They knew just where to dig now, and five minutes later Jed and Will had uncovered their store of gold. Such a shout as went up from the men, old Gabe joining in!
"We've struck a bonanza!" cried Ted.
And so they had; for when they came to stake out their claims, they found the indications were of such richness that the mines bid fair to be regular bonanzas. At Gabe's suggestion they formed a sort of company, taking in the men who had come with Ted at such an opportune time. Because they were the discoverers of the gold mine, Jed and Will were given larger shares than any of the others, though there was enough for all.
"Now we must write and tell dad of our good luck," proposed Jed one night, in the new camp that had been formed near the place where the nuggets were found.
"And I'll mail the letter," promised Ted. "I've got to ride to the town to-morrow."
CHAPTER XXIII
CHEERLESS PROSPECTS
While Jed and his brother were having such exciting times in the West, matters at the Crosby farm were going along in their usual slow fashion.
The first few days after Jed and Will, in company with Gabe Harrison, had departed, Mrs. Crosby and her daughter Nettie were very lonesome.