Let them go,' the officer told his men. They will not come back.'
The Indians also began to fade away.
The officer turned to Digger. You have not trespassed far into our country, and such mistakes are possible. If I overlook your trespass, have I your word that you will return to your own side of the border immediately ? '
You have,' Digger assured him. We were going back anyway. In fact, we were on the point of departure when these two ruffians arrived and tried to induce the Indians to rob us.'
They won't trouble you again,' said the officer. Then with a knowing smile he went on.
Are you sure you don't wish to stay ? If you do, no doubt permission would be given.'
'We have no reason to stay,' stated Digger. Then I imagine you haven't found much gold.'
'Very little. A few ounces. As it's your prop-erty you had better have it.'
Had you denied that you had any, or refused to give it up, I would have taken it from you,' asserted the officer. But as you have so courteously offered it, and as the quantity is small, I will return the compliment by asking you to keep it, although it might be better to say nothing of this down the river. It is between ourselves, you understand ? '
I understand perfectly, senor:
The officer bowed.
Have we your permission to go now ? ' asked Digger.
Certainly.'
'Can we help you ? How will you get back ? '
The way we came. We know a short cut overland to where we left our boat.
Adios, senor.' So saying the officer gave an order. His men, with their prisoners, formed a column and marched away.
We were well out of that,' remarked Digger, as they watched them go.
Pompey grinned. Like play acting,' said he, biting off a chew of tobacco.
All so nice and polite.'
Politeness, when you know you're in the wrong, is usually the best policy,' averred Digger briefly.
Had we started chucking our weight about, that caballero could have made things very awkward for us. Let's see about getting off his ground.' He turned to the canoe.
The return to the launch was made without incident. To the relief of everyone it was found as it had been left. Darkness was falling as, travel-stained and weary, they stepped on board.
Tomorrow,' said Digger over supper, we'll start down the river. The rest should be plain sailing. We haven't done anything spectacular, but we might have done worse. What you fellows have lost in sweat you've gained in experience. We might collect a bale or two of orchids on the way down.
They'll help to pay expenses. At the same time I'll fill a bag of seed pods of Tommy's blue flower. There may be possibilities with them.'
It may be said here that the seeds were sold to a manufacturer of cosmetics at a figure that made them the most profitable discovery of the enterprise.
As far as gold is concerned, I suppose we shall have to count the trip a failure,' remarked Tommy.
I wouldn't say that,' disputed Digger. I told you at the outset that gold hunting is a chancy game. If you get home as well off as you started you've nothing to complain about.'
I guess you're right, at that,' agreed Pompey.
And after all, we did find some gold,' put in Batty. The quantity doesn't matter. If we'd got a ton, imagine what a sweat it would have been humping it round the falls.'
Everyone laughed.
'We should have been sick of the sight of the stuff,' declared Tommy. 'As we only got a little we can go on looking for more, somewhere else.'
'That's the way to look at it,' asserted Digger. 'Don't forget the old prospectors' proverb :
"Where it is, there it is." Now let's see about turning in.'
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Table of Contents
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9