"My destination is Ten Mile Gulch, I believe; but you have such horrid names out here."
"I presume they do appear somewhat queer to a stranger, but they nearly all have the merit of being appropriate. You stop at the settlement?"
"I do not know. My brother wrote to me to come to Ten Mile Gulch. Is it the name of a town?"
"Both of a village and a mining district, from which the village takes its name. Is your brother a miner?"
"Yes, sir."
"I presume he intended to meet you at the settlement You will no doubt find him at the tavern; if not, I will tell him of your arrival, for my way leads through the mines."
"Thank you, sir. My brother's name is John Borlan."
"I am somewhat acquainted with him," said Mr. Kuger, "though in this region of strange names we call him Jack. My name is Thomas Ruger."
"Tom, in California style?" she asked, with a merry twinkle in her eye.
"Yes, Miss Borlan," he said, also smiling. "Tom Ruger is well known where Thomas Ruger never was heard of. And now I will bid you good-day, Miss Borlan, for I am in something of a hurry to reach the settlement. If I do not find Jack there, I will go on to the mines and tell him."