“‘Right choo are agin, kid! My, but you are a lucky find fer Hal to have. Jus’ fancy all the fun we will have durin’ the long winter nights,’ said the guide, in a conciliatory tone.
“‘Hope so! If I ever get the chance to show you that I am thankful for this help, I surely will,’ I said, full of gratitude that I was not dragging my feet along the tiresome trail at that very moment.
“‘Now, that’s the kind of a heart to have—one that kin thank a feller without feelin’ ’shamed to show his colors! I see where you and me are goin’ to make a fine team!’ said Hal.
“After some silence, the old man asked: ‘Where’er yeh bound fer, anyway?’
“‘Don’t know—just going out to find gold,’ I said.
“He turned square around and stared at me for a few moments, then gasped: ‘Father an’ mother dead?’
“I had to gulp hard before I could answer this question, then I said: ‘No. Had my own money in the bank, and so I just came.’
“‘How fer?’ he asked abruptly.
“‘All the way from New York state. I worked my way out and worked part of my way on the Seattle boat,’ I said, with great pride in my achievement.
“‘Why, yeh little fool!’ cried the irate guide.