“So we have, John,” said Mr. Bickford. “The fact is, we were hungry—hadn’t had any breakfast.”
“Suppose Melican man eat—he pay,” said the Chinaman.
“That’s all right,” said Joe; “we are willing to pay. How much do you want?”
The Chinaman named his price, which was not unreasonable, and it was cheerfully paid.
“Have you got some more bread and rice, John?” asked Mr. Bickford. “We’d like to buy some and take it along.”
They succeeded in purchasing a small supply—enough with economy to last a day or two. This was felt as a decided relief. In two days they might fall in with another party of miners or come across a settlement.
They ascertained on inquiry that the Chinaman and another of his nationality had come out like themselves to search for gold. They had a claim at a short distance from which they had obtained a small supply of gold. The cabin they had found in its present condition. It had been erected and deserted the previous year by a party of white miners, who were not so easily satisfied as the two Chinamen.
“Well,” said Joshua, after they had started on their way, “that’s the first time I ever dined at a Chinee hotel.”
“We were lucky in coming across it,” said Joe.
“The poor fellow looked frightened when he saw us gobblin’ up his provisions,” said Mr. Bickford, laughing at the recollection.