Some parties were so busy that they only shook their heads, without pausing. Others directed them on, or to right or left. But after having volunteered in vain as miners, carpenters, and even as wood-choppers, they reached the head of the gulch, and turned back. "Well, guess we'll go down to the other end," sighed Terry. "This sure is a tough proposition," said George, using professional language. "Anyway, we've got enough to live on for a day or two, haven't we? Wonder when Harry'll be back." "He won't come back till he has Duke; you can depend on that. Maybe he hasn't money enough." "He can borrow from the folks." "He won't, though. He'd rather work and earn some more." "You can sell your mine, can't you, if you have to?" asked George. "He said sell it. And we can sell the True Blue. I'd as lief." "We gave it to Virgie," reminded Terry. "Aw, she wouldn't care. It's no good, is it? It doesn't own any water." "Well, 'tisn't as good as the Golden Prize," admitted Terry. "Maybe we'll sell the Golden Prize and find something better. But I'd like to wait till Harry comes. I'd hate to sell it to that Pine Knot Ike gang." "They offered you $100, though, didn't they?" "Y-yes," admitted Terry. "It's better than nothing, of course." They two (for Shep had been left to guard the cabin) were retracing their steps by a slightly different route down the opposite side of the gulch, so as not to miss any chances, and now came upon the wheel-barrow man. "Why, hello, young Pike's Peak Limited," he greeted. "How's the gold-seeking business?" "We're not gold-seeking, we're job-seeking," explained Terry. "Do you know of a job for a couple like us?" The wheel-barrow man appeared to have packed up. His blanket roll and a fry-pan and tin cup were laid ready in front of his closed cabin. "What's the matter? Didn't your prospects pan out?" he queried. "We haven't any water, so we quit. Then I worked for Pat Casey, and he quit, and we can't even sell pies," confessed Terry. "Where's your other partner?" "He went down to Denver and Auraria, to buy our buffalo back. They're trying to match Duke against a bear." "Pshaw! That so? I'm going down to Denver myself, to look about in time before snow flies. I understand it begins to snow up here in September, and everybody'll be driven out." "What'll you do with your mine? You've got one, haven't you?" asked George. "Sure pop, young man. And it's recorded, too, on the district books; and if anybody jumps it while I'm gone there'll be a heap of trouble for him. It's in black and white, described according to miners' law. Say--if you boys really want to work, you go on to Gregory Point, near the mouth of the gulch, and maybe you can get a day's work, or several days' work, on the new church they're putting up there for a preacher." "Come on, George," bade Terry. And--"Much obliged," he called back. "Where's your wheel-barrow?" "Played out at last. Don't need it, anyway. Can carry all I've got on my back."