Part 26 (1/2)
”But he wasn't, you know And now, Mr Stackpole, if you will co your share of the reward”
”Thank you, captain I won't deny that it'll be particularly convenient, seein' I'm reduced to my last cent”
The police captain exerted hi to the absence of red tape which in an older settleht have occasioned delay, that sa the sum of fifty pounds
He called the boys to hi the money, as well as he could, into three equal parts, he offered one each to Harry and Jack
”Noe start alike,” he said ”There's nearly seventeen pounds apiece
It see here We ”
”That's just what I want,” said Harry, ”I came out here to work, and make money, not to loaf about”
”That's the ith me,” said Jack, but his tone was not so hopeful or cheerful as Harry's
”Confess now, Jack,” said Harry, ”you would rather be on board shi+p than here at the diggings”
”I would,” said Jack; ”wouldn't you?”
”Not yet There is no money to be made on board shi+p”
”When you've o back to Melbourne, and easily get a berth on board some reat demand for sailors at that port”
Thisto stay a while, he said, and help Harry and Mr Stackpole, but in the end he must return to his old life
Mr Stackpole and the boys took a long walk, and reconnoitred the diggings on both sides of Bendigo creek Toward the middle of the afternoon they ca in a despondent attitude with his arms folded
”Are you sick, my friend?” asked Obed
”I am very ill,” was the answer ”I don't think I shall ever be any better”
Further questioning elicited the information that he had taken a severe cold fros were seriously affected
”Why do you stay here, then?” asked Obed
”I shall go back to Melbourne as soon as I have sold my claim”
”What do you want for it?”
”It is worth fifty pounds I will take twenty-five”
Obed after careful inquiry judged that it was a bargain He proposed to the two boys to join him in the purchase of the claiain So before twenty-four hours had passed, the three friends were joint proprietors of a claiht pounds apiece to an to yield a return