The clink of the dollar was music to him; but it was perfectly clear that he could hold his own, on occasion, with a very tenacious hand.

The man was resolutely quiet and evidently quite ready to meet the jumpers with an empty rifle.
For the next few moments Devine stood listening with strained attention.

At first he could hear nothing except a little breeze that sighed among the tops of the firs, but by and by he became sensible of a stealthy rustling somewhere in the shadows.

Then a branch snapped with a sharp distinctness that set his heart beating a good deal faster than was comfortable.

Making a sign to Saunders, he strode back to the tent and picked up the ax.
After that they set out together down the little trail that led past the willows to the lode, slipping as silently as possible through the shadows, though now and then a stone clinked beneath their feet, or a stick or twig snapped as they passed, with a sound that seemed startlingly loud.