Part 22 (2/2)

Of this, however, Foster Portney would not hear He insisted on paying each of theular papers, which were signed in the presence of two of the outsidethe doctor and the captain packed up their traps, hired four Indians to help the Mr Portney and each of the boys a hearty handshake In a few ht

”And noork the Hollow for all it is worth,” said Foster Portney, when they were left alone ”And res to us and to nobody else”

CHAPTER XXIV

AN UNLOOKED-FOR ARRIVAL

Although the boys reatly, there was ht that their uncle had expressed; namely, that henceforth whatever was taken out of the three clai to them and to nobody else

”Of course, we can't expect to do as much work as was done before,” was the way Earl reasoned ”But we are just as liable as ever toweek the weather turned off somewhat cooler, and this made work easier and more rapid All three went at it with a will, and the six days brought in six hundred dollars in dust

”That's a hundred and fifty apiece for us, Earl,” said Randy, after figuring up ”It beats lu down in Maine all hollow, doesn't it?”

”I'll tell you better after we've gone through a winter up here, Randy

Froot to stand it, for getting away is out of the question after the first of Septeuess Uncle will see that we are as well provided for as possible,” answered Randy, who could think of nothing but the gold dust brought in daily

So far they had done all their washi+ng with hand pans Foster Portney had tried to obtain a cradle, or a ”Long Too over to the saw-mill at Dawson and buy the necessary boards for several sluice boxes He left on Friday, stating he would probably not return before Monday or Tuesday

The week had brought a number of newcoulches within a radius of half a mile Some of these late arrivals had come over the er route up the Pacific Ocean and the Yukon The Fork seeround, and there were times when as many as a score of tents were pitched there

One of the newcoht news of the doctor and the captain The pair had staked two clai fairly well, although they had by no means struck it as rich as anticipated

It was on Saturday evening, when Randy and Earl were busy washi+ng out some of their underwear--for they of course had to play their oasherwo fellon at a camp beloho had expressed a desire that Randy or Earl coive no name, but he's a sli it,” said the rub-struck when an Randy, when Earl broke in: ”It's Fred Dobson, the crazy fool!”

”Fred!” cried Randy He turned to the ive him a better description of the boy; but this was not forthcoe of the tent

The camp beloas quarter of a mile away, over a hill thick with blackberry bushes But so like a trail had been tra to cover the distance They had just coht of several tents when Randy beheld so and totter toward him

”Randy Portney!” It was Fred Dobson's voice, but so thin and hollow Randy scarcely recognized it ”Oh, how glad I am to see soet up here!” burst out Randy He took the hand of the squire's son, and led the way back to the seat ”How thin and pale you look! I thought you had gone back to Basco!”

Fred heaved a deep sigh Then he looked Randy full in the face for a moment His eyes were moist, and he tried in vain to keep back the tears But it was i his head on Randy's shoulder, he wept like a child

The tears touched Randy to the heart, and he caught the thin hands and pressed them warmly ”Never mind, Fred,” he said ”Now you are up here I'll do what I can for you So let up and tell me your story”