“Why?” said Wilton sharply.
“Because, grand as all this part is, it won’t do. A man wouldn’t dry up with starvation and thirst in such a country as this, but get fat and lazy. We’re not anywhere near the map land yet.”
“I’m afraid not,” said the doctor; “but the climate is perfect. One would like to settle here, for some things.”
“One?” said Bourne. “I know two.”
“Three,” said Wilton.
“All of us,” cried Chris.
“I didn’t speak,” said Griggs dryly.
“No; but you said you liked the place if it wasn’t for the Indians,” cried Ned.
“Ah, I wasn’t thinking about the gold then, my lad.”
“The gold!” cried Bourne contemptuously. “What is the gold, after all, but so much yellow metal?”