on
credit, everything which was necessary for the opening of the well.

When the letter was read to Bob in its entirety, he did not disapprove
of it, nor was he very much pleased. All he ventured to say was:

"It is lucky for you, Gurney, that the oil showed up so plainly that
those who know a gold dollar when they see it were not so frightened
about giving credit as you are about stating facts."

Then Dick was sent to Sawyer to post the letter, and while he was away
the workmen whom Bob had engaged had arrived.

Ralph went with him when he directed them to clear away for the erection
of the derrick and engine-house, and by the time the first load of
lumber had arrived, he had begun to feel the effects of the oil fever.

The preparations going on everywhere around, the comments of the workmen
as they saw the show of oil, the ringing blows of axes, and shouts of
the teamsters, all lent an air of realism to Bob's words which Ralph had
failed to see or feel before.

It was for him, even though it had been against his wishes, that all
these men were working, and for him would accrue the profits, if indeed
there were any.

Bob had been as good as his word; before Ralph went to bed that night he
had seen the work begun, and already was he beginning to feel that
perhaps all Bob's predictions might be verified.

CHAPTER XXVI.

DRILLING AN OIL WELL.

There was no material change in George's condition on the morning after
work had been begun on the oil well. The physicians declared that he was
getting along as well as could be hoped for, and the nurse gave it as
her opinion that he would recover much sooner than any one had believed.
Therefore, the boys were not troubled about their friend more than might
be expected.

On this day, work was begun on the derrick, and, as may be imagined, all
the boys were on the spot to see it, Ralph's belief in the success of
the venture growing stronger and stronger as the framework arose in the
air.

On the third day George's mother arrived, and the boys were thus
relieved of all responsibility, so far as the care of their friend was
concerned.

It was on the evening of the same day that Mrs. Harnett came that
Ralph's father arrived.

After receiving his son's letter, he had thought the matter of
sufficient importance, somewhat to Ralph's surprise, to warrant his
paying a visit to the oil fields, and had written to Ralph to meet him
at Bradford.

Despite the fact t