be on his guard now."

"Of course he will. I don't mean that we should repeat the blunder of
last night. You may be sure he won't keep it in his cabin another
night."

"Then how are we to get it?"

"Follow him to Melbourne. He'll carry it there, and on the way we can
relieve 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 to
the camp, and find out what we can about his plans. Do you think anyone
saw 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 more
till I have had breakfast."

After half an hour's walking--it was only half a mile, but the soil was
boggy, rendering locomotion difficult--they reached a humble wayside
cabin, which was in some sort a restaurant, and by dint of diplomacy and
a promise of speedy payment, they secured a meal to which, despite their
disappointment, they did ample justice.

Breakfast over, they resumed their fatiguing walk, and reached the
mining camp about ten o'clock.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE NUGGET IN SAFETY.

Fatigued by their exertions of the previous days and the late hours they
had kept, Obed and the boys rose at a later hour than usual. About eight
o'clock Obed opened his eyes, and noticed that his two young companions
were 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 sunshine
entering 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. Their
success of the day before made it a matter of indifference whether they
accomplished 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, and
get 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," said
Harry, 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 for
it."

After breakfast the three emerged f