"My friend that was going to leave me some money in my bunk was coming
to-day," said Jack Pollock. "It ain't in your bunk by mistake?"
"Jack," said Bob, weariedly throwing all the usual pretence aside, "I'm
ashamed to say I clean forgot it; I had such a job on hand. I'll ride
over and get it now."
"Don't understand you," said Jack, without moving a muscle of his face.
Bob smiled at the serious young mountaineer, playing loyally his part
even to his fellow-conspirator.
"Jack," said he, "I guess your friend must have been delayed. Maybe
he'll get here later."
"Quite like," nodded Jack gravely.
XXI
Bob made the earliest chance to obtain California John's promised
advice. The old man was unlettered, but his understanding was informed
by a broad and gentle spirit and long experience of varied things. On
this the head ranger himself touched.
"Bob," he began, "I'm an old man, and I've lived through a lot. When I
come into this state the elk and deer and antelope was running out on
the plains like sheep. I mined and prospected up and down these
mountains when nobody knew their names.
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