“And then retire and live on the fat of the land, I suppose,” Teddy put in. “Anyhow, we’ll take a crack at fortune!”
“Here’s hopin’ she smiles,” the puncher muttered. “In fact, I wouldn’t kick if she grinned wide enough to split her mouth. See you later, boys!”
CHAPTER XIII
Off to Nugget Camp
That evening the sole topic of conversation on the X Bar X was the intended trip to Nugget Camp.
Strangely enough, the fact that Teddy and Roy and a few others were going did not tend to excite the rest of the punchers, or cause them to throw up their jobs and head for the gold fields. They felt, perhaps, that good jobs did not grow on every sagebush, and the reputation of the X Bar X ranch for fair treatment of the hands and for excellent food was known far and wide. Most of the new men decided to stay on, and let those who would test their luck in other lands.
Jack Conroy, when he learned that his partner, Silent, was going, at first declared his intention of accompanying him. But Silent took him to one side, and the result of the conference was that Jack remained at the ranch.
Pop, as garrulous as ever, spent the evening in telling those who would listen of the many times he had participated in gold rushes.
“Course, I knew more about it than most of them waddies,” he would say. “An’ as soon as I see those funny specks of yeller stuff I’d tell ’em to locate there. You bet they did, too.” He would hesitate a moment, and, reaching back, would tap the bunk-house wall. “Some of the rock was as soft as this wood. Softer, some of it.”
“And they found the gold?”
“Well, they did an’ they didn’t. I mind one time—”