“I don’t know exactly what to think,” interrupted Jerry, “but I have my suspicions. I’m going to have this clay analyzed. It may be of some value after all, and mother’s land is full of it! In fact, there’s more on her strip than anywhere else in the swamp.”
[CHAPTER V]
PROFESSOR SNODGRASS
For a moment Jerry’s chums looked at him curiously, and then Ned exclaimed:
“That’s right! There may be something back of all this. Come on, Bob, help get some of this mud.”
“Say, it’s nasty and sticky,” complained the stout youth, who was somewhat fastidious about his personal appearance.
“Oh, never mind!” laughed Jerry, who did not mind soiling his hands. “I only want a little for analysis. I’ve got enough,” and he wrapped a chunk in some green leaves that he pulled from a wild grapevine.
“And you really think it might be of some value?” asked Ned, washing his hands in a pool of water, for he had dug up a small chunk of the yellow clay for Jerry.
“As I said, I’m not a bit sure—only suspicious,” spoke the tall lad. “It’s worth taking a chance on, that’s all. And certainly, if what Fussel says is true, and he’s draining the swamp, mother’s land won’t be of any use unless that’s drained also. And, in case there’s no value in this clay, she might as well get rid of her property to this concern, that has offered a good price—that is, if there’s nothing back of it.”