Mukoki was compelled to work ceaselessly to keep the two boys supplied with "pay dirt" from the pool.

His improvised dredge now brought up only a handful or two of sand and pebbles at a dip.

It was on this ninth day that the truth dawned upon them all.
The pool was becoming exhausted of its treasure! But the discovery brought no great gloom with it.

Somewhere near that pool must be the very source of the treasure itself, and the gold hunters were confident of finding it.

Besides, they had already accumulated what to them was a considerable fortune, at least two thousand dollars apiece.