“Perhaps we found the Taku Pass.”
“And we’ve lost it,” groaned Dawson.
“We’ll fight for it, then!” shouted Darwood.
“You might wait until there’s need for fighting, Mr. Darwood,” said Tad contemptuously. He then went on to describe the totem pole, while his listeners became more and more excited. They got out an old map, and after studying it Tad said:
“It is the Taku Pass that Stacy and I discovered. As it is undoubtedly yours, we relinquish all claim to the land.”
“How much do you want for the relinquishment?” asked Dawson.
“Nothing. Sit down and have breakfast with us and then we will lead you to the place.”
“I can’t say much,” said Darwood falteringly. “We’ve been a bunch of driveling idiots.”
After breakfast Anvik was sent to the men’s 207camp for pans and implements and supplies, and the others set off in Tad Butler’s wake to explore the gulch.
At one point the party found a slender vein of pure gold, enough to give hope that the vein broadened out farther on. Tad, in a cavelike niche, saw a gray streak of ore that reached for a long distance. A piece of this about the size of a goose egg lay at his feet. It was heavy, and he put it in his pocket to show to the others.