“Stuff! I didn’t mean that. He came to the river with me, and he’s gone now to light a fire and boil the kettle. He wants to talk to you as he did to me.”
“What about?”
“What about? Why, about this place. He’s red-hot over it, and says it would be madness to go away now and give up real gold for what may after all be nothing better than a dream. What do you think?”
“I?” said Chris, laughing. “That I’ve had enough fighting and tramping to last me for many years to come.”
“Then if I say I’ll stay, will you?”
“I don’t know yet,” said Chris.
“What! Why, you’re never going to run back?”
“I’m not going to run back, nor run forward,” replied Chris. “I’m going to do just what my father does, and in spite of your talk I believe you’ll stand by Mr Bourne.”
“Of course,” cried Ned; “but he’s sure to say he’ll stay. There’s only your father and Wilton on the other side, so we shall be four to two if you’ll stand by me. Now what do you say?”
“Nothing at present; let’s wait.”