The miners did not seem to mind it much, for they had made considerable money lately, and had not had a chance to spend it. They hurried to change their clothes, for a vacation in town. As for Jerry and his chums, once they understood that Noddy had no special advantage over them, and that the court would rule on the question, they were not much alarmed. They did not like their old enemy to gain even this advantage over them, but it could not be helped, and they had no fear but that they would ultimately be declared the real owners of the mine. Meanwhile, no harm would result, as no gold could be taken from it. At first Noddy and his two cronies seemed about to make a determined effort to take physical possession of the diggings, but when they understood that the deputy sheriff meant what he said, and realized that Jim, Tod, and the three boys would be more than a match for them physically, they decided to withdraw.
They went down the road they had come, casting malevolent glances at our heroes; but Jerry, Ned and Bob did not mind these.
“Well, I’m glad that job’s over,” announced Malone, as he saw Noddy disappear. “I didn’t want to serve any papers for those scoundrels, for I believe that’s what they are. I couldn’t help it, however. I think there was crooked work somewhere, to enable them to get even the claim they say they have, but the court will soon settle it. Meanwhile, you gentlemen can do as you like around here. It’s only the mine that is sealed. You can start another if you like, and, of course, you are still in possession of the buildings, bunk houses and the like. In fact, I hope you’ll remain, for it’s going to be a mighty lonesome job for me to stay here on guard all the while, alone.”
“Yes, I guess we’ll stay,” said Jim. “There’s lots of things I’ve been wanting to do, but I haven’t had a chance. I want to go hunting mountain lions, but I didn’t feel like leaving when we were taking out so much gold. Now that I can’t get at it, I’ll take a vacation.”
“Well, I don’t know as I blame you,” agreed Malone.
“Say, this is just the thing for you!” suddenly exclaimed Sledge Hammer Tod. “It’s a lucky thing this happened.”
“I don’t see that,” remarked Jim. “How do you figure it out?”
“Why, you can go with the boys and me in the airship to hunt for Lost Valley,” replied the old miner. “It’s just the chance for you. Between us we ought to be able to locate the place, and rescue the Deering crowd.”
Jim thought deeply for a few minutes. Then, slapping his leg with a noise like a pistol shot, he announced:
“By cracky! I believe you’re right. I will go with you. That is, if that airship shebang is safe,” he added cautiously.