tons, passed through the stamp.

The soldiers, on their return from their victory over the Sioux, had
spread the news of the wonderful find of gold at Minturne Creek, and
miners had flocked up in hundreds. When the pocket was emptied, a
debate arose whether a heading should be driven along the course of the
lode to the spot where Mr Rawlings' cousin had struck gold, and where
it was probable that another pocket existed. It was, however, decided
to accept the offer of a body of wealthy speculators, who offered
100,000 pounds for the set. This was indeed far less than they would
have gleaned from it had the second pocket turned out as rich as the
first, for the gold, when all the quartz was crushed, amounted in value
to 350,000 pounds. Half of the total amount was divided by Mr
Rawlings, according to his promise, among the miners. Seth receiving
three shares, Noah Webster two, and the men one each. To Ernest Wilton
he gave one-fourth of his own share of the proceeds.

Then, starting from the spot where they had toiled so hard, the little
band set out for the haunts of civilisation once more, leaving behind,
where they had found a solitary valley, a place dotted with huts and
alive with busy men.

At Bismark the men separated, some to proceed back to their beloved
California, to star it among their fellows with their newly acquired
wealth, others to dissipate it in riotous living in the nearest frontier
towns, while others again, struck with the greed of gold, thought that
they had not yet got enough, and proceeded rapidly to gamble away what
they had.

Mr Rawlings went eastwards towards Boston, intending to take steamer
thence to England, which he resolved never to leave again in the pursuit
of adventure now that fortune had so generously befriended him; and with
him came Ernest Wilton, taking charge of his recovered cousin; and Seth,
who could not bear to lose sight of his former protege.

Josh and Jasper had been left behind, the two darkeys sinking their
mutual jealousy, and determining to start a coloured hotel on the
Missouri, for the benefit of travelling gentlemen of their own
persuasion; so too had Noah Webster, who said he liked hunting better
than civilisation, and intended to pass the remainder of his days out
west in the company of Moose, who was as eager after game as he was
himself and as fearless of the Indians, should they again trouble them,
after their Minturne Creek experiences.

Wolf, how