Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-12

night about it. and If you're I'D before we
get away In the morning perhaps / can fix
you out"
Paul was profuse in his thanks and ca
gerly promised to be on hand. He did not
sleep soundly owing to the number of bed
fellows that forced their acquaintance and
he was glad to turn out at daybreak and
settle his bill. He had just dollar left
when this was done.
His companion of the previous night was
vigorously splashtng around in a tin basin
as Paul neared the wagon with the green
box. Presently he looked up and with a
CHEEKY Hello, stranger, you did make IL,
didn't your motioned him to a seat on an
inverted bucket.
We'll. what luck?" was Paurs anxious
salutation.
First rate. We don't really need a cook.
but l managed to talk the boys into the
idea, so they agreed you might join US. Got
any baggage?"
II have a valise at the hotel"
Better get 1t over here, then, because we
want to make an early start"
Paul fervently expressed his obligation
for these good offices and made a bee-line
for the hotel. returning in few minutes
with his grip.
Had breakfast? asked his new acauaint-
ance, who introduced himself as Jack
White.
mo: 1 was too early and didn't wait for
fear of missing you"
All right: might just as we'll pitch in
now and show what you can do. There's
the coffee beans and you'll find plenty of
kindling under the wagon"
BY the time the rest of the outfit was up
and dressed Paul had good fire blazing
and pot of coffee almost boiled With
the handle of a hammer inserted in a mus
tard can he had pounded his beans on the
tre or wagon wheel til they were pref
ty well pulverized. and having mixed I'D a
batter and heated his pan he was ready to
Try the hapJacks. Luckily. everything went
OH without hitch and Jacks two COM
fAd hA MAJ IL
Down the Tomichi river over Marshall
Pass and across the South Park the little
caravan wendell it's way, averaging from
twenty-five to thirty miles day. A saddle
morse that had been bought from an impe-
cunious prospector was allotted to Paul
who generally rode ahead OF the party and
selected the camp for the night The hunt
ing and hshing were prime. his duties were
not exacting. and his companions were So
clable and good-natured. so that the trip to
Denver was almost like a continuous picnic
TO the young traveller. who was actually
sorry when the capital city of the centen-
NAL state was reached
Paurs first night in Denver was nassed
on a pile of shavings in the workshop oc-
cupied by Jack White and his two friends.
IL was not a choice couch, but this was no
faithful blanket the lad slept as contentedly
as II he were in his own bed at home.
You can hold this down as long as you
stay here" said Jack, but 1 suppose you
weeks out eh?'
Paul thought he would but hadn't quite
decided just when he should leave town
de was grateful to Jack for his kind offer,
however, and told him So
oh, that's all right. Don't cost a cent
ana guess you won't steal anything; you
look honest"
A budget of news from home awaited him
at the post office in answer to his letters
mailed at Silverton. All wondered how he
could possibly travel around so much on
his slim capital, and expressed the hope that
he would soon be with them again.
But Paul had no intention of returning
yet. He was fairly imbued with the spirit
of travel and was determined to prove to
Mr.. Wilder that 1t was no idle boast he had
made 1t did seem to be a foolhardy under
taking, as he mentally confessed that noon,
when, after writing the folks to direct their
next letters in care of the general delivery
at San Francisco he sat with his last quar-
ter in his pocket eating dinner in a cheap
restaurant on Holiday street
Perhaps II was the grim humor Of the
situation that lent a flavor to the meal
which the cooking could never have i'm
parted. After settling his bill he would be
down to hardpan, but instead of feeling