The fact that Bill Terrill was the thief did not greatly surprise
Ralph. However, he feared that very little, if any, of his money
would be recovered, when he learned that Bill and his cronies had
been drinking together. In this, we may add, Ralph was happily
disappointed, for a few days later he received from Constable
Thompson a crumpled ten-dollar bill,---the remains of the stolen
hoard!

The news that Scout Master Denmead would personally take up the
matter of the survey was a great satisfaction to Ralph. It was
more than that, it was a source of the most rosy-hued hopes and
dreams in which he had indulged himself for many a long day.
Almost the last thing Tom said to him before dropping off to sleep
was:

"The Chief'll persuade 'em to do it, I know he will. He can do
anything. He's great!"

And that night Ralph dreamed that his farm, all of it which was not
bought by the railroad, was converted into a great mine in which
scores of men were at work.

* * * * * * *

Two days later a party of four men drove into the farmyard, with axes,
tape, level and other implements for surveying. They began
operations at once and did not cease until close of day, when,
declining Ralph's invitation to spend the night, they returned
to Oakvale. On the following day they came back, with another
squad. Of this squad Blake Merton was lineman and George Rawson