“Still, it’s likely others knew he was prospecting in this vicinity.”
“It will be hard luck, Merry, if we find that some one has relocated that claim ahead of us.”
“That’s right,” nodded Frank. “The fact that there is smoke rising from that part of the valley proves it is not impossible to get down there. It’s too late to-day to make any further effort in that direction. We will return to the camp and wait for morning.”
“And if you find other men on the claim, what will you do?”
“I haven’t decided.”
“But it belongs to you!” exclaimed Hodge earnestly. “Clark located it, and when he died he gave you the right to it.”
“Nevertheless, if some one else has found it and has registered his claim, he can hold it.”
“Not if you can prove Clark staked it off and posted notices. Not if you can prove he gave it to you.”
“But I can’t prove that. Clark is dead. He left no will. All he left was quartz in his saddlebags and some dust he had washed from the placer, together with this map I have in my pocket. You see, I would find it impossible to prove my right to the mine if I discovered other parties in possession of it.”
Bart’s look of disappointment increased.