Page 46 - In A New World

"Why, certainly, friend," answered Obed, rising and advancing to meet the
stranger. "We don’t keep a first-class hotel, but you’re welcome to what

we’ve got. Are you travellin’ alone?"

"Yes, if you call it travelling. I’ve been dragging myself along for several
days, hoping to find somebody that would give me aid."

"Well, you’ve found somebody. Here, sit down, for you don’t seem able to
stand, and we’ll provide for you. Harry, bring some biscuit and cold meat,

won’t you, and Jack had better build a fire. A cup of tea will put new life
into you, my friend."

The biscuit were soaked in water and given to the stranger. He devoured
them like a man in the last stages of hunger.

"Go slow, my friend. Your stomach must be weak," said Obed.

"If you only knew the gnawing at my vitals," said the new-comer. "I have
not tasted food for three days."

"I never was in that fix, though I did go hungry for twenty-four hours once
in Californy. You’d better believe I pitched in when I got to where victuals

were."

"How did that happen, Mr. Stackpole?" asked Harry.

"I was lost in the mountains," answered Obed, "and couldn’t find any trace

of a livin’ creature except an old miser, who pointed a musket at me, and
didn’t dare to let me into his hut. I don’t think I could have stood it three

days."

"That goes to the right spot," said the stranger, after he had gulped down

two cups of tea. "Now I’m ready to die without complaining."

"If it’s all the same to you, I think you’d better get ready to live," said Obed.