some investments. We’ve just come up from Concepción and Valparaiso and Lima. The captain of this subsidized ferry boat told us there was some good picking around here in silver mines. So we got off. Now, where is that café, Merriam? Oh, in this portable sodawater pavilion?”
Leaving Quinby at the bar, Hedges drew Merriam aside.
“Now, what does this mean?” he said, with gruff kindness. “Are you sulking about that fool row we had?”
“I thought,” stammered Merriam—“I heard—they told me you were—that I had———”
“Well, you didn’t, and I’m not,” said Hedges. “That fool young ambulance surgeon told Wade I was a candidate for a coffin just because I’d got tired and quit breathing. I laid up in a private hospital for a month; but here I am, kicking as hard as ever. Wade and I tried to find you, but couldn’t. Now, Merriam, shake hands and forget it all. I was as much to blame as you were; and the shot really did me good—I came out of the hospital as healthy and fit as a cab horse. Come on; that drink’s waiting.”
“Old man,” said Merriam, brokenly, “I don’t know how to thank you—I—well, you know———”
“Oh, forget it,” boomed Hedges. “Quinby’ll die of thirst if we don’t join him.”
Bibb was sitting on the shady side of the gallery wait-
