"Perhaps. But look here, say a thousand dollars apiece, half cash, and half when we make our pile."
"Can't do it; but I'll knock off a hundred dollars from each claim, as we are friends."
"The market value is two thousand dollars, you say, Colonel Cruickshank (my dear Chance, do leave this to me), and you have yourself inspected these claims?"
"Certainly."
"And they are good workable claims, adjoining those you spoke of?"
"Undoubtedly, that gives them their principal value."
"Very well then, I'll buy the three. Here is a hundred dollars to bind our bargain. We'll settle the rest to-morrow. Now, let me give you a drink."
"Thank you. Are the claims to stand in your name?"
"In Chance's, Phon's, and mine. How will that do, Steve?"