"I'll go!" declared Lessels, delighted by the prospect of obtaining some very necessary refreshment. "I'll go, Stan, and you can dig out plenty big nuggets, an' save 'em up till I come back. I'd better take the gun, so's I can shoot the man if he tries to cheat me."
"Don't forget the change!" cried Stanley, as he watched his little brother run rapidly away in the direction of the stall.
In ten minutes' time, a flushed and weary-looking little miner, hugging a piece of wave-worn brick, presented himself to the storekeeper, who was just in the act of taking down the shutters of his timber-built shop.
"Well, my little man, what can I do for you?" asked the shopkeeper, cheerily.
"Half a dozen of ginger-beer, three gipsy cakes, and twenty sovereigns in change!" demanded the miner, breathlessly.
LESSELS TRIES TO CASH HIS NUGGET.
"Twenty sovereigns change!" echoed the man. "What do you mean, little one? Where's your money?"
"Here it is!" replied Lessels, boldly, laying the precious "nugget" on a plate of puff pastry, and assuming an attitude of defence. "Half a dozen of ginger cakes, three bottles of gipsy——"
"I can't give you all that for a brick," interrupted the shopkeeper, shaking his head. "You'd better run away and play."