"He might if he went to Chinatown and got sandbagged or something like that."
"Oh, you don't really think such a thing would happen?"
"It might. Uncle was a great hand to see the sights, and also to make a show of his money, and the Chinese in San Francisco are, many of them, a bloodthirsty set."
"Do you really believe he discovered the rich mine he talked about?"
"He discovered something, that is certain. And he had faith enough in it to go to San Francisco in the hope of starting a company to develop the claim."
It was in this strain that the two boys talked on until long after the meal was finished, and while they are conversing let us take a brief glance at their former history.
As I have said, the three brothers were orphans, their parents having died several years before.
The ranch had belonged to their father, who had willed it to his three sons equally, and as none of them were yet of age, he had appointed his brother, Barnaby, his executor.
Barnaby Winthrop was an old prospector, who had spent a life among the hills, prospecting for gold and silver. As has been said, he was a peculiar man, but warm and generous hearted to the last degree.
As there was really little to do at the ranch but look after the cattle, the uncle had left the place in charge of the three boys and continued month in and month out ranging over the hills and among the mountains in search of the precious metal which lay hidden beneath the surface.