"No, not just now, because I have been lying here. Some one nursing
me--yes," he cried, with more energy, as his eyes rested on Mrs John's
sympathetic face, "you."
"We have all nursed you," said Mrs John, quietly. "But do not try to
talk."
"No," he said, decisively; "but--there is one thing--must say--my
claim--the gold."
I saw Mr Raydon's face pucker up, and a frown gather on his brow, but
it cleared away directly, and he bent down over his patient, and laid
his hand upon his forehead.
"Gunson, you must be quiet," he said. "Your claim is quite safe. I
have men protecting it, and no gold has been found or taken away."
"Thank heaven!" sighed Gunson; and giving a grateful look round he
closed his eyes, and seemed to go to sleep.
"Come away now," whispered Mr Raydon. "You will stay with him?"
Mrs John bowed her head, and softly took the chair by the pillow, while
we all stole gently out of the room.
"His first waking thought, John," said Mr Raydon, bitterly; "gold--
gold--gold. There, it is of no use to murmur: I must swallow my pet
antipathy, I suppose."
Once more the thought of all Mr Gunson had said to me came as words to
my lips; but though my friend was being wrongly judged, I felt that I
could not speak.
"Some day he will know all the truth," I said, "and I must wait."
Just then Grey came up.
"Your time, Gordon," he said, abruptly. Then seeing our excited looks,
he glanced towards the strangers' quarters.
"Not worse, sir?" he said, eagerly.
"No, Grey; the turn has come--better," said Mr Raydon.
Grey took off his fur cap, waved it in the air, and then with a
satisfied smile he marched me off.
"That's what I like to hear; he'll be all right soon now. This place
would set any man up. But I can't understand the gov'nor. He was
always mad against any one coming about here hunting for gold, and yet
somehow he seems to have quite taken to your friend, who talks about
nothing else."
"Yes," I said; "I can't help thinking that he likes Mr Gunson."
"Oh, there's no doubt about it, my lad. We shall have him taking to
gold-hunting himself one of these days."
"Never," I said, decisively, as we reached my post.
"Never's a long day, boy," said Grey, thoughtfully; "but I think you're
right."