CHAPTER XXIX

THE JUMPERS

The sun was rising when Joe Thorpe made a hasty breakfast with his two companions in their camp beside the lode. He was a logger by profession, though he had an extensive experience in prospecting for timber-rights and minerals. Big Joe was known as an honest man; that was why Frobisher had selected him to stake off a claim, and he had arrived late on the previous night after a forced march.

"We ought to have a clear day or two before the first of the crowd that's following us comes in, but that's all," he said. "We want to get our prospecting done and the best locations picked before the rush begins, and we'll start as soon as you've finished."

"I'll be through in a minute," said one of the others with his mouth full. "It's a pretty fair deal Frobisher made with us and he's not the man to go back on one."

"That's more than I'd say of Mappin," remarked the third of the party. "He's in this somehow, isn't he? What was it Carnally said to you when we were getting ready to start, Joe?"

"Told me to watch out for the Mappin crowd. It seems Mappin's put Scaith, who made the trouble over the Newark timber-rights, on to the job. The fellow's a crook, and two of the others have been mixed up in jumping rows. Now we like Carnally, and he allowed he was on to a good thing in the Allinson claims. Anyhow, Watkins, you've had enough for one man. Let up on the pork and bring along the drill."

What are the answers to this following set of questions:

1. What was Joe's job?
2. Why did Frobisher choose him?
3. What was his nickname?
4. What about his last name?
5. Did he take his time with his morning meal?
6. Did he eat with anyone else?
7. When had he arrived?
8. What kind of transportation got him there?
9. What skills aside from logging did Joe have?
10. Is anyone else coming to the location?
11. When will they arrive?
12. Are they in a hurry?
13. When will they begin?
14. Do they think Frobisher is honest?
15. What about Mappin?
16. Who did Mappin hire for the work?
17. Do they have a high opinion of Scaith?
18. Why not?
19. Who among the other workers do they respect?
20. Whose claims did he work on?

Numbered answers:
1. He was a logger
2. because he was known as an honest man
3. Big Joe
4. Thorpe
5. No
6. Yes
7. late on the previous night
8. a forced march.
9. prospecting for timber-rights and minerals
10. Yes
11. in a day or two
12. Yes
13. as soon as they've finished breakfast
14. Yes
15. No
16. Scaith
17. No
18. he who made the trouble over the Newark timber-rights and is a crook
19. Carnally
20. Allinson's