Jack's face showed his pleasure, and he said--
"I shall be delighted to ride for you, and I hope win. Is there much chance of making money here by speculating in mining shares?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Mines are queer things to touch if you do not understand them, or have no means of acquiring special information. Occasionally I dabble in shares. I have done so this week in the Great Tom mine; I think it will pan out well. It's a pure speculation at present, but if they strike it rich, as I have every reason to believe they will, there's a lot of money to be made. The shares stand at a pound, and at that price they are worth buying."
Jack was silent for some minutes. It was a risk. He had five hundred pounds and a draft for two hundred his sister had given him.
"I wish I had some cash to put into it," said Sam Slack.
"I never knew a sailor to be overburdened with that commodity," he said.
"By jove, you are right," said Job, "it's the worst paid job a man can go in for. Look at me; here have I been in the line for how many years."
"Half that, my boy; let us say half, and I have risen to be what?"
"Skipper of the beautiful modern steamer, the 'Golden Land,'" said Mac quietly.
"Yes, Mr. Macdonald, you have hit it; that's the truth. I am the captain of this most admirable craft, and I have every reason to believe I shall end my days on her--at the bottom of the sea," said Job.
"And yet with all its drawbacks and disadvantages I have never met a good sailor--like yourself, skipper--who wishes to give up the sea," remarked Barry.
"I have five hundred pounds, will you invest it for me in the Great Tom mine?" he said quietly, and as though it was a matter of small importance. Barry Tuxford regarded him curiously; this was a proposal he was not prepared for. The Great Tom mine was all very well in its way, but for a "new chum," with none too much cash, it was hardly the kind of investment to recommend, although he had faith in it.
"Five hundred is rather a large amount," he said. "I can get you the shares, but I think a hundred will be sufficient for you to risk. It is a mine that has not yet been fully worked, and the additional capital will no doubt enable the holders to prove its worth; yet there is such a thing as being over sanguine, also failure."