"Don't you think that those revenue officers noticed that mine?" asked Mr. Anderson suddenly.
"They probably did but thought nothing of it as they were so intent on catching Field and finding out what he had been doing," said Mr. Waterman.
"We can't be sure of that," said Mr. Anderson. "I think it would be best for Bill and me to get out as fast as we can without attracting attention and put in a claim for this gulch at once."
"You'll have to put in a mining claim for this to be any good," said Mr. Waterman.
"I'll fix that," was the reply. "I'll put in a full claim, which means that if any minerals are found on the land, they belong to the owner of the land if found by him and half the same if discovered by any other person."
"Do you think that we can get to Lac Parent to-night?" asked Bill.
"If we start right away," said Mr. Anderson.
Everything was full of excitement until the two had departed on the back trail. We shall not follow them but merely mention that in due course of time, Mr. Anderson filed a claim for the gulch, the same to be paid for at the regular settler's rates. It seemed that the big timber companies had had men down into the gulch and because of the difficulties in getting out the lumber they had not bought the timber on this particular part of the country. This was very fortunate, for Mr. Anderson was thus able to buy the land outright, to be paid for after it had been regularly surveyed. The preliminary papers were signed and the two then heaved a sigh of relief as they now knew that they were secure in their discovery.
We shall thus leave them and return to the others. These latter spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the sides of the gulch. Mr. Waterman saw further evidences of mineral wealth and grew very enthusiastic over the prospects. They slept in the spy's cabin that night and were very cozy around the open fireplace that had been built at one side of the room.
"This is some cabin," said Mr. Waterman the next morning. "Field was very comfortable here, I'll bet."