If we can't take the deal you'll get six or eight times as much in Vancouver as you would if you let go now." One of the men who had spoken broke in again.
"Boys," he said, "when Saunders makes a proposition of that kind it's because he sees how he's going to get something out of it.

But for all that, I guess it's sound advice he's giving you." There was a little consultation among the men, and then one of them asked a question that evidently met with the favor of his companions.
"How are we going to live in the meanwhile ?" "That's quite easy," said the storekeeper, with a smile.

"I'll supply you with pork and flour, drills and giant-powder, at bed-rock figure, while you get in your assessment work, and while you live on your ranches afterward until you make a deal.

All I ask is that you won't sell until the Grenfell's floated, and that you'll give us first call then.

It's a cold fact that if I had the money I'd buy you all up now." There was truth in his last assurance, which was at the same time a highly diplomatic one, for it occurred to most of the audience that if there was anything to be made by waiting they might as well have it as anybody else; and after a further consultation they gave him their promise.