“Well, he wants to look out or he’ll bust!” said the man who had spoken of the sixty nuggets of gold. “I never heard such rapid-fire conversation.”
“Come on!” burst out Andy. “Everybody’s going—they’re wild—tearing up the tracks!”
“What do you suppose he means?” asked Ned.
“Give it up,” replied Bob. “It’s just some of his nonsense I guess.”
“No—look!” cried Jerry, pointing through the window at several men and boys, with picks and shovels over their shoulders, hurrying toward the railroad. At the same time, from the direction of the station, which was not far from Jerry’s house, could be heard a murmur of many voices.
“By Jove!” cried Ned. “Andy is right! The whole town has gone gold-crazy! Come on, fellows!” and he fairly leaped through the long window.
[CHAPTER III]
DISAPPOINTMENT
Ned’s chums were not long in following him, nor were the two Westerners far behind. Mrs. Hopkins, who had seen her son and his friends come in, wondered much at their sudden departure, with the excitable Andy Rush leading the procession.