The intense longing for home was ever gnawing in his heart. He thought sadly of the old merchant who awaited his return, and sighed often as he dreamed of the beautiful Ah Zore.
Again he resolved to follow the guiding of the divining-rod, hoping for greater success than in his former expedition.
Again he started at nightfall, without saying any thing to his companions.
He had provided himself with a sack of food, which he carried, with his pick and shovel, upon his shoulders.
He was young, healthy, and accustomed to the hardships of a mountain life.
For hours he walked on as the divining-rod guided him, until near morning, when, overcome with fatigue, he threw himself upon the ground among the thick sage brush, and soon fell asleep.
A thousand golden imaginings mingled with his dreams, and, when he awoke with the sunshine pouring its flood of warmth and light upon him, he rose full of bright hopes, ate his scanty breakfast, and started upon his way with a happy heart.
Thus he wandered on for several days, carefully examining every ledge of rocks that he passed over.
His stock of food was nearly exhausted. The divining-rod and his hopeful nature urged him on, but his dread of a lonely death in the mountains warned him to return.