ey slopped around in mud above their ankles.
Dave wore rubber boots and was apparently protected. As a matter of
fact the boots promptly filled with water. Napoleon and Gettysburg
made no effort to remain dry shod, but puddled all day with soused
footgear.

Van rode off to the "reservation town," a mile below the hill, to
bargain for a tent reported there for sale. Sleeping quarters here on
the claim were far too crowded. Until lumber for a cabin could be
purchased they must make what shifts they might.

It had taken but the briefest time for the miners to go at their work.
Beth stood near, watching the process with the keenest interest. It
seemed to her a back-breaking, strenuous labor. These sturdy old
fellows, grown gray and stooped with toil--grown also expectant of
hardship, ill-luck, and privations--were pathetic figures, despite
their ways of cheer.

That Van had attached them to himself in a largeness of heart by no
means warranted by their worth was a conviction at which anyone must
promptly arrive. They were lovable old scamps, faithful, honest, and
loyal to the man they loved--but that was all that could be stated.
Perhaps it was enough. As partners with whom to share both life and
fortune they might have seemed impossible to many discerning men.

Beth sat down on a rock, near Gettysburg. Someway she, too, liked the
three old chaps of whom work had made three trademarks. Old Gettysburg
began to sing. The words of his song, halted by grunts as he shoveled,
were, to say the least, unexpected:

The frog he swore he'd have a ride,
(Shovel)
With a rinktum bolly kimo;
Sword and pistols by his side,
(Shovel)
With a rinktum bolly kimo.
For lunch he packed a beetle bug,
(Shovel)
With a rinktum bolly kimo;
Tucked inside his tummy snug,
(Shovel)
With a rinktum bolly kimo.

Kimo, karo, pito, garo,
Kimo, bolly mitty kimo.
(Shovel)
Shing-shang hammyriddle, allibony, ringtang,
Folderolli bolly mitty kimo.
(Three shovelings and some meditation)

The frog he rode a slimy eel,
(Shovel)
With a rinktum bolly kimo.
The sun made his complexion peel,
(Shovel)
With a rinktum bolly kimo.
The frog's legs went to join a fry,
(Shovel)
With a rinktum bolly kimo.
The eel became a juicy pie,
(Shovel)
With a rinktum bolly kimo.

(Chorus)

Napoleon looke