Early on the following morning, after bidding good-bye to the villagers, the Overlanders rode away. On the way, Miss Briggs told her companions of her experiences during her absence, omitting any reference to the bag of gold and the diary. Even Hamilton White had no idea that she possessed it, so far as she was aware, though Elfreda was not so certain that he did not suspect her having the bag of gold.
It was noticed by at least one of the party that Miss Briggs and the guide had little to say to each other that day; in fact, they seemed to avoid each other. Not so with Emma Dean, who kept as close to Hamilton White as she could, hanging on his words and showing her keen interest in him in the expression of her eyes. At supper that evening, however, Elfreda asked him a direct question.
“Mr. White, have you ever heard of a stream known as Lost River?” she asked.
“I have,” spoke up Stacy Brown. “I fell in it the other night when they had the fireworks at Silver Creek village.”
“I believe there is an old Indian legend of some sort about Lost River—something to do with gold or silver,” replied the guide, giving her a swift, appraising glance.
“Is there such a thing as an Indian legend about ‘Grandma and the Children’?” persisted Elfreda.
“Ha, ha! That’s a good one. Did they fall into the foaming flood also?” demanded Chunky in a loud voice.
“Children should be seen and not heard,” rebuked Emma sternly.
“Is that why you are so quiet to-day, Miss Dean?” asked the boy.
“I am quiet, Stacy Brown, because you so disturb the atmosphere that one has to shout to make herself heard at all,” returned Emma with great dignity.