“I wonder what’s the trouble now?” Nestor said.
Coming out of the shaft he found the summit of the hill surrounded by fifty or more roughly dressed men, all bearing mining tools on their backs. They stood in a circle while Broswick, with cocked rifle, was holding them at bay.
“What’s the matter?” asked Nestor.
“They allowed they was goin’ to jump this claim,” said the hunter.
“Excuse me, pardner,” spoke one of the crowd, who seemed to be a sort of leader, addressing his remarks to Nestor. “I take it you’re in charge here?”
“That’s what,” replied the miner.
“Waal, we ain’t goin’ to jump nobody’s claim. We’re a bunch of miners, an’ we’ve come all the way from Spread Eagle Valley to this region, hearin’ as how there was good claims here. Are we right?”
“You be,” replied Nestor, “an’ you’re welcome. There’s the stakes of our claim,” and he indicated them.
“All filed reg’lar an’ ’cordin’ to law, I s’pose?” went on the spokesman.
“Right,” answered Nestor. “You can locate anywhere you like outside of my claim.”