"No," from the father, decisively. "Neither your money nor your jewel can give life to the drowned."
"Father mine," from the youngest son, "why not go out again?"
"Silly fool! Go out and be food for fish? No."
"Ah! the youth is willing to face the dangers. A woman laughs at them. Yet the most skilled boatman of Yerba Buena is afraid! A pretty story to be told around the net mending on the beach. A pretty story! No?"
The man grunted.
"Five hundred other gold pesos, if you reach the ships. Why not be rich, enjoy life, and leave fishing to others?"
The Mexican grunted again, "No."
"Turn about. I warn you," resolution burning her words.
"No, I shall not. Death awaits if I do."
Her hand rose suddenly. The man looked into the barrel of a pistol which the señora pointed steadily at him. "Death awaits, if you do not!"