Her impatience and irritation seemed to melt, and the time slipped by, until she was almost drowsy when with an increasing rattle another wagon came jolting down the trail.
Its driver pulled up, and regarded them with placid astonishment, but he was amenable to the influence of Deringham's wallet, and they took their places in the vehicle.

There was nothing remarkable about the man, and he ruminated gravely when as they stopped to let the horses drink Deringham asked him a question concerning their late companion.
"It might have been Thomson," he said.

"A big man, kind of solid and homely ?" "No," said Miss Deringham reflectively.

"I should scarcely describe him as homely." "Well," said the other, "if you told me the kind of wagon I might guess at him." Deringham described the vehicle as well as he was able, and the stranger nodded.

"That's Jimmy Thomson's outfit all right," said he.
"What did he charge you ?" Miss Dillingham laughed.