That was the long and short of it.
The ex-engineer reached the Post Office in Bonneville towards eleven o'clock, but he did not at once present his notice of the arrival of his consignment at Ruggles's office.

It entertained him to indulge in an hour's lounging about the streets.

It was seldom he got into town, and when he did he permitted himself the luxury of enjoying his evident popularity.

He met friends everywhere, in the Post Office, in the drug store, in the barber shop and around the court-house.

With each one he held a moment's conversation; almost invariably this ended in the same way: "Come on 'n have a drink." "Well, I don't care if I do." And the friends proceeded to the Yosemite bar, pledging each other with punctilious ceremony.