Reade. Neither is Mr. Hazelton," returned
Walsh bluntly. "You're both engineers, and not green ones, either.
You've been studying mines and mining, and it isn't just guess-work
with you when you say that you feel sure of striking rich ore."
"Only one of us is sure," smiled Tom Reade wistfully. "I'm the
sure one. As for my partners, I'm certain that they're sticking
to me just because they're too loyal to desert a partner. For
myself, I wouldn't blame them if they left me any day. As for
you men, I shall be glad to have you stay and stand by us, now
that you know the state of affairs, but I won't blame you if you
decide to take your money and the path back to Dugout City."
"It's no use, Mr. Reade," laughed Walsh, shaking his shaggy head.
"You couldn't persuade one of us to leave you now."
"And I'd thrash any man who tried to," declared another miner.
"Men, I thank you," Tom declared, his eyes shining, "and I hope
that we shall all win out together."
"Now, what do you want us to do?" asked Walsh.
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