Part 36 (1/2)

”Found a nugget, they tell hs about seventy-five pounds!”

”That is luck!” said Colson, with a sickly sht of his loss

”Well, yes, it is tolerable hefty I reckon me and the boys will be able to take it easy for a few years But we came near losin' it, after all”

”How's that?” Colson asked, but he did not venture to in' back the nugget, and prowled round till he thought as all asleep Then he got into the cabin and carried it off That is, he thought he did, but as a little too sharp for hiuess he had a sweet tiood joke!” said Colson, but his laughter was ht you'd enjoy the joke, squire,” said Obed ”How I pity the poor fellow! His arin' the old rock The best of it is we know the fellow that took it”

”You do?” ejaculated Colson, his jaw dropping

”Yes, Harry woke up just in the nick of time and saw him scootin' out of the cabin If I should tell the boys 'round here, I reckon they'd lynch him!” added Obed quietly

”Just so,” assented Colson, but his face was of a sickly hue, and taking Ropes by the arm he hurried hi to his two young companions ”I reckon he'll make himself scarce till we're out of the way”

CHAPTER xxx

THE TWO CONSPIRATORS

Obed and the boys ements to travel with the party sent by the coet and other suave them a sense of security which they would not have had under other circuh spirits They were no longer penniless adventurers, but, though not rich, were possessed of enough gold to make them feel so Now that they ell fixed they were all filled with a strong desire to see their ho married soon after you reach ho I shall do will be to pay off the e on dad's farm,” said Mr Stackpole ”I want to see him a free man, with a home that can't be taken from hiht, Obed I only wish I had a father to help and care for,”

said Harry soberly

”I've got a step-father,” said Jack, ”but I don't feelhim”

”You have a mother, Jack”

”Yes, but I shall have to be careful about giving her ”

”Well, boys, on't borrow trouble before the tiot tired of waitin' for me, and married some other feller”

”In that case, Obed, I suppose you would die of a broken heart”

”Not much, but I don't mind sayin' that I should feel uncommon blue”

Two days elapsed before Obed and his party started on their return trip