The better part of his income was derived from the sale of water, brought up from his well by burro power, to prospectors and others who happened along that way.

Such customers were liable to straggle in from any quarter at any hour.
"'Pears mighty like I've seen you fellers some place before," said the rancher, staring hard at the boys.

"Say," and his face cleared, "wasn't you along this way a few days ago with Barzy Blunt an' some more, runnin' some fool race or other." He referred to the "relay Marathon," which Frank and his chums had run against Blunt and his cowboy friends, to file in Gold Hill a location notice of Borrodaile's claim.
"Yes," smiled Frank, "we're the fellows." "Well, sufferin' Mike!" guffawed McGurvin.

"Sot down an' be sociable, can't ye ?" "We're in something of a hurry, McGurvin," Frank went on, "and can't stop long.

Do you know a prospector named Porter ?" McGurvin's face went blank, and he dug his fingers into his tousled hair.
"Not Andy Porter, from up Phoenix way ?" he asked.