And, without further words, Teddy tipped his hat upon one side of his head, placed his arms akimbo, a la Barney Williams, and executed a jig, dancing back and forth and around old Stebbins, who, having received the yellow nugget from his hand, smelt and tasted and “hefted” it, until no doubt could remain that they had secured a most valuable piece of pure virgin gold.
By-and-by Teddy became exhausted and ceased dancing.
“We’ve sthruck luck, haven’t we?” he asked, as he nudged the old trapper in the ribs.
“Yas; thar ain’t no gitting over that,” he answered, as he handed back the heavy chunk; “that’s worth several beaver hides. Why don’t you take it?”
But Teddy declined receiving it.
“It’s a prisent to you, to ’mind yees of this day’s hunt.”
“Thar’s little danger of my furgettin’ it,” returned the trapper, as he carefully placed the prize in his pocket; “but s’pose we don’t find no more.”
“Little fear; but let’s folly the sthraam down—hark!”
Both listened. As the channel of the stream was quite smooth at this point, scarcely any noise was made; but, as they stood motionless and listening, they heard a distinct roar, the meaning of which was clear to all.
“The stream kenyons afore it goes much further,” remarked old Stebbins, as they resumed their progress.