She waited a few moments, then bade him good morning and went across the creek and away amongst the trees beyond; and Harry, resting upon the handle of his cradle, watched her, absorbed, a prey to a set of new emotions that bewildered him hopelessly. He was still in this position when Chris looked back from the hill, and half an hour later Dick Haddon found him day-dreaming amongst the tailings.
Day-dreams were not possible in the vicinity of Richard Haddon. The boy was an ardent fossicker, and loved to be burrowing amongst old tailings, or groping in the sludge of an auriferous creek after little patches. He was soon peering into the ripples of Harry's cradle.
'Poor,' he commented, with the confidence of an expert.
'Not up to much, Dick,' said Harry. 'I've just been prospectin' a bit round here.'
'Frank was tryin' that bank. 'Tain't no good. Say, I can lay you onter somethin' better not far from here.'
'Yes—where is it?'
'Tellin's. What'll you give us?
'Depends. What's it worth?'
'Got half a pennyweight prospect there onst. Look here, you lend me yer dog t'-night, an' I'll show where.'
'What do you want with Cop?'