"Exactly," said Mills. "Well there's my hand for you, Frenchy. You done me a good turn. I'll do as much for you one of these days."
"Eh?" said the Frenchman as he shook hands.
"You've got a nasty habit of saying 'Eh?'" retorted the trader. "I said I'd do as much for you one of these days. Comprenny?"
"Oh yais," smiled the Frenchman. "I think you will. Tha's all right."
"Well," said Mills, "I wish you'd come up and see me at my kia. Sure you can't come now?"
"Yais, I coom now," answered the other.
Mills stared. "'Fraid you can't trust me to go alone, are you?" he queried. "'Cause, if so——"
"Tha's all right," interrupted the Frenchman. "I coom now."
"Right you are," said Mills heartily. "Come along then!"
They strode off in the direction of the drift, Mills going thoughtfully, with an occasional glance at his companion. The Frenchman smiled perpetually, and once he laughed out.