long, he was so industrious
and so inoffensive, that the boys began to have a sort of affection for
the boy who had come so far to "help the folks."

Finally, some weak miner, unable to hold the open secret any longer,
told the Pet about Grump's operation in dust. Great was the astonishment
of the young man, and puzzling miners gained sympathy from the weak eyes
and open mouth of the Pet as he meandered homeward, evidently as much
at a loss as themselves.

Unlucky was the spirit which prompted Grump in the selection of his
claim! It was just beyond a small bend which the Run made, and was,
therefore, out of sight of the claims of the other men belonging to the
camp. And it came to pass that while Pet was standing on his own claim,
leaning on his spade, and puzzling his feeble brain, there came down the
Run the great Broady, chief of the Jolly Grasshoppers, who were working
several miles above.

Mr. Broady had found a nugget a few days before, and, in his exultation,
had ceased work and become a regular member of the bar. A week's
industrious drinking developed in him that peculiar amiability and
humanity which is characteristic of cheap whisky, and as Pet was small,
ugly and alone, Broady commenced working off on him his own superfluous
energy.

Poor Pet's resistance only increased the fury of Broady, and the family
at Pawkin Centre seemed in imminent danger of being supported by the
town, when suddenly a pair of enormous stubby hands seized Broady by the
throat, and a harsh voice, which Pet joyfully recognized as Grump's,
exclaimed:

"Let him go, or I'll tear yer into mince-meat, curse yer!"

The chief of the Jolly Grasshoppers was not in the habit of obeying
orders, but Grump's hands imparted to his command considerable moral
force.

No sooner, however, had Broady extricated himself from Grump's grasp
than he drew his revolver and fired. Grump fell, and the chief of the
Jolly Grasshoppers, his injured dignity made whole, walked peacefully
away.

The sound of the shot brought up all the boys from below.

"They've fit!" gasped the doubter, catching his breath as he ran, "an'
the boy--boy's hed to--lay him out."

It seemed as if the doubter might be right, for the boys found Grump
lying on the ground bleeding badly, and the Pet on his hands and knees.

"How did it come 'bout?" asked the colonel of Pet.

"Broady done it," replied Grump, in a hoarse whisper; "he pounded the
boy, and I tackled him--then he f