“Say, pardner,” said Steve, “I kind o’ reckon you’re shinin’ up a little toward old Bonifield’s gal, ain’t you?” and he nudged Vance in the ribs with his elbow. The question was so unexpected that Vance hardly knew how to reply. “I hope,” replied Vance, “that I am not in disfavor with the young lady, or her father either. I own an interest in Gray Rocks.” “The dickens you do!” said Steve Gibbons. “Well, if there’s any man in these mountains, pardner, who ought to strike it, old Ben Bonifield is the one. He’s been stickin to Gray Rocks for a good many years, and is one of the squarest men in the Fish River Minin’ District, while that gal of his—-why, she is the gem of all these diggins. I did think J. Arthur Boast had the inside [110] track on the Bonifield ranch, but here lately I ‘lowed as maybe Boast was playin’ second fiddle; but then you can’t tell how a game is goin’ to end until the last card is played.” Vance made no reply, but ground his teeth in silent anger at the mention of Boast’s name. It was late that night when they arrived at Waterville. CHAPTER XIV.—THE TOWN COMPANY’. MEETING. 9119 ARLY [111] the next morning Dick Ballard rapped on Vance’s door, and being admitted, greeted him warmly, and assured him he was mighty glad to see him again. “There’s goin’ to be a meetin’ of the Town Company.” “Is that so?” said Vance. “Yes; the hul kit and bilin’ of ‘em are here,” replied Ballard. “There’s Colonel Alexander, Homer Winthrop, General Ira House and his brother, Jack House, B. Webster Legal and Marcus Donald. Donald is the resident director of the Town Company.” Vance said he would be glad to meet them. “Well, you’ll see the keenest lot of men,” said Ballard, “this here country has ever pulled together. Every one of ‘em is a strong man and a hustler from the word go. What I say about ‘em you’ll find is prima facie.” After a little, Dick Ballard winked one eye at Vance and said: “I feel a bottle in my pocket, and I wouldn’t wonder a mite there was suthin’ in it that wouldn’t taste bad. A little spirits is mighty good for a feller when he has had a hard day’s ride.” Vance assured him that he was much obliged, but was [112] thoroughly refreshed by his night’s rest, and a light breakfast was all he wanted. “We usually,” replied Ballard, “accommodate fellows that want that kind of a breakfast; in fact, some of our breakfasts are too darned light. I’ll go down and see what I can skirmish up for you.” At the door Dick Ballard turned and said, “Oh, yes, have you heard the news?” “No, I do not remember of having heard anything of a startling character,” replied Vance. “Well, by Ned, I supposed you had heard all about it,” said Ballard, as he leaned against the door and looked wise. “Well, what is it?” queried Vance.