Keeping up a fire of small-talk, Brown enlivened many a mile of their first day’s journey, and finally succeeded in making his companion take a brighter view of their prospects. They made about twenty miles by dark, and then built a fire beside the road and went into camp.
Chase awoke once during the night and saw Brown sitting by the fire, engaged in tying his money up in his handkerchief. He simply noted the fact, and would never have thought of it again, had it not been brought to his mind by an incident that happened the next day. They were walking along toward the close of the afternoon, when Brown, who had kept up a constant singing and story-telling, suddenly paused and put his hand into his pocket. He opened his eyes, felt in his other pocket, then threw down his bundle and began a thorough examination of his clothing.
“What’s the matter?” asked Chase.
“Matter enough,” replied his companion, glancing back along the road. “I’ve lost my money.”
CHAPTER XVII.
WHAT CAME OF IT.
“Yes, sir, I have lost my money,” repeated Brown, pulling out each of his pockets in succession, to show that they were all empty. “I haven’t got a red cent.”
“But it wasn’t in your pocket,” said Chase, as soon as he had recovered from his surprise.
“Eh?” exclaimed Brown, his face assuming a genuine look of astonishment now. “How do you know it wasn’t?”