en, as a reward, I will wait a few days and go round
cadging."

"No--buying."

"The fellows won't sell. They will only let us have some as a loan."

"Very well, then; get what you can as a loan, Dal."

"All right; but I know what it will be wherever I go: `We can let you
have some tobacco, old man; we've scarcely anything else.'"

"Never mind; try."

Dallas threw a few small pieces of wood on the fire to make a blaze and
light up the rough place, and then the breakfast was partaken of. Not a
very substantial meal: milkless tea, with very stodgy hot cake, made
with musty meal; but to the great delight of Dallas, his companion in
misfortune partook thereof with some show of appetite, and then sat
looking on without a word while Dallas took one of their gold-washing
pans, poured in some meal, took a piece of split firewood, and stirred
with one hand while he poured hot water in from the billy with the
other.

Neither spoke, but their thoughts were in common, and as soon as the hot
mash had cooled a little, the cook turned to the dog.

"Now then, rough un," he cried, "as you have invited yourself to bed and
breakfast, here is your mess, and you'd better eat it and go."

The dog opened his eyes, looked at him wistfully, and beat the floor
again, but he made no effort to rise.

"Poor brute! He is weak, Bel. Here, let's help you."

Passing his arm under the dog's neck, he raised him a little so that he
could place the shallow tin of steaming food beneath his muzzle; but the
only result was a low whine, and a repetition of the movement of the
tail.

At last, though, the eyes opened, and the poor brute sniffed, and began
to eat very slowly, pausing now and then to whine before beginning
again, till at last the effect of the hot mess seemed magical, and the
latter half was eaten with avidity, the tin being carefully licked
clean.

A few minutes later the dog was asleep again, but in a different
attitude, for he had, after a few efforts, curled himself up as close to
the fire as he could get without burning, his muzzle covered over by his
bushy tail.

"Dallas Adams, Esquire, gold medal from the Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals. Bow from Dallas Adams, Esquire, and loud cheers
from the audience at the annual meeting."

"And well deserved," said Abel, smiling. "Oh, I wish I had your
spirits."

"Get your frozen foot well, and then you will," was the reply. "Look
here, I'll take a sack and g