"That's him I was talking to," said the miner. "He's an old friend of mine, and he's going to locate here."
Burrell thought he saw Lee wink at the trader, but he was not sure, for at that moment the man of whom they were speaking re-entered. Lee introduced him, and the three men shook hands. While the soldier fell into easy conversation with the new-comer, Gale gazed at him narrowly, studying him as he studied all men who came as strangers. As he was doing so Alluna entered, followed by Johnny and Molly. She had come for sugar, and asked for it in her native tongue. Upon her exit Stark broke off talking to the Lieutenant and turned to the trader.
"Your squaw, Mr. Gale?"
The old man nodded.
"Pah-Ute, eh?"
"Yes. Why, do you savvy the talk?"
"Some. I lived in California once."
"Where?" The question came like a shot.
"Oh, here and there; I followed the Mother Lode for a spell."
"I don't recall the name," said the trader, after a bit.