"That's right, Charles," said his brother. "It does me good to see you eat like that. Well, well! the boys are ready for more, too. I see I shall have to fry another mess of bacon. Never mind, though! That means just so much less to carry on the trail." And their good-natured cook forthwith cut off half a dozen generous slices with his hunting knife and soon served them crisp and hot.
When the meal was finished, the dishes washed by Long Peter, and fresh wood piled on the fire, Uncle Will deftly lighted his pipe with a glowing ember, then turned to the others, who had comfortably seated themselves around the crackling logs, and declared his readiness to explain his presence at Pyramid Harbor.
CHAPTER V
THE GREAT NUGGET, AND HOW UNCLE WILL HEARD OF IT
"Let me see, Charles," he began; "I was at Rainy Hollow when I wrote to you, wasn't I?"
"Yes," replied Mr. Bradford.
"And I told you of the rumors of rich strikes about two hundred miles in on this trail?"
"Yes."