Teddy O’Doherty and old Stebbins took a different direction, and without knowing it reached the same stream in which their comrade had found his nugget, but at a point considerably lower down. They were walking along in an indifferent manner, scarcely expecting to find the precious metal, and yet searching for it on “general principles.” “_Morra! howly Vargin!_” And with a panther-like leap and screech, the Irishman made a leap far out in the creek, dashed his hand into the water, as though he had caught at a salmon, and then he sprung back again. “What in thunder is the matter?” demanded the amazed trapper, as he stood wondering whether his friend had suddenly turned crazy, or whether he had been struck by some silent arrow. “That’s the matther,” replied Teddy, as he held up an irregular nugget of gold, the size of a hen’s egg. “Isn’t that ’nough to make a fellow dance the jig, as me uncle obsarved whin he resaved tidings that his beloved wife was no more?” And, without further words, Teddy tipped his hat upon one side of his head, placed his arms akimbo, _a la_ Barney Williams, and executed a jig, dancing back and forth and around old Stebbins, who, having received the yellow nugget from his hand, smelt and tasted and “hefted” it, until no doubt could remain that they had secured a most valuable piece of pure virgin gold. By-and-by Teddy became exhausted and ceased dancing. “We’ve sthruck luck, haven’t we?” he asked, as he nudged the old trapper in the ribs. “Yas; thar ain’t no gitting over that,” he answered, as he handed back the heavy chunk; “that’s worth _several_ beaver hides. Why don’t you take it?” But Teddy declined receiving it. “It’s a prisent to you, to ’mind yees of this day’s hunt.” “Thar’s little danger of my furgettin’ it,” returned the trapper, as he carefully placed the prize in his pocket; “but s’pose we don’t find no more.” “Little fear; but let’s folly the sthraam down--hark!” Both listened. As the channel of the stream was quite smooth at this point, scarcely any noise was made; but, as they stood motionless and listening, they heard a distinct roar, the meaning of which was clear to all. “The stream _kenyons_ afore it goes much further,” remarked old Stebbins, as they resumed their progress. One was on either side the stream, vigilantly searching the bed of the limpid stream, as they walked along; but they saw nothing more of the coveted saffron, and every step they took brought them near the cañon, which could now be at no great distance. Finally they came in sight of the place, where the stream narrowed and deepened and increased in velocity, while the banks rose to a hight of twenty and more feet, so close in some places that a man could easily leap across. The instant they caught sight of the cañon, Teddy O’Doherty started back, with an exclamation of surprise. “Crazy ag’in!” asked the trapper, somewhat provoked at his performances. “I’ve seen that place _afore_.” “When?” “Last night.”