"
"Why, then, man alive!" gasped Tom, halting, a look of wonder
on his face, and then a grin of realization, "if they can't file
the claim to that strip, why can't we!"
"We can, if we're quick enough," Ferrers answered. "I tried to
file the claim while I was over in Dugout, but the clerk at the
mining claim office said he 'lowed that we'd have to have our
declaration tacked up on the ridge first of all."
"That'll take us a blessed short time," muttered Reade. "Harry
and I have all the particulars we need for writing out the notice
of claim. Get some breakfast on the jump, Jim, and we'll hustle
over there."
"I had my breakfast before I rode in here," errors answered, his
eyes shining. "I'd a-missed my guess, Mr. Reade, if you hadn't
been ready for prompt action."
"Then there's no reason, Jim, under mining customs, why we shouldn't
ride over there and stake out that claim?"
"Not a reason on earth, Mr. Reade, except that Gage will probably
put up a big fight."
"Let him!" added Tom, in a lower voice.
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