Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-06-21

4
he began TO grow impatient, when a rapid
step announced the return of Frank, and
presently he appeared, minus camp-kettle
and hat, his hair hanging over his eyes,
which glistened in the freight with strong
excitement
What's up, boy?" exclaimed the other.
laughing at the unusual appearance of Frank;
have you seen a grizzly, or the ghost of the
jackass we killed for grub, up North?"
Neither, Harry" replied Frank; but ]
have found what to us is much more welcome.
Fve got a slug, with good chance of finding
some more. You may laugh, but think it
is God-send, and promises change of diet
from the donkey spare-rib and roasted pole
cat we've been obliged to eat within three
weeks"
So do Il so do II" exclaimed Harry, inn
patiently, himself a little excited about the
prize. Let me see it; the color will look
mighty big to me now"
Frank gave it to him, and balancing it
upon the tip of his finger, he cried:
"Twill weigh an ounce at least, Frank!
BY Jovel if we find nest Of these, our for
tunes are made"
Yes, Harry, and the fortune Of our old
father, too, who needs our aid. If we get
anything from the ground where | found
this, our first expenditure must be to buy the
farm for him which he wishes to have"
Hold on, Frank, the fox is not trapped
yet" replied Harry, with another laugh
But where is your ground? Let us go and
prospect it right away"
Enough said, )" replied Frank "get the
pick and pan and come on"
So saying, he picked up shovel, and led
the way in the direction from whence he had
come. He walked at rapid pace, and in
short time arrived at a ravine, on one side of
which was a high hill, and on the other low
fiat The bed rock, upon which Frank had
found the gold, rose abruptly from the
earth four or five feet, and sloped off into
flat
"This is the place to sink hole in" said
Harry, striking his pick into low place in
the fiat. "If there is anything here, twill
be in this swag" So saying, he divested
himself of his coat, and without further par
ley, vigorously commenced work.
The rapid blows of the stalwart brothers
soon laid bare portion of the bedrock, and
scooping up painful of the bottom dirt, they
went to the rayne to wash it out. This OPP
Grafton was performed by Frank, Henry
standing by, anxiously watching the result
Dip by dip it was panned down, until the dirt
was all washed from the pan and the prospect
exposed.
Did you get coor?" inquired Harry,
! the darkness preventing him from seeing the
gold.
Barely" answered Frank, though his tone
belied his words; "here look for YOURSELF"
Harry took the pan, and looking intently,
he was enabled to perceive fine gold scattered
about the pan, to the amount Of two or three
dollars
"By George Frank, we are all rightw
exclaimed the now excited Harry, wincing
with delight "I've seen enough to make
me feel like millionaire No more fricassed
pole-catsl hey, old boy? Your wish will
soon be realized at this rate, and we can go
home with enough to keep the old folks in
ease all their lives"
The elder brother made no reply, but it
might have been seen, by the expression of
his noble face, that he gave to the loved ones
at home the first thought
"The first thing in the morning." continued
Harry, ave will find the nearest town, and
expend what we have got for provisions and
tiNNSso"iJ
Thus planning, the brothers took their
way back to their camp to pass the night
and dream of the boundless wealth which
they supposed to be already in their grasp.
On the following morning. the first tints
of dawn had scarcely illumed the eastern sky;
ere the young men were stirring Having
dispatched hasty breakfast, Frank mounted
tree upon the highest point of the hill, and
announced that he saw q smoke, which must
proceed from settlement, and trail lead
ing towards it, This ascertained, they
brought in the mule, and proceeded towards
the town. 1t was not long before a small
village appeared in view Our friends soon
arrived there and proceeded to purchase the
required articles. Notwithstanding the early
hour, three or four men, in the rough garb of
miners, were lounging about the store, and
considerable curiosity was evinced at the
presence of the strangers. AS Frank depos-
tied the gold in the scale to be weighed, in
payment of goods, the men gathered around
to examine it.
This is pretty piece, stranger" said one
to Harry, picking it up; where did this
come from 2"
From a rayine near those pine trees yon-
der" said Harry, indicating its locality.
Is there any ground to spare there 2"
questioned the other, g would like the claim
this come out Of"
"There is plenty of ground replied Har-
ry, with a slight laugh the question is,
whether twill pay"
This conversation ended, our friends started
for their claim, and on arriving there immedi-