Part 50 (1/2)

”You got your grub,” said Graham; ”you ran a big risk of being left to starve; and you might have got shot. It strikes me you had better quit Mappin's service and try how honesty pays.”

They left camp at sunrise and met with no misadventures on their journey south. It was nearly completed and they expected to reach the mine in a few more days when Carnally called Turner as he was loading the canoe one morning.

”You can let up on that job. We won't want you any more,” he said bluntly.

Turner looked at him dismally.

”Are you going to fire me here?”

”You've hit it,” said Carnally. ”We'll give you grub for two meals, and if you hustle you ought to make the camp back at the awkward portage by noon to-morrow. You'll find a cache with provisions that should last you to the mine by the water's edge. As I'll give Watson orders you're not to have a canoe, we should be down at the settlement a week before you get there.”

”Well,” Turner acquiesced, ”I guess it's no use grumbling.”

He was leaving the camp when Andrew called to him.

”Though I suppose you would have jumped our claim without hesitation, I don't want to be too hard, and we have found you a useful help. If you will call on me at the Landing, I think I can promise you three dollars for every day you have been with us. But it's conditional on your playing no tricks!”

”Your partner doesn't leave me many chances,” Turner grinned.

They launched the canoe and were paddling down-stream when Carnally alluded to the matter.

”I don't know that the fellow could make trouble for us; but he's safer up here until we get our records filed,” he said.

Then he swung his paddle and the canoe drove faster toward a rapid.

CHAPTER XXVIII

GERALDINE

On reaching the Landing Andrew learned that Frobisher had returned and he rowed across to visit him. It was evening when he disembarked at the little pier. Geraldine came down across the lawn, and Andrew's heart beat fast as he watched her. She was wonderfully graceful, he thought, her white summer dress and light hat became her, there was a tinge of color in her face, and she was obviously eager to hear his news. She gave him a quick glance before they met, and then smiled in cordial welcome, for the man's expression was suggestive. He had lost his strained and anxious look, there was now an a.s.sured tranquillity in his bearing; he had not come back disappointed, and, for his sake, she rejoiced at this. Then as she gave him her hand and noticed the eager light in his eyes she grew suddenly disturbed.

”You have been successful; I'm very glad,” she said.

”Yes,” responded Andrew, holding her hand; ”things have gone well with us, but except for the mineral recorder you are the first person I've told the good news to. That strikes me as particularly appropriate.”

”Why?”

”I don't suppose I'd ever have found the lode if you hadn't encouraged me. I felt daunted once or twice. Then I ventured to think that you'd be interested.”

”I am interested,” Geraldine a.s.sured him, gently withdrawing her hand.

”You needn't doubt that. But won't you come up to the house?”

Andrew laughed with a trace of awkwardness as he realized that he had been standing at the top of the uncomfortably narrow steps by which one reached the pier.

”It might be better, if you and Mr. Frobisher are not engaged.”

”He's writing letters, though I think he'll have finished soon.