Page 27 - In A New World

CHAPTER V.

STARTING FOR THE MINES.

Harry may be considered rash in his immediate acceptance of his Yankee
acquaintance as a member of their party, but there are some men who need

no letters of recommendation. Obed Stackpole certainly was not a
handsome man. He was tall, lean, gaunt in figure, with a shambling walk,

and his skin was tough and leathery; but in spite of all there was an honest,
manly expression, which instantly inspired confidence. Both Harry and
Jack liked him, but Dick Fletcher seemed to regard him with instinctive

dislike.

"What made you accept that scarecrow into our company?" he asked, when
Stackpole had left them to make his own arrangements for leaving the city.

Harry smiled.

"He isn’t a handsome man," he replied, "but I think he will prove a valuable
companion."

"You took no notice of my objection to him," said Fletcher, frowning.

"Our company was too small," returned Harry. "From inquiry I find that
parties seldom consist of less than half a dozen."

"I know all about that," said Fletcher impatiently. "You might have been
guided by me."

"I shall be to some extent," answered Harry, "but not implicitly."

"I am going to have trouble with that boy," thought Fletcher. "Wait till we
get on the road." Aloud he said: "If you had mentioned the matter to me I

would have found someone to go with us. You had better tell this Yankee
that we haven’t room for him, and I will do it now."