He was safe here--with a side-long laugh at
Susan--no more of the sea for him.
He was going back for money, money and men. It was too late to get
through to the States now? Well he'd wait and winter at Fort Laramie
if he had to, but he guessed he'd make a pretty vigorous effort to get
to St. Louis. His companion was from Philadelphia, and was going back
for his wife and children, also money. He'd bring them out next
spring, collect a big train, stock it well, and carry them across with
him.
"And start early, not waste any time dawdling round and talking. Start
with the first of 'em and get to California before the rush begins."
"Rush?" said Courant. "Are you looking for a rush next year?"
The man leaned forward with upraised, arresting hand, "The biggest rush
in the history of this country. Friends, there's gold in California."
Gold! The word came in different keys, their flaccid bodies stiffened
into upright eagerness-- Gold in the Promised Land!
Then came the great story, the discovery of California's treasure told
by wanderers to wanderers under the desert stars. Six months before
gold had been found in the race of Sutter's mill in the foothills.
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