"Did he send you out here?" he asked abruptly.
"Not exactly, sir," said Owen. "We tried our luck in Michigan before we came here. But Mr. Wilbur helped us with our tickets to Oregon, and gave us a recommendation to you. Perhaps you had better read the letter."
"I will."
Ulmer Balasco read the communication with close attention, rubbing his chin reflectively as he did so. Then he cleared his throat several times.
"I see Mr. Wilbur recommends you very strongly," he began. "He says both of you did him a great service. May I ask what that was?"
In a few simple words, Dale told of the forest fire, and of how Owen and himself had rescued the Wilbur children.
"Oh, yes, I heard of that!" cried Ulmer Balasco, and for some reason he appeared more at ease. "No wonder Mr. Wilbur recommends you. I'll have to see what I can do. You say you know the business?"
"We do—according to the way they work in Maine," answered Owen. "Here are our other recommendations," and he brought them forth.
"Those are all good enough, and I reckon you'll fill the bill—if there is any to fill. You can put up here at the camp for the present, and I'll do what I can for you in the morning."