rept forth and collected several handfuls
of dry twigs, which he scattered around the hut, as the cracking of
these would warn him of an approach. Then he went in and went to sleep.

He awoke at daylight after a good night's rest, and feasted on canned
beans and peaches. Then he tossed the cans out of the door and shoved
his hat out. Receiving no response he walked out and surveyed the town
at his feet. A sheepish grin spread over his face as he realized that
there was no danger. Several red-shirted men passed by him on their way
to town, and one, a grizzled veteran of many gold camps, stopped and
sauntered up to him.

"Mornin'," said Hopalong.

"Mornin'," replied the stranger. "I thought I'd drop in an' say that I
saw that gun-play of yourn yesterday. Yu ain't got no reason to look fer
a rush. This camp is half white men an' half bullies, an' th' white men
won't stand fer no play like that. Them fellers that jest passed are
neighbors of yourn, an' they won't lay abed if yu needs them. But yu
wants to look out fer th' joints in th' town. Guess this business is out
of yore line," he finished as he sized Hopalong up.

"She shore is, but I'm here to stay. Got tired of punchin' an' reckoned
I'd get rich." Here he smiled and glanced at the hole. "How're yu makin'
out?" He asked.

"'Bout five dollars a day apiece, but that ain't nothin' when grub's so
high. Got reckless th' other day an' had a egg at fifty cents."

Hopalong whistled and glanced at the empty cans at his feet. "Any
marshal in this burg?"

"Yep. But he's one of th' gang. No good, an' drunk half th' time an'
half drunk th' rest. Better come down an' have something," invited the
miner.

"I'd shore like to, but I can't let no gang get in that door," replied
the puncher.

"Oh, that's all right; I'll call my pardner down to keep house till yu
gits back. He can hold her all right. Hey, Jake!" he called to a man who
was some hundred paces distant; "Come down here an' keep house till we
gits back, will yu?"

The man lumbered down to them and took possession as Hopalong and his
newly found friend started for the town.

They entered the "Miner's Rest" and Hopalong fixed the room in his mind
with one swift glance. Three men--and they looked like the crowd he had
stopped before--were playing poker at a table near the window. Hopalong
leaned with his back to the bar and talked, with the players always in
sight.

Soon the door opened and a bewhiskered, heavy-s