“She’d just go wild over them, Ray. They’re finer than anything she’s got.” “Heck! Sid, why can’t we buy one to take home to her?” “I’m afraid it would be pretty heavy to pack, with the load we’ve already got,” said Sidney doubtfully. “I’d just love to do it, though, it would please her so.” “We haven’t got much of a load, Sid, and these rugs are not heavy, they’re so fine and thin. And one would be as good as another blanket. We ought to have more bedding, anyway, as we go higher up.” “Well, we’ll see in the morning if we can strike a bargain with that fellow. I’ve got to get to sleep now, I’m dead tired. I’m glad we don’t have a dance every night.” In the morning, when the boys had eaten and wished to depart, Sidney took a piece of bread, and opening their knapsacks, showed that they contained no food, at the same time holding the bread up inquiringly. Their host understood at once that they wished to buy food, and brought two or three loaves of black bread. Then Sidney held four rubles out on his open hand, motioning toward their beds to indicate that he wished to include that accommodation as well as the food. The man took two rubles from the four, and bowed in assent. There still remained the rug which the boys wished to buy, and Sidney picked up the finer of the two pieces of carpet and held it up, saying, “How much?” The man considered for a few moments, and held a short consultation with his wife, after which he extended his hands with the fingers all open. “He means ten rubles, Sid,” said Raymond. “That’s dirt cheap.” “It certainly is, and I guess we’d better take it.” Whereupon Sidney nodded in affirmation and took out his purse for the money. “I hope I’ve got enough here without going down under my clothes.” “If you haven’t, I have a few rubles in my purse.” “Yes, I have exactly ten rubles. When we’re out on the trail, Ray, you must remind me to take some more money from my secret stock.” “Now I’ll take your cloak, Sid,” said Raymond, “and carry it with my cloak and blanket. Then you take the rug with your blanket, and that will be about even. Gee! won’t mother be pleased with that rug! And you certainly are a peach, Sid, with sign language.” “I feel silly as can be when I try to talk without saying anything. I wish we were in Mexico, or some other place where we could use Spanish.”