
"Well I am. I'm out of luck."
"So am I."
"There's nothing to be done at the mines."
"Just my idea!"
"Humph! what do you think of doing?"
"I don't know. I want to get away for one thing."
"So do I. Suppose we keep company, friend. Two are more social than one,eh?"
This proposal gave the first man anxious thought. If he had a companion,he could not hide for any length of time the fact that he was inpossession of the nugget. Yet he did not know how to refuse withoutexciting suspicion. The new arrival noticed it, and it stirred up angerin him.
"Perhaps I aint good enough for you?" he said, frowning.
"No, no, it isn't that," said the first eagerly.
"Don't you want me to go with you?" demanded the new arrival bluntly."Yes or no."
"Have you got any money?" asked the thief, "because I haven't."
"No more have I. We'll be equal partners."
"Then I'm afraid we won't get very far."
"You'll get as far as I will. But I say, what is that under your head,pard?"
The question had come at last. The thief trembled, and answerednervously:
"It's--it's--I am using it for a pillow," he faltered.
"Let us see your pillow," said the new arrival suspiciously.
The thief came to a sudden determination, suggested by necessity. Twowould make a stronger guard than one, and, though this man was not theone he would have selected, accident had thrown them together, and hewould risk it.
"Look here, my friend," he said, "it's a great secret."
"Oh, a secret, is it?"
"Yes, but I am going to make you my confidant. I am greatly in need of afriend and partner, and I'll make it worth your while to stand by me.I'll give you a quarter of--what I have here--if you'll see me safe toMelbourne."
"What is it, pard? Out with it, quick!"
"It's--a nugget, and the biggest one that's been found at Bendigo sincethey commenced mining."
"A nugget! Great Jehoshaphat! Let me see it!"
The thief drew the bundle--still wrapped in Obed's red bandanna--fromunderneath the pallet, while his companion in intense excitement bentover to catch a glimpse of the treasure.
CHAPTER XXVII.
BAFFLED CUPIDITY.
An expression of surprise and dismay, almost ludicrous, appeared on thefaces of the two adventurers as the contents of the handkerchief wererevealed.
"Why, it's nothing but a rock!" exclaimed the new-comer, with an oath.
The thief stared at him in helpless consternation, and was unable toutter a word.
"What does all this mean?" asked the new-comer sternly. "If you arehumbugging me, I'll----" and he finished the sentence with an oath.
"I don't know what it means," answered the thief in a disconsolate tone."I'm just as much surprised as you are."
"Where did you get it? How came you to make such a fool of yourself?"demanded the new-comer, frowning heavily.
"You know that Yankee and the two boys who have a claim next toPickett's?"
"Well?"
"Last night I was coming from the Hut"--that was the local name of thecabin devoted to gambling purposes--"when I saw them coming from theirclaim. The Yankee had this ---- rock tied up in yonder handkerchief. Ofcourse, I supposed it was a nugget. No one would suppose he was takingall that pains with a common rock."
"Go on! Did you follow them?"
"Yes; that is, I kept them in sight. They entered their cabin, and Iwaited, perhaps three-quarters of an hour, till they had time to fallasleep."
"Were you near the cabin all the time?"
"No; I didn't dare to be too near for fear I should be observed. Iwanted the nugget, but I didn't want to run any risk."
"I have no doubt you were very prudent," said the second, with anunpleasant sneer. Doubtless he would have done the same, but hisdisappointment was so great that he could not resist the temptation ofindulging in this fling at the man who had unintentionally contributedto it.
"Of course I was," said the first, with some indignation. "Would youhave had me enter the cabin while they were all awake, and carry it offunder their very eyes? That would be mighty sensible."
"At any rate, then you would have got the genuine nugget."
"What do you mean? Do you think there was a nugget?"
"Of course I do. It's as plain as the nose on your face, and that'splain enough, in all conscience. They've played a trick on you."
"What trick?"
"It appears to me you are mighty stupid, my friend. They hid away thereal nugget, and put this in its place. That Yankee is a good dealsharper than you are, and he wasn't going to run no risks."
"Do you believe this?" asked the thief, his jaw falling.
"There's no doubt of it. They've had a fine laugh at your expense beforethis, I'll be bound."
"Just my luck!" ejaculated the thief dolefully. "After all the painsI've taken, too."
"Yes, it is hard lines on a poor industrious man like you!" said thenew-comer cynically. "You're not smart enough to be a successfulthief."
"I suppose you are," retorted the other resentfully.
"Yes, I flatter myself I am," returned the other composedly. "When Itake anything, at any rate I have the sense to take something worthcarrying away--not a worthless rock like this. You must have had a finetime lugging it from the mines."
"It nearly broke my back," said the thief gloomily.
"And now you don't know what to do with it? Take my advice, my friend,and carry it back to the original owner. He may find it handy anothertime."
"I'll be blessed if I do," growled the unhappy thief.
"I doubt that," said his companion dryly. "However, do as you please. Itdon't interest me. I don't think on the whole I will accept your offerof a partnership. When I take a partner I want a man with some smallsupply of brains."
The first looked at him resentfully. He did not like these taunts, andwould have assaulted him had he dared, but the new-comer was powerfullybuilt, and evidently an unsafe man to take liberties with. He threwhimself back on the pallet and groaned.
"Well," said the second after a pause, "when you've got through cryingover spilt milk, will you kindly tell me where I can get something toeat?"
"I don't know."
"Humph! that's short and to the point. It is something I would like verymuch to know, for my part. I feel decidedly hungry."
"I have no appetite," said the luckless thief mournfully.
"You will have, after a while. Then you can't think of any cabin near bywhere we could get a breakfast?"
"There's Joe's.'"
/> "Where's Joe's?"
"About a mile from here on the road to the camp."
"Are you acquainted with Joe?"
"Yes."
"Is your credit good with him?"
"I think he would trust me for a breakfast."
"And me? You can introduce me as a friend of yours."
"You haven't been talking like a friend of mine," said the firstresentfully.
"Perhaps not. However, you must make allowances for my naturaldisappointment. You led me into it, you know."
"If it comes to that, I have done you no harm. Even if the nugget wasn'treal, you had no claim to it."
"You excited my hopes, and that's enough to rile any man--that is, whendisappointment follows. However, there's no use crying over spilt milk.I have an idea that may lead to something."
"What is it?" asked the thief with some eagerness.
"I will tell you--after breakfast. My ideas don't flow freely when I amhungry. Come, my friend, get up, and lead the way to Joe's. I have anaching void within, which needs filling up. Your appetite may cometoo--after a walk."
Somehow this man, cool and cynical as he was, impressed his fellowadventurer, and he rose obediently, and led the way out of the cabin.
"I wish I knew what was your idea," he said.
"Well, I don't mind telling you. I believe the Yankee did find anugget."
"Well?"
"You haven't got it, but you may get it--that is, we may get it."
"I don't see how. He will be on his guard now."
"Of course he will. I don't mean that we should repeat the blunder oflast night. You may be sure he won't keep it in his cabin anothernight."
"Then how are we to get it?"
"Follow him to Melbourne. He'll carry it there, and on the way we canrelieve him of it."
"There's something in that."
"We shall be together, and he won't take me in as readily as he did you.After breakfast, if we are lucky enough to get any, we must go back tothe camp, and find out what we can about his plans. Do you think anyonesaw you last night when you were in the cabin?"
"No."
"That is well. Then you won't be suspected. But I can't say a word moretill I have had breakfast."
After half an hour's walking--it was only half a mile, but the soil wasboggy, rendering locomotion difficult--they reached a humble waysidecabin, which was in some sort a restaurant, and by dint of diplomacy anda promise of speedy payment, they secured a meal to which, despite theirdisappointment, they did ample justice.
Breakfast over, they resumed their fatiguing walk, and reached themining camp about ten o'clock.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE NUGGET IN SAFETY.
Fatigued by their exertions of the previous days and the late hours theyhad kept, Obed and the boys rose at a later hour than usual. About eighto'clock Obed opened his eyes, and noticed that his two young companionswere fast asleep.
"It's time to get up, boys," he said, giving them a gentle shake.
The boys opened their eyes, and realized, by the bright sunshineentering the cabin, that the day was already well advanced.
"What time is it, Obed?" asked Harry.
"Past eight o'clock. We shall be late at our work."
He smiled, and his smile was reflected on the faces of the boys. Theirsuccess of the day before made it a matter of indifference whether theyaccomplished a good day's work or not.
"What are we going to do about the nugget, Obed?" asked Harry.
"After breakfast we will carry it to the office of the commissioner, andget his receipt for it."
"I shall be glad to get it out of our hands," said Jack.
"If that is the case, Jack, suppose you give your share to me," saidHarry, in joke.
"I didn't mean to get rid of it in that way," said the young sailor.
"You would be as ready to give it as I to accept it," said Harry. "No,Jack, I want you to have your share. I am sure you will have a use forit."
After breakfast the three emerged from the cabin, bearing the preciousnugget with them. They did not meet anyone on their way to the office ofthe commissioner, for all the miners had gone to their work. This suitedthem, for until they had disposed of the nugget, they did not care tohave their good luck made public.
The royal commissioner was a stout Englishman with a red face andabundant whiskers of the same color. He chanced to be at the door of theoffice as the party appeared.
"Well, can I do anything for you?" he asked.
"Yes, sir; you can give us a receipt for this nugget."
"Nugget!" ejaculated the commissioner, fixing his eyes for the firsttime on the burden which Mr. Stackpole carried. "Bless my soul! youdon't mean to say that you have found a nugget of that size!"
"That's just what we've done," answered Obed.
"When did you find it?"
"Well, we took it from the mine about midnight. We found it in theafternoon, but calculated we'd better take possession when there wasn'tso many lookin' on. I say, Mr. Commissioner, I don't think it wouldagree with me to be a rich man. I got broken of my rest last night, fromhavin' the nugget in the cabin."
"You ran very little risk. No one could have found out that you had itin your possession," remarked the commissioner.
"That's where you are mistaken, commissioner. We came near being robbedof it only an hour after we brought it home."
"Bless my soul! How did that happen?"
"A pesky thief sneaked in, and carried it off, as he thought."
"How could he think he carried it off when he did not?"
Upon this Obed explained the trick to which he had resorted, and thecommissioner laughed heartily.
"Do you know the man--the thief, I mean?" he asked.
"Yes, it is, a man that has been prowlin' round the camp for some weeks,not doin' anything, but watchin' for a chance to appropriate theproperty of some lucky miner. I'd like to see the fellow's face when heopens the handkerchief this morning, and finds the rock."
"It appears you have lost a handkerchief, at any rate," said thecommissioner, with a smile.
"He's welcome to it," answered Obed, "if it will comfort him any. Ibrought it away from home two years ago, and now I can afford to buyanother."
By this time the nugget had been carried into the office and exposed toview.
"It is a splendid specimen," said the commissioner admiringly. "It iscertainly the largest that has ever been found in this camp."
"Has any been found before?" asked Harry.
"Yes; six months ago a Scotch miner, named Lindsay, found one weighingtwenty-two pounds and some ounces."
"Is he here now?"
"Yes, and without a shilling."
"Didn't his nugget benefit him any then?" asked Harry.
"It became a curse to him. He obtained some thousands of dollars for it,and all went in three months."
"How did he get rid of it?"
"In drinking and gambling. Two months since he drifted back to the campin rags. He did not have money enough to buy a claim, but being a goodpractical miner he got a chance to work a claim on shares for anotherman, who had just come out from Melbourne, and who knew very little ofmining. I hope you will make better use of your money. Are these boysyour partners?"
"Yes, Mr. Commissioner, they are equal partners. What's one's luck, isthe luck of all."
Meanwhile the commissioner was weighing the nugget on a pair of scales.The three awaited the result with great interest.
"It weighs seventy-four pounds and four ounces," he announced. "Myfriend, it will be famous in the annals of Australia. If I am notmistaken, when it is known it will create a stampede to our mines."
"About how much do you think it will realize?" asked Obed.
"At a rough guess, I should say fifteen thousand dollars. It may be moreand it may be less."
Obed Stackpole's rough face was fairly radiant.
"I say, boys," he remarked, turning to Harry and Jack, "that's a prettygood day's work, isn'
t it?"
"I should say so, Obed."
The commissioner made out a receipt, which Obed put away carefully inhis pocket.
"That's better than carrying the nugget round," he said.
"I suppose you will go to Melbourne," said the commissioner.
"Yes, we shall start in a day or two."
Here Obed paused, for it occurred to him that there were practicaldifficulties in the way of carrying out his plan.
"That is," he added slowly, "if we can raise the money. I suppose wecan't borrow on the nugget?"
"No, but I can suggest a way out of your difficulties. You can sell yourclaim. It will realize a good round sum, as the one from which thenugget has been taken."
"That's so, Mr. Commissioner. Thank you for the suggestion. Boys, thereis still some business before us. We'll realize something extra, itseems. I don't care how much, if it's only enough to take us toMelbourne."
Just then a miner entered the office, and seeing the nugget instantlymade it his purpose to report the lucky find throughout the camp. Theeffect was instant and electrical. Every miner stopped work, and therewas a rush to the commissioner's office to see the nugget. All werecheered up. If there was one nugget, there must be more. Confidence wasrestored to many who had been desponding. Obed and the two boys were theheroes of the hour, and the crowd came near lifting them on theirshoulders, and bearing them off in triumph.