"
"Don't you find it lonely livin' out here?" he asked.
Jack Carter shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't care for company," he said. "As long as me and the old
woman get enough to eat, our own company's good enough for us."
"Are there any mines near-by?" asked Bradley.
"Not very."
"What inducement can he have to live out here in the
wilderness?" thought Bradley. "If he were workin' a mine now, I could
understand. How does he make a livin', I wonder?"
"Have you lived here long?" he asked.
"Quite a while."
It was clear that Jack did not care to answer definitely, and was
disposed to give as little information as possible about himself.
It was yet early when the two travelers felt an inclination to
sleep. They had had a hard day's tramp, and wished to be stirring
early the next day. As yet, however, they were uncertain whether
they would be permitted to sleep in the cabin. Bradley resolved to
put the question to the man.
"If you haven't got room for us to sleep," he said, "Ben and I will
camp out, as we have done before."
"The old woman's makin' up a bed for you," said Jack. "We don't keep
a hotel, but we've got room for you two."
"Thank you.
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