A dawning of intelligence came upon Jackson. “No,” he said; “but,” he added bitterly, “what's the use? He owns the water now,—I couldn't work it.”
“But, Jack, IF you found the color, this would be a MINING claim! You could claim the water right; and, as it's your land, your claim would be first!”
Jackson was startled. “Yes, IF I found the color.”
“You WOULD find it.”
“WOULD?”
“Yes! I DID—on the sly! Yesterday morning on your slope by the stream, when no one was up! I washed a panful and got that.” She took a piece of tissue paper from her pocket, opened it, and shook into her little palm three tiny pin points of gold.
“And that was your own idea, Jossy?”
“Yes!”
“Your very own?”
“Honest Injin!”