both were all fixed ready to make an early start in the morning, and
there would be no horses!

"Ken and I stole out late last night and tried to bribe Jake with
goodies, then with money, and lastly I remembered tobacco! I agreed to
hand over a big bag of Cut Plug and a tin box of cigarettes if he would
loan us his two wagon-horses. These he could use as they were not
included in the ban on the crew horses.

"But Jake is a wily fellow and wanted to see our tobacco first. He knew
that neither of us used it and he doubted our having any!"

Jim chuckled at this, and Ken smiled sympathetically. The ladies also
smiled as an interested audience will. Then the narrator continued:

"Ken and I knew where Jake kept the store of tobacco that he always sold
to the other surveyors, so we fixed up a little scheme. We left more
than enough money to pay for what we took and then hurried back to Jake
with the gift of tobacco.

"I wish you could have seen him scratch his head in bewilderment when he
saw us hand over the star brand of tobacco he kept in stock! Still he
refused to say whether we could start early in the morning, and then I
got good and mad. If it wasn't for Ken, here, kicking me in the ribs,
I'd have spilled the beans!"

Every one laughed at Jim's slangy way of describing his interview with
Jake, but he was full of his subject and would not be laughed out of
countenance.

"Ken and I were getting ready to go to sleep, when Jake crept under our
tent flap and pulled my foot to attract attention.

"There were three other surveyors in our tent, and Jake did not wish
them to hear what was going on. The lights were out, so we were not seen
as we slid under the canvas and joined the driver over by the trees
where no one could hear us whisper.

"'You fresh boys!' was the first thing Jake said.

"Then he laughed deep down in his throat, and said; 'Ah kin bet on you
boys, ef Ah lets you-all have mah team to-morrer,--you-all shore will
come back in time?'

"I eagerly promised everything, and he added: 'Ah sold a lot of tobakker
to some one Ah don't know, but it doesn't matter who the smoker is, 'cuz
now Ah got mah money and tobakker, too! It's 'cuz that feller is so
smart that Ah feels shore the Boss won't get wind of mah hosses bein'
lent. 'Course Ah hez a right to use mah waggin-team ef Ah likes, but
Carew is strick and might get on his high-boss ef he learned Ah sent two
of his men on an errent.'

"I was so sure no