"I've sent my outfit around by the other trail," explained Mr.
Dunlop. "I've brought back men enough to start work in earnest.
There will be a mule train here by tomorrow with donkey engines
and machinery enough to start the work of mine-digging in earnest.
Here, boy, take my horse and tie him."
As Alf led the animal away, Mr. Dunlop turned to the young engineers with a smile of great amiability.
"Boys, I'm glad to say that I wired the two railroad presidents you mentioned to me. Both wired back, in effect, that my mine was bound to be a success if I turned the engineering problem over to you. So I'm going to accept your offers—-hire you at your own figures. I want you to come over to the Bright Hope claim as soon as you've had breakfast."
Tom glanced at his chum, then answered, slowly:
"I'm sorry, Mr. Dunlop, sorry indeed, if——-"
"What are you trying to say?" demanded the mine promoter sharply.
"When you left here, Mr. Dunlop, we told you that we couldn't agree to hold our offer open."
"Oh, that's all right. I've come right back and taken up your terms with you," replied the promoter easily.
"But I'm sorry to say, sir, that you are too late."
"Too late? What are you talking about, Reade? You haven't entered the employ of any one else not in this wilderness."