CHAPTER II.

A RECOGNITION--THE WOODSMAN'S DISCLOSURES--A
CHANCE AFTER ALL--THE BIVOUAC--DESMOND'S
DISCOVERY--SAVAGES GALORE.


The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a
few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy
their meal. The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he
drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:

"Well, that was good; that cup of coffee makes us friends. I may do you
a good turn."

"Good enough; we are ready for a good turn. We've had rather hard luck
so far."

"So you are after a mine, eh?"

"Yes."

"You are regular prospectors?"

"Yes."

"You have to strike a surface ledge to make any money. Don't think a
claim would amount to much out here unless you found a nest of them so
as to attract a crowd, and a town, and a mill, and all that. According
to my idea the mines out here all need capital to work 'em in case you