“Carry you through for ten dollars,” was the reply. “Jump aboard. We’ll start in half an hour.”
“No,” answered Grant slowly. “I shan’t be ready by that time. Besides, I have only nine dollars.”
“I’ll take you to Frost’s Bar for that,” said the driver of the Frost’s Bar stage.
“I suppose you will,” interposed the Weaver Creek driver with a sneer. “Your regular charge is only seven dollars. You want to cheat the boy out of two dollars.”
This led to an altercation between the rival drivers, in which some blows were exchanged, but neither was hurt. Before they had finished Grant had passed on. He knew that, with his limited capital, he could not afford to go to either place and arrive at the mines without a penny.
CHAPTER XVI.
GRANT GETS A JOB.
An hour later Grant was surprised to come across Tom sawing and splitting wood in front of a restaurant.
“What are you doing, Tom?” he asked, in surprise.
“Earning some money,” answered Tom complacently.
“How much will you get for the job?” asked Grant.