ust in the mood for
one myself."

Together they made their way to the smoking-room, which was situated
well aft. It was partly filled with men, smoking, chatting, and
playing cards. The air was dense with various brands of tobacco,
making it impossible to see clearly across the room. No one paid any
heed to the two as they entered, sat down in one corner of the room,
filled and lighted their pipes. Reynolds noted that his companion
became suddenly silent, and seemed to be deeply interested in four men
playing cards at a small table a short distance from where they were
sitting.

"Do you play?" Reynolds asked, thinking that the old man might be fond
of cards.

"No," was the brief and absent-minded reply.

Reynolds said no more, but watched the four men. His attention was
chiefly centered upon one who was facing him, and who was doing most of
the talking. He was a young man, with a dark moustache and black curly
hair. He played with keen interest and in a lofty dominating manner.
Reynolds did not like his appearance, and the more he studied him the
stronger became his repugnance. It was not only the low brutal face
that compelled this feeling, but the coarse language that reeked from
his lips. This so disgusted Reynolds that he was about to leave the
room, when in an instant a commotion took place among the players.
They sprang to their feet, and a miniature babel ensued.

"You're cheating."

"I'm not."

"You're a liar."

These were some of the terms hurled forth in sharp rasping sentences,
and it seemed as if blood must surely be shed ere the confusion ended.
As the word "liar" rang out, a sudden silence followed, and at once
hands rested upon butts of revolvers concealed in four hip-pockets.
But before they were drawn a peculiar noise broke the stillness, which
caused Reynolds to start, for the sound came from the old prospector's
lips.

"Me-o-o-o-ow. Me-o-o-o-ow. Bow-wow-wow. Bow-wow-wow."

So unexpected was this interruption that all in the room stared in
amazement, and even the four angry men turned to see whence the sound
came. So perfect was the imitation, and so humorous the expression
upon the face of the old man, that the onlookers burst into a hearty
laugh, which caused the four inflamed players to shuffle uneasily, and
to look sheepishly at one another. Then their mouths expanded into a
grin, and the storm was over.

The curly-haired man at once left his place and strode over to w