Polly said nothing, but she was thinking seriously. Mrs. Brewster was grateful that her daughter could bear such awesome news without a tremor. So the two completed the supper, and were ready to serve it, when Sam Brewster rode down the ledge. "Come on, Daddy! Just in time for a bowl of hot soup!" called Polly, gayly waving a ladle. Her mother admired the self-control the girl showed over any fear or danger, and followed the brave example set her. "Yes, Sam, if Simms wants to chase a bear in the twilight, let him! You will do far better to enjoy the supper." So they sat down to eat toasted bread and soup, while Polly talked vivaciously and caused many a laugh from the unsuspecting girls. As the meager supper was almost finished, however, Mr. Brewster mentioned in a casual tone: "Girls, Ah expect John and his friends early to-morrow, you know. Mike is going down to meet them." "Oh, yes! And won't we have exciting adventures to tell him!" exclaimed Anne, thinking only of John and his coming. "Mrs. Brewster is going down with Mike, to meet the boys. So we-all thought you gals would like to ride down, too, instead of sitting up in front of this cave all day and night," continued Mr. Brewster. "Why, how foolish! to kill the horses with all that climbing! Up to-day, down to-morrow, and up again the next day! No horse could stand that!" declared Anne, amazed at her host's suggestion. "Well, Ah've been thinking you-all had best stay down, once you get there. This is no sort of life for women-folk, anyway. When John and Tom Latimer get here they can look after your mining interests better than you can yourselves." "But, Mr. Brewster, you haven't even seen the hole inside of that cave, where I followed after Polly the day we discovered the gold!" exclaimed Eleanor, greatly disappointed in Polly's father. "Ah haven't had time, Nolla. What with the doings of the claim-jumpers and everything, Ah've had a full day. Besides, it looks as if we-all are going to have _some_ time up here, and Ah'd feel a heap easier if you women were safe at home." "Are there signs of other claim-jumpers coming up, Mr. Brewster?" asked Eleanor, anxiously. "From what our scouts report, up on the Trail, we're going to have such a time, if we remain here, that we may not have another good opportunity to escape with our lives," returned the distracted man. "Oh dear me! Can't we start now? I never want to see any claim-jumpers again!" cried Barbara, wringing her hands. "Keep quiet, Bob! We'll do just as Mr. Brewster says, but your whimpering won't help any," said Anne. "Well, girls, I'm so eager to see John again, that I'm willing to ride down with Mike and mother," said Polly, acting her part perfectly. "Oh, Polly! I don't want to go and leave the gold mine, but I want you to stay with me," cried Eleanor.