"This is the fourth day, Smith, bar the snake."
"Paugh," said Smith; "but do you know, Mandy, I think I could do with a bit of snake now."
He laughed thinly, and walked on again muttering to himself. But now for a time the pains had left him. The Baker, too, was easier, though very weak.
"How much more can you stand, Baker?" asked Smith an hour later.
"Two days I reckon," said Mandeville.
"That's one more than my life," said Smith. "But let's push on."
And presently Smith stayed again. He pointed through a little opening in the bush, and Mandeville saw a faint blue range.
"How far?" said Smith. But the Baker didn't know.
"Too far to reach," said Smith. "But the gold's there."
"How do you know?" asked Mandeville.