"Are there signs of other claim-jumpers coming up, Mr. Brewster?" asked Eleanor, anxiously.
"From what our scouts report, up on the Trail, we're going to have such a time, if we remain here, that we may not have another good opportunity to escape with our lives," returned the distracted man.
"Oh dear me! Can't we start now? I never want to see any claim-jumpers again!" cried Barbara, wringing her hands.
"Keep quiet, Bob! We'll do just as Mr. Brewster says, but your whimpering won't help any," said Anne.
"Well, girls, I'm so eager to see John again, that I'm willing to ride down with Mike and mother," said Polly, acting her part perfectly.
"Oh, Polly! I don't want to go and leave the gold mine, but I want you to stay with me," cried Eleanor.
"Goodness me, Nolla! Don't you s'pose we can ride up again when the danger blows over? A lot of good the mine would do either one of us if a dozen claim-jumpers put lead through us all at one time!" laughed Polly, but feeling far from humorous.
"I suppose I'll just have to go, if all the rest of you do!" cried Eleanor, stamping her foot angrily.
So, after much arguing and explaining, it was decided that every one should be ready to start down-trail at the earliest streak of daylight.
That night the girls and Mrs. Brewster slept on the pine-beds—or at least the city girls slept, while Polly and her mother rested even as they waited for the first warning call from the guard, who sat by the fire that was started to keep away the wild beasts.