“Like this?” said Brace, shaking the bowl, as he began to feel a peculiar interest in the proceedings.
“No,” said the American: “like this.” And, stooping down and holding his bowl just under water, he gave it a few dexterous twists which brought all the bigger stones and pieces to one side, so that he could sweep them off with his hand into the river again.
“I say, you’ve done this sort of thing pretty often before,” cried Brace.
“Yes, a few times,” said Briscoe, laughing. “Up in the north-west in cañon and gulch, with the Indians waiting for one. Come, go ahead; there are no Indians here.”
“There don’t seem to be,” said Brace, imitating his companion’s acts and washing away till nothing was left in the bottom of the two bowls but half a handful of fine sand.
“Did you find much gold up yonder?” said Brace, shaking away at his bowl.
“Lots,” said Briscoe coolly.
“And made yourself rich?”
“No,” said the American drily; “I made myself as poor as a rat.”
“I don’t understand! How was that? You found gold?”