"I don't think it--I know it. I hed a dreem et war hayr in big quantities, so I h'isted my carcass this direction. Ter-nite I'll hev ernuther nighthoss, an' thet'll tell me precisely where ther strike ar'." Redburn drummed a tattoo on the arm of the lounge his fingers; he was reflecting on what he had heard. "You are willing to make terms, I suppose," he said, after a while, glancing at Anita to see if he was right. "You are aware, I believe, that we still hold possession above any one else." "True enuff. Ye war first ter diskiver this place ye orter hev yer say about it." "Well, then, perhaps we can come to a bargain. You can state your prices for locating and opening up this mine, and we will consider." "Wal, let me see. Ef the mine proves to be ekal ter the one thet I located on Spring creek, I'll take in a third fer my share uv the divys. Ef 'tain't good's I expect, I'll take a quarter." Redburn turned to Anita. "From what little experience I have had, I think it is a fair offer. What is your view of the matter and do you believe your brother will be satisfied?" "Oh! yes, sir. It will surprise and please him, to return and find his Paradise has been turned into a gold-mine." "All right; then, we will go ahead and get things to shape. We will have to get tools, though, before we can accomplish much of anything." "My brother has a miner's outfit here," said Anita. "That will save you a trip to Deadwood, for the present." And so it was all satisfactorily arranged. During the remainder of the day the old "General" and Redburn wandered about through the flower-meadows of the pocket, here and there examining a little soil now chipping rock among the rugged foothills, then "feeling" in the bed of the creek. But, not a sign of anything like gold was to be found, and when night called them to shelter, Redburn was pretty thoroughly convinced that Nix was an enormous "sell," and that he could put all the gold they would find in his eye. The "General," however, was confident of success, and told many doubtful yarns of former discoveries and exploits. Anita prepared an evening meal that was both tempting and sumptuous, and all satisfied their appetites after which Harry took down the guitar, suspended from the wall, tuned it up, and sung in a clear mellow voice a number of ballads, to which the "General," much to the surprise of both Redburn and Anita, lent a rich deep bass--a voice of superior culture.