“Ye’re tryin’ me, lad. I—”
“No. I want to see you git into better business than ridin’ over four wheels at eighty dollars a month. Jack, you’re out o’ yer sphere up thar. I say come down an’ work the mine that lies at yer feet.”
Jack began to catch the import of Tom’s words.
“Ef we work it right we can buy all the mines in this great kentry.”
Old Jack flung his whip to the ground.
“I’m with you, Tom!” he cried.
“I thought you would be. But what will we do with the stage an’ yer sleepy passenger?”
“Oh, that’s easy. I’ll wake ’im up, an’ tell ’im that I’ve left the business. He kin drive the hosses through to Custer.”
Tom’s eyes glistened.