Joe turned to Bickford.

"If you don't object," he said, "I think I'll let him come."

"Let the critter come," said Bickford. "He'd be sure to choke any
grizzly that tackled him. For the sake of the bear, let him come."

Mr. Hogan was too glad to join the party, on any conditions, to
resent the tone which Mr. Bickford employed in addressing him. He
obtained his suit, and the party of three kept on their way.

As they advanced the country became rougher and more hilly. Here and
there they saw evidences of "prospecting" by former visitors. They
came upon deserted claims and the sites of former camps. But in
these places the indications of gold had not been sufficiently
favorable to warrant continued work, and the miners had gone
elsewhere.

At last, however, they came to a dozen men who were busily at work in
a gulch. Two rude huts near-by evidently served as their temporary
homes.

"Well, boys, how do you find it?" inquired Bickford, riding up.

"Pretty fair," said one of the party.

"Have you got room for three more?"

"Yes--come along. You can select claims alongside and go to work if
you want to."