BOB'S INDUSTRY.
Bob Hubbard was not one to give up anything he had once decided upon
without a trial, and when he told Ralph that between them they would
find the oil and sink the well before George recovered, he intended to
do it if it was within the range of possibilities.
Very many operators in the oil region looked upon Bob as one of the best
prospectors there, and while they fully understood his reckless manner,
and agreed that it could not be said that he was strictly truthful, they
had the most perfect confidence in his reports on land.
Therefore, it was no vain boast when Bob said that if there were good
signs of oil on the Simpson wood-lot, he could easily borrow money
enough to sink a well, for almost any one of the capitalists of Bradford
would have been willing to make the loan upon his representations.
This wood-lot of Simpson's had attracted Bob's attention some time
before, as the reader already knows, and, despite the assertions of some
oil prospectors to the contrary, he had always maintained that a good
paying well would be found there.
It had been his intention to buy the land; but he had neglected to do
so, as he was in the habit of neglecting his own business until it was
too late. But he would be satisfied to prove that he had been correct in
his views by striking oil there, even if he was opening the property for
some one else, and just then he saw the opportunity of doing a favor for
his friend at the same time that he proved the truth of his own
statements.
On the morning after he had spoken of his "scheme" to Ralph, he was up
some time before the sun was, even though he had watched by George's
side until midnight, and was only waiting for the professional nurse to
relieve Ralph from his duty of watcher, before beginning the work he had
proposed to do.
During the night it had seemed as if George had recovered consciousness
for a few moments, although he had not spoken, and the physician, who
had remained at the farm-house, was called to the patient's side.
This brief revival of consciousness, to be followed immediately by a
fever, was what the medical man had predicted, and he then said that
George would appear to be very much worse in the morning; but that it
was the turning of the fever which would show whether he was ever to
regain the full possession of all his faculties.
Therefore, when the morning came, and George, in a high fever, seemed
to be very near death his friends were much less alarmed for his safety
than they would have been, had the change not been expected.
It was unfortunate that he could not have been removed to the Kenniston
farm, where he would have been nearer medical aid in case he should need
it suddenly; but he could not have been taken where he would have
received more tender or devoted care then he did from Mr. Simpson and
his wife.
The only possible aid which either Ralph or Bob could have given, after
they had relieved the nurse of the care of watching during the night,
would have been in case they were needed to go to town for anything
which the patient might require. Except for that, they might as well be
out prospecting as remaining at the farm-house.
Therefore, in order that they might both be away, and feel perfectly at
ease, Bob had arranged with Dick to come over and remain during the day
with Jim, to act as messenger in case there was any necessity for it.
Bob's horses were there, and after breakfast, when Jim had arrived, and
the nurse had resumed her duties, there was really nothing to prevent
them from going where they pleased.
Much as he wanted to go with Bob, Ralph was uncertain as to whether he
should leave his friend until after he had spoken with the physician
regarding it, and then, learning that he could be of no possible
assistance by remaining, he announced that he was ready to begin the
work of prospecting again, which had been brought to such a sad end the
day previous.
Bob started out excited by the thought of what they would accomplish,
and so intent upon his scheme that he rattled on with explanations of
how this or that might be accomplished, until Ralph began to look upon
sinking an oil well as mere child's play, and quite convinced that it
could easily be done, even without capital.
Both the boys were satisfied that there were no signs of oil in such
localities as they had examined the day previous, therefore there was no
occasion for them to do that work over again, and Bob began his labors
by starting through the wood-lot in an entirely different direction,
which brought them to a small stream, or marsh, which ran directly
across the land.
The water-course, if such it could be called, was nearly dried up, but
Bob showed every signs of delight at finding it so easily, and said to
Ralph, as he began to wade along its course, regardless alike of wet
feet or mud-plashed clothing:
"Here is where we shall find the first signs, if there is any oil around
here. Follow me, and sing out when you see any greasy-looking water in
these little pools."
It is quite probable that Ralph would have waded in streams which were
almost entirely covered with oil, and yet never have "sung out" once,
for he was at a loss to know how oil-covered water should look; but
before they had traveled twenty yards, Bob said, excitedly:
"Why don't you say something? I thought you would like to be the first
one to discover signs on your own land, so I have held my tongue for the
last five minutes, expecting to hear you shout."
"But what shall I say?" asked Ralph, in surprise. "I haven't seen any
oil yet."
"Well, you're a fine prospector, you are!" and Bob looked at his
companion as if in the most perfect amazement that he did not understand
fully the business which he had had no experience in. "What do you call
_that_?" and Bob pointed to the water-pools that were covered with
something which showed different colors, not unlike a soap-bubble.
"I've seen that queer-looking water for some time," replied Ralph,
innocently; "but that isn't oil."
"You may think so," said Bob, with a laugh, "but you let some of these
oil operators from Bradford see that, and then it would do your heart
good to hear them offer you big prices for the land. That's oil, my boy,
and it shows up as plain as the nose on your face. We'll follow this
swale up until we find where the oil ceases, and then I'll show you a
place where you can sink a well without a possibility of losing any
money by the operation."
Ralph was now quite as eager and excited as his companion was, and the
two splashed on through the mud and water, feeling much as gold-seekers
do when they believe they are following up the leads to that precious
metal.
Up the marshy land they walked until they were very nearly in the
center of the lot, and then Bob stopped, with a gesture of satisfaction.
At this point the difference in the water was very marked, the line of
oil, as it oozed out from a little bank, showing clearly, while above
the water was pure.
"There's one thing certain," said Bob, triumphantly, as he stood upon
the sponge-like bank which afforded him so much satisfaction to see.
"Those who have laughed at me because I insisted that the oil belt
extended in this direction would feel kind of foolish if they could see
this, wouldn't they?"
"But is it what you might call a good showing?" asked Ralph, still
incredulous that this land, which they had purchased only through
charity for Mr. Simpson, should prove so valuable.
It seemed to him that Bob must be mistaken, or those living in the
vicinity would have discovered it some time before.
"Well, I should say it was a good showing," cried Bob, excitedly. "Why,
Gurney, there isn't one well out of twenty that are sunk which looms up
like this. It will yield a thousand barrels if it yields a pint."
The only question, then, as to whether it was really valuable property,
it would seem, was whether it would yield the pint; and, if one could
judge from Bob's face, there was no doubt about that.
He was radiantly triumphant--not that he had discovered the oil, for
others had done that before him, but that his views on the location of
the oil belt had proved correct, and he was determined that by his
efforts the supply should be made to yield, even though he could have no
pecuniary interest in the matter.
"We'll sink the well here, and I'll begin the work this very afternoon,"
he said. "But first we must go back to the house, and we'll mark our
way, so that there'll be no difficulty about finding the spot again."
Then Bob started toward the farm-house, walking rapidly, as if his feet
could hardly be made to keep pace with his thoughts, and breaking off
the tops of the bushes to mark the way.
"But how are you going to work without money?" asked Ralph, almost
doubting if his companion was quite right in his mind.
"Do you think that a sight of that place isn't as good as a big bank
account? Why, we only need about three thousand dollars to do it all."
"Three--thousand--dollars!" echoed Ralph.
"That's all. You write to your father, tell him what we have found, and
ask him to send the money right on," said Bob, in a matter-of-fact tone.
"And do you suppose he would send such an amount of money simply for the
asking?"
And Ralph's doubts in regard to the moonlighter's sanity increased each
moment.
"It don't make much difference whether he does or not," was the careless
reply. "I can get everything we need to go to work with on the strength
of that showing, and I tell you that we'll have that well flowing just
as soon as possible. But you write to your father, ask him to come on
and see what we have got, and, after he has talked with those who are in
the business here, he won't hesitate about the money."
"Yes, I can do that," said Ralph, slowly, but doubting very much whether
he could accomplish anything by it. "But it will take three or four days
at least before we can hear from him."
"That don't make any difference, for it won't delay us. I'm going to
start right out to buy the engine, and by the time we hear from him, we
shall be at work."
By this time they were at the stable, and Bob began harnessing his
horses, in proof of what he said.
"I wouldn't do that," expostulated Ralph. "It may not be as good as you
think it is, and you may get into an awful lot of trouble about it."
"Look here, Gurney," said Bob, impressively. "There's oil there--plenty
of it--and I know what I'm about. You just let me alone, and by the time
Harnett is able to understand anything, I'll be ready to prove to him
that both he and you are rich, all through your charitable idea of
buying Simpson's wood-lot."