CHAPTER V.
MILES SETS OUT ON HIS JOURNEY.
"When Miles woke up in the morning he found Tom beside him.
"Hallo, Tom!" he said, in some surprise. "This is an early call."
"I have been here half the night," said Tom, quietly.
"How is that?"
"I was afraid you would be robbed."
"Did you have any particular reason for fearing it?" asked Miles,quickly.
Thereupon Tom described his chance visit of the evening before, and whathe saw. As might have been expected, John Miles was indignant.
"The miserable sneak! I'd like to wring his neck," he exclaimed. "Didyou say he had his hand upon the bag of gold-dust, Tom?"
"Yes; I distinctly saw him attempting to draw it out from under yourhead."
"If the boys knew of this, Crane's fate would be sealed. A thief in amining camp has a short shrift."
"You mean he would be hung?" asked Tom, in surprise.
"Yes, he would grace a limb of yonder tree, and I am not sure but itwould be the best way to dispose of him."
Tom shuddered.
"It would be a terrible fate," he said. "I should like to see himpunished, but I don't want him hanged."
"Then you will have to keep your mouth shut. Once let the boys get holdof what happened, and nothing will save him."
"Then I shall keep it to myself."
"I will see Crane, and let him understand that I am aware of the attempthe made," said Miles.
After breakfast he came upon Crane within a few rods of Missouri Jack'ssaloon.
"Look here, Bill Crane," said Miles, "I've got something to say to you."
"What is it?" returned Crane, sullenly, looking ill at ease.
"I understand you favored me with a visit, last night."
"Who told you so?"
"Tom Nelson."
"The young cub had better mind his own business," growled Crane, in amenacing tone.
"He did me a service in preventing your intended theft."
"If he says I meant to rob you, he lies!"
"Nevertheless, if he should make public what he saw, the boys would belikely to believe him rather than you," said Miles, significantly.
"Is he going to tell?" asked Crane, nervously.
"He has told me, but is not likely to speak of it to others, beingunwilling that you should suffer the punishment you deserve."
"He is very kind," sneered Bill Crane, but he felt very much relieved.
"You probably owe your life to his kindness," said Miles, quietly. "Hetells me you wish me to do something for you in Frisco."
"I've changed my mind," said Crane, abruptly; "I may go there myself,soon."
Miles smiled.
"I thought it might be something urgent," he said, "since it led you tocome to my tent at midnight."
"I thought you would be starting away early this morning."
"Well thought of, Bill Crane; but it is only fair to tell you that Idon't believe a word you say. I have one thing to say to you before Igo, and you had better bear it in mind. If you harm a hair of TomNelson's head, and I believe you quite capable of it, I will never resttill I have found you out and punished you for it."
"I am not afraid of you, John Miles," retorted Crane, but he lookeduncomfortable.
"You will have cause to be, if you injure Tom."
Miles walked off, leaving behind him a bitter enemy.
"I _hate_ him--him and the boy too!" muttered Bill Crane. "If I dared, Iwould put my mark on him before he leaves the camp."
But Crane did not dare. He knew that he was in a very critical position.His safety depended on the silence of two persons--one of whom wouldsoon be gone. He was not aware that Ferguson also knew of his attemptedcrime, or the danger would have seemed greater. However much he thirstedfor vengeance, it would not do to gratify it now. He must bide his time.
Bill Crane was cunning as well as malignant. He decided to quiet Tom'ssuspicions if he could, and ensure his continued silence, by anaffectation of friendliness. He waited till he saw our hero washing dustbeyond earshot of any listeners, and strolled up to him.
"How are you getting on, Tom?" he asked, with an appearance offriendliness.
Tom looked up quickly. Considering all that had happened, he wassomewhat struck by Crane's effrontery.
"Fairly well," he answered coldly.
"Shan't I relieve you a few minutes?" proposed Crane.
"No, thank you."
"It's pretty hard work, and don't pay as well as it might. I thinkCalifornia's a humbug, for my part."
"Have you tried washing for gold?" asked Tom. "I haven't seen you atwork."
"Not here. I've tried it elsewhere, but it's slow."
"Then, why do you stay here?" asked Tom, naturally.
Crane shrugged his shoulders.
"Because I haven't money to get away," he said. "I'm waiting forsomething to turn up. If I could only get to Frisco, I would go intosome business. I would like to have gone with Miles."
"Was that what you were going to propose to him, last night?" asked Tom,dryly.
"Yes, I wanted to speak to him on that subject. I had a great mind toask him to lend me a little money, and take me along with him. I wouldhave arranged to pay him soon after we reached Frisco."
Tom knew that the fellow was lying, and remained silent.
"You made a little mistake about my intentions," continued Bill Crane,smoothly, "but perhaps it was natural under the circumstances."
Tom thought it was, but still preserved silence, much to Crane'sdiscomfiture.
Bill Crane eyed him sharply, and saw his incredulity, but for that hecared little, if only he could secure his silence.
"I think you will see that it isn't fair to me to speak of this matter,"he continued.
"I had made up my mind not to speak of it," said Tom. "I don't want toget you into trouble."
"Good-morning, Mr. Crane," said Lawrence Peabody, who had just come up.
"Good-morning, Peabody. I was watching our friend Tom. How are yougetting on?"
"I haven't done anything yet to-day. It's dirty work. I don't thinkit's fit for a gentleman; Tom, there, is used to work, and he don'tmind."
"Shall we go round to Jack's?"
"All right!"
And the two walked away together.
"I am sorry Peabody doesn't keep better company," Tom said to himself."Bill Crane won't do him any good."
The Young Miner; Or, Tom Nelson in California Page 5