CHAPTER XXII
HEART SEARCHINGS
Dad Seddon was delighted with the part Nance had taken in the drama which had just been enacted. His eyes beamed with admiration, and the somewhat surly expression vanished entirely from his face.
"By the horns of a moose!" he exclaimed, turning toward the young woman, "I did feel mighty sore that first night ye beat me at chess. It was a great come-down, so I thought, to be licked by a woman. But I fergive ye now, fer ye've done a deed this mornin' which makes us all proud of ye."
"How would you like another game?" Nance laughingly replied. "We haven't had one for some time."
"What! this mornin'?"
"Certainly. Right away."
"It's a go. I'm there every time. Bring on the weapons of war, an' we'll have a royal battle."
Tom and the rest smiled good naturedly at the old prospector's enthusiasm. They stayed for a while watching the two facing each other across the little deal table. Then, after a few words with Pete, they swung away from the cabin toward the river.
"We've important business over yon," Tom had explained. "We may be needed there jist at present."