Mick would make no promises; but declared his intention of trying very hard.

'If anybody'd knock me down as soon as I goes a yard off the claim, that'd be best.' And so they renewed their work, and at the end of six weeks from the commencement of their operations sold nine ounces of gold to the manager of the little branch bank which had already established itself at Ahalala.

These were hardly 'pailfuls'; but gold is an article which adds fervour to the imagination and almost creates a power for romance.
Other matters, however, were not running smoothly with John Caldigate at this eventful time.

To have found gold so soon after their arrival was no doubt a great triumph, and justified him in writing a long letter to his father, in which he explained what he had done, and declared that he looked forward to success with confidence.

But still he was far from being at ease.