, gentlemen, and let us, therefore, dismiss it."

Howard and Lawrence thought it best to introduce the matter upon which
they had been so long meditating.

"I notice that each of you have two guns apiece. Did you leave San
Francisco with that supply?"

"No; we've got 'em of the redskins we've run agin on the way."

"Would you be willing to sell us a couple? You observe we have but one
between us, and it makes it rather dangerous, as none of us are very
skillful in the use of the rifle."

"You needn't take the trouble to tell us that," replied Ned, with a
quizzical look. "I'd like to accommodate you, but we had begun to think
that we needed three or four guns apiece; for, you see, we intend to
stay in these parts some time, and we are sure to have trouble with the
redskins."

"If you really wish them," remarked Elwood, "of course we cannot ask you
to part with them."

"What'll you give?" abruptly asked Ned.

"What will you take?"

"I couldn't sell you both of mine, as I wouldn't have one; but, Wakeman,
if I part with one of mine will you do the same?"

"Yes; for I know they'll need the arms before they get back to San
Francisco."

"Then the question is, what will you ask us for the two guns?"

"Can you give us a hundred dollars?"

"Apiece?"

"No, no, no; for both of 'em."

"Yes; we will gladly do that."

Now came the crisis. The party had not a dozen dollars among them.
Howard and Elwood had left their money in the berth of the steamer, and
of course it was irrevocably gone. But Elwood's watch remained, and that
at the least calculation was worth one hundred and fifty; but whether
the miners would accept it at a fair valuation for their pieces, was in
their minds very doubtful.

"We have no money," said Howard, "but my cousin has a watch that is
worth more than that sum, which he will give you for the two guns."

"Let's see it."

It was produced and passed around the company. Ned opened and shut it,
and shook it and placed it to his ear.

"It ain't running," he suddenly said.

"No; the salt water has stopped it, but I do not think it is really
injured. A little cleaning will speedily set it going."

Ned passed the time-piece back again.

"Don't want it; it won't do us no good."

"But you are hunting for gold, and there is enough in it to make it
worth your while to take it."

"We expect to find all the gold we can carry back with us without
loading our mules down with gold watches."

E