Susannah, who had been detailed to cook the breakfast and mind the children, was baking flapjacks, and the aroma of coffee was in the air.
"We can all eat at the first table now," said Jean, as they knelt around the mess-boxes.
Before the repast was finished, they were surprised to see the men who had left them for the gold mines reappear at camp, looking cheap and ashamed.
Sawed-off was the first to speak. "We talked it over with Brownson and Jordan, and the four of us concluded that we couldn't desert you. Captain. So the rest of 'em joined in."
"I reckon you got hungry," said the Captain, dryly.
"No, Captain. It wasn't hunger; it was conscience that sent us back."
"How,much cash can you put up as collateral, if I conclude to trust you again?"
The crestfallen men were silent.
"Seeing the risk is all mine, and all the provisions and other parts of the entire outfit are mine, and you are footloose and can play quits at any time, I guess we'd better not make any new deal. My gals and these widders can help drive the teams."
The self-discharged teamsters withdrew beyond hearing of the camp, and parleyed long and earnestly.
"We 've got to do something! "exclaimed Sawed-off. " Just watch them gals handle them cattle! They 've the true grit."
"Do you s'pose the Cap'n'd take us back if we'd pungle say fifty dollars apiece?" asked Limpy.
"We can't do better than make the offer," said Yank.
"This cash'll come handy at the other end of the line," said the Captain, intrusting the gold to the care of his daughters and reinstating his men, after a sharp exhortation to avoid repeating the offence.
