Chapter XL - XLVIII Summary

The Wide West is a mining company that owns rich mines in the area. However, Mr. Higbie concludes that some rich ore found nearby does not belong to the company and enters secretly down a shaft. He discovers a very rich ledge called a "blind lead" that the party immediately appropriates by setting a claim. The members of the mining party, including the narrator, imagine themselves suddenly incredibly rich and they start making plans for their wealthy future. Later that afternoon, the narrator learns that Capt. John Nye is very sick and in need of some friendly nursing. After leaving a note at Higbie's cabin to take care of their mining property, the narrator leaves town to pay a visit to his friend.

The narrator takes care of Captain Nye's spasmodic rheumatism for nine consecutive days. He...