world. You'll see gold by the mule-load, and hillocks of nuggets.
Oh, I'm glad to get back. THIS is life. That stretch of beach is
full of gold. These hills are seamed with quartz. The bed-rock of
that creek is yellow. There's gold, gold, gold, everywhere--more
than ever was in old Solomon's mines--and there's mystery and
peril and things unknown."

"Let us make haste," said the girl. "I have something I must do
to-night. After that, I can learn to know these things."

Securing a small boat, they were rowed ashores the partners plying
their ferryman with eager questions. Having arrived five days
before, he was exploding with information and volunteered the
fruits of his ripe experience till Dextry stated that they were
"sourdoughs" themselves, and owned the Midas, whereupon Miss
Chester marvelled at the awe which sat upon the man and the
wondering stare with which he devoured the partners, to her own
utter exclusion.

"Sufferin' cats! Look at the freight!" ejaculated Dextry. "If a
storm come up it would bust the community!"

The beach they neared was walled and crowded to the high-tide mark
with ramparts of merchandise, while every incoming craft deposited
its quota upon whatever vacant foot was close at hand, till bales,
boxes, boilers, and baggage of all kinds were confusedly
intermixed in the narrow space. Singing longshoremen trundled
burdens from the lighters and piled them on the heap, while
yelling, cursing crowds fought over it all, selecting, sorting,
loading.