The face of Tom Roland wore a smile, but in his eyes was an anxious look which Earl did not fail to notice as he surveyed the two acquaintances from Basco. The young prospector was much taken aback by this sudden appearance, for he had not dreamed of meeting Roland and Guardley in this out-of-the-way spot. "Ain't you glad to see a feller from Maine?" went on Roland, as Earl did not speak; and he held out his hand, which the youth took rather coldly. Guardley had come up to shake hands too, but now he did not risk making the offer. "Are you two bound for the Klondike?" at length asked Earl. "Of course," was Roland's sharp reply. "What else would we be doing up here?" "What started you--the fact that we were going?" "Well, I allow as that had a little to do with it, Earl; but Guardley got a letter from a friend of his who is up there now--a man named Stephens. He said Guardley ought to come up at once, and as he didn't want to go alone, I came along. How are you making out?" "We are doing very well." "You and your brother came on with your uncle, didn't you?" "Yes." "Any others in the party?" "Yes; two men." Tom Roland's eyes dropped for a moment. "Me and Guardley have been havin' rather a hard road of it, all alone," he went on. "We've been thinking of joining forces with somebody." "Well, our crowd is complete," answered Earl, quickly. "Then you won't consider taking in two more, providing, of course, we do our share of work and pay our share of the expenses." "I don't think so, Roland." "Who is at the head of your party?" "Nobody in particular; we all work together." "Maybe you had better speak to the boy's uncle," put in Guardley. "Come on." He stalked off, and after some slight hesitation Tom Roland followed, with Earl at his side. Foster Portney was found mending a corner of the tent, which had become torn in packing. Randy was beside him and uttered a cry when he beheld the two men from Basco. "Tom Roland and Jasper Guardley!" he whispered to his uncle. "Those are the fellows we thought got that money on a false identification!" "Is that so?" returned Foster Portney. "What can Earl be bringing them here for?" "This is Mr. Portney, I take it," said Guardley, after clearing his throat awkwardly. "I was thinking--" "He and his friend want to join us," put in Earl. "I told them that our party was complete." "Hullo, Randy!" broke in Roland, carelessly. "You'd like us to come into your crowd, wouldn't you?" Randy was staggered at the request, coming so unexpectedly. He glanced at Earl before replying. "No, I guess not," he said. "Why, what's the matter with you?" cried Roland, half angrily. "We are all Maine folks, and friends ought to stick together, seems to me."