"How did you come?" asked Lee.
"Black Bear Creek," said the soldier, curtly, at which Runnion broke into profanity.
"Better hush," Burrell admonished him; "there's a lady inside," and at that instant Necia showed her laughing face under his arm, while the trader uttered her name in amazement.
"Lunch is ready," she said. "We've been expecting you for quite a while."
"Ba Gar! Dat's fonny t'ing for sure," said Poleon. "Who tol' you 'bout dis strike—eh?"
"Mother; I made her," the girl answered.
"Take off your packs and come in," Burrell invited, but Stark strode forward.
"Hold on a minute. This don't look good to me. You say your mother told you. I suppose you're Old Man Gale's other daughter—eh?"
Necia nodded.
"What time of day was it when you learned about this?"