Without another word he set out for the saloon.
The miners were all at work by this time, so there was no one there but Hoker and the man he had to help him.
They were both busy cleaning up the place when the Chinaman entered, but they greeted him cordially.
"Where's Young Wild West?" asked Hoker, though he well knew that he had started out to go through Forbidden Pass.
"He takee lillee tlip to huntee uppee some outlaws, so be," answered the Chinaman. "Me likee havee lillee tanglefoot; len me go outee huntee, too, so be."
"Is that so? Well, I don't know how much of a hunter you are, but if yer are as good at it as yer are with ther cards you'll make out all right, I reckon."
"Lat light."
Hop got his drink, and then he had a flask filled with whisky for use later on.
"Now, len," said he, blandly, "me chuck dicee to see if me pay or you givee me um tanglefoot."
"No yer don't!" was the quick reply. "You fork over ther money. I ain't goin' inter no gamblin' game with you. You're too much fur me, an' I ain't ashamed ter own up ter it."