at's that?"

"We don't keep no medicine," growled the landlord.

"Have you root-beer?" asked Herbert.

"What do you take me for?" said the landlord, contemptuously. "I haven't
got no root-beer. Whisky's good enough for any man."

"I hope you'll excuse me, then," said Herbert. "I am not used to any
strong drinks."

"How old are you?" asked the colonel, rather contemptuously.

"Sixteen."

"Sixteen years old and don't drink whisky! My young friend, your
education has been sadly neglected."

"I dare say it has," answered Herbert, good-naturedly.

"Gentlemen," said Col. Warner, apologetically, "the boy is a stranger,
and isn't used to our free Western ways. He's got the makings of a man
in him, and it won't be long before he'll get over his squeamishness,
and walk up to the bar as quick as any one of us."

Herbert and Melville stood apart, while the rest of the company emptied
their glasses, apparently at a gulp. It was clear that their refusal had
caused them to be regarded with dislike and suspicion.

The accommodations of the Echo Gulch Hotel were far from luxurious. The
chambers were scarcely larger than a small closet, clap-boarded but not
plastered, and merely contained a bedstead. Washing accommodations were
provided downstairs.

Herbert and George Melville were assigned to a single room, to which
they would not have objected had the room been larger. It was of no use
to indulge in open complaints, however, since others had to fare in the
same way.

"This isn't luxury, Herbert," said Melville.

"No," answered the boy; "but I don't mind it if you don't."

"I am afraid I may keep you awake by my coughing, Herbert."

"Not if I once get to sleep. I sleep as sound as a top."

"I wish I did; but I am one of the wakeful kind. Being an invalid, I
am more easily annoyed by small inconveniences. You, with your sturdy
health, are more easily suited."

"Mr. Melville, I had just as lief sleep downstairs in a chair, and give
you the whole of the bed."

"Not on my account, Herbert. I congratulate myself on having you for a
roommate. If I had been traveling alone I might have been packed away
with the colonel, who, by this time, would be even less desirable as a
bedfellow than usual."

The worthy colonel had not been content with a single glass of whisky,
but had followed it up several times, till his utterance had become
thick, and his face glowed with a dull, brick-dust color.

Col. Warner had been assign