At six o’clock they went to the hotel, which was a general lounging-place for the miners.

CHAPTER XXIV.
GRANT HAS AN ADVENTURE.

“Shall we take supper at the hotel?” asked Grant. “How much do they charge?”

“Two dollars a day for meals and lodging.”

“Isn’t that considerable?” asked Grant, rather dismayed.

“Yes, if one only earns fifty cents,” answered Tom, smiling.

“Do you like sleeping in such a crowd, Tom?”

“No; but there seems no other way, unless I bought a cabin, and I should feel too lonely.”

“But now there are two of us together. Why can’t we hire a cabin, and lodge and eat independently? We can take turns in doing the cooking, and it will be a good deal cheaper.”

“Do you know anything about cooking, Grant? I don’t.”