“There you are,” said the master, grimly; “they’ll take you aboard now. Going up the Fraser, arn’t you?”
“Yes, I hope so,” said Gunson, as he thrust his hand into his pocket, and then handed some money to the old man, who took it with a dissatisfied grunt, and turned it over in his rough hand.
“What’s this?” he said roughly; “ten dollars. There, we said five. Take them back.” He held out half the money. “No, no: bargain’s a bargain. Lay holt.”
“But the broken spar?”
“Don’t you fret yewrself about that. I’m going to show it to him as sold it to me, and make him take it again. There, good luck to you all. Good-bye, youngsters; and if you find any gold up yonder, bring me back a little bit to make a brooch for my old missus.”
Gunson pressed him to keep the money, but he refused angrily.
“Shake hands, all on yew, and good-bye. I meant to put you all aboard, and I’ve done it, arn’t I?”
“Indeed you have,” I said; “and we are very grateful.”
“That’s right, lad,” he said, shaking hands warmly; after which the others held out their hands, and to my great satisfaction Gunson said—
“Will you let me give these two a dollar each?”