MISS SLOCUM’S IDEAS REGARDING DEPORTMENT.
“So it was a gold mine that dragged you people up into this wilderness? Well, I’ve puzzled my mind a good deal to understand your movements lately; but the finding of a vein as rich as your free gold promises is enough to turn any man’s head for a while. Well, well; you are a lucky fellow, Overton.”
“Yes, I’ve no doubt that between good luck and bad luck, I’ve as much luck as anybody,” answered Overton, with a grimace, “but a week or so ago you did not think me lucky—you thought me ‘looney.’”
“You are more than half right,” agreed the doctor; “appearances justified me. My wife and I stormed at you—behind your back—for carrying ’Tana with you on your fishing trip; it was such an unheard-of thing to my folks, you know. Humph! I wonder what they will say when it is known that she was on a prospecting trip, and that the venture will result in a gain to her of dollars that will be counted by the tens of thousands. By George! it seems incredible! Just like a chapter from the old fairy tales.”
“Yes. I find myself thinking about it like that sometimes,” said Overton; “a little afraid to lay plans, for fear that after all it may be a dream. I never hoped much for it; I came under protest, and the luck seems more than I deserved.” 216
“Maybe that is the reason you accept it in such a sulky fashion,” observed the doctor, “for, upon my soul, I think I am more elated over your good fortune than you are. You don’t appear to get up a particle of enthusiasm because of it.”
“Well, I have not had an enthusiastic lot of partners, either. Harris, here, not able to move; ’Tana not expected to live; and I suddenly face to face with all this responsibility for them. It gave me considerable to think about.”
“You are right. I only wonder you are not gray-haired. A new gold-field waiting for you to make it known, and you guarding it at the same time, perhaps, from red tramps who come spying around. But you are lucky, Dan; everything comes your way, even a capitalist ready at your word to put up money on the strength of the ore you have to show. Why, man, many a poor devil of a prospector has stood a long siege with starvation, even with gold ore in sight, just because no one with capital would buy or back him.”
“I know. I realize that; and, for the sake of the other two, I am very glad there need be no waiting for profits.”
“Do you know, Dan, I fancy little ’Tana is in the way of being well cared for, even without this good fortune,” observed the doctor, looking at the other in a questioning way. “It just occurred to me yesterday that that fine young fellow, Lyster, is uncommonly fond of her. It may be simply because she is ill, and he is sorry for her; but his devotion appeared to me to have a sentimental tinge, and I thought what a fine thing it would be.” 217