"Really," argued Reade, "we've disposed of that subject, my dear fellow. Have you any other business here! If not, you'll excuse us. Mr. Hazelton and I are to be gone for the day."
"Going prospecting?"
"We're going minding," smiled Reade.
"Mining?" repeated the visitor. "Mining what?"
"We are going off to mind our own business," Tom drawled. "Good morning."
"Then you're not coming over to our place?"
"No!" shouted Harry Hazelton, losing patience. "What do you want?"
"As you will observe, friend," suggested Tom, smiling at the messenger, "my partner has well mastered the lesson that a soft answer is a soother."
"Are you going to leave our camp?" Harry demanded, as the visitor squatted on the ground.
"If you two are going away," scowled the other, "you'll need some one to stay and watch the camp. I'll stay for you."