"
Brooks and Creedon laughed, and the latter said:
"Well, you are smart, you are; but, lad, let me tell you something:
don't spend time looking for the Mexican's gold."
"Why not?"
"I've explored every nook and cranny in this mountain, and there is no
treasure hidden here."
"But I found some gold."
"You did?"
"Yes."
Creedon and Brooks stared.
"Are you in earnest?"
"I am."
"Where did you find it?"
"Well, I am going to consider awhile before I tell."
Brooks looked Desmond straight in the face, and asked:
"Boy, honest, did you really find gold?"
"Yes, I did."
The matter began to assume a very serious aspect, for Desmond spoke
seriously.
"If you found any gold, lad, you've beat me."
"I did find gold."
"On your honor?"
"Yes."
"Well, here we are on shares; tell us all about it."
Desmond laughed in turn; they had had their laugh and he had his laugh,
as he said:
"Here is what I found."
The lad produced the little nugget he had picked up and then Creedon
laughed, and said:
"By George! that is the bit of gold I lost, and I had a good hunt for
it."
Our hero had been impressed by Creedon's statement that he had examined
every nook and corner in the mountain, and yet he did feel a sort of
hankering notion that he could find the gold, and he said:
"I want to explore again.
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