The train disposed of all these dreams in a moment; for, how could they pick up nuggets along a line of “permanent way,” as Jupp would have called it—a beaten track that thousands traversed every day by the aid of the potent iron-horse and a bucket of hot water?
It was scandalous that Val hadn’t told him of the railroad!
It dispelled all the romance of the expedition at once, he thought grumblingly. Despite all Mr Capstan’s bullying, he had not run away from the ship for that; so he was not at all in a mood to have any conversation with such an unprincipled fellow as Val, who ought to have enlightened him before.
“Well?” he said again, seeing that young Maitland hesitated about proceeding, his grumpy tone acting as a sort of damper to his contemplated eloquence.
“I say, old fellow,” then began Val again, making a fresh start and blurting out his question, “have you got any money?”
Teddy was all sympathy now.
A comrade in distress should never appeal to him in vain!
So he commenced searching his pockets.
“I ought to have some,” he said. “Father gave me a five-pound note before I left home, and Uncle Jack when I was in London with him tipped me a sovereign, and I haven’t spent or changed either for that matter; but, now I come to think of it, they’re both in my chest in the cabin. I never thought of taking them out before we left the Greenock.”
“That’s precious unlucky,” observed Val, searching his pockets too, and trying each vainly in turn. “I’ve only a couple of shillings left now after paying for the railway tickets. Whatever shall we do?”