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Next moment Frank sprang laughing into the passage, and the book flew with a crash against the panels of the door as he shut it behind him, leaving Mr Allfrey to solace himself with a large meerschaum, almost the only unfailing friend that he possessed. Thus it came to pass that Frank Allfrey went out to the gold regions of California.
"You see, mates," observed Joe Graddy, after the others had given their opinions, "this is how it stands. I must stick by Mister Allfrey, 'cause why, we've bin pullin' in the same boat together for some time past, an' it's nat'ral for to wish to continue so to do.
"There is more to be said than that," observed the Yankee at this point. "You are so very fond of fulfilling your duty, mister guide, that I have concluded to relieve you of some of it. One of these mules is loaded entirely with my goods. Now, I guess, I'll remain behind with Mister Allfrey, and keep the mule at a reasonable valuation."
"I had half expected to make out Bigbear Gully to-night, but the road is not safe; too many precipices and steep parts, which require to be passed in daylight." "Very good, Rance; then we had better set about encamping." "'Tis a dreary-looking place," said Frank Allfrey, glancing round him. "'Twill look more cheery when the fire is kindled," said Jeffson.
"I have studied much, uncle," said Frank eagerly, "although I have said little to you about the matter, knowing your objection to it; but if you would condescend to look at a few of my drawings from nature, I think " "Drawing from nature," cried Mr Allfrey with a look of supreme contempt, "what do I care for nature? What have you to do with nature in this nineteenth century?
Bigbear Gully so named because of a huge grizzly bear that had been shot there at the commencement of digging operations was a wild and somewhat gloomy but picturesque mountain gorge, the first sight of which, with its lights and shadows, stupendous cliffs and clumps of wood clinging to the hill-sides, called forth a burst of delight and admiration from Frank Allfrey, whose mind at once leaped with loving desire to the brush and the colour-box; but as these implements were at that time packed among the baggage on the mule's back, and as the love of art was not sufficiently strong in the guide to induce him to permit of a moment's delay in the journey, our hero was fain to content himself with visions of future indulgence in his favourite study.
W'en we got the sack the other day, says I to myself, says I, now you're afloat on the world without rudder, compass, or charts, but you've got a tight craft of your own, somewhat scrubbed, no doubt, with rough usage, but sound, so it's time for you to look out for rudder, compass, and charts, and it seems to me that thems to be found with young Mister Allfrey, so you'd better go an' git him to become skipper o' your ship without delay.
"Mercy! mercy!" cried the unhappy man, "I swear that I did not murder the man. I have made my pile down at Bigbear Gully, and I'll give it all every cent if you will wait to have the matter examined. Stay," he added, seeing that they paid no heed to him, "let me speak one word, before I die, with Mr Allfrey. I want to tell him where my gold lies hid."
We thought at first that he was raving, but after he was dead we went to the tree, and there, sure enough, we found the gold, just as he had described it, and, on weighing it, found that it amounted to the sum I have named so, Mr Allfrey, I guess that I may congratulate you on your good fortune. But come, I will show you the will and the witnesses."
If ever there was a man in this world who was passionately fond of painting and cut out for a painter, that man was Frank Allfrey; but fate, in the form of an old uncle, had decided that Frank should not follow the bent of his inclinations. We introduce our hero to the reader at the interesting age of eighteen, but, long before that period of life, he had shown the powerful leaning of his spirit.
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