"He'll not can do that," muttered some one in dissent. Whereupon there followed a small debate on the merits of the two candidates for Presidential position.
"Up here 'lectioneering?" inquired a third, turning to the strangers again.
"I calculate you are from the west, stranger," said Hugh Lark.
"You've struck it partly," laughingly said the red-headed stranger, and then apparently tired of answering questions, added, "We're here from Louisiana and are here prospecting."
Curiosity, instead of being appeased, was instantly aroused. A sharp look flashed into Hugh's eye as he scrutinised them.
"Wall," said the tavern keeper, "I allers said thar war something in these hills. What ye think 'tiz, stranger, gold?"
"No, we're prospecting for character."
"Karakter," said the tavern keeper, musingly, "I ne'er hearn tell of that metal afore."
"Don't think there's much about here?" asked the red-headed stranger, with just the shadow of a smile.
"Not as I knows of," and the tavern keeper rubbed his head in doubt.