The Young Explorer - Paperback

Excerpt: ...goin' to give us a bed to-night. Not that it matters much. I'd rather have a good supper, and sleep under the trees, than have the best bed in Californy without the supper." Here their attention was drawn to a man who was leisurely approaching. He was dressed roughly in a red shirt, trousers tucked in his boots, and a hat with a broad flapping brim. As he strode along, his revolver and bowie-knife were carelessly exposed. His complexion was dark; he wore an abundant beard, and whatever he might be, he looked like a desperado, whom one would not care to meet on a dark night, unless well armed and on the alert. He stopped short when he caught sight of the two travelers. "Who are you?" he asked abruptly. "We're bound for the mines," answered Bradley. "Your good lady, if so be as you live there-indicating the cabin-has just provided us with a capital supper." The newcomer glanced toward the door of the cabin, at which the woman now made her appearance. "Givin' you some supper, eh? I hope she's saved some for me." "Yes, Jack," said his wife, in a conciliatory tone; "there's plenty for you. These strangers offered to pay well for supper and lodging, and I thought you wouldn't object. I gave them the supper, but I wouldn't say anything about the lodging until you came." "Well, stir round, old gal, and get me something to eat, for I'm dead hungry." "Supper is ready now, Jack." The man entered his cabin, and the next twenty minutes were consumed in repairing the ravages of hunger. "How do you like his looks, Jake?" asked Ben, in a low voice. "He's just the sort of man I'd expect to find in a State prison," answered Bradley. "That man's a rascal, if looks mean anything." "I'll tell you what he reminds me of, Jake. Did you ever read ' Oliver Twist'?" "All of a Twist? That's a queer name. What is it?" "It's a story by Dickens. He describes a brutal villain, named Bill Sykes, who murders his wife." "This chap looks as if he wouldn't mind doing it. His wife's...