~<{ TO CARIBOO AND BACK }*—

dens. The pussy-willows began to show color
and their buds opened wide enough to give a
hint of the silver fur inside.

Then Fred Wilfer, Bully Jim and Arthur
packed their picks and shovels and cradles,
along with all the pork and beans, flour and tea
and sugar that one stout mule could carry, and
set off across country for Williams Creek,
which was at that time the El Dorado of the
gold seekers in the Cariboo.

“I’m wonderin’ when ye’ll be coming back,” ©
said Mary, watching them tighten the last
straps.

“We'll be back when we make our fortune,
not before,” Arthur told her, his Dee face
shining with excitement.

“Better not expect a million, Mother.” Jim

-cautioned her. “Though judging by all we hear

it won’t be much less if we make a real find.”

“People are coming in by thousands from
the States.” Fred Wilfer added his bit to the
fairy tale.

“Sure, if ye bring yourselves back I’ll be
well content,”’ Mary declared as she gave both
the boys a hearty kiss and shook Betty’s father
by the hand.

[220]