FLETCHER ACTS SUSPICIOUSLY.
One circumstance led Harry to hurry his intended departure. He found to
his dismay that the hotel charge for their very plain accommodations was
a pound a day for each of them. The Crown inn was what would be called
in an American city a one-horse hotel. There are plenty such to be found
in the United States where the rate charged is but a dollar a day. But
Melbourne was full of strangers, drawn thither by flaming accounts of
the richness of the mines and the bright prospects of acquiring sudden
fortunes, and war prices were prevalent everywhere.
"Five dollars a day!" exclaimed Jack in open-eyed amazement. "Do they
take us for millionaires?"
"I began to think they were imposing upon us," said Harry, "till I made
inquiries elsewhere. I find a pound a day is about the usual tariff for
such accommodations as we have."
"But we have only a small bedroom, and the meals are very common."
"That is true, but it seems to make no difference."
"Our money will soon be gone at that rate," said Jack soberly. "Mine is
already gone."
"No, it isn't, Jack. We are going to share and share alike, you know."
"But that is imposing on you, Harry," protested the young sailor
earnestly.
"Let me judge of that, Jack; I'd a good deal rather have your company
and half of the money than be alone and have the whole."
"Thank you, Harry. You are a true friend. I can't do much for you, but
I'll do what I can."
"If I had known of the high prices, I would have drawn more money from
the professor," continued Harry. "However, I can make this do. But I
want to start to-morrow, if possible. We shall then be owing four days'
board each, and that will make forty dollars."
At this point Fletcher joined them.
"By the way," said he nonchalantly, "I want to ask a little favor."
"What is it?" asked Harry unsuspiciously.
"I am rather short of money. Can you lend me five pounds?"
Jack looked at Harry in alarm. He was afraid Harry would grant the
favor, knowing his obliging disposition. But he didn't know our hero.
Harry was ready to do anything for a near friend, but he was too prudent
to waste his money on acquaintances who had no sort of claim on him.
"I am sorry to refuse, Mr. Fletcher," he said, "but Jack and I are
ourselves very poorly provided with money, and just before you came in
we were considering how we could manage to pay for the necessary
outfit."
"Haven't you got five pounds?" asked Fletcher quickly.
"Of course we have, or we should be unable to get to the mines."
"Then I think you might oblige me," he continued, looking very much
displeased.
"I am the best judge of my circumstances," said Harry shortly.
Fletcher looked hard at him, and saw that the boy he had to deal with
had a mind of his own, and was not to be imposed upon easily. Still he
made a farther effort.
"Then I think," he said coldly, "I shall not be able to assist you in
your preparations."
"Just as you please," answered Harry promptly. "As you volunteered, I
accepted your proposal. Now I will act for myself. I have heard of a
party about to start, and I will arrange to join it."
Fletcher felt that he was outgeneralled. He did not mean to let Harry
and Jack slip through his fingers, for he had an idea, notwithstanding
Harry's disclaimer, that he had a large sum of money, and thought he
would be a good party to hang on to. He saw that he had made a false
move, and hastened to repair it.
"Excuse me," he said, assuming a hearty tone; "I was hasty, and I
apologize. You are right, and I like you too well to cut up rough, just
because you can't do me a favor. There, take my hand, and we will make
it all up."
"With pleasure," answered Harry, as he accepted the proffered hand, and
Jack followed his example. Nevertheless Fletcher's demand had produced
an unpleasant effect upon him. The coarse-grained selfishness of the man
had shown through his outward varnish of good-fellowship, and he felt
that henceforth he must be on his guard.
"I may have to ask for some money, however," continued Fletcher, in an
off-hand manner, "for it is necessary to buy supplies for our journey.
You know we shan't be able to put up at hotels on our way, but must
furnish our own meals."
"So I have heard," answered Harry. "What is it customary to take?"
"Well, it will be best to buy a bag of coffee, a sack of flour, some
ship biscuits, potatoes, and sugar. That will do to start on, and we
shall vary our diet by what we are able to kill on the way."
"What can we kill?"
"Well, kangaroo meat isn't bad, and we can bring down a few birds
occasionally."
"Then we shall need guns?"
"Yes, it will be well to have them."
This was another expense upon which Harry had not calculated. He began
to think that he had been very improvident. The professor would readily
have left him a hundred dollars more, and as it would have been repaid
with his own money, he was sorry he had not availed himself of it.
"How much do you think the supplies will cost?" asked Harry.
"Well, you had better let me have ten pounds. I think that will be
sufficient."
"For the whole or for our share?" asked Harry pointedly.
"For your share," answered Fletcher after a pause. "It seems to me you
are very suspicious."
Really he had intended to make the two boys pay for the whole stock of
provisions and save his own purse, for he had in reality as much money
as they.
"I only wanted to understand clearly," said Harry quietly. "As we are in
some sort partners, that is fair, is it not?"
"Oh, yes," returned Fletcher, but he did not respond with any alacrity.
"I'm always fair and above board, I am. No man can say that Dick
Fletcher ever tried to get the best of him. Why, if I was better fixed I
wouldn't let you two boys pay a cent. I'd shoulder the whole thing
myself."
"Your offer is a very kind one, Mr. Fletcher----"
"Don't say Mr. Fletcher; call me Dick," interrupted their new
acquaintance.
"I will if you wish it, though as you are so much older, it hardly seems
proper. What I was going to say was that Jack and myself are determined
to pay our share. We couldn't accept any such favor as you mention."
"That's all right. Now, if you let me have the ten pounds I'll take all
the trouble off your hands, and have everything ready for a start
to-morrow morning."
"I would prefer to go with you and help select the articles."
Fletcher looked disconcerted.
"Oh, well, if you think I aint capable----" he began.
"I think nothing of the kind, but I want to learn as much as I can. I
may have to do it alone some time."
It was well Harry adhered to his determination. It saved him three
pounds, and Fletcher was forced to pay his share, as he had not intended
to do. While they were making purchases they were accosted by a tall
loose-jointed man, whom it was easy to recognize as a Yankee.
"Goin' to the mines, boys?" he asked in a strong nasal tone.
"Yes," answered Harry.
"So am I. I'd like to hook on to your party if you aint no objections."
For some reason Dick Fletcher did not appear to relish the proposal.
"I don't think we can accommodate you," he said abruptly.
"I think we can," said Harry, who was beginning to be distrustful of
Fletcher, and felt safer in adding another to the party. "There are but
three of us, and we shall be glad of your company."
Dick Fletcher looked angry, but did not venture to oppose the plan
further.