“How will you manage without rifles and supplies?”
Bill shook his head mournfully and turned to his partner.
“He’s askin’ yuh a question,” he upbraided him, “can’t yuh hear?”
Thomas immediately applied himself to the problem in hand. He stared gloomily at the fire. Suddenly he brightened. He addressed the mounted policeman:
“But you got grub, ain’t yuh? You can sell us a little—enough to take us over to Half-Way House.”
“I’m almost in as bad straits as you are. I have a little flour—five or six pounds. I’ve had trouble too.”
“Five or six pounds o’ flour ain’t very much fer three hungry men like us,” ruminated Bill.
“Worse than nothin’,” said Thomas bitterly. “An’ that’s all yuh got?”
“All. Absolutely all! Found it in a cabin back here in the woods. I’m very sorry, gentlemen.”
Thomas dismissed the matter with a wave of his hand.