Just here, however, Travenion says: "I haven't had a look at this other drift for a good while. I think I'll make a little examination of it now," and goes into the unused level.
When he reaches the fourth set of timbers from the shaft, by the light of his candle, Erma sees him put his hands on them, and lean against them, as he examines the face of the drift.
"Would you like to come in, Kruger?" he asks. "I find nothing."
"Seein's believin'!" cries Kruger, and makes an examination also. Then the two men come back to the station.
Erma notices that Lot has left his genial spirits in the bottom of the mine, for when they are hoisted to the surface he turns round and says: "Tranyon, unless we get the Mineral Hill, we don't get anything."
"And for that we have got to fight them," answers Ralph. Then he continues: "By the bye, you know Captain Lawrence has engaged Parshall & Garter. We have got a big fight on our hands, and I suspect I'll have to assess you."
"How much?" gasps Kruger.
"Well, I guess about twenty-five hundred dollars will do for your share, as a starter."
"As a starter!" screams Lot, who, though comfortably off for a Mormon, is not rich like Travenion.
"Yes, for just a little bit of a starter. It's going to cost me one hundred thousand dollars, perhaps more, to fight this case, and you don't suppose I'm going to spend all the money, do you, bishop?"