"Better keep clear of gamblin', Hogan."

"Mr. Hogan, if you want to start a claim of your own, I'll give you
what tools you need," said Joe.

Upon reflection Hogan decided to accept this offer.

"But of course you will have to find your own vittles now," said
Joshua.

"I'll do it," said Hogan.

The same day he ceased to work for the firm of Bickford & Mason, for
Joe insisted on giving Mr. Bickford the precedence as the senior
party, and started on his own account.

The result was that he worked considerably less than before. Being
his own master, he decided not to overwork himself, and in fact
worked only enough to make his board. He was continually grumbling
over his bad luck, although Joshua told him plainly that it wasn't
luck, but industry, he lacked.

"If you'd work like we do," said Bickford, "you wouldn't need to
complain. Your claim is just as good as ours, as far as we can tell."

"Then let us go in as partners," said Hogan.

"Not much. You ain't the kind of partner I want."