The Claim Jumpers

As a matter of sedulously concealed truth, he was really expected to do

nothing at all. The place had been made for him through Mr. de Laney's

influence, because he wanted to go West.

"Now, my boy," Bishop, the mining capitalist, had said, when

Bennington had visited him in his New York office, "do you know

anything about mining?"

"No, sir," Bennington replied.

"Well, that doesn't matter much. We don't expect to do anything in the

way of development. The case, briefly, is this: We've bought this

busted proposition of the people who were handling it, and have assumed

their debt. They didn't run it right. They had a sort of a wildcat

individual in charge of the thing, and he got contracts for sinking

shafts with all the turtlebacks out there, and then didn't pay for

them. Now, what we want you to do is this: First of all, you're to take

charge financially at that end of the line. That means paying the local

debts as we send you the money, and looking after whatever expenditures

may become necessary. Then you'll have to attend to the assessment

work. Do you know what assessment work is?"

"No, sir."

"Well, in order to hold the various claims legally, the owners have to

do one hundred dollars' worth of work a year on each claim. If the

work isn't done, the claims can be 'jumped.' You'll have to hire the

men, buy the supplies, and see that the full amount is done. We have a

man out there named Davidson. You can rely on him, and he'll help you

out in all practical matters. He's a good enough practical miner, but

he's useless in bossing a job or handling money. Between you, you ought

to get along."

"I'll try, anyway."

"That's right. Then, another thing. You can put in your spare time

investigating what the thing is worth. I don't expect much from you in

that respect, for you haven't had enough experience; but do the best

you can. It'll be good practice, anyway. Hunt up Davidson; go over all

the claims; find out how the lead runs, and how it holds out; get

samples and ship them to me; investigate everything you can, and don't

be afraid to write when you're stuck."

In other words, Bennington was to hold the ends of the reins while some

one else drove. But he did not know that. He felt his responsibility.

As to the assessment work, Old Mizzou had already assured him there was

no immediate hurry; men were cheaper in the fall. As to investigating,

he started in on that at once. He and Davidson climbed down shafts, and

broke off ore, and worked the gold pan. It was fun.

In the morning Bennington decided to work from seven until ten on

Aliris. Then for three hours he and Old Mizzou prospected. In the

afternoon the young man took a vacation and hunted Wild Western

adventures.