Conniston was of a mind to get the business of the day done with
before six. The first part of his errand took up the greater part of
an hour. Then Garton reported upon the other matter which Truxton had
wanted ascertained. There was water enough to last four days.
Provisions were holding out well, but soon there would be a need for
fresh supplies of sugar, flour, and jerked beef. There was enough of
canned goods at the general store to last for a month, a fresh
shipment having been recently received--two big wagon-loads from
Crawfordsville.
"I expect Mr. Crawford to drop in on us some time before dark," Garton
said, as he put away carefully into a drawer the papers he had taken
from it during the consultation. "Miss Argyl is already here. Stopped
in a minute to let us know that the Old Man is coming."
"Yes, I know. I saw her a minute just before I came in."
They chatted for a while longer, until Conniston saw by his watch that
it was six o'clock. Then he got up and reached for his hat.
"You'll spend the night with me, Conniston," Tommy Garton offered.
"I've got plenty of bedding; a man doesn't suffer for covers these
nights. Drop in as soon as you and Billy get through supper. I think
that I can beat you a game of crib."
"Much obliged, Garton. But I may not run in for an hour or so. Miss
Crawford has asked me to eat with them to-night.
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