“Oh yes, I know him.”
“He is the chief officer there, isn’t he?” I continued eagerly, as I seemed now to see the end of my journey.
“Yes; he’s head man, my lad.”
“What sort of a person is he?”
“Humph! Well, how am I to describe him? What do you mean? His looks?”
“Yes; and altogether what sort of a man is he?”
“As far as appearance goes, about such a man as I am. Stern, determined sort of fellow, my lad; accustomed to deal with the Indians. Bit of a hunter—naturally from living in these parts; bit of a gardener, and botanist, and naturalist; done a little in minerals and metals too,” he continued, turning to Gunson. “Sort of man to talk to you, sir, as I see you are prospecting—for gold, I suppose?”
“You can suppose what you like,” said Gunson, drily. “This is a free country, I believe. I never heard that Government interfered with people for looking up the place.”
“Oh no; it’s free to a certain extent, but we settlers who are fixed here like to know what perfect strangers are about.”
“Look here,” said Gunson, “I always make a point of keeping my business to myself. Do you want to quarrel with me?”