of the river, I was able to say honestly, 'I think the
chances look more favourable.' He whispered, 'We shall make a fortune
yet, Jim,' and then drank some soup and went off to sleep again.
Tomorrow morning I will set to work again. I don't believe a bit in the
dream myself, but it will make him more comfortable to know that I am at
work upon it; and after all it may turn out some good."

"My partners have more faith in it than I have," Frank said. "Abe told
them about the dream, and about what I had noticed of the probable
course of the river in the olden times, and I have a proposal to make to
you. We will take up five claims by the side of your two, two on one
side and three on the other; then three of us will help you sink your
shaft. All that's found in your claims will be yours; and if it turns
out rich you shall pay us just as if we had been working for you by the
day. When we have cleared out your claims we are to have the right of
using your shaft for working right and left along the bottom over our
claims. I think that's a fair offer."

"I think it's more than fair; it is most kind," the young man said. "You
are risking getting nothing for your labour if it turns out poor."

"Yes, we are risking that," Frank agreed, "but we are not doing
ourselves much good now. The two who are working the horses earn enough
to keep the five of us, and if by any chance your claims should turn out
well, we shall be paid for our work for you, and will be able to work
out our own claims very cheaply; if we sunk a shaft on our own account
we should similarly lose our labour if it turned out poor, and should
not get so much if it turned out rich. So I think the bargain is really
a fair one; and if you do not agree, my mates have quite resolved to
sink a shaft on their own account on the strength of your father's
dream."

"In that case I agree most heartily," James Adams said, "and it will
gladden my father's heart to be told that the work is now to go on
really in earnest."

"If he is better to-morrow," Frank said, "it will be as well to get your
father's consent to the agreement, and then we will begin on the
following day."

The next morning the old man woke up a good deal better. His first
question, after he had taken some soup, was--

"How is it you aren't at work, Jim? It's broad daylight."

"I have knocked off for to-day, father, I wanted to have a chat with
you. A party of five miners, who have been very kind to me