and then he would be back
again where he had been the day before, and for years back. The dream of
his life had been fulfilled, and he was in no position to enjoy it.
Oftentimes God grants our wishes only to show us how little they add to
our happiness.

It was no light burden--this heavy nugget which he was forced to carry
with him, and, drowsy as he was, more than once he stumbled with it and
came near falling. But at last he saw before him a cabin--deserted,
apparently--and his heart was filled with joy. It would afford him a
place to obtain needed repose, and there would be some means of hiding
his rich treasure.

He peered timidly into the cabin and found it empty. On the floor in the
corner was a pallet. He put the nugget under the upper part, thus
raising it and supplying the place of a pillow. It was hard enough, as
the reader will imagine, but it was better than nothing; and appeared to
combine 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 consciousness
came, and with anxious thought he felt for the nugget. It was still
there, 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 the
cabin. This man was such another as himself--an adventurer--and the
tramp remembered to have seen him about the camp. He was an ill-favored
man, poorly dressed, and might have passed for a brother of the first
comer so far as his moral qualities and general appearance were
concerned.

"Halloa!" the new arrival said, gazing with a little surprise at the
prostrate man.

"Halloa," returned the other, surveying the new arrival with
apprehension.

"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 in
possession of the nugget. Yet he did not know how to refuse w