Men who had been at it when a boy had tried to cheat him, but had failed.

He had seen into such mysteries as the business possessed with quick glances, and had soon learned to know his way.

And he had neither gambled nor drank,--which are the two rocks on which gold-miners are apt to wreck their vessels.

All this gave him an air of power and self-assertion which might, perhaps, have been distasteful to an indifferent acquaintance, but which at this first meeting was very pleasing to the father.

His son was somebody,--had done something, that son of whom he had been so thoroughly ashamed when the dealings with Davis had first been brought to light.