第12章

Of the great discovery in Sylvan Silver Hollow it would seem that Collinson as yet knew nothing.In spite of Key's fears that he might stray there on his return from Skinner's,he did not,nor did he afterwards revisit the locality.Neither the news of the registry of the claim nor the arrival of Key's workmen ever reached him.The few travelers who passed his mill came from the valley to cross the Divide on their way to Skinner's,and returned by the longer but easier detour of the stage-road over Galloper's Ridge.

He had no chance to participate in the prosperity that flowed from the opening of the mine,which plentifully besprinkled Skinner's settlement;he was too far away to profit even by the chance custom of Key's Sabbath wandering workmen.His isolation from civilization (for those who came to him from the valley were rude Western emigrants like himself)remained undisturbed.The return of the prospecting party to his humble hospitality that night had been an exceptional case;in his characteristic simplicity he did not dream that it was because they had nowhere else to go in their penniless condition.It was an incident to be pleasantly remembered,but whose nonrecurrence did not disturb his infinite patience.His pork barrel and flour sack had been replenished for other travelers;his own wants were few.

It was a day or two after the midnight visit of the sheriff to Silver Hollow that Key galloped down the steep grade to Collinson's.He was amused,albeit,in his new importance,a little aggrieved also,to find that Collinson had as usual confounded his descent with that of the generally detached boulder,and that he was obliged to add his voice to the general uproar.

This brought Collinson to his door.

"I've had your hoss hobbled out among the chickweed and clover in the green pasture back o'the mill,and he's picked up that much that he's lookin'fat and sassy,"he said quietly,beginning to mechanically unstrap Key's bridle,even while his guest was in the act of dismounting."His back's quite healed up."Key could not restrain a shrug of impatience.It was three weeks since they had met,--three weeks crammed with excitement,energy,achievement,and fortune to Key;and yet this place and this man were as stupidly unchanged as when he had left them.A momentary fancy that this was the reality,that he himself was only awakening from some delusive dream,came over him.But Collinson's next words were practical.

"I reckoned that maybe you'd write from Marysville to Skinner to send for the hoss,and forward him to ye,for I never kalkilated you'd come back."It was quite plain from this that Collinson had heard nothing.But it was also awkward,as Key would now have to tell the whole story,and reveal the fact that he had been really experimenting when Collinson overtook him in the hollow.He evaded this by post-dating his discovery of the richness of the ore until he had reached Marysville.But he found some difficulty in recounting his good fortune:he was naturally no boaster,he had no desire to impress Collinson with his penetration,nor the undaunted energy he had displayed in getting up his company and opening the mine,so that he was actually embarrassed by his own understatement;and under the grave,patient eyes of his companion,told his story at best lamely.Collinson's face betrayed neither profound interest nor the slightest resentment.When Key had ended his awkward recital,Collinson said slowly:--"Then Uncle Dick and that other Parker feller ain't got no show in this yer find.""No,"said Key quickly."Don't you remember we broke up our partnership that morning and went off our own ways.You don't suppose,"he added with a forced half-laugh,"that if Uncle Dick or Parker had struck a lead after they left me,they'd have put me in it?""Wouldn't they?"asked Collinson gravely.

"Of course not."He laughed a little more naturally,but presently added,with an uneasy smile,"What makes you think they would?""Nuthin'!"said Collinson promptly.

Nevertheless,when they were seated before the fire,with glasses in their hands,Collinson returned patiently to the subject:

"You wuz saying they went their way,and you went yours.But your way was back on the old way that you'd all gone together."But Key felt himself on firmer ground here,and answered deliberately and truthfully,"Yes,but I only went back to the hollow to satisfy myself if there really was any house there,and if there was,to warn the occupants of the approaching fire.""And there was a house there,"said Collinson thoughtfully.

"Only the ruins."He stopped and flushed quickly,for he remembered that he had denied its existence at their former meeting."That is,"he went on hurriedly,"I found out from the sheriff,you know,that there had been a house there.But,"he added,reverting to his stronger position,"my going back there was an accident,and my picking up the outcrop was an accident,and had no more to do with our partnership prospecting than you had.In fact,"he said,with a reassuring laugh,"you'd have had a better right to share in my claim,coming there as you did at that moment,than they.Why,if I'd have known what the thing was worth,Imight have put you in--only it wanted capital and some experience."He was glad that he had pitched upon that excuse (it had only just occurred to him),and glanced affably at Collinson.But that gentleman said soberly:--"No,you wouldn't nuther."

"Why not?"said Key half angrily.

Collinson paused.After a moment he said,"'Cos I wouldn't hev took anything outer thet place."Key felt relieved.From what he knew of Collinson's vagaries he believed him.He was wise in not admitting him to his confidences at the beginning;he might have thought it his duty to tell others.