“I say, you’re uncommon jolly, you chaps,” he began, as he stood in a lounging attitude watching the little party at their work.
“If we are it’s a credit to us,” returned Obed dryly, “for there isn’t much to be jolly about.”
“Isn’t your claim a good one?”
“That’s what we’re trying to find out. Where’s yours, stranger?”
The tramp returned an evasive answer and shambled off.
“Do you think he’s got a claim, Obed?” asked Jack.
“No; but he’s prowling around to see what he can pick up.”
“Do you think he’s a thief?”
“I think he’s willing to be. He heard us whistling, and thought we’d found something.”
“We are safe from robbery—for the present,” said Harry.