"Hoh! a mere bagatelle, Mr. Brewster, when gold weighs in the other scale. Why, men will dig through the earth for gold! See what happened in Alaska. Once men found gold to be had for the pain and privation they would be forced to endure, they gladly gave up home, loved ones,--all--for the lust of gold. "And see what that drive did for Alaska. Railroads opened, cities founded, people settled there, and all because men fought with odds against finding buried gold!" "We wouldn't have to worry over this out-of-the-way mine if father would consent to have his cliffs utilized," hinted John. "Not with my consent!" retorted Sam Brewster. "Well, come on, Mike. Let's pitch camp and get something to eat," said John, resignedly. "It's not that I have any silly sentiment over the cliffs, my boys--don't mistake me there. But I have a serious reason for refusing to coin money out of that beauty--at least for a few years to come." "If I guess the truth about it, will you admit it to me some day?" quizzed Tom Latimer, his eyes twinkling. "No, sir! Not even to my wife--it's _my_ secret!" CHAPTER V POLLY AND ELEANOR VISIT THE BEAVERS After breakfast the four girls asked each other what there was to do. They had had so much excitement all week, that the simple life palled on them. "It's exactly like drinking milk after you have been kept on spice-beer for a long time," laughed Eleanor. "Well, Nolla and I have an invitation to spend the day with friends of mine. We can ride over there any time," said Polly. "Then for goodness' sake, come on! I'll be asleep again if we don't do something," exclaimed Eleanor. "All right, I'll saddle Noddy and you can have Choko. We will have to harness them ourselves now that Jeb is away, and the other hands are working on the ranch." "You're not going far, are you?" asked Anne, suspiciously. Polly laughed. "Not as far as we went yesterday." Mrs. Brewster had been told where Polly planned to take Eleanor, and she smiled approvingly. A nice luncheon was packed up and placed in the panniers of the burros, and the three grownups stood and watched the two girls ride down the trail to Rainbow Cliff. As they went, Eleanor said: "Did you mention the name of your friends? I forgot, if you have." Polly laughed. "Maybe I told you, but I don't remember now. Anyway, you wouldn't know them if I did tell you their names." "But what do you call them when you address them?" "I always call the old one 'Grandfather,' but he has a large family that I never bother with. _He_ is our friend. "This family lives and does queer things that no city folks ever dream of," added Polly. "Something like that Halsey woman, eh?" laughed Eleanor, who had heard from Sary about the disobedient children. "The Beavers are too polite to force their company on us. And as we may not care to eat as they do, I decided to bring lunch, which we can enjoy by ourselves," explained Polly.