"You were short of transport."
"We had all we could pay for. Transport comes high."
"When you leave the railroad, everything comes high, as you're going to find out. Guess your trouble is you haven't enough capital."
"The trouble's pretty common," Jake rejoined. "You don't find rich men hitting the trail to the woods."
"A sure thing," said the other. "Well, you're not going to get rich cutting the new telegraph line. Your outfit's not strong enough; you haven't stores and tools. Tell you what I'll do; I'll give you seven hundred and fifty dollars to let up."
"I don't know if you're generous or if you're rash," Jake remarked with a twinkle. "The truck we're hauling in cost us more than that."
"I'll take it at a valuation and you can find the men to fix the price."
Jake looked at Jim, who pondered and hesitated. He was dispirited and tired, and felt that the chance of their carrying out the contract was not good. It would be something of a relief to get their money back.
"I don't know who you are and why you want to buy us off," he said.
"Then I'll put you wise. I'm Probyn, Cartner and Dawson's man. They wanted the new branch-line job, and if you get out, it, will go to them. Anyhow, you can't put it over. The bush is thick in the valley and there's loose gravel on the range that will roll down when you cut your track."