It seemed to me as if he were waiting for me to talk to him, for he was very silent; and at last, as I suggested that it was growing late, he turned back toward the Fort, whose gates we had just reached, when I suddenly became aware of a figure standing there.
“Mr Raydon,” I said.
“Yes. Been having a walk?”
“Down as far as the river,” replied Gunson. “By the way,” he continued sharply, “what should you say to my trying your streams about here?”
I saw Mr Raydon start slightly, but his voice sounded quite calm as he replied—
“That you had better follow out your original plans.”
“You would not recommend me to try?”
“Decidedly not.”
We all went in, and after sitting for a time, Gunson rose to go to rest.
Quong had a famous breakfast ready next morning, of which I too partook; and an hour later we saw Gunson once more on his way, Mr Raydon accompanying us, till with a careless wave of the hand the prospector went off, and we returned to the Fort.