he days begin to lengthen again," continued Tregelly.
"What we've got to do is to make as big a heap here as we can during
the winter, wash it out in the spring, and if it's good enough, then
stop here. If it aren't, go and find a better place."

"Yes, that's right," said Dallas. "But about rations. There's nothing
to be got here. Have you brought plenty?"

"Much as ever I could pull, my sons, and I'll take it kindly if you'll
let me camp with you to-night, so that I can leave my swag with you
while I hunt out a claim."

"Of course," cried Dallas; "we'll help you all we can."

"There's that pitch down yonder, Dal," said Abel--"the one we said
looked likely."

"Of course; the place we tried, and which seemed fairly rich."

"That sounds well," said Tregelly. What was more, it looked so well
that the big fellow decided to stay there at once, and put in his pegs,
the only drawback seeming to be its remoteness from the scattered claims
of the others up the creek.

But this did not trouble the big Cornishman in the least. With the help
freely given by his two friends, pines were cut down, a hut knocked
together, and many days had not elapsed before he was working away, and
looking as much at home as if he had been there all the season,
declaring when they met after working hours that it was much better than
anything he and his companions had come across during their travels.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.

A NIGHT ALARM.

"There's a deal in make-believe, Bel, old chap," said Dallas one day, as
they sat together in their rough hut of fir-trunks, brooding over the
fire lit in the centre of the floor, the blinding smoke from which
escaped slowly out of an opening in the roof, when the fierce wind did
not drive it back in company with the fine sharp snow, which was coming
down in a regular blizzard.

"Oh, yes, a deal, if you have any faith," said Abel bitterly; "but
mine's all dead."

"Gammon!" cried Dallas. "You're out of sorts, and that makes you
disposed to find fault. But I must confess that during this blizzardly
storm the Castle hall is a little draughty. These antique structures
generally are."

"Months and months of wandering, slavery and misery, and to come to
this!"

"Yes, you are not at your best, old man. How's the foot?"

"Rotting off as a frozen member will."

"My dear Bel, you want a tonic!" said Dallas cheerily.

"Think you will be able to live through this awful winter, Dal?"

"Live!