Five minutes later they were trailing up the rough wagon-road, MacDonald in the lead, and Joanne and Aldous behind, with the single pack horse between.
For several miles this wagon-trail reached back through the thick timber that filled the bottom between the two ranges of mountains.

They had travelled but a short distance when Joanne drew her horse close in beside Aldous.
"I want to know what happened last night," she said.

"Will you tell me ?" Aldous met her eyes frankly.

He had made up his mind that she would believe only the truth, and he had decided to tell her at least a part of that.

He would lay his whole misadventure to the gold.