In fact, Thorpe found a bare half dozen people in it,--Radway, the cook, and four men who were helping to pack up the movables, and who later would drive out the wagons containing them.

The jobber showed strong traces of the strain he had undergone, but greeted Thorpe almost jovially.

He seemed able to show more of his real nature now that the necessity of authority had been definitely removed.
"Hullo, young man," he shouted at Thorpe's mud-splashed figure, "come back to view, the remains?
All well again, heigh?
That's good!" He strode down to grip the young fellow heartily by the hand.

It was impossible not to be charmed by the sincere cordiality of his manner.
"I didn't know you were through," explained Thorpe, "I came to see if I could get a job." "Well now I AM sorry!" cried Radway, "you can turn in and help though, if you want to." Thorpe greeted the cook and old Jackson Hines, the only two whom he knew, and set to work to tie up bundles of blankets, and to collect axes, peavies, and tools of all descriptions.

This was evidently the last wagon-trip, for little remained to be done.
"I ought by rights to take the lumber of the roofs and floors," observed Radway thoughtfully, "but I guess she don't matter." Thorpe had never seen him in better spirits.