The mounted band have approached the house by this time. The owner stood awaiting them by the hitching posts. Saluting them as they rode up, he jeered good-humouredly—
"I 'opes yer left a few specks fur them fossikers, gintilmin? 'Twud be too bad to scoop the pool an' leave the old uns nothin' but mullock heaps. At any rate, ye've brought back the tools—cradle an' all. Come now, 'ow did the stuff pan out?"
"I'll tell yer wot we did git, ole man, sore bones an' blistered 'ands. Blame me, but yer soon gits outer the diggin' business. Tried that bit o' stuff I come acrost, wot the kid tole yer erbout. Waal, speakin' in confidence, we didn't git ernuff ter hire a gold escort ter fetch it erlong. We did git a bit—ernuff ter make these young coves a breast-pin apiece. But let me tell yer, one of these days I'm comin' back ter have a good prospect. Keep it close, Smith; I don't want any of these blessed gully-rakers ter smell anythin'."
"Dark it is, young feller. Yer can trust me fer not givin' the show away. Comin' in?"
"No, we're makin' fer 'ome. Just tote the tools ter where youse got 'em, boys, an' then we'll be orf."
The lads speedily discharged, and were in the saddle again. The party was moving off when Harry said to Jago—
"Forgot ter arsk yer whether yer 'eered that Ben Bolt wus shot by Hennessey t'other day."
"Yes, I 'eered it," replied Smith dryly.
"Kid not collared yet?"
"You're more likely ter 'eer about 'im than me: so-long."