Deringham described the vehicle as well as he was able, and the
stranger nodded. "That's Jimmy Thomson's outfit all right," said he.
"What did he charge you?"

Miss Dillingham laughed. "It is curious that he charged us nothing,"
said she.

"Well," said the stranger gravely, "that was blame unlike Jimmy.
There's only one man in this country would do that kind of thing, and
as he hasn't a wagon to fit what you're telling me, it couldn't he him."

Miss Deringham had purposed asking who the man in question was, but the
driver started his team just then, and an hour later drove them into
the sleepy settlement and carried their boxes into Horton's hotel. He
gravely invited Deringham to drink with him, and appearing mildly
astonished went about his business when the latter declined. Deringham
smiled at his daughter.

"There are, as one might expect, men of somewhat different type in this
country, but I prefer the first one," said he.

Miss Deringham also fancied that she did so, though she did not admit
it, and that evening was made acquainted with yet another and more
different one. Horton as usual served supper at six o'clock, and all
his guests were expected to partake of reasty pork, potatoes,
flapjacks, green tea and fruits at the same table. To this he made no
exception, and would not have done so for the premier, and when a small
company of axemen and free prospectors filed in Deringham and his
daughter took their places amidst the rest.