To the scout there seemed no end to the steps, but he soon found himself walking along upon the level ground.
"Light er couple uv torches," said Bear-Paw, "an' I'll show yer more gold nor yer ever dreamed on."
The scout did so, and the old man's promise was fulfilled.
Some great convulsion of nature had rent in twain the mountain of rock, revealing on all sides countless seams—and they were filled with gold. What he had supposed to be pebbles under his feet, proved on inspection, to be nuggets of pure gold.
He thought not of the treasures by which he was surrounded, but of the Great Architect who had planned it all; and reverently he bowed his head, as if in the immediate presence of the Divine Master.
He was utterly overwhelmed by the magnificent grandeur of his surroundings, and could easily have dreamed himself in fairy-land. Perhaps, when he had gone the way of all the living, strangers would come here and the world would be electrified by the intelligence of the marvelous discoveries they would make.
He had pledged his word that he would not tell any one of the existence of gold in that locality, and yet—poor human nature craved more.
The old trapper stood and watched him, as in mute adoration he contemplated the scene, until finally he said:
"Ef yer wants er mule-load instead uv er back-load, jest help yerself! Ef I peg out in ther scrimmage what ar' sure to come to-morrer, then I won't hold yer to yer promise—yer kin take all yer want, an' tell who yer please."
"I hope you may live many years, and enjoy the wealth that is yours!" replied the scout. "May I ask why you remain here in solitude? It is not natural for men to live alone, and I do not believe you are obliged to hide from your fellow-man."