The two girls greeted each other with warmth; it was apparent that they would become fast friends when they learned more of each other.

As for Redburn, he was secretly enamored with the “General’s” pretty daughter; she was beautiful, and evidently accomplished, and her progenitor was financially well-to-do.  What then was lacking to make her a fitting mate for any man?  Redburn pondered deeply on this subject, as he left the girls together, and went out to see to his duties in the mines.

He found Terry and Fearless Frank in the quartz mine, looking at the swarthy-skinned miners; examining new projected slopes; suggesting easier methods for working out different lumps of gold-bearing rock.  While the former’s knowledge of practical mining was extended, the latter’s was limited.

“I think thet thar ar’ bigger prospects yet, in further,” the old locater was saying.  “I ain’t much varsed on jeeological an’ toppygraffical formation, myself, ye see; but then, it kinder ’peers to me thet this quartz vein ar’ a-goin’ to hold out fer a consider’ble time yet.”

“Doubtless.  More straight digging an’ less slopes I should think would be practicable,” McKenzie observed.

“I don’t see it!” said Redburn, joining them.  “Sloping and transversing discovers new veins, while line work soon plays out.  I think things are working in excellent order at present.”

They all made a tour of the mine which had been dug a considerable distance into the mountain.  The quartz was ordinarily productive, and being rather loosely thrown together was blasted down without any extra trouble.  After a short consultation, Redburn and the “General” concluded to place Frank over the Utes as superintendent and mine-boss, as they saw that he was not used to digging, blasting or any of the rough work connected with the mine, although he was clear-headed and inventive.

When tendered the position it was gratefully accepted by him, he expressing it his intention to work for the interest of his employers as long as he should stay in the gulch.

Night at last fell over the Flower Pocket gold-mines, and work ceased.

The Utes procured their own food—­mainly consisting of fish from the little creek and deer and mountain birds that could be brought down at almost any hour from the neighboring crags—­and slept in the open air.  Redburn had McKenzie a comfortable bed made in the crusher-house, and sent him out a meal fit for a prince.

As yet, Anita knew nothing of the scarlet youth’s identity;—­scarcely knew, in fact, that he was in the valley.

At the cabin, the evening meal was dispatched with a general expression of cheerfulness about the board.  Anita seemed less downcast than usual, and the vivacious Alice made life and merriment for all.  She was witty where wit was proper, and sensible in an unusual degree.

Redburn was infatuated with her.  He watched her with an expression of fondness in his eyes; he admired her every gesture and action; he saw something new to admire in her, each moment he was in her society.