Is the Cousin Jock and here you are in between us. Both of us have

found the Leader and you haven't. My guess is it's there all right, you

just don't know where to look.

At the far end of the Jack and Whistle claims the Main Reef and the

Leader are running side by side two feet apart but by the time they

reach the boundary nearest to the Candy Deep they've opened up to

seventy feet apart. Now on the boundary of the Cousin Jock they're back

to fifty feet apart. To me it seems that the two reefs form the shape

of a long bow, like this. He drew it in. The Main Reef is the string

and the Leader Reef is the wood. I'm telling you, Duff, if you cut a

trench at right-angles to the Main Reef you'll find it, and when you do

you can buy me a drink They listened gravely and when Francois finished

Duff leaned back in his chair. If we'd known this a month ago!

Now how are we going to raise the money to cut this new trench and still

keep the mill running?

We could sell some of our equipment, suggested Sean. We need it, every

scrap of it, and besides if we sold one spade the creditors would be on

us like a pack of wolves, bowling for their money. I'd make you a loan

if I had it, but with what Mr Hradsky pays me -'Francois shrugged.

You'll need about two hundred pounds. I haven't got it. Candy came

back to the table in time to hear Francois's last remark. What's this

all about? Can I tell her, Francois? If you think it will do any good.

Candy listened, then thought for a moment. Well, I've just bought ten

plots of ground in Johannesburg this new Government village down the

valley, so I'm short myself.

But I could let you have fifty pounds if that would help We. never

borrowed money from a lady before, it'll be a new experience. Candy, I

love you. I wish you meant that said Candy, but luckily for Duff his

hearing failed him completely just as Candy spoke. He went on

hurriedly. We'll need another hundred and fifty or so, let's hear your

suggestions, gentlemen!

There was a long silence, then Duff started to smile and he was looking

at Sean.

Don't tell me, let me guess, Sean forestalled him. You're going to put

me out to stood? Close, but not quite right. How are you feeling,

laddie? Thank you, I'm all right. Istrong? lYes. Brave? Come on,

Duff, let's have it. I don't like that look in your eye.

Duff pulled a notebook out of his pocket and wrote in it with a stump of

pencil. Then he tore out the page and handed it to Sean. We'll have

posters like this put up in every canteen on the goldfields. Sean read

It: on new year's day mr sean courtney heavyweight champion of the

TRANSVAAL REPUBLIC WILL STAND TO MEET ALL COMERS IN FRONT OF CANDY'S

HOTEL FOR

A PURSE OF FIFTY POUNDS ASIDE.

Spectators Fee, 2s. All Welcome.

Candy was reading it over his shoulder. She squeaked. That's

wonderful. I'll have to hire extra waiters to serve drinks and I'll run

a buffet luncheon. I suppose I could charge two shillings a head? I'll

fix the posters, Francois was not to be outdone, and I'll send a couple

of my chaps down to put up a ring. We'll close the mill down until New

Year, Sean will have to get a lot of rest. We'll put him on light

training only. No drinking, of course, and plenty of sleep, said Duff.