'It just depends,' one of the other men said. 'If it is to a man who would do his full share of work we would let him have a quarter for four hundred dollars, for we shall have to do some timbering soon. If it is to a man who is afraid to put his back into it we would not have him at any price.'
'Very well, then, it will suit us both to wait for a week. I will come to work to-morrow on hire.'
'He looks the right sort,' the man said, as Ned Hampton moved away. 'He is a quiet-looking fellow, active and strong. A Britisher, I should say, by his accent.'
After strolling round the camp Hampton looked in at the saloon. There were only three or four men at the bar. The girl was not there.
'I have been round there this morning,' Jacob said when he returned to the waggon. 'I did not see her. They have given me an order for as much as I will carry. They would fill the cart up, but I would not have more than my usual load.'
'You did not know the man by sight at all, I suppose?'
'No. I don't think I ever set eyes on him before.'
'Spirits and groceries, I suppose, principally?'
'Yes; they are expecting flour and bacon up in a waggon that ought to be in to-day.'
'Did they ask you any questions, Jacob?'