severe labor, yet he soon
demonstrated his genius and usefulness. He not only constructed a dam,
but made a 'rocker,' or machine, of an original style, that did the
work far more expeditiously and thoroughly than it had yet been done.

While the men were getting the auriferous sand, he separated it from
the particles of dirt and gravel, without any assistance from them,
and without any severe labor for himself.

There was some apprehension upon the part of all that the huge
trapper, whom young Brainerd had met at night, would make his
appearance. Should he do so, it would be certain to precipitate a
difficulty of the worst kind, as he was morose, sullen, treacherous,
envious and reckless of danger.

Baldy Bicknell really feared him more than he did the Indians, and the
constant watchfulness he exercised for several days showed how great
was his apprehension.

Fortunately, indeed, for all concerned, the giant hunter continued his
travels in a different direction, and the miners were undisturbed by
him.

Two weeks passed, by the end of which time the ravine was about
exhausted of its precious stuff, and the miners made their
preparations for going home.

It was impossible to do anything more than conjecture the amount of
wealth they had obtained, but Baldy was sure that there was enough,
when sold, to buy each of them a handsome farm.

'Jerusalem! but naow ain't that good?' exclaimed the delighted Ethan
Hopkins, as he mopped off his perspiring forehead. 'That 'ere
encourages me to take a step that I've often contemplated.'

'What might the same be?'

'Git married: me and Seraphenia Pike hev been engaged for the last ten
years, and now I'll be hanged ef I don't go home and get spliced.'

'And it's myself that'll do the same,' added Mickey, as he executed an
Irish jig on the barren earth in front of their cavern home, after
they had concluded to leave the place.

'Where does she reside?' inquired Ethan.

'Ballyduff, Kings County, in the Oim of the Sea; it's there that lives
the lass that's to have the honor of becoming Mrs. McSquizzle, and
becomin' the mither of her own children. Arrah, but isn't the same a
beauty?'

'The same as my own, Michael,' ventured the Yankee, who deemed it his
duty to correct this general remark of his friend.

'Arrah, now, get cut wid ye! she can't begin wid Miss Bridget
Moghlaghigbogh that resides wid her mither and two pigs on the
outskirts of Ballyduff, in the wee cabin that