Mr. Reade, and gentlemen,
we stick as long as you'll let us!"
Tom felt slightly staggered, as his face showed it.
"Men," he protested, "this is magnificent on your part. But it
wouldn't be fair to let you do it. You are all of you working for
your living."
"Well, aren't you three working for your living, too?" grinned Walsh.
"Yes; but we stand to make the big stake here, in case of victory
at last."
"And I reckon we stand a show of having a little extra coming to
us, if we do right by you at this minute," laughed Walsh.
"Yes, you do---if we strike the rich vein for which we're hunting.
Yet have you men any idea a how little chance we may have of
striking that vein? Men, the mine may---perhaps I would better
say probably will---turn out a fizzle. I am afraid you men are
voting for some weeks of wasted work and a hungry tramp back to
Dugout City at the end. As much as we want to go on with the work,
we hate to see you all stand to lose so much."
"You're no fool, Mr.
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