"Some of them spoke of doing it."
"We are going to turn you, Ruff, and the two Mexicans over to the law." And a week later this was done. Soapy Gannon was also placed under arrest, but was used as a witness against the others. Morgan Fitzsimmons went to a hospital for two months and was afterwards tried and sentenced to several years in prison, and a long term of imprisonment fell also to the share of Sag Ruff. The two Mexicans were sent to Mexico, where they had to answer to several grave charges, and were also placed in durance vile.
As soon as he had Morgan Fitzsimmons' confession in his possession, Mark had a duplicate made of it by a notary public and forwarded the same to his step-father. In return Jadell Powers sent a long letter, in which he begged Mark to forgive him for suspecting the lad. He added that he was glad Mark was doing so well and that he could remain in California as long as he pleased.
"Maybe he was afraid you'd make it warm for him," suggested Maybe Dixon.
"Some day I am going back to Philadelphia and make him make a full settlement," answered Mark. "But I guess that time is a good way off yet."
The four partners had learned the lesson that it was not safe, in such a rough country, to keep much gold on hand, and Maybe Dixon and Si made a journey to Sacramento, where they placed the nuggets and most of the dust in the hands of a responsible banker, who gave them proper credit. Si sent ten thousand dollars to his folks, much to their unbounded amazement and gratification.
As soon as matters had quieted down a little the boys and Maybe Dixon set to work to clear away the rocks and dirt deposited over the little cavern by the landslide. This was hard labor, but when winter came the work was done, and during the cold weather they spent their time in enlarging the opening. They found quite a number of nuggets, and a "pay streak" that made their hearts leap with joy. The claim was properly staked out and recorded, and Andrew West took a claim on one side of them, and Josiah Socket located on the other. Later on all of the claims were merged into one concern, the Golden Pick Mining Company, a corporation which became one of the best known in California.
When Mark finally returned to Philadelphia his step-father treated him with every consideration. Mark was then of age and rich, and to Jadell Powers nothing had so much value as money.
"You deserve your success, my lad," said he. "I wish you well." And then and there all their quarrels were dropped and a just settlement made all around. Then Mark went back to California, to settle down. He married one of the Socket girls, a beautiful miss of seventeen, and led a happy and prosperous life. Si married Tillie West, and they made a most loving and affectionate couple. Bob remained a bachelor, and having acquired a good-sized fortune went to traveling, covering nearly every quarter of the globe.
THE END