“Emigrant,” said Esau.
“No; I am a prospector.”
“I know,” cried Esau, eagerly. “I’ve copied lots of ’em for prospectors—prospectuses. You get up companies?”
“No,” said Gunson, smiling. “The companies follow sometimes. I am a prospector—a searcher for mineral veins and deposits in the mountains. I was convinced that there was gold up here, and we have just had proof that I am right. That Chinaman you see is bound on a similar mission, for those fellows have a wonderful scent for gold. And you see that those big roughs that he calls Melican men, but who were undoubtedly English, have been up here, and found gold. That is a surprise and an encouragement, and a damping, all in one, for it may mean a regular rush of people up the river. Now do you see why I have kept my counsel so long?”
“Yes,” I cried.
“Of course,” said Esau; “but why didn’t you say so before? You might have trusted us.”
“Why didn’t you become friendly before, my lad? you might have trusted me.”
Esau looked at him comically, and gave one ear a rub.
“Now then,” said Gunson, “shall we travel on together in company?”
“Of course,” I cried.