"Fine!" returned Dick, and Sam nodded. "I hope you keep it up."
"It's the machinery is goin' to tell the tale," returned Jack Wumble. "I can't do much more by hand."
"Are you working the mine alone?" asked Sam.
"Fer the present. When I came away I left the claim in charge o' a miner named Allison—Tim Allison. But I told him not to do any diggin'—just keep his eyes on things. When there is any diggin' to be done I want to be on hand."
Wumble was bound for Skagway, where he said his machinery and supplies would be sent. He knew that section of Alaska thoroughly, and said he would show the lads where to go and what to do.
"Things is changin' mightily up there every day," he remarked. "They are dredgin' channels an' buildin' railroads, and making all kinds o' roads. Go there one year an' the next ye won't 'most know the place, it will look so different."
"Well, they are developing all parts of the country," answered Dick.
"Maybe; but nuthin' to wot they're doin' in Alaska," answered the old miner.
The three sat up for half an hour longer, talking matters over. Of course Jack Wumble wanted to know about Mr. Rover, and was sorry to learn that the boys' father was not well. He could hardly believe that Dick was married.
"Why, it don't seem like no time since you an' your brothers came out to Colorady to locate thet mine," he remarked.