The two miners were thrust forward, and the embarrassed Thorn, who had acted as spokesman, was boosted to a table. Under Murray's encouragement he stammered out the story of his good fortune, the tale running straight enough to fan excitement into a blaze. There was no disposition to doubt, for news of this sort is only too sure of credence.
When the speaker had finished, O'Neil inquired:
"Are you an experienced quartz-miner? Do you know ore when you see it?"
"Sure! I worked in the Jumbo, at Goldfield, Nevada, up to last year. So did Baker."
"When did you go into the White River country?"
"August."
"How did you go in?"
"We packed in. When our grub ran out, we killed our horses and cached the meat for dog-feed."
"Is there any other dog-feed there?"
"No, sir."