The whole party, in chorus, condemned their optical organs to supernatural warmth; some, more energetic than the rest, signified that the operation should extend to their lungs and lives.  But the doubter of the party again spoke: 

“Mind yer,” said he, “to-morrow he’ll be complainin’ that the Pet stole it, an’ then he’ll claim all in the Pet’s pouch.”

The colonel looked doubtful; several voices expressed dissent; Bozen, reviving his proposition to drink to Grump, found opinion about equally balanced, but conservative.  It was agreed, however, that all the boys should “hang around” the express agent next day, and should, if Grump made the Pet any trouble, dispose of him promptly, and give the Pet a clear title to all of Grump’s rights and properties.

The agent came, and one by one the boys deposited their dust, saw it weighed, and took their receipts.  Presently there was a stir near the door, and Grump and Pet entered.  Pet’s gold was weighed, his mother’s name given, and a receipt tendered.

“Thinks he’s goin’ to hev conviction in writin’,” whispered the doubter to the colonel.

But the agent finished his business, took the stage, and departed.  Grump started to the door to see the last of it.  The doubter was there before him, and saw a big tear in the corner of each of Grump’s eyes.

* * * * *

A few days after Grump went to Placerville for a new pick for the Pet—­the old one was too heavy for a light man, Grump said.  Pet himself felt rather lonesome working on his neighbor’s claim, so he sauntered down the creek, and got a kind word from almost every man.  His ridiculous anatomy had escaped the grave so long, he was so industrious and so inoffensive, that the boys began to have a sort of affection for the boy who had come so far to “help the folks.”

Finally, some weak miner, unable to hold the open secret any longer, told the Pet about Grump’s operation in dust.  Great was the astonishment of the young man, and puzzling miners gained sympathy from the weak eyes and open mouth of the Pet as he meandered homeward, evidently as much at a loss as themselves.

Unlucky was the spirit which prompted Grump in the selection of his claim!  It was just beyond a small bend which the Run made, and was, therefore, out of sight of the claims of the other men belonging to the camp.  And it came to pass that while Pet was standing on his own claim, leaning on his spade, and puzzling his feeble brain, there came down the Run the great Broady, chief of the Jolly Grasshoppers, who were working several miles above.

Mr. Broady had found a nugget a few days before, and, in his exultation, had ceased work and become a regular member of the bar.  A week’s industrious drinking developed in him that peculiar amiability and humanity which is characteristic of cheap whisky, and as Pet was small, ugly and alone, Broady commenced working off on him his own superfluous energy.