"How are you making out, Hunter?" asked Bradley.
"Pretty well. I have made more here in six months than I did by three years' practise of law before I came out here."
"Do you like it as well, Mr. Hunter?" Ben could not help asking curiously.
"No, I don't; but then, it's only for a time, as I say to myself when I get tired of the rough life I am leading. When I've made a respectable pile I shall start for 'Frisco, and take passage home, put up my shingle again, and wait for clients with money enough to pay my board while I'm waiting. A young lawyer needs that always."
"Perhaps you'll be Judge Hunter, in time," said Bradley.
"I've served in that capacity already," said Hunter unexpectedly, "and that not longer ago than yesterday. Do you see that poor wretch up there?" and he pointed to the suspended body already referred to.
"Yes; what did he do?"
"He was a notorious thief-served a term in the penitentiary East for stealing, and came out here to practise his profession. But this climate is unhealthy for gentlemen in that line of business."
"Did he rob anybody here?"
"Yes; you remember Johnson?"