The boy was an ardent fossicker, and loved to be burrowing amongst old tailings, or groping in the sludge of an auriferous creek after little patches.

He was soon peering into the ripples of Harry's cradle.
'Poor,' he commented, with the confidence of an expert.
'Not up to much, Dick,' said Harry.

'I've just been prospectin' a bit round here.' 'Frank was tryin' that bank.

'Tain't no good.

Say, I can lay you onter somethin' better not far from here.' 'Yes--where is it ?' 'Tellin's.