"And think of all the money—-out of our savings—-we've sunk in this thing."
"I hope you're not going to get scared as early as this," protested Tom. "Why, before we even get in sight of pay-rock we may have to sink every dollar of our savings."
"Then hadn't we better get out of it early, and go to work for some one who pays wages?" questioned Hazelton.
"Yes," Tom shot out, quickly, "if that's the way you feel about it."
"But do you feel differently, Tom?"
"I'm willing to risk something, for the sake of drawing what may possibly turn out to be the big prize in the mining lottery."
"But all our savings," cried Harry, aghast. "That seems like a foolish risk, doesn't it?"
"If you say so, I'll draw out now," Tom proposed.
"What do you think about it?"
"If all the money at stake were mine," Reade said slowly, "then
I'd hang on as long as I had a penny left to invest."