I shall be glad of
your company. Are you alone?"
"Yes."
"Seems to me you're rather a young chap to come out here alone."
"I suppose I am," returned Luke, smiling, "but there was no one
else to come with me. If I find Mr. Harding, I shall be all right."
"I can promise you that. It ain't likely he has got up from his
sick-bed and left the mines. I reckon you'll find him flat on his
back, as I left him."
Luke learned that his mining friend was known as Jack Baxter.
He seemed a sociable and agreeable man, though rather rough
in his outward appearance and manners. The next morning they
started in company, and were compelled to travel all day.
Toward sunset they reached the place known as Fenton's Gulch.
It was a wild and dreary-looking place, but had a good reputation
for its yield of gold dust.
"That's where you'll find the man you're after," said Baxter,
pointing to a dilapidated cabin, somewhat to the left of the mines.
Luke went up to the cabin, the door of which was open, and
looked in.
On a pallet in the corner lay a tall man, pale and emaciated.
He heard the slight noise at the door, and without turning his
head, said: "Come in, friend, whoever you are.
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