'
'Why so, boy?'
'Because the last stick is burned, and the steam man couldn't be made
to run a mile further without more fuel.'
CHAPTER XVII. HOMEWARD BOUND.
THE PUNISHMENT administered to the Indians who had so greatly annoyed
the miners proved a very beneficial one.
Nothing more was seen of them, except one or two glimpses of the
red-skin upon his black horse. He, however, maintained a respectful
distance, and at the end of a day or two disappeared altogether.
These were golden moments indeed to the miners, and they improved them
to the utmost. From earliest light until the darkness of night they
toiled almost unceasingly. Half the time they went hungry rather than
stop their work to procure that which was so much needed. When,
however, the wants of nature could no longer be trifled with, Baldy
took his rifle and started off on a hunt, which was sure to be brief
and successful.
Sometimes he caught sight of some game in the gulch, and sometimes
something in the air drew the fire of his unerring rifle, and the
miners feasted and worked as only such violently laboring men can do.
Although the boy was unable to assist at the severe labor, yet he soon
demonstrated his genius and usefulness.
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