Part 7 (2/2)
Mr. Stanley was silent for several seconds. He was in deep thought. Then he suddenly exclaimed:
”Fred! I believe I know the very man.”
”Who, dad?”
”Simon Baxter. He is an old gold hunter, as well as a miner. He has gone on several expeditions of this kind, and he has traveled in the far north. He would be the very man.”
”Is he well off?”
”Yes, he is quite rich.”
”Do you think he would go; and provide the money?”
”Ah, that is another question. But it would do no harm to see him, and find out. He lives about five miles from here, with his son Jerry, who is about your age, Fred.”
”Perhaps Jerry would go along. Then he and I could have a good time together.”
”He might. He is a strong, hearty lad, about your build. I will write a letter to Mr. Baxter, and you can take it to him. You were so successful with the widow Stults, where I did not think you would be, that, perhaps, you can prevail on this old gold hunter to finance the expedition. He and I are old friends, though I have not seen him in some time.”
”Write the letter at once, dad, and I'll take it to him.”
”Aren't you tired, after your long tramp?”
”No. Besides, I am so anxious that I can't rest.”
”Very well. I'll write the letter at once.”
After dinner Fred started out, this time on a shorter journey, bearing a letter to Mr. Baxter, explaining matters.
Fred found the old gold hunter in his garden, pulling weeds from an onion patch.
”Well?” he asked, as Fred came up the walk.
”Here is a letter for you, Mr. Baxter.”
The old miner read it through slowly. Then he started on it a second time. Finally, when he had again gotten to the end, he asked:
”Are you Fred Stanley?”
”I am, sir.”
”And you want me to leave my quiet life here, let my garden all grow up to weeds, and go chasing off to Alaska after a lot of gold that we'll probably never find.”
”We might find it; and, as for the garden, isn't there some one you can leave in charge?”
”n.o.body knows how to take care of my garden but myself,” said the man.
”Especially my onion bed. I'm very fond of onions. Are you?”
<script>