"How would it do, if I got up a dinner for both of us?" he finally asked.
"All right, go ahead."
It made very little difference to Jet what the fellow did so long as he left him free to think the matter over, and he paid no attention to his movements.
After an hour had passed the stranger invited Jet to "fill up" from his own stock of provisions, and as he accepted the invitation the boy discovered that whatever this man might think of his abilities, he was certainly a very poor cook.
"I'd a-done better if you'd had more stuff," he said, half-apologetically, and then he began an attack on the food which speedily emptied the dishes.
The visitor made no move toward clearing away the cooking utensils; but leaving them where they were last used, proceeded to fill his pipe.
Then he stretched himself out inside the shanty, and took, as he said, "solid enjoyment."
"I allow there's no reason why I can't stay here till morning, eh?"
Much as Jet disliked the proposed companionship, he could not well refuse the request, therefore he gave consent with rather an ill-will.
"Seen anybody else huntin' 'round here?" the fellow asked, after a pause.