"Wait till supper, Jack," said I; "and then tell me. But I'm glad to see you."
I was too, in spite of his leaving the Inlet without asking me.
As to the man with whom he came, Montana Bill knew him, and they spent their time in bullying the absent Hank Patterson. It appeared that Harmer had hired him to come and hunt for me as far as the Columbia River, in order to bury me decently, as he had been firmly convinced that I was dead, when he learnt no news of me at the Landing.
The whole five of us sat down to beans and bacon; but I and Harmer ate very little because he wanted to tell me something which I was strangely loth to hear, so sure was I that it could be nothing good. It certainly must be bad news to bring even an impulsive youngster from the coast to the Columbia in such weather.
"Well, what is it, Harmer?" said I at last.
He hesitated a moment.
"Is it anything about her?" I asked quietly, lest the others should overhear.
"Who? Miss F.?" he asked. I nodded, and he shook his head.
"It's no such luck," he went on; "but I am so doubtful of what I have to tell you, although a few hours ago I was sure enough that I didn't know how to begin. When Mat's sentence be up, Mr. Ticehurst?"
I had no need to reckon.