Few people took work into their calculations--or outlay of money either; except the work and expenditures of other people.
We never touched our tunnel or our shaft again.

Why?
Because we judged that we had learned the real secret of success in silver mining--which was, not to mine the silver ourselves by the sweat of our brows and the labor of our hands, but to sell the ledges to the dull slaves of toil and let them do the mining! Before leaving Carson, the Secretary and I had purchased "feet" from various Esmeralda stragglers.

We had expected immediate returns of bullion, but were only afflicted with regular and constant "assessments" instead--demands for money wherewith to develop the said mines.

These assessments had grown so oppressive that it seemed necessary to look into the matter personally.

Therefore I projected a pilgrimage to Carson and thence to Esmeralda.