"Perhaps you're right, lad. I remember my poor father warned me against smoking. The question is, how long we'd better keep at it." "Is there anything else, Luke?" "Well, no; not here." "And we haven't money enough to get away." Just then a tall man with reddish hair strode across the field to their cabin. "Good evening, neighbors," he said. "How are you making out?" "Not over-well," answered Luke. "There's a difference in claims. You've got a poor one." "Probably you are right." "There's been considerable gold dust gathered in Oreville within six months. I have been one of the lucky ones." "Indeed! I am glad of it." "Yes; I found a nugget two months since that I sold for two thousand dollars. I have made five thousand within a year." "You've been in luck. I wish the boy and I could be as successful." "The claim is not good enough to support two. Why not let the boy find something else?" "You wouldn't have me freeze him out?" said Luke, in a tone of displeasure. "No, but suppose I find something for him to do? What then?" "That's a different matter. Have you an extra claim?" "Yes; but that isn't what I offer him. I have a plan in which he can help me." "What is it?" "All our supplies come from Sacramento. What we need is a retail store in Oreville--a general store for the sale of almost everything that miners need." "It would be a good plan to open one," said Luke, approvingly. "Now, you must know that I am an old storekeeper. I had for years a store about twenty miles from Boston. I succeeded fairly with it, but my health gave out. The doctor told me I must not be so confined--that I needed out-of-door exercise. So I came out here and got it. Well, the advice proved good. I am strong and robust, and I feel enterprising. Now, what I propose is this: I will open a store, and put the boy in charge under me." "I should like it," said Ernest, eagerly. "You know what we pay for supplies. There's at least a hundred per cent, made, and no one objects to the prices. Why shouldn't we make it as well as the Sacramento storekeepers?" "True!" said Luke. "I don't ask you to work for me, my friend, for I don't think it would suit you." "It wouldn't. At home--that's in Oak Forks, Iowa--I was a hunter. I was always in the open air. The sort of life we live here suits me, though I haven't made much money as yet." "The boy, I think, would do. He looks like a hustler. I need only look at his face to know that he'd be honest and faithful. What is your name, boy?" "Ernest Ray." "That's a good name. You'll only have to live up to it--to the first part of it, I mean. Then you accept my offer?" "You haven't made any," said Ernest, smiling. "Oh, you mean about wages. Well, I don't offer any stated wages. I will give you one-third profits, and then your pay will depend on your success. The fact is, you are to keep the store." Ernest looked an inquiry.