Maybe that would have been just as well, seeing how things have turned out," he grinned.

"Still--have a smoke ?" "I never used tobacco in my life," declined the youth somewhat primly.
"No, I don't reckon you ever did!" Jack eyed him with a certain amount of pitying amusement.

"A fellow that will come gold-hunting without a gun to his name, would not use tobacco, or swear, or do anything that a perfect lady couldn't do! However, you put up a good fight with your fists, old man, and that's something." "I'd have been killed, though, if you hadn't shot when you did.

They were too much for me.

I haven't tried to thank you--" "No, I shouldn't think you would," grinned Jack.