When he was shown what had been discovered he admitted that it was very promising.
"If it holds out, we shall be lucky," he said.
"It will hold out," said Russell, enthusiastically.
"It isn't well to be too confident," said Ferguson, cautiously.
"You are very cold-blooded, Mr. Ferguson," said Russell, impatiently. "Won't anything excite you?"
"What good would it do to become excited?" returned the Scotchman. "I am as ready to test the matter as you are, and I shall rejoice if your sanguine expectations are realized. Do not expect too much, however, and you will guard against possible disappointment."
But there was no disappointment awaiting them. They worked steadily for two weeks, with marvelous results. In this time they unearthed six thousand dollars' worth of gold, which by arrangement they divided equally between them; and still the gold deposit was far from being exhausted.
At the end of the fortnight they were visited by a party of capitalists from San Francisco, who were out on an exploring expedition. They recognized the richness of the new discoveries, and after some negotiation offered the three friends ten thousand dollars for their claims. One consideration decided them to accept. It was absolutely necessary for them to go to the city for clothing and other articles, of which they stood in imperative need. They closed the bargain and started on their return.