Evening star., 1923-09-16
Continued from Yesterdays star.l

Continued from Yesterdays Starr
Apparently satisfied with what
they heard, one of the men beckoned
70 Pete and Alguin to come up.
Butler stood to one side and pointed
to Pete, who came up first.
This is him, Philip West, friend OF
mine" Peter was poor actor ana
important as the introduction was,
his face could not hide his distaste at
the expression of friend" the gang
ster used. The Introduction stopped
there, and 1t was necessary for the
man from the cabin to continue II.
I'm Jenkins, pass foreman. ne
stated simply. as he extended his
hand Pete grasped it willingly
enough, and swiftly appraised his new
acquaintance. The man was distinct
ly unusual, to say the least, and Pete
could not be sure that he was max
ing an advantageous trade. In eX-
changing his late captors for this
guardian of Salmon Tooth Pass.
Almost Immediately after the meet
ing. comfortable quarters were pro-
vided in Jenkins own cabin. where
Pete made himself as much at home
as possible, considering his newness
to camp life generally.
The evening meal proved the best
he had eaten in weeks Brolleo
mountain trout, served with delicious
rasheTs of crisp brown bacon, on
hot platter Garnished with water
cress stacks of fluffy biscuits ranged
alongside of a huge can of syrup:
baked potatoes, and combination Oh
corn, beans and peas, blended TO-
gether with creamy sauce in way
new even 10 Pete's highly educated
palate, brought enthusiastic comment
that came straight from his heart.
Mr.. Jenkins. you are certainly 10
be congratulated on the excellent
table you have, away up here. ne re-
marked as he helped himself to bis
cults for the third time.
I'll admit it,. replied Jenkins, and
furthermore, I'll sty we've got 1t com
ing See old Charlie, there" waving
a fork at a rotund Chinaman or un-
certain years, who seemed to De SlOed
to a huge wooden bowl in the Kitchen.
Had q harder fight getting him than
old J. d. had building the bridge up
yonder" Jenkins indicated sturdy
span of steel girders that seemed sus-
pended in the air, high above the
roaring waters of the stream.
How interesting! You must tell
me about it," Pete replied, taking ad-
vantage of his expressed interest TO
gather another crisp trout from the
platter before him. How did II
happen? I'd say he's worth more
well, it's a long story. He used
to belong up in Hawkins camp. Dead
Horse workings. They all hated us
like poison up there, when they found
believe we were running bogey
house of some sort or other down
here. / heard about him through
some of the boys. They told me how
he was the best blamed cook the Saw
Tooth Moutains ever had, and l de-
cided l wanted him. Money couldn't
buy him. They had him buffaloed
for while, but I got it into my head
I wanted that Chink and ] got him"
But how did you do it?' Pete was
,1-,g, ,,.-Ir- 5v,Na cd
involved the Dead Horse Mine, an
excellent subject to dwell upon later
"Ha, ha, now you're asking for in
formation. Every one who eats here,
even I'D. himself, has asked me that
question. Only Charlie and / know
the answer though, and old Charley
doesn't understand English, do you,
Charley?" The old Chinaman had
left his bowl to bring in another plate
of biscuits.
mo, no, me no talkee Inglish. only
Mclean, Mr. Jenkins, only talkee
Mclean"
THE Dead Horse people must have
felt quite badly about it," Pete con-
tinued, reluctant to drop the subject.
suppose they have another one by
this time, though"
only three OF 'em left up there
now. One of 'thems sick, I hear.
thatll leave only two working until
you get there. Butler tells me you're
going up to join them?" AS Jenkins
talked, Pete thought he saw a hint
of covert understanding in his eye.
yes, l figure on spending the win
ter up there. But tell me about the
cook, have they another one?"
Guess not, every man for himself.
Beats me how they do It. 1 get into
Moapa once in awhile. anyway, but
God knows it's bad enough to stick
here all winter; even at that"
onally, l like the hills all right
enough, what little I've seen of them.
But all winters! Whew! Guess I'll
come down and go to Moapa with
you: how often do you say you go NJ"
times oftener. but say, If you're
hgurin' on coming back this winter.
you hadn't better start at all"
why, trail so bad as all that?"
mo, trails bad of course. but that
part is o. K. Our orders are none of
help from further up than Jumbo
Point can come out TIL Spring"
Jenkins seemed a little perturbed at
Pete's apparent ignorance of orders.
For a moment he looked carefully
thus far hat silently by. too much
interestd with the food, evidently, to
talk.
Butler was quick to follow the drift
of the conversation, however, and
stepped into the breach now quite
cleVerly. Vests wise all right"
he broke in, but he's not quite on to
just who's who round this end of the
workin's." His foot sought out Pete's
beneath the table and kicked 1t
sharply.
How about the sick bloke, he COM
in here?" Alguin asked, following
Buffers lead.
They're on the trail with him now,
! think, nothin' much the matter with
him, l guess, just stallin' to get into
town.
Pete changed the subject, and there