The Hercules took a side glance at the young men.
"Eh!" he said, "what do you want with these children? Did I not promise you to reach the placer with my sons only?"
"He, he! You are powerfully built, both you and your lads, I allow; but I doubt whether four men, were they twice as strong as you are, could carry out this affair successfully. You will have numerous enemies to combat on your road."
"All the better! The more there are, the more we shall kill," he answered with a sinister laugh.
"Señor padre," Dick interrupted, "as far as I am concerned, I care little about it."
But he was suddenly checked by a meaning glance from his mate.
"What do you care little about, my pretty lad?" the giant asked in a mocking voice.
"Nothing," the young man answered drily. "Suppose I had not spoken."
"Good," Red Cedar remarked; "it shall be as you wish. Here's your health."
And he poured the rest of the bottle into his glass.