"We have come," the leader of the party said, "to congratulate you in the name of the hull of this mining camp on having pretty well cleared out that gang of stage-robbers. The safety of the roads air a matter of great importance to this camp, as well as to all the other camps in the State, seeing that we air obliged to pay a heavy rate of insurance on our gold being carried down, and have the risk of losing it all if we takes it down ourselves; therefore it air the opinion of this community that you have done them a considerable sarvice, and we are obliged to you."
The four members of the deputation then shook Frank solemnly by the hand.
"I can only say I am much obliged to you," Frank said, "and I only regret that one of the four got off safe. However, they had a lesson, and I hope the roads will be safer in future."
"Now," the spokesman of the deputation said, "let's liquor."
Five glasses were poured out by the bar-tender, and drunk off solemnly; this was considered to bring the ceremony to a close.
In the evening Frank was sitting around a fire with some of his acquaintances, when two persons were seen approaching.
"Can you tell me," one of them said, when he got up to the group, "whether Frank Norris is in the camp, and if so, where I can find him?"
Frank sprang to his feet with a cry of astonishment.
"Uncle," he exclaimed, "is it you, or am I dreaming?"
"My dear boy," Captain Bayley exclaimed, as he grasped Frank's hand, "thank God we have found you! We have been advertising and looking for you ever since you left, nearly three years ago."