Manager was disgusted, he went down
and took a look at things; declared he would throw up the work at that
place; the ground was no good. He made that report to the Company."

The Halfbreed looked round triumphantly.

"Now, here's the point. We can get a lay on that ground. One of you boys
must apply for it. They mustn't know I'm in with you, or they would
suspect right away. They're none too scrupulous themselves in their
dealings."

He paused impressively.

"You cinch that lay agreement. Get it signed right away. We'll go in and
work like Old Nick. We'll make a big clean-up by Spring. I'll take you
right to the gold. There's thousands and thousands lying snug in the
ground just waiting for us. It's right in our mit. Oh, it's a cinch, a
cinch!"

The Halfbreed almost grew excited. Bending forward, he eyed us keenly.
In a breathless silence we stared at each other.

"Well," I objected, "seems to be putting up rather a job on the
Company."

Jim was silent, but the Prodigal cut in sharply:

"Job nothing--it's a square proposition. We don't know for certain that
gold's there. Maybe it's only a piffling pocket, and we'll get souped
for our pains. No, it seems to me it's a fair gambling proposition.
We're taking all kinds of chances. It means awful hard work; it means
privation and, maybe, bitter disappointment. It's a gamble, I tell you,
and are we going to be such poor sports as turn it down? I for one am
strongly in favour of it. What do you say? A big sporting chance--are
you there, boys, are you there?"

He almost shouted in his excitement.

"Hush! Some one might hear you," warned the Halfbreed.

"Yes, that's right. Well, it looks mighty good to me, and if you boys
are willing we'll just draw up papers and sign an agreement right away.
Is it a go?"

We nodded, so he got ink and paper and drew up a form of partnership.

"Now," said he, his eyes dancing, "now, to secure that lay before any
one else cuts in on us. Gee! but it's getting dark and cold outdoors
these days. Snow falling; well, I must mush to Dawson to-night."

He hurried on some warm, yet light, clothing, all the time talking
excitedly of the chance that fortune had thrown in our way, and gleeful
as a schoolboy.

"Now, boys," he says, "hope I'll have good luck. Jim, put in a prayer
for me. Well, see you all to-morrow. Good-bye."

* * * * *

It was late next night when he returned. We were sitting in the cabin