"What shall I do?" asked Hogan. "I'm dead broke. I can't workwithout tools, and I can't buy any."
"Do you want to work for me?" asked Joshua.
"What'll you give?"
"That'll depend on how you work. If you work stiddy, I'll give you aquarter of what we both make. I'll supply you with tools, butthey'll belong to me."
"Suppose we don't make anything," suggested Hogan.
"You shall have a quarter of that. You see, I want to make it foryour interest to succeed."
"Then I shall starve."
The bargain was modified so that Hogan was assured of enough to eat,and was promised, besides, a small sum of money daily, but was not toparticipate in the gains.
"If we find a nugget, it won't do you any good. Do you understand,Hogan?"
"Yes, I understand."
He shrugged his shoulders, having very little faith in anyprospective nuggets.
"Then we understand each other. That's all I want."
On the second day Joe and Mr. Bickford consolidated their claims andbecame partners, agreeing to divide whatever they found. Hogan wasto work for them jointly.
They did not find their hired man altogether satisfactory. He waslazy and shiftless by nature, and work was irksome to him.
"If you don't work stiddy, Hogan," said Joshua, "you can't expect toeat stiddy, and your appetite is pretty reg'lar, I notice."
Under this stimulus Hogan managed to work better than he had donesince he came out to California, or indeed for years preceding hisdeparture. Bickford and Joe had both been accustomed to farm workand easily lapsed into their old habits.
They found they had made a change for the better in leaving the banksof the Yuba. The claims they were now working paid them better.
"Twenty-five dollars to-day," said Joshua, a week after theirarrival. "That pays better than hoeing pertaters, Joe."
"You are right, Mr. Bickford. You are ten dollars ahead of me. I amafraid you will lose on our partnership."
"I'll risk it, Joe."
Hogan was the only member of the party who was not satisfied.
"Can't you take me into partnership?" he asked.
"We can, but I don't think we will, Hogan," said Mr. Bickford.
"It wouldn't pay. If you don't like workin' for us, you can take aclaim of your own."
"I have no tools."
"Why don't you save your money and buy some, instead of gamblin' itaway as you are doin'?"
"A man must have amusement," grumbled Hogan. "Besides, I may haveluck and win."
"Better keep clear of gamblin', Hogan."
"Mr. Hogan, if you want to start a claim of your own, I'll give youwhat tools you need," said Joe.
Upon reflection Hogan decided to accept this offer.
"But of course you will have to find your own vittles now," saidJoshua.
"I'll do it," said Hogan.
The same day he ceased to work for the firm of Bickford & Mason, forJoe insisted on giving Mr. Bickford the precedence as the seniorparty, and started on his own account.
The result was that he worked considerably less than before. Beinghis own master, he decided not to overwork himself, and in factworked only enough to make his board. He was continually grumblingover his bad luck, although Joshua told him plainly that it wasn'tluck, but industry, he lacked.
"If you'd work like we do," said Bickford, "you wouldn't need tocomplain. Your claim is just as good as ours, as far as we can tell."
"Then let us go in as partners," said Hogan.
"Not much. You ain't the kind of partner I want."
"I was always unfortunate," said Hogan.
"You were always lazy, I reckon. You were born tired, weren't you?"
"My health ain't good," said Hogan. "I can't work like you two."
"You've got a healthy appetite," said Mr. Bickford. "There ain't notrouble there that I can see."
Mr. Hogan had an easier time than before, but he hadn't money togamble with unless he deprived himself of his customary supply offood, and this he was reluctant to do.
"Lend me half-an-ounce of gold-dust, won't you?" he asked of Joe oneevening.
"What do you want it for--to gamble with?"
"Yes," said Hogan. "I dreamed last night that I broke the bank. AllI want is money enough to start me."
"I don't approve of gambling, and can't help you."
Hogan next tried Mr. Bickford, but with like result.
"I ain't quite such a fool, Hogan," said the plain-spoken Joshua.
About this time a stroke of good luck fell to Joe. bout threeo'clock one afternoon he unearthed a nugget which, at a roughestimate, might be worth five hundred dollars.
Instantly all was excitement in the mining-camp, not alone for whathe had obtained, but for the promise of richer deposits. Experiencedminers decided that he had, struck upon what is popularly called a"pocket," and some of these are immensely remunerative.
"Shake hands, Joe," said Bickford. "You're in luck."
"So are you, Mr. Bickford. We are partners, you know."
In less than an hour the two partners received an offer of eightthousand dollars for their united claim, and the offer was accepted.
Joe was the hero of the camp. All were rejoiced at his good fortuneexcept one. That one was Hogan, who from a little distance, jealousand gloomy, surveyed the excited crowd.
CHAPTER XXXVI
HOGAN'S DISCONTENT
"Why don't luck come to me?" muttered Hogan to himself. "That greencountry boy has made a fortune, while I, an experienced man of theworld, have to live from hand to mouth. It's an outrage!"
The parties to whom Joe and his partner sold their claim wereresponsible men who had been fortunate in mining and had abank-account in San Francisco.
"We'll give you an order on our banker," they proposed.
"That will suit me better than money down," said Joe. "I shall startfor San Francisco to-morrow, having other business there that I needto look after."
"I'll go too, Joe," said Joshua. "With my share of thepurchase-money and the nugget, I'm worth, nigh on to five thousanddollars. What will dad say?"
"And what will Susan Smith say?" queried Joe.
Joshua grinned.
"I guess she'll say she's ready to change her name to Bickford," saidhe.
"You must send me some of the cake, Mr. Bickford."
"Just wait, Joe. The thing ain't got to that yet. I tell you, Joe,I shall be somebody when I get home to Pumpkin Hollow with that pileof money. The boys'll begin to look up to me then. I can't hardlybelieve it's all true. Maybe I'm dreamin' it. Jest pinch my arm,will you?"
Joe complied with his request.
"That'll do, Joe. You've got some strength in your fingers. I guessit's true, after all."
Joe observed with some surprise that Hogan did not come near them.The rest, without exception, had congratulated them on theirextraordinary good luck.
"Seems to me Hogan looks rather down in the mouth," said Joe toBickford.
"He's mad 'cause he didn't find the nugget. That's what's the matterwith him. I say, Hogan, you look as if your dinner didn't agree withyou."
"My luck don't agree with me."
"You don't seem to look at things right. Wasn't you lucky the otherday to get away from the bear?"
"I was unlucky enough to fall in with him."
"Wasn't you lucky in meetin' my friend Joe in New York, and raisin'money enough out of him to pay your passage out to Californy?"
"I should be better off in New York. I am dead broke."
"You'd be dead broke in New York. Such fellers as you always is deadbroke."
"Do you mean to insult me, Mr. Bickford?" demanded Hogan irritably.
"Oh, don't rare up, Hogan. It won't do no good. You'd ought to havemore respect for me, considerin' I was your boss once."
"I'd give something for that boy's luck."
"Joe's luck? Well, things have gone pretty well with turn; b
ut thatdon't explain all his success--he's willin' to work."
"So am I."
"Then go to work on your claim. There's no knowin' but there's abigger nugget inside of it. If you stand round with your hands inyour pockets, you'll never find it."
"It's the poorest claim in the gulch," said Hogan discontentedly.
"It pays the poorest because you don't work half the time."
Hogan apparently didn't like Mr. Bickford's plainness of speech. Hewalked away moodily, with his hands in his pockets. He could nothelp contrasting his penniless position with the enviable position ofthe two friends, and the devil, who is always in wait for suchmoments, thrust an evil suggestion into his mind.
It was this:
He asked himself why could he not steal the nugget which Joe hadfound?
"He can spare it, for he has sold the claim for a fortune," Hoganreasoned. "It isn't fair that he should have everything and I shouldhave nothing. He ought to have made me his partner, anyway. Hewould if he hadn't been so selfish. I have just as much right to ashare in it as this infernal Yankee. I'd like to choke him."
This argument was a very weak one, but a man easily persuades himselfof what he wants to do.
"I'll try for it," Hogan decided, "this very night."
CHAPTER XXXVII
THE NUGGET IS STOLEN.
At this time Joe and Joshua were occupying a tent which they hadpurchased on favorable terms of a fellow miner.
They retired in good season, for they wished to start early on theirjourney on the following morning.
"I don't know as I can go to sleep," said Joshua. "I can't helpthinkin' of how rich I am, and what dad and all the folks will say."
"Do you mean to go home at once, Mr. Bickford?"
"Jest as soon as I can get ready. I'll tell you what I am goin' todo, Joe. I'm goin' to buy a tip-top suit when I get to Boston, and agold watch and chain, and a breast-pin about as big as a saucer.When I sail into Pumpkin Holler in that rig folks'll look at me, youbet. There's old Squire Pennyroyal, he'll be disappointed for one."
"Why will he be disappointed?"
"Because he told dad I was a fool to come out here. He said I'd beback in rags before a year was out. Now, the old man thinks a gooddeal of his opinion, and he won't like it to find how badly he'smistaken."
"Then he would prefer to see you come home in rags?"
"You bet he would."
"How about Susan? Ain't you afraid she has married the store clerk?"
Joshua looked grave for a moment.
"I won't say but she has," said he; "but if she has gone andforgotten about me jest because my back is turned, she ain't the galI take her for, and I won't fret my gizzard about her."
"She will feel worse than you when she finds you have come back withmoney."
"That's so."
"And you will easily find some one else," suggested Joe.
"There's Sophrony Thompson thinks a sight of me," said Mr. Bickford."She's awful jealous of Susan. If Susan goes back on me, I'll callround and see Sophrony."
Joe laughed.
"I won't feel anxious about you, Joshua," he said, "since I find youhave two girls to choose between."
"Not much danger of breakin' my heart. It's pretty tough."
There was a brief silence.
Then Joshua said:
"What are your plans, Joe? Shall you remain in San Francisco?"
"I've been thinking, Mr. Bickford, that I would like to go home on avisit. If I find that I have left my business in good hands in thecity, I shall feel strongly tempted to go home on the same steamerwith you."
"That would be hunky," said Bickford, really delighted. "We'd have ajolly time."
I think we would. But, Mr. Bickford, I have no girls to welcome mehome, as you have."
"You ain't old enough yet, Joe. You're a good-lookin' feller, andwhen the time comes I guess you can find somebody."
"I don't begin to trouble myself about such things yet," said Joe,laughing. "I am only sixteen."
"You've been through considerable, Joe, for a boy of sixteen. I wishyou'd come up to Pumpkin Holler and make me a visit when you're tohome."
"Perhaps I can arrange to be present at your wedding, Mr.Bickford--that is, if Susan doesn't make you wait too long."
While this conversation was going on the dark figure of a man wasprowling near the tent.
"Why don't the fools stop talking and go to sleep," muttered Hogan."I don't want to wait here all night." His wish was gratified.
The two friends ceased talking and lay quite still. Soon Joe's deep,regular breathing and Bickford's snoring convinced the listener thatthe time had come to carry out his plans.
With stealthy step he approached the tent, and stooping over gentlyremoved the nugget from under Joshua's head. There was a bag ofgold-dust which escaped his notice. The nugget was all he thought of.
With beating heart and hasty step the thief melted into the darkness,and the two friends slept on unconscious of their loss.
CHAPTER XXXVIII
HOGAN'S FATE
The sun was up an hour before Joe and Bickford awoke. When Joeopened his eyes he saw that it was later than the hour he intended torise. He shook his companion.
"Is it mornin'?" asked Bickford drowsily.
"I should say it was. Everybody is up and eating breakfast. We mustprepare to set out on our journey."
"Then it is time--we are rich," said Joshua, with sudden remembrance."Do you know, Joe, I hain't got used to the thought yet. I hadactually forgotten it."
"The sight of the nugget will bring it to mind."
"That's so."
Bickford felt for the nugget, without a suspicion that the searchwould be in vain.
Of course he did not find it.
"Joe, you are trying to play a trick on me," he said. "You've takenthe nugget."
"What!" exclaimed Joe, starting. "Is it missing?"
"Yes, and you know all about it. Where have you put it, Joe?"
"On my honor, Joshua, I haven't touched it," said Joe seriously."Where did you place it?"
"Under my head--the last thing before I lay down."
"Are you positive of it?"
"Certain, sure."
"Then," said Joe, a little pale, "it must have been taken during thenight."
"Who would take it?"
"Let us find Hogan," said Joe, with instinctive suspicion. "Who hasseen Hogan?"
Hogan's claim was in sight, but he was not at work. Neither was hetaking breakfast.
"I'll bet the skunk has grabbed the nugget and cleared out,"exclaimed Bickford, in a tone of conviction.
"Did you hear or see anything of him during the night?"
"No--I slept too sound."
"Is anything else taken?" asked Joe. "The bag of dust------"
"Is safe. It's only the nugget that's gone."
The loss was quickly noised about the camp. Such an incident was ofcommon interest. Miners lived so much in common--their property wasnecessarily left so unguarded--that theft was something more thanmisdemeanor or light offense. Stern was the justice which overtookthe thief in those days. It was necessary, perhaps, for it was aprimitive state of society, and the code which in establishedcommunities was a safeguard did not extend its protection here.
Suspicion fell upon Hogan at once. No one of the miners rememberedto have seen him since rising.
"Did any one see him last night?" asked Joe.
Kellogg answered.
"I saw him near your tent," he said. "I did not think anything ofit. Perhaps if I had been less sleepy I should have been more likelyto suspect that his design was not a good one."
"About what hour was this?"
"It must have been between ten and eleven o'clock."
"We did not go to sleep at once. Mr. Bickford and I were talkingover our plans."
"I wish I'd been awake when the skunk come round," said Bickford."I'd have grabbed him so he'd thought an old
grizzly'd got hold ofhim."
"Did you notice anything in his manner that led you to think heintended robbery?" asked Kellogg.
"He was complainin' of his luck. He thought Joe and I got more thanour share, and I'm willin' to allow we have; but if we'd been as lazyand shif'less as Hogan we wouldn't have got down to the nugget atall."
An informal council was held, and it was decided to pursue Hogan. Asit was uncertain in which direction he had fled, it was resolved tosend out four parties of two men each to hunt him. Joe and Kelloggwent together, Joshua and another miner departed in a differentdirection, and two other pairs started out.
"I guess we'll fix him," said Mr. Bickford. "If he can dodge us all,he's smarter than I think he is."
Meanwhile Hogan, with the precious nugget in his possession, hurriedforward with feverish haste. The night was dark and the country wasbroken. From time to time he stumbled over some obstacle, the rootof a tree or something similar, and this made his journey morearduous.
"I wish it was light," he muttered.
Then he revoked his wish. In the darkness and obscurity lay hishopes of escape.
"I'd give half this nugget if I was safe in San Francisco," he saidto himself.
He stumbled on, occasionally forced by his fatigue to sit down andrest.