The two men looked up in surprise.
"Why, it's a kid!" ejaculated one. "How came you here, boy?"
"I'll tell you, if you don't mind my joining you," said Dean.
"Come and welcome! It's rather refreshing to see a young chap like you. I've got a boy at home who is within a year or two as old as you."
"I am sixteen."
"So I thought. My boy is fourteen. What is your name?"
"Dean Dunham. I come from Waterford, New York."
"Then you are from my State. I am from Syracuse. My name is Rawson—Ben Rawson. My friend here is Ebenezer Jones, commonly called Eben, a Connecticut Yankee—Eben, shake with our young friend."
"I am glad to meet you, Mr. Jones," said Dean, extending his hand with a smile.