“But dey will carry you off—dat’s what dey will do.”
“Do you think we are going to find any gold?” inquired Edwin.
“We may and we may not; the chances are equally good in almost any place in this section.”
“I suppose there is plenty of hunting?”
“Yes; and we will let you range the woods. Jim may look for gold, while I keep my eye on this island. I think we shall all find enough to interest us.”
“I’s no ’bjection, so long as I don’t have to hunt spooks,” replied the negro.
“It seems to me,” continued George, pointing to the south, “that off yonder must be a good place for our camping ground. Suppose we make a search there?”
“Dat’s good,” said Jim, with a pleased countenance, “don’t you see dat de mule has got his head turned dat way. Jus’ wait a minute.”
The animal was shoved a little to one side, so as to go clear of the tree, when he instantly started off on his long, loping walk, while the rest followed.
The point indicated by George Inwood was a mile away, and when they reached it, they found themselves on the border of a large wood, with an undergrowth of almost impenetrable density. A small stream of clear cold water gushed silently forth; and, following up the pebbly bed of this for several yards, they made an abrupt turn to the right, when they fixed upon their camping ground. A small space was cleared off, and their tent erected, when they made search for a grazing ground for their horses. This was found without much difficulty, and, by the middle of the afternoon, they were fairly settled in their new quarters.