question, and a poser, for Ned had not the least idea of
what sum he ought to ask for his work, and at the same time he had a
strong antipathy to that species of haggling, which is usually prefaced
by the seller, with the reply, "What'll ye give?" There was no other
means, however, of ascertaining the market-value of his sketch, so he
put the objectionable question.

"I'll give ye twenty dollars, slick off."

"Very good," replied Ned, "it shall be yours in ten minutes."

"An' I say, stranger," continued the Yankee, while Ned put the finishing
touches to his work, "will ye do the inside o' my hut for the same
money?"

"I will," replied Ned.

The Yankee paused for a few seconds, and then added--

"I'd like to git myself throwd into the bargain, but I guess ye'll ask
more for that."

"No, I won't; I'll do it for the same sum."

"Thank'ee; that's all square. Ye see, I've got a mother in Ohio State,
an' she'd give her ears for any scrap of a thing o' me or my new home;
an' if ye'll git 'em both fixed off by the day arter to-morrow, I'll
send 'em down to Sacramento by Sam Scott, the trader. I'll rig out and
fix up the hut to-morrow mornin', so if ye come by breakfast-time I'll
be ready."

Ned promised to be there at the appointed hour, as he rose and handed
him the sketch, which the man, having paid the stipulated sum, carried
away to his hut with evident delight.

"Halloo, I say," cried Ned.

"Wall?" answered the Yankee, stopping with a look of concern, as if he
feared the artist had repented of his bargain.

"Mind you tell no one my prices, for, you see, I've not had time to
consider about them yet."

"All right; mum's the word," replied the man, vanishing into his little
cabin just as Tom Collins returned from his ramble.

"Halloo, Ned, what's that I hear about prices? I hope you're not
offering to speculate in half-finished holes, or anything of that sort,
eh?"

"Sit down here, my boy, and I'll tell you all about it."

Tom obeyed, and, with a half-surprised and more than half-amused
expression, listened to his companion's narration of the scene that had
just taken place, and of the plan which he had formed in his mind. This
plan was carried out the following day.

By daybreak Ned was up preparing his drawing materials; then he and Tom
breakfasted at the _table d'hote_, after which the latter went to hunt
for a suitable log-hut, in which to carry on their joint labours, while
the former proceed