“Benton! All out!” Out we stumbled. Here I was, at rainbow’s end.
CHAPTER IV
I MEET FRIENDS
What shall I say of a young man like myself, fresh from the green East of New York and the Hudson River, landed expectant as just aroused from a dream of rare beauty, at this Benton City, Wyoming Territory? The dust, as fine as powder and as white, but shot through with the crimson of sunset, hung like a fog, amidst which swelled a deafening clamor from figures rushing hither and thither about the platform like half-world shades. A score of voices dinned into my ears as two score hands grabbed at my valise and shoved me and dragged me.
“The Desert Hotel. Best in the West. This way, sir.”
“Buffalo Hump Corral! The Buffalo Hump! Free drinks at the Buffalo Hump.”
“Vamos, all o’ you. Leave the gent to me. I’ve had him before. Mike’s Place for you, eh? Come along.”
“The Widow’s Café! That’s yore grub pile, gent. All you can eat for two bits.”