Finally, Toledo answered:

"Not much, marm, seein' we ain't got none. Me an' these gentlemen's a
committee from the boys."

"From the boys?" echoed Miss Brown. She had heard so many wonderful
things about the Golden State, that now she soberly wondered whether
bearded men called themselves boys, and went to school.

"From the miners, washin' along the crick, marm--they want to know what
they ken do fur yer," continued Toledo.

"I am very grateful," said Miss Brown; "but I suppose the local school
committee--"

"Don't count on them, marm," interrupted Toledo; "they're livin' five
miles away, and they're only the preacher, an' doctor, an' a feller
that's j'ined the church lately. None uv 'em but the doctor ever shows
themselves at the saloon, an' _he_ only comes when there's a diffikilty,
an' he's called in to officiate. But the boys--the boys hez got the
dust, marm, an' they've got the will. One uv us'll be in often to see
what can be done fur yer. Good-mornin', marm."

Toledo raided his hat again, the other committee-men bowed profoundly to
all the windows and seats, and then the whole retired, leaving Miss
Brown in the wondering possession of an entirely new experience.

"Well?" inquired the crowd, as the committee approached the creek.

"Well," replied Toledo, "she's just a hundred an' thirty pound nugget,