"Hard at work, eh?" asked Stapleton, as he looked over the edge of the hole.
"Yes, we're in a hurry to get to that gold," rejoined Tom cheerfully.
"That's right. That's the spirit to show," exclaimed Ingalls in a way that for him was quite hearty.
"How soon do you think we'll strike it?" asked Jack.
"In a few days sure. You're not getting impatient?"
"No, but when a fellow feels he's right close to a fortune, he can't help being anxious to close his fists on it as quickly as possible," said Tom.
"Well, you might as well knock off now," said Stapleton. "We'll have a bite of lunch and then turn in."
The boys came out of the pit, and you may be sure that they did not display much reluctance in doing so. They followed Stapleton and his partner up to the cave, where Rufus had some hot tea brewed and the remains of the supper to furnish them with a snack. As the boys drank their tea, the negro looked at them scowlingly. His every action showed dislike and hatred of the boys. He played his part to perfection, yet never made the mistake of overacting it.
After their lunch the boys declared that they felt so sleepy that they could slumber like logs till morning. They were shown a place to lay their blankets by Rufus, who grumbled at having to wait on them, to the huge delight of Stapleton and his partner.
"But we must be up early," said Stapleton, "the rising sun must find us out with our picks and shovels."