“You are very kind, Mr. Holden.  Sit down here beside us.”

“I’m more at home here,” answered Holden, stretching himself on the ground, and laying his gun beside him.  “How do you like Colorado?”

“Very much, as far as I have seen it,” said Melville.  “Herbert probably told you my object, in coming here?”

“He said you were ailin’ some way.”

“Yes, my lungs are weak.  Since I have been here, I am feeling better and stronger, however.”

“There don’t seem to be anything the matter with the boy.”

“Nothing but a healthy appetite,” answered Herbert, smiling.

“That won’t hurt anybody.  Mr. Melville, do you smoke?”

“No, thank you.”

“Queer!  Don’t see how you can do without it?  Why, sir, I’d been homesick without my pipe.  It’s company, I tell you, when a chap’s alone and got no one to speak to.”

“I take it, Mr. Holden, you are not here for your health?”

“No, I should say not; I’m tough as a hickory nut.  When I drop off it’s more likely to be an Indian bullet than any disease.  I’m forty-seven years old, and I don’t know what it is to be sick.”

“You are fortunate, Mr. Holden.”

“I expect I am.  But I haven’t answered your question.  I’m interested in mines, Mr. Melville.  Have you ever been to Deer Creek?”

“Yes, I went over with Herbert to visit the store there one day last week.”

“Did you ever hear of the Blazing Star Mine?”

“No, I believe not.”

“I own it,” said Holden.  “It’s a good mine, and would make me rich if I had a little more money to work it.”

“Are the indications favorable, then?” asked Melville.

“It looks well, if that’s what you mean.  Yes, sir; the Star is a first-class property.”

“Then it’s a pity you don’t work it.”

“That’s what I say myself.  Mr. Melville, I’ve a proposal to make to you.”

“What is it, Mr. Holden?”

“If you could manage to call me Jack, it would seem more social like.”

“By all means, then, Jack!” said Melville smiling.

“Yon give me money enough to develop the mine, and I’ll make half of it over to you.”

“How much is needed?” asked Melville.

“Not over five hundred dollars.  It’s a bargain, I tell you.”

“I do not myself wish to assume any business cares,” said Melville.

Jack Holden looked disappointed.

“Just as you say,” he responded.

“But Herbert may feel differently,” continued Melville.

“I’d like the lad for a partner,” said Holden, briskly.

“But I have no money!” said Herbert, in surprise.

George Melville smiled.

“If the mine is a good one,” he said, “I will advance you the money necessary for the purchase of a half interest.  If it pays you, you may become rich.  Then you can repay the money.”

“But suppose it doesn’t, Mr. Melville,” objected Herbert, “how can I ever repay you so large a sum?”