He ate the nicely browned piece of fish, and when he had finished he leaned comfortably back, filled and lighted his pipe.  This was the first time he had thought of smoking since leaving Frontier Samson.  He wondered where the old prospector was, and whether he was hunting frantically for his lost companion.  His mind turned naturally to Glen.  He was farther from her now than ever, and should he see her again?  The thought of her had stimulated him during his recent terrible experiences.  Over and over again she seemed to be standing by his side, urging him to go on, and renewing his fainting spirits.  He pictured her now as he had last seen her at the top of that steep trail, mounted upon her horse.  He recalled for the thousandth time her clear musical voice, the bright flash of her eyes, and the deep flush which had mantled her cheeks at the mention of Curly’s name.

“I must find her,” he emphatically declared, as he stirred up the dwindling fire, and added a couple of sticks.  “I expected to be with her before this, but here I am, lodged like a bear in this dismal hole.”

He glanced around the cave, and as he did so, he gave a sudden start.  Something in one side of the wall where the fire-light fell attracted his attention.  It made his heart beat fast, and brought him to his feet in an instant.  His hand reached up and touched it.  Then he quickly struck a match, and examined it more carefully.  Yes, he was right, and he had made no mistake.  It was gold!

CHAPTER XI

INTO THE GREAT UNKNOWN

For a few seconds Reynolds stared upon his new discovery.  Then he examined the walls elsewhere, and no matter where he looked, he found nuggets of gold protruding from the earth.  His excitement now became intense, and seizing a burning stick he began to explore the cave.  Everywhere it was the same.  The earth beneath his feet was even filled with nuggets, and, they gleamed upon him from overhead.  He felt that he must be dreaming, or else his terrible experiences of late had turned his brain.  Could it be possible that he had accidentally stumbled upon a vein of the precious metal, rich beyond the wildest bounds of imagination!  He put his hand to his face, and even pinched himself to make sure that he was awake.

When the brand had flickered out, he walked back to the fire and sat down.  He tried to calm himself that he might think over his wonderful discovery.  The rain still pelted down outside, and the wind roared among the trees.  But Reynolds paid no attention to them now.  He saw nothing but gold, heaps of it, piled high before him, and himself the richest man in the whole world.  What would not the miners of Big Draw give to know of this discovery!  How they would flock to the place, followed by thousands of others.  What a change would ensue in a short time.  No longer would it be the desolate wilderness, but alive with frantic human beings.