There were only a few people at the depot; but from them Sam received a most cordial welcome. Men whom he had never spoken to before congratulated him upon the happy result of the trial, and many were the harsh words spoken against the superintendent and cashier.
After he ran home to see his mother for a moment the four partners assembled in Bill's chamber, and there the necessary documents were drawn up.
"I have already applied for a charter," Mr. Hunter said, when all had signed, "and it only remains to win the case before opening the mine."
"You'll keep us posted about what is goin' on?" Bill asked, and the lawyer replied in the affirmative, when he and the prospective stockholder took their departure, leaving the boys and Joe to gratify the invalid's curiosity concerning the happenings at Blacktown.
On this day Fred saw Chunky for the first time since the discovery of the vein, and the breaker boy expressed his satisfaction at the result of the trial.
"I knowed Sam wouldn't steal money," he said, emphatically; "but it looked one spell as if they'd prove it on him."
"If it hadn't been for Skip matters never would have been made so plain, and even if he was acquitted, some folks might have thought him guilty."
"Yes, Skip did a good job there," Chunky said, reflectively. "It's funny he made such great friends with you fellers after bein' so wild to serve you out. He's left the regulators, too, an' now I can be captain, if I want to."
"Why, I thought that foolish business had all been done away with."
"Not much it ain't. We can get along without Skip, an' not half try."