As soon as they were a few yards away, the Cornishman laughed and winked. “I can trust you, and I can trust Bob Tregelly, and that’s me, my sons; but I can’t trust them two where there’s whisky about. They’ve sworn to me that they won’t go amongst it, and I’m not going to let ’em. Now then, I’m about to see if I can’t find something to eat at a reasonable price, and buy it. Have you lads got any money?”
“Yes, a little left,” replied both.
“Then you’d better ware a pound or so the same way; biscuit and bacon and meal, I should say. I’ll meet you yonder at the hotel in an hour, and we’ll pick up what we can about the whereabouts of the stuff; but we shan’t want to stay here long, I expect. Will that do?”
“Yes, in an hour,” said Dallas, and they separated.
There was not much to take the young men’s attention, but they heard a couple of men say that the ice was giving, and another was telling a group of a man having come to the hotel who had done wonders up some creek he and his mates had tried.
“Our friend, Bel,” said Dallas; and soon after, without making any purchases, from the inability to find what they wanted, they strolled back just at dark towards the hotel.
“What a hole!” said Abel, as they approached the place, to find from the lights, the noise, and clattering of drinking-vessels, that a tent which had been stretched over a wooden frame was crowded, and a couple of men in shirt-sleeves were busily going in and out from a side shed of corrugated iron, attending on the assembled guests.
“Evening, gentlemen,” said the elder of the two. “You’ll find room inside. Go right up the middle; there’s more seats there.”
Just then there was a shout of excitement, and the young men looked at one another.
“It’s all right, gents,” said the man, who was evidently the landlord. “We’re having a big night. There’s a man from Upper Creek with a fine sample of gold. I could show you if you like. Happy to bank for you too if you strike it rich, and supply you with stores and good advice. Any one will speak up for me.”