The sun., 1883-12-23
IL.

The exodus of the seccdins partners OF tho
Lone Star claim had been scarcely an imposing
one For the first five minutes aftor quitting
the cabin the procession was struggling and
vagabond. Unwontcd eXcrtion had exagger-
ated the lameness OF some. and feebeness Of
moral purpose had prcdisposcd tho others to
obtrusive musical exhibition. Union Mills
limped and whistled with affected abstraction !;
the Judge whistled and limped with affected
eartnestness. The Right Bower led the way
with some show of definite design; the left
Bower followed with his hands in his pockets
The two fsablnr natures. drawn together In un-
conscious sympathy. looked vaguely at each
other for support.
You see" said the Judge, suddenly. as IL
triumphanty concluding an argument. there
amt anything better for young fellow than
independence. Nature. so to speak. points tho
way Look at the animals"
There's a skunk hereahouts." said Union
Mills. who WAS supposed TO be gifted with aris-
tocratically sensitive nostrils. within ten
miles OF this place like as not crossing the
ridge It's always my luck to happen out just
at such times. i don't see the necessity any
how OF trapesing round the claim now II we cal
culate to leave it to- night"
Both men waited to observe II the suggestion
was taken up by the Right and Left Bower
moodily poddng ahead. No response follow
ing. the Judge shameessly abandoned his COM
pRnion.
You wouldn't stand snoopin' round instead
Of lettin' the Old Man get used 10 the idea
alone? No; could see all along that he was
takin' it in-takin' 1t in-kindly but slowly. and
Ireckoned the best thing for us to do was to
git up and git until he'd got round It," The
Judges voice was slightly raised for the ben
eft OF the two before him.
Didn't he say" remarked the Right Bower
stopping suddenly and facing the others
didn't he say that that new trader was Goin'
to let him have some provisions anyway 2"
Union Mills turned aDpealingly to the Judge {;
that gentleman was forced to reply. Yes;
remember distinctly he said it, 1t was ono Of
the things was particular about on his ac-
count" responded the Judge. with the air Of
having arranged 1t oil himself with tho new
trader. Il remember was easier In my mind
about It,"
But didn't he say" queried tho Loft Bowor.
also stopping short. "suthin' about it's being
contingent on our doing some work on the
race"
The Judge turned for support to Union Mills
who. however under the hollow pretence OF
preparing for a long conference. had luxurious
ly seated himself on stump. The Judge cat
down also and replied hesitatingly. Well
yesl Us or him."
us or him." repeated the Right Bower. with
gloomy irony. And you amt quite clear in
your mind. are you. II you haven't done the
work already2 You're just killing yourself
with this spontaneous. promlscuous. and
premature overwork; that's what's the matter
with YOU"
II reckon I heard somebody say suthin'
about it's being Chinaman's three-day job"
nterpoated the Left Bower with equal irony.
but amt quite clear in my mind about
that"
"It'll be a sorter distraction for the Old
Man" said Union Mills, foebly-" kinder take
his mind of his loneliness"
Nobody taking the least notice Of the remark.
Union Mills stretched out his logs more COM
fortably and took out his pipe. He had scarce
| ly done so when tho Right Bower. wheeling
suddenly set of in tho direction OF the creek.
| The Left Bower. after a slight pause. followed
without word. The Judge, wisely conceiying
1t better to join the stronger party. ran feebly
after him. and left Union Mills TO bring up a
weak and vacillating rear.
Their course. diverging from Lone Star
Mountain. led them now directly TO the bend OF
the creek the base OF their old Intellectual
operations. Here was the beginning OF
tho famous tail-raoe that skirted the new
| al nj nd than Loaf tfa In m