"
"I suppose he is aware of that fact," said Hunter, laughing.
"If he isn't, his son, Sam, is," replied Ben. "Sam wanted to engage
me as his servant before I came away. He wanted me to black his
boots."
"And you objected, I suppose?"
"I wouldn't work for Sam Sturgis for a hundred dollars a month!"
said Ben emphatically.
"Then you don't like him?"
"He is very big-feeling," said Ben, using a boy's word, "and likes
to boss all the rest of the boys. He thinks he is far above us all."
"He ought to come out here. California takes the airs out of a man
if he has any. We are all on an equality here, and the best man
wins-I mean the man of the most pluck-for success doesn't depend on
moral excellence exactly. Well, old friend, are you going to settle
down among us again?"
It was to Bradley this question was addressed.
"I don't know. I'm here on a little matter of business, along of
this boy. Is Richard Dewey here now?"
"Dewey? No. He had poor luck, and he dusted a month ago."
Ben and his companion exchanged glances of disappointment.
"Where did he go?" asked Bradley, who was evidently getting
discouraged.
"He was going to the mountains," he said.
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