"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.
Barry laughed.
"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."
"Fifty!" interrupted Barry.
Job shook his fist at him.
"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.
Jack had made up his mind.
"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."
Harry Marton's experience of mining shares, as already stated, was not
pleasant, and he strongly advised Jack not to risk so much.
"Take his advice, and buy a hundred," he said.
Jack Redland was, however, determined, and the sporting spirit in him
roused. It was a big plunge, and he might lose the whole amount, but he
made up his mind to take the risk.
"If you will purchase me five hundred shares I shall be much obliged,"
he said. "I am quite willing to take the risk, and I need hardly add I
shall not blame you if I lose the lot. Something, however, tells me this
will be a lucky deal, I am almost certain of it."
"You are a good plucked one!" exclaimed Barry admiringly, "and you will
get on in our country. I'll do it for you, and I may add it is the exact
number of shares I hold."
"Buy me fifty," said Captain Seagrave.
"And me ten," chimed in Sam.
"Now, Mac, how many do you want?" asked the captain.
Mac muttered something about fools and their money, and was understood
to say he'd see the Great Tom mine somewhere before he'd sink coin in
it.
Barry Tuxford agreed to purchase the shares desired, and said when Jack
and Harry were prepared to leave Captain Seagrave's hospitable ship, he
would put them up until the schooners were ready to sail.