188 THE FAT OF THE LAND 



" Tell us about him, Jack." 



Jarvis's father lives in Montana, and has a 

 lot of gold mines and other things to keep him 

 busy. He doesn't have time to pay much atten- 

 tion to his son, who is growing up after his own 

 fashion. Jim's mother is dead, and he has 

 neither brother nor sister, nothing but money 

 and beauty and health and strength and 

 courage and sense and the stanchest heart 

 that ever lifted waistcoat ! He has been on the 

 eleven three years. They want him in the boat, 

 but he'll not have it ; says it's not good work 

 for a man. He's in the first division, well 

 toward the front, too, and in the best society. 

 He's taken a fancy to me, and I'm dead gone on 

 him. He's the man for you to shun, little 

 woman, unless you wish to be led captive." 



There are others, Jack, so don't worry about 

 me. But do you think you can secure this 

 paragon ? " 



Not a doubt of it ! I'll wire him in the 

 morning, and he'll be here as soon as steam can 

 bring him ; he's my best chum, you know." 



This would make our party complete. We 

 were all happy and pleased, and the evening 

 passed before we knew it. 



