"Where did you get it? How came you to make such a fool of yourself?" demanded the new-comer, frowning heavily.
"You know that Yankee and the two boys who have a claim next to Pickett's?"
"Well?"
"Last night I was coming from the Hut"—that was the local name of the cabin devoted to gambling purposes—"when I saw them coming from their claim. The Yankee had this —— rock tied up in yonder handkerchief. Of course, I supposed it was a nugget. No one would suppose he was taking all that pains with a common rock."
"Go on! Did you follow them?"
"Yes; that is, I kept them in sight. They entered their cabin, and I waited, perhaps three-quarters of an hour, till they had time to fall asleep."
"Were you near the cabin all the time?"
"No; I didn't dare to be too near for fear I should be observed. I wanted the nugget, but I didn't want to run any risk."
"I have no doubt you were very prudent," said the second, with an unpleasant sneer. Doubtless he would have done the same, but his disappointment was so great that he could not resist the temptation of indulging in this fling at the man who had unintentionally contributed to it.
"Of course I was," said the first, with some indignation. "Would you have had me enter the cabin while they were all awake, and carry it off under their very eyes? That would be mighty sensible."