'Can't you go one better?' I exclaimed.

He looked inquiringly and a little disgustedly at me.

'What can you do against free drinks and a dance, not to speak ofthe "High Kickers"?' he groaned.

'No!' he continued; 'it's a clean beat for us today. The minersand lumbermen will have in their pockets twelve thousand dollars, andevery dollar burning a hole; and Slavin and his gang will get mostof it. But,' he added, 'you must have breakfast. You'll find atub in the kitchen; don't be afraid to splash. It is the best Ihave to offer you.'

The tub sounded inviting, and before many minutes had passed I wasin a delightful glow, the effect of cold water and a rough towel,and that consciousness of virtue that comes to a man who has hadcourage to face his cold bath on a winter morning.

The breakfast was laid with fine taste. A diminutive pine-tree, ina pot hung round with wintergreen, stood in the centre of thetable.

'Well, now, this looks good; porridge, beefsteak, potatoes, toast,and marmalade.'