Part 14 (2/2)

It was hard enough to do this, for though the ground was clear about them, snow lay on every rocky hill, and the night promised to be bitterly cold. But the exposure to an enemy would have been too great; so after selecting one of the huge spruces whose boughs hung down to the ground for a shelter, and dragging the sledges close in, the question arose of continuing the watch.

”Tchah! It's as dark as pitch,” said the Cornishman. ”n.o.body could see. Let the enemy think we're watching. They won't come. We must chance it. Wrap up well, and have a good night's rest.”

This advice was taken, and soon after all were sleeping the sleep of exhaustion, and awoke at daylight without a fresh alarm.

The previous day's tactics were resumed, and the toil over the raft went on, but there was still so much to do in the way of bracing and strengthening the rough craft so that it might withstand the fierce currents and concussions they were to expect at the lower part of the lake where the rapids began, that the hours glided by till late in the afternoon, and still the task was not done.

”Who could have thought it would take so long?” said Dallas at last.

”You see, we have everything to cut.”

”No one, my son,” said their big friend, smiling; ”but I bet we shouldn't have got the job done for us in double the time.”

”It would be madness to start to-night.”

”Stark. Couldn't get loaded up before dark, and then it'll be like pitch. Let's cut some poles for punting and a mast to make a bit of sail if we like, and then I think we may say that we have got our job well done, ready for loading up and starting in the morning.”

”Yes,” said Abel, who seemed little the worse for his last mishap; ”it was better to make a good job of the raft.”

”And that we've done,” said the Cornishman.

The poles were cut, trimmed, and laid upon the deck, which had been finished after launching; and now, as they examined their work, all were satisfied that it could not have been done better in the time, for as it lay in the clear water, swinging by a rope secured to a pine-stump, all felt that it would easily bear the party, their sledges and stores; and the pity seemed to be that it could not be used for the whole of their journey.

”Who knows? Perhaps it may.”

There was an hour's daylight yet, and this was utilised down on the sandy sh.o.r.e of the stream which ran into the lake hard by.

It was the first trial, and no little interest was felt as every man waded into the icy cold water, pannikin in hand, to scoop the sand aside and then get a tinful from as deep down as they could.

This was washed and watched beneath the water, the stones thrown out, and washed again, till only a little sand remained, and this was carefully examined.

”Gold!” cried Dallas excitedly; and this was eagerly responded to by the others, for in every pan there was some of the precious metal, but such tiny grains that it was decided that a halt would be useless there.

”Farther on,” said Dallas excitedly; ”this is only the edge of the golden land, but here is proof that we are going right.”

”Yes,” said the big Cornishman; ”but I don't rest till we can shovel it up like gravel from a pit.”

Darkness put an end to their search, and once more the fire was quenched, and in silence they sought the shelter of the great tree, placed their arms ready, rolled themselves in their blankets, and were soon asleep.

It seemed as if they had only just lain down when one of the men shouted, ”Morning!”

”Hooray!” cried the big Cornishman. ”Who's going to face the cold, and have a dip in the lake?”

Every one but Abel, who hung back.

”Don't you feel well enough to come?” said Dallas anxiously.

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