human
Have you traveled far?
gpt
From the Atlantic coast, sir.
human
The same journey that I intend to take some of these days, only that I hope to substitute the word Pacific at its termination. I hope you are near the end of your journey in this direction?
gpt
My destination is Ten Mile Gulch, I believe; but you have such horrid names out here.
human
I presume they do appear somewhat queer to a stranger, but they nearly all have the merit of being appropriate. You stop at the settlement?
gpt
I do not know. My brother wrote to me to come to Ten Mile Gulch. Is it the name of a town?
human
Both of a village and a mining district, from which the village takes its name. Is your brother a miner?
gpt
Yes, sir.
human
I presume he intended to meet you at the settlement You will no doubt find him at the tavern; if not, I will tell him of your arrival, for my way leads through the mines.
gpt
Thank you, sir. My brother's name is John Borlan.
human
I am somewhat acquainted with him, said Mr. Kuger,
gpt
Tom, in California style?
human
Yes, Miss Borlan, he said, also smiling.
gpt
Tom Ruger is well known where Thomas Ruger never was heard of. And now I will bid you good-day, Miss Borlan, for I am in something of a hurry to reach the settlement. If I do not find Jack there, I will go on to the mines and tell him.
human
Ah, Miss, you don't have such men as Tom Ruger out where you come from, said the driver, as Tom disappeared up the road.
gpt
And them nags of his'n can't be beat this side of the mountains. He makes a heap o' money with 'em.
human
What! a horse-jockey?
gpt
We don't call him that, miss. Some says he's a sportin' man, which ain't nothin' ag'in him, for the country's new, ye see. He's got heaps o' money anyway, and there ain't a camp nor a town on the coast that don't know Tom Ruger. Ah, ye don't have such men as Tommy. He'd be at home in a palace, now wouldn't he? And it's jest the same in a miner's shanty. Ye don't have such men as he. If he takes a likin' to anybody, he sticks to 'em through thick and thin; but if he gits ag'in ye once, he's--the--very--deuce. Ah, ye don't have no such man out where you come from.