"Call round this afternoon. We've got something else on hand just now."
When they returned to his picturesque little dwelling the big man led the way inside, closed the door, and said:
"Now, lads, sit down, and let's talk business. What do you propose to do next?"
"I don't think we know," responded Alaric.
"Do you want to go to Tacoma or Seattle?"
"I don't know why we should. We haven't any friends in either place, nor any money to live on while we look for work."
"None at all?"
"Not one cent. There's a month's wages due us from the Frenchman who hired us to go up the mountain, but I suppose he has left this part of the country long ago."
"I suppose he has; and you certainly are playing to such hard luck that I don't see as you can do any better than stay right here. If you are willing to work at whatever offers, I shouldn't wonder if the boss could find something for you to do. At any rate, he might give you a chance to earn a suit of clothes, and feed you while you were doing it."
"I think we'd be only too glad to stay here and work," replied Alaric—"wouldn't we, Bonny?"