they war nevyer known ter refuse a gift or an advantageous offer; in
this respeck they bore a striking resemblance ter the immortell G'orge
Washington. G'orge war innercent; he ked never tell a lie. So war our
family; they never hed it in their hearts to say _Nix_ to an offer uv
a good feed or a decoction o' brandy.

"It war a disease--a hereditary affection uv ther hull combined
system. The terrible malady attacked me w'en I war an infant prodigy,
an' I've nevyer yit see'd thet time when I c'u'd resist the temptation
an' coldly say 'nix' w'en a brother pilgrim volunteered ter make a
liberal dispensation uv grub, terbarker, or bug-juice. Nix ar' a word
thet causes sorrer an' suffering ter scores 'n' scores o' people, more
or less--generally more uv less than less o' more--an' tharfore I
nevyer feel it my duty, as a Christyun, ter set a bad example w'ich
others may foller."

Redburn glanced toward Anita, a quizzical expression upon his genial
face.

"I fail to see how that has any reference as to the cause of your stay
among us," he observed, amused at the quaint lingo of the prospector.

"Sart'in not, sart'in not! I had just begun ter git thar. I've only
bin gi'in' ye a geological ijee uv ther Nix family's formation; I'll
now perceed to illustrate more clearly, thr'u' veins an' channels
hitherto unexplored, endin' up wi' a reg'lar hoss-car proposal."

Then the old fellow proceeded with a rambling "yarn," giving more
guesses than actual information and continued on in this strain: