“Yes,” answered Obed, with a yawn, “we might as well take it easy. It’s hard work—this mining.”
“What luck?”
“Our luck is to come,” said our Yankee friend. “How is it with you?”
“I’ve got out seventy-five dollars this week,” answered the other complacently.
“Whew! that’s good! What do you say to swapping claims?”
“Oh no,” answered the neighbour, wagging his head jocosely. “I’m not so green. The fact is, Mr. Stackpole, I don’t want to discourage you, but I don’t believe you’ll ever see the money you put into this hole. Come now, what did you pay?”
“Five and twenty pounds.”
“If you can get five pounds for it, my advice is sell.”
“I don’t know but you’re right,” said Stackpole in a rueful tone. “Will you give me five pounds for it?”
“Ho, ho! I might give you five shillings, though it would be a risk.”