ve been restored to them, but not yours
to you."

"Strange to say, they have just accused me of being a 'capper,'" I
answered, nettled as I began to comprehend.

"From what cause, sir?"

[Illustration: "Madam," I Uttered Foolishly, "Good Evening."]

"They seemed to think that I am smarter than to my actual credit, for one
thing." I, of course, could not involve her in the subject, and indeed
could not understand why she should have been held responsible, anyway.
"And probably they were peeved because I insisted upon eating supper and
then following my own bent."

"You were about to leave them?" Her face brightened. "That is good. They
were disappointed in finding you no gudgeon to be hooked by such raw
methods. And you've not had supper yet? Promise me that you will take up
with no more strangers or, I assure you, you may wake in the morning with
your pockets turned inside out and your memory at fault. This is Benton."

"Yes, this is Benton, is it?" I rejoined; and perhaps bitterly.

"Benton, Wyoming Territory; of three thousand people in two weeks; in
another month, who knows how many? And the majority of us live on one
another. The country furnishes nothing else. Still, you will find it not
much different from what I told you."

"I have found it high and dry, certainly," said I.

"Where are you stopping?"

"At the Queen--with a bath for every room. I am now awaiting the turn of
my room, at the end of another hour."

"Oh!" She laughed heartily. "You are fortunate, sir. The Queen may not be
considered the best in all ways, but they say the towels for the baths are
more than napkin size. Meanwhile, let me advise you. Outfit while you
wait, and become of the country. You look too much the pilgrim--there is
Eastern dust showing through our Benton dust, and that spells of other
'dust' in your pockets. Get another hat, a flannel shirt, some coarser
trousers, a pair of boots, don a gun and a swagger, say little, make few
impromptu friends, win and lose without a smile or frown, if you play (but
upon playing I will advise you later), pass as a surveyor, as a railroad
clerk, as a Mormon--anything they choose to apply to you; and I shall hope
to see you to-night."

"You shall," I assured, abashed by her raillery. "And if you will kindly
tell me----"

"The meals at the Belle Marie Cafe are as good as any. You can see the
sign from here. So adios, sir, and remember." With no mention of the Big
Tent she flashed a sm