"I've been waitin' a turrible time fer this day," said the elder.
"I've suffered the plagues of prospectin' from the Mexicos to the
Circle, an' yet I don't begretch it none, now that I've struck
pay."

While they spoke, two miners struggled with a bowlder they had
unearthed, and having scraped and washed it carefully, staggered
back to place it on the cleaned bed-rock behind. One of them
slipped, and it crashed against a brace which held the sluices in
place. These boxes stand more than a man's height above the bed-
rock, resting on supporting posts and running full of water.
Should a sluice fall, the rushing stream carries out the gold
which has lodged in the riffles and floods the bed-rock, raising
havoc. Too late the partners saw the string of boxes sway and bend
at the joint. Then, before they could reach the threatened spot to
support it, Slapjack Simms, with a shriek, plunged flapping down
into the cut and seized the flume. His great height stood him in
good stead now, for where the joint had opened, water poured forth
in a cataract, He dived under the breach unhesitatingly and,
stooping, lifted the line as near to its former level as possible,
holding the entire burden upon his naked pate. He gesticulated
wildly for help, while over him poured the deluge of icy, muddy
water. It entered his gaping waistband, bulging out his yellow
trousers till they were fat and full and the seams were bursting,
while his yawning boot-tops became as boiling springs. Meanwhile
he chattered forth profanity in such volume that the ear ached
under it as must have ached the heroic Slapjack under the chill of
the melting snow. He was relieved quickly, however, and emerged
triumphant, though blue and puckered, his wilderness of whiskers