"Just what I was wantin'," said Bradley, delighted. "You're welcome,
whoever you are."
"Ben, can't you get together some sticks and light the fire? It's
coolish."
CHAPTER XXIV.
BEATEN AT HIS OWN GAME.
Bradley was of a social disposition, and even without the gift of
tobacco would have been glad of an addition to their small party.
"I'm glad to see you," he said, repeating his welcome. "I wonder I
didn't hear you comin'. Have you been long in Californy?"
"Well onto a year," said the one who seemed the elder of the two.
"How is it with you, stranger?"
"I have been here about as long," answered Bradley. "Ben has only
just come out."
"What luck have you had?" pursued the questioner.
"Good and bad. I made quite a pile, and went to 'Frisco and gambled
it away like a fool. Now I've come back for another trial."
'"What might your name be?"
"Bradley-Jake Bradley. It isn't much of a name, but it'll do for me.
The boy is Ben Stanton--come from the East."
"My name is Bill Mosely," said the other. "My friend's Tom Hadley.
We're both from Missouri, and, though I say it, we're about as
wide-awake as they make 'em. We don't stand no back talk, Tom and
me.
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