“Two or three days, I suppose, will be all-sufficient?” “Perhaps so, but I can not say with certainty.” “And there is no danger of your desiring to withdraw your consent; you can never be sorry for your promise.” “Not so long as you do not forget yours.” “Then it can never be,” was the ardent reply of Hammond, as he again pressed her to him, and imprinted a kiss upon her cheek. She gently freed herself, and rising to her feet, stood calmly before him, looking lovingly and trustingly in his face. “No,” she said, after a moment’s pause, “I do not think one of us ever will be sorry for this. You profess to love me, and I believe you, and I know, too, that you have the whole, undivided affection of Cecilia Alamant--that she is yours, now and forever!” But there must be an end to all things, and the lovers became sensible that several hours had passed since they met, and it was now past noon. Lamora moved toward the path, Hammond still holding her hand and walking beside her. “I do not know which is the prettiest, your Indian or your Christian name,” he remarked, as they walked slowly along. “I am the most accustomed to the first, but I suppose I shall lose that when I leave them.” “It was that by which I first knew you, and I never wish to forget it. There will be a charm clinging to it which can never lose its fascination for me.” “Well, you can call me by both,” she laughed; “one will suit me as well as the other.” “Lamora,” suddenly spoke up Hammond, “there are three white men near us; they are searching for gold. If they are successful we may all return to the States together.” “That will be safer, I suppose.” “They have been greatly alarmed by this strange--what shall I call it?--creature that makes his home near your village.” “It has not harmed them?” she asked, with a peculiar expression. “No; but they are much terrified. Why not tell _them_ the secret?” “You know Kipwan’s wish,” she answered, earnestly. “I could not do so without his permission.” “I suppose not; but doubtless you can obtain it. This is an exceptional instance, and will be to our interest to have them acquainted with the facts.” She promised to ask the old chief’s advice, and then moved along the path more rapidly. A hundred yards or so away her horse was found quietly cropping the grass and herbage. Without any assistance from her lover, Lamora vaulted lightly upon his back, bade Hammond a gay good-by, and the next moment had vanished in the direction of the Indians’ home. CHAPTER IX. “I HAD A DREAM WHICH WAS NOT ALL A DREAM.” There could be no doubt that gold in abundance existed in the section of the country where the three men had located themselves. We have shown the discovery made by Black Tom, and showed, too, how narrowly he escaped falling into the hands of his enemies.