rk now."

"Well, that's pretty well for a beginning," Abe said, "though you
wouldn't have much of your four ounces left if you had had to pay for
grub. However, we've brought up another half-sack of flour, twenty
pounds of sugar, and five pounds of tea, and a half-side of bacon, so we
have got quite enough to go on for a long time yet. I have brought up,
too, a good stout tent, which will hold us comfortable, and, after
paying for all that, here's thirty pounds in money. I got five pounds a
horse-load, so with your earnings and ours we haven't made a bad week's
work; that's pretty nigh ten pounds a man. I don't say that's anything
wonderful, as times goes here; but when we hit on a good spot for our
digging, we shall pick it up quick. Now let's pitch the new tent, and
then we will have supper, for I can tell you walking twenty-five miles
in this mountain air gives one something like an appetite."

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XIV.

CAPTAIN BAYLEY.

DURING the time which had elapsed between the departure of Frank Norris
from England, and his arrival at the gold-diggings in California, much
had happened at home which he would have been interested to learn had he
maintained any communication with his relatives there. On the morning
when Frank had been accused by Dr. Litter of abstracting the note from
his table, the latter had, as he had informed Frank he intended to do,
sent a note to Captain Bayley informing him that a most painful
circumstance had taken place with reference to his nephew, and begging
him to call upon him between twelve and one.

Captain Bayley had done so, and had, as Fred Barkley stated, been
furious at the news which the Doctor conveyed to him; his fury, however,
being in no degree directed towards his nephew, but entirely against the
head-master for venturing to bring so abominable an accusation against
Frank.

The evidence which Dr. Litter adduced had no effect whatever in staying
his wrath, and so vehement and angry was the old officer, that Dr.
Litter was obliged to ring the bell and order the servant to show him
out. From Dean's Yard he took a cab, and drove direct to his solicitor,
and requested him instantly to take proceedings against the head-master
for defamation of character.

"But, Captain Bayley," the lawyer urged, "we must first see whether this
gentleman had any reasonable cause for his belief. If the evidence is
what may be considered as strong, we must accept his action a