Then he heard Lee say: "Well, I'll be damned! Somebody's here ahead of us." "We've been beaten," growled Stark, angrily, pushing past him and coming round the corner, an ugly look in his eyes.
Burrell was standing at ease in the door, smoking, one forearm resting on the jamb, his wide shoulders nearly filling the entrance.
"Good-afternoon," he nodded, pleasantly.
Lee answered him unintelligibly; Stark said nothing, but Runnion's exclamation was plain.
"It's that damned blue-belly!" "When did YOU get here ?" said Stark, after a pause.
"A few hours ago." "How did you come ?" asked Lee.
"Black Bear Creek," said the soldier, curtly, at which Runnion broke into profanity.
"Better hush," Burrell admonished him; "there's a lady inside," and at that instant Necia showed her laughing face under his arm, while the trader uttered her name in amazement.
"Lunch is ready," she said.

"We've been expecting you for quite a while." "Ba Gar! Dat's fonny t'ing for sure," said Poleon.

"Who tol' you 'bout dis strike--eh ?" "Mother; I made her," the girl answered.
"Take off your packs and come in," Burrell invited, but Stark strode forward.
"Hold on a minute.

This don't look good to me.

You say your mother told you.