"Yes, you watch out that you don't git into trouble. Don't trust 'em an inch."
"I won't."
The return to camp was hailed with delight by Bob and Mark, who listened in amazement to the tale the old miner had to tell. They all agreed that they must go armed in the future, and two good pistols were purchased without delay. More than this, the boys spent some time in shooting at a mark, doing very well after a little practice.
"After this we'll have to go on the principle that every man is an enemy until he proves himself a friend," said Bob. "It's a hard way to do, but it can't be helped."
As soon as Mark felt strong enough for the journey, they moved their camp up the mountain-side. Tillie West went with them, and so did her father and mother and two miners named Dawson and Keith. The boys and Maybe Dixon were glad to have the others in the colony, as it would have been lonely otherwise. Besides, Si wanted Tillie to go along, and the young housekeeper would not go without her father and mother.
It was a clear and rather cool, breezy day when Maybe Dixon led the boys to the new diggings and staked out his claim. Mr. West staked a claim close by, and the other miners did the same. Then all began to work, anxious to see what the "bonanza," as Maybe Dixon termed it, would bring forth.
The spot was between two hills of rocks and dirt. There had once been a stream there, but this had long since dried up. The place had a low growth of bushes which were cleared away after some labor. It was not long after this that they got down to pay dirt.
"Ten dollars at least to a panful," announced Maybe Dixon. "Ain't that rich?"
"It's fine!" declared Mark, who was looking on. He did not feel strong enough as yet to go to work.
The others were more than satisfied, especially as some small nuggets were found, and all went to work with a will. The claims of the other miners were also satisfactory, and soon more men drifted to the spot until the colony numbered a score or more. It was called the Maybe Hill settlement, after Maybe Dixon, much to that individual's satisfaction.