Old Madge appeared to be wonderfully interested in the proceedings; and Ben did not quite like the expression of his countenance when he looked upon the gold. Neither did he like a look of envy which could be seen upon the faces of some others.
“Can’t please everybody,” Ben said to himself, with a shrug. “Some people never like to see any one else succeed.”
The rest of it was pleasant enough. There was a sort of Fourth-of-July excitement about it that was most exhilarating.
After the last hanger-on had gone and the gates were shut for the night, Mundon remarked that he would go down-town to get a new fitting that was needed.
“We got twice as much gold to-day as we did yesterday,” he said as he turned to go. “Mebbe we’ll get twice as much as this to-morrer—it’s bound to vary. But, anyway, we’re all right. Well, so long! I’ll be back inside of an hour.”
“So long!” Ben replied.
Left alone on the scene of his triumph, Ben surveyed the mass of rubbish and endeavored to estimate how much it would yield.
He had supposed himself to be alone, and was surprised to see a Chinaman standing in the opening above the little strip of beach.
“What do you want here?” Ben demanded.