CHAPTER VI

TOM CATCHES THE "NEVADA FEVER"


Two nights passed without adventure. On each of these nights
the three campers---for Alf didn't "count" divided the hours
of darkness into three watches, each standing guard in his turn.
On the third morning after the departure of the Bright Hope
group the campers were seated at breakfast around the packing
case that served as table.

"I feel as though we ought to be at work," suggested Hazelton.

"Good!" mocked Tom. "You've been riding every day lately, and
I have remained in camp, testing samples of ore that I've picked
up on my strolls."

"You take the horse today," proposed Harry, "and I'll stay in
camp and work."

"Suppose both of us stay in and work," proposed Reade.

"That'll be all right, too," nodded Harry, pleasantly. "May I
ask, Tom, what you're up to, anyway?"