"If you really wish them," remarked Elwood, "of course we cannot ask you to part with them."
"I couldn't sell you both of mine, as I wouldn't have one; but, Wakeman, if I part with one of mine will you do the same?"
"Yes; for I know they'll need the arms before they get back to San Francisco."
"Then the question is, what will you ask us for the two guns?"
Now came the crisis. The party had not a dozen dollars among them. Howard and Elwood had left their money in the berth of the steamer, and of course it was irrevocably gone. But Elwood's watch remained, and that at the least calculation was worth one hundred and fifty; but whether the miners would accept it at a fair valuation for their pieces, was in their minds very doubtful.
"We have no money," said Howard, "but my cousin has a watch that is worth more than that sum, which he will give you for the two guns."
It was produced and passed around the company. Ned opened and shut it, and shook it and placed it to his ear.
"No; the salt water has stopped it, but I do not think it is really injured. A little cleaning will speedily set it going."
"But you are hunting for gold, and there is enough in it to make it worth your while to take it."
"We expect to find all the gold we can carry back with us without loading our mules down with gold watches."
Elwood replaced the watch in his pocket, disheartened at the failure of his offer.
"We have no money; if you will call at my father's the next time you go to San Francisco, he will gladly give you your price."
"Don't know as we shall go to San Francisco for the next five years; shan't go any way until we are loaded down with gold, and then we won't care about calling on your father--more likely he'll want to call on us."
"You are pleased with our blanket. Will you exchange your guns for that?"
"Got all the blankets we want; don't want it; keep it yourself."
"Will you not give us one gun for both the blanket and watch?"
The miner now laughed, and shook his head again.
"Well, we may as well give up. We can't get any guns of you."
"You seem unwilling to trade, and we can not buy them."
And thereupon the miner rose to his feet and handed one gun to Elwood and the other to Howard.
"What does this mean?" asked the latter, not comprehending him.