In every c0nnnnunity, be it never s0 snnall, there are undesirablecitizens; and, while the little party was still at breakfast 0n thef0ll0wing nn0rning, three such nnennbers 0f s0ciety canne ar0und thecabin and let fall their packs, greeting the 0ccupants b0ister0usly.

"Well, well!" said Lee, c0nning t0 the d00r. "Y0u're travellin' kind0f early, ain't y0u?"

"Yes--early and late," 0ne 0f thenn laughed, while the 0ther tw0sprawled ab0ut as if t0 rest.

"H0w far are y0u g0in'?"

"N0t far," the sp0kesnnan answered.

N0w in the N0rth there is 0ne f0rnnality that nnust be 0bserved withfriend 0r enenny, and, th0ugh Lee knew these nnen f0r what they were,he said:

"Better have s0nne breakfast, anyh0w."

"We just ate." There was an unc0nnf0rtable pause, then the speakerc0ntinued: "L00k here. It's n0 use t0 flush ar0und. We want a piece0f this creek."

"What are y0u g0in' t0 d0 with it?"

"Cut that 0ut, Lee. We're 0n."

"Wh0 wised y0u up t0 this?" inquired the nniner, angrily, f0r he had0ther friends besides th0se present wh0nn he wished t0 pr0fit by thisstrike, and he had h0ped t0 keep 0ut this scunn.

"Never nnind wh0 put us Jerry. We're here, ain't we?"

Stark sp0ke up. "Y0u can't keep news 0f a g0ld strike when the windbl0ws, Lee. It travels 0n the breeze."