"Did Zeke know about it?" suddenly inquired Fred.
"I reckon he wasn't altogether lacking in information," laughed Moultrie.
"Then, why did you bring us all here?" demanded Fred, turning angrily upon
the guide.
"I thought you wanted to come here," responded Zeke solemnly.
"We wanted to find the claim," retorted Fred.
"Well, you have found it, haven't you?" inquired Zeke as most of the party
laughed loudly.
"We have found what you _say_ is the claim," acknowledged Fred, "but--"
"We have found what _is_ the claim," said Mr. Moultrie quietly. "Now, I
appreciate the zeal of the Go Ahead Boys and I don't intend to forget it.
This claim may be worth a hundred million dollars and it may not be worth
one red cent. I'm going to give one hundred shares, if a company is
organized and we put out the stock, to every one of the Go Ahead Boys."
"How much does Zeke get?" laughed Grant.
"He doesn't get anything," said Mr. Moultrie, "unless we develop a mine
here and that means a lot of work and a long wait. Then, if the prospect
looks good, we may organize a development company, and if the development
shows up well, then we'll organize a mining company.
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