Vicksburg Claims

What's up Justin? Hodes asked and then grinned. "You souond as if you'd just lost your favorite dog in the bailer."

"A dollar says that in ten minuets you'll be feeling as bad as I sounded."

Under Ben's scowl, he threw his hat on the table, swung a chair out from the wall and eased his soft bulk into it. "Now What?" Ben asked cautiously.

"Did you know Kevin Russel is starting to mine those Vicksburg Claims? Justin asked softly.

"Who's been ribbing you?" Hodes scoffed.

"A fellow by the name of Tully Gibbs."

-Silver Rock, Luke Short 1953 (Bantam 1970)