"I want something to eat first of all. I'm half starved," he told them.
"Sorry, younker, but we ain't got more'n enough for ourselves. It's a long ways to where we kin git more."
"But I am willing to pay you for it. I must have food right now," protested Tad.
"So must we."
"Who are you?" demanded Tad indignantly. "I didn't suppose there was a man mean enough to refuse a boy at least a piece of bread when that boy was starving."
"We're prospecting. I reckon we know our business best. Ye can't get any chuck out of this outfit."
"Then tell me where the Red Star Mine is. I've got to get there at once."
"She's nigh onto fifteen miles off thar—"
"Why, that's the direction I came from," exclaimed the lad.
"Sure. Ye must have dodged it. Did ye pass the Ruby Mounting?"