Part 8 (1/2)
”No, sir, I don't like them.”
”Great mistake! Great mistake! Everyone ought to eat onions. They're the healthiest vegetable that grows. Guess I'll have one now,” and he pulled a green one from the ground, wiped the earth from it, and chewed it with every indication of satisfaction.
”But--about the gold expedition,” said Fred, thinking the old man had forgotten all about it.
”The gold? Oh, yes. I was thinking whether I hadn't better plant more onions. It hardly seems enough to tide me over the winter, but I'll have to make 'em do. The gold, hum--let me see.”
He got up from his knees, read Mr. Stanley's letter over again, folded it carefully, placed it in the envelope, placed the envelope in his pocket, and then said:
”Come into the house, young man.”
CHAPTER VII
OFF FOR ALASKA
Striding on ahead, Mr. Baxter led the way to the porch of a fine country house. Fred followed, hardly knowing what to think. Certainly the man's manner was not very encouraging, but the boy had not yet lost hope.
”Sit down,” said the old gold hunter, indicating a big chair on the porch. Fred took it, and Mr. Baxter seated himself near the boy. Then he read the letter over again.
”How's your father?” he asked suddenly, as though that was the chief matter in his mind.
”Not very well.”
”I'm sorry to hear that. He's a fine man.”
Then Mr. Baxter seemed lost in thought.
”How much gold did Stults bury?” he asked at length.
”I don't know, sir.”
”Hum. I'm glad you said that. I was afraid you might have an idea that it was a million or more. I've heard all sorts of stories about the Stults treasure, but I never took any stock in 'em. Now it begins to look as if there was something in it. Tell me all you know about it.”
Fred did so to the best of his ability, taking in from the time Mr.
Gardner first related the story to him to his interview with Mrs.
Stults.
”And you want me to finance the expedition, eh?” asked the old gold hunter.
”My father hoped you might be willing to.”
”What was your idea of how much my share should be in case we found the gold, young man?”
”I hadn't thought of that. Of course Mrs. Stults will get her half.”
”Yes. And how much would you get?”
”I'd be willing to leave that to you.”