“Well, it’s too hot to go on any further,” said Esau. “Let’s go back. Ugh! see how black we’re getting. I say, look! I can’t see a single green thing. Everything’s burnt!”
“Yes,” I said; “and this was to have been our home.”
“What!” cried Esau, giving such a start that he raised a little puff of black dust.
“This valley, with its pleasant meadows and the park-like entrance, was to have been our home. Mr Raydon had chosen it for Mr and Mrs John.”
“Well,” cried Esau; “then it is too bad. It was bad enough before for such a glorious place to be burned up; but as it was to have been ours—Oh, I hope they’ll transport those fellows for life.”
We tramped back, having seen enough of the desolation to make our hearts ache, and stayed for a couple of hours in the lower part catching trout to take back with us before starting homeward, and passing two parties of gold-diggers from the coast on their way to the Golden Valley.
They asked us eagerly to direct them, and I showed them the way with a curious feeling of dissatisfaction.
But that was of little use, for if I had not pointed out the way some one else would, for the news had spread far and wide, and the gold-washing was going on more vigorously every day. Crowds of people were flocking up the valleys, some to gain fortunes, but the greater part nothing but ill-health and disappointment.
The constant accessions of strangers made it the more difficult for Gunson’s claim to be held; but, in spite of all opposition and complaint, this was done, the four men, or others in their place, being always kept on guard.
At last came the day when, in spite of Mr Raydon’s advice to stay longer, Gunson declared himself quite strong and well.