"Because there's nothing the men can do for the present, and I wanted all hands to have a chance to get over their disappointment. Jim, this snow-crust will bear the weight of a pony, won't it?"
"Why?"
"I must get to Dugout City."
"For what?"
"We haven't a big enough ore dump on which to borrow any money. but I've an idea I can sell this nugget for enough to get another good stock of dynamite."
"You don't want to try to get to Dugout today or tomorrow," replied
Ferrers slowly.
"But I must," Tom insisted. "Every hour's delay is worse than wasted time. I must get to Dugout and back again as speedily as possible."
"Hotel living is expensive in Dugout," remarked Jim.
"But I don't intend to stop at a hotel for more than one meal."
"Have you looked at the sky?"