Grant was by no means pleased to see his old associate in the restaurant.
“And what are you doing here, Grant?” asked Benton curiously.
“Mr. Cooper and I are working a claim,” answered Grant unwillingly.
“Is it rich? Don’t you want a partner?” inquired Benton briskly.
“No; we can do all the work that is required. But what are you doing?”
“Oh, I’ve been drifting around,” said Benton evasively. “I was digging for gold a part of the time.”
“Did you meet with any success?”
“Not much. I tell you, Grant, this mining business is played out. I don’t know what I shall take up next. If I had capital, I would set up a restaurant of my own.”
“You may be right about mining,” said Grant. “We made very little at Howe’s Gulch.”
“I suppose you are doing better here?”