"After breakfast we will carry it to the office of the commissioner, and get his receipt for it."
"I shall be glad to get it out of our hands," said Jack.
"If that is the case, Jack, suppose you give your share to me," said Harry, in joke.
"I didn't mean to get rid of it in that way," said the young sailor.
"You would be as ready to give it as I to accept it," said Harry. "No, Jack, I want you to have your share. I am sure you will have a use for it."
After breakfast the three emerged from the cabin, bearing the precious nugget with them. They did not meet anyone on their way to the office of the commissioner, for all the miners had gone to their work. This suited them, for until they had disposed of the nugget, they did not care to have their good luck made public.
The royal commissioner was a stout Englishman with a red face and abundant whiskers of the same color. He chanced to be at the door of the office as the party appeared.
"Well, can I do anything for you?" he asked.
"Yes, sir; you can give us a receipt for this nugget."
"Nugget!" ejaculated the commissioner, fixing his eyes for the first time on the burden which Mr. Stackpole carried. "Bless my soul! you don't mean to say that you have found a nugget of that size!"