"Ha, ha, ha! Poll must be feeling lonesome; when she talks like this, it's a sure sign she needs jolly company," replied the lawyer.
"Maybe she thought we were chewed up by the grizzlies," added Mr. Brewster, forcing a gayety similar to that of Mr. Simms.
"What's the matter with you men? Is there any danger from the fire?" demanded Polly.
"No, the fire's burning over the down-slope on the other side. You know it won't come this way," returned Mrs. Brewster.
"Well, then—where are the other men? Did those drunken miners shoot any one?" persisted the girl.
"Don't bother with questions, Polly. Let us get some supper before we think of anything else," advised her mother.
Mike was soon busy unpacking the outfit for cooking, and Mrs. Brewster joined him to give any assistance he might need. Polly went over to her father to try and get more satisfactory information from him, regarding that day's experiences.
"Did you say the miners who came up ahead of us to-day were in Bill's custody, Daddy?"
"Ah didn't say anything; but now Ah'll tell you-all that they are shipped safely to a place where they can do no harm."
"Oh! Did Bill go down the Trail with them?" continued Polly.