Yes, Fred Hammond was not a little astounded, as he learned by what a singular means Teddy O’Doherty had discovered the cave of wealth, and he listened to the close of his characteristic narration without interruption. When he had finished, our hero remarked, with a laugh: “Then I have all my pains for nothing, since Teddy has developed such a remarkable genius for dreams.” “But yer intentions were honorable, as me father remarked, whin me mither fired the gun at his head, and by mistake missed him, and therefur we give you credit.” “Yes,” assented the others, “we’re jist as pleased as though we had never heard of the cave afore.” “Thar’s plinty of goold thar, is thar?” continued Teddy, in his eager way. “Yes; I have been in the cave more than once, and have seen that there is an abundance--far more than you can carry away with you.” “And haven’t yer taken any?” “Not an ounce.” “Why don’t yees?” “That for which I was searching,” replied Hammond, with a smile, “was worth more to me than all the gold in the Rocky Mountains.” “Spoken like a thrue lover; jist as I always respictfully mintioned the name of me love; but doesn’t yees intind to take any of the yaller stuff wid yer.” “Well, perhaps I may pick out a few chunks, although I ain’t particular.” Teddy now renewed his proposition to search the cavern at night. They could build a fire within it, and secure all the gold that was convenient to carry, and by daylight be ready to start on their homeward journey, while if they waited until the morrow, they would doubtless have to make a desperate fight with the Blackfeet, and very likely would be driven away entirely. There was wisdom in this, and Hammond joined with him, for, he knew that, if the trappers should be ready on the morrow to start on their return, Lamora would be prepared also; and thus, such a proceeding would be entirely in his favor. And so, after a few minutes more discussion, it was decided to visit the cave by night. It was yet comparatively early in the evening, when the four men issued like so many shadows from “headquarters,” and noiselessly made their way up the cañon. Teddy and Black Tom each carried a large pile of faggots on their shoulders, while the tall stooping form of old Stebbins took the lead, with his rifle and pick. The night was quite dark, there being scarcely any moon, while the sky was swept by numerous dark clouds, that seemed to indicate that a fierce storm was at no great distance. They had gone but a short distance, when they paused and listened. Nothing but the mournful sighing of the wind could be heard, nor could any indication of danger be detected. On up through the cañon they made their way--on up until they stood on the level prairie, when they turned off and plunged anew into the wild and rugged recesses of the mountains. Down again, until they seemed like miners descending into the bowels of the earth, when they reached the small stream in which gold had been discovered.