"Drink slowly," he advised. "You've got about a
hundred dollars' worth there at present quotations."
Colonel Richford's head went up with a jerk.
"Hundred dollars' worth!" he croaked, his eyes fiery with suspicion.
"Are you going to hold up two men dying of thirst?"
"There's been only one man in danger of that death around here. His
name is Hoff."
The redoubtable colonel gasped, and leaned back against a rock.
"You'll be relieved to learn that he's safe. Now, to answer your
question: No, I don't propose to hold up two men for anything. I
propose to deal with the president and treasurer of the North Pinto
Gold Mining Company. As a practical mining man you will appreciate
the absolute necessity of water in your operations. The nearest
available supply is some ten hours distant. Before you could reach
it I fear that--er--your company would--er--have gone out of
existence. Therefore I am fortunate in being able to offer you a
small supply which I will put on the market at the low rate of ten
thousand dollars.
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