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 farmers living at a distance, drove in with musty bills, or carefully kept and much-thumbed bank books, to make their small investments….

Meantime operations up the river had been progressing steadily. Three wells were being sunk at suitable distances from each other, and each was devouring money with an avidity which frightened Judge Crane. The payroll was not small, materials were costly, the drain was constant and ever growing in volume. The man was coming rapidly to the bottom of his purse—and now, even had he been willing to admit Rainbow to his company, he could not have done so, for Rainbow had invested. Its savings were exhausted. Each Saturday Crane paid off his crew and knew fresh apprehensions. If they did not strike oil soon!… Oil, oil, oil! He urged on his men, driving, driving…. But your driller is not to be hurried. He has drilled before, will drill again. They know their business and go forward with the work in a more or less stolid manner, having no hazard in the result. Their daily wage was their sole concern…. If they struck oil—well and good—if not—it was a matter over which to shrug the shoulders.

And so Crane found himself in the position of many men before him who have sought to swing large projects with small capital. He was drawing nearer to the day when he would have