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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Young Miner, by Horatio Alger, Jr.
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Young Miner
+       or Tom Nelson in California
+
+Author: Horatio Alger, Jr.
+
+Release Date: September 18, 2007 [EBook #22669]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG MINER ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Marcia Brooks and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from scans of public domain material
+produced by Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: THE PACIFIC SERIES.]
+
+THE
+
+YOUNG MINER;
+
+OR,
+
+TOM NELSON IN CALIFORNIA.
+
+BY
+
+HORATIO ALGER, JR.,
+
+AUTHOR OF "RAGGED DICK," "TATTERED TOM," "LUCK AND PLUCK," "BRAVE AND
+BOLD" SERIES, ETC., ETC.
+
+PHILADELPHIA:
+
+HENRY T. COATES & CO.
+
+
+
+
+FAMOUS ALGER BOOKS.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+=RAGGED DICK SERIES=. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 6 vols. 12mo. Cloth.
+
+RAGGED DICK.
+FAME AND FORTUNE.
+MARK THE MATCH BOY.
+ROUGH AND READY.
+BEN THE LUGGAGE BOY.
+RUFUS AND ROSE.
+
+=TATTERED TOM SERIES=. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. FIRST
+SERIES.
+
+TATTERED TOM.
+PAUL THE PEDDLER.
+PHIL THE FIDDLER.
+SLOW AND SURE.
+
+=TATTERED TOM SERIES=. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. SECOND SERIES.
+
+JULIUS.
+THE YOUNG OUTLAW.
+SAM'S CHANCE.
+THE TELEGRAPH BOY.
+
+=CAMPAIGN SERIES=. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 3 vols.
+
+FRANK'S CAMPAIGN.
+PAUL PRESCOTT'S CHARGE.
+CHARLIE CODMAN'S CRUISE.
+
+=LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES=. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mos. Cloth.
+FIRST SERIES.
+
+LUCK AND PLUCK.
+SINK OR SWIM.
+STRONG AND STEADY.
+STRIVE AND SUCCEED.
+
+=LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES=. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. SECOND SERIES.
+
+TRY AND TRUST.
+BOUND TO RISE.
+RISEN FROM THE RANKS.
+HERBERT CARTER'S LEGACY.
+
+=BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES=. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth.
+
+BRAVE AND BOLD.
+JACK'S WARD.
+SHIFTING FOR HIMSELF.
+WAIT AND HOPE.
+
+=PACIFIC SERIES=. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo.
+
+THE YOUNG ADVENTURER.
+THE YOUNG MINER.
+THE YOUNG EXPLORERS.
+BEN'S NUGGET.
+
+=ATLANTIC SERIES=. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols.
+
+THE YOUNG CIRCUS RIDER.
+DO AND DARE.
+HECTOR'S INHERITANCE.
+HELPING HIMSELF.
+
+=WAY TO SUCCESS SERIES=. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth.
+
+BOB BURTON.
+THE STORE BOY.
+LUKE WALTON.
+STRUGGLING UPWARD.
+
+=NEW WORLD SERIES=. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 3 vols. 12mo. Cloth.
+
+DIGGING FOR GOLD.
+FACING THE WORLD.
+IN A NEW WORLD.
+
+=_Other Volumes in Preparation._=
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+COPYRIGHT BY A. K. LORING, 1879.
+
+To
+GENEVIEVE AND ANITA ALGER,
+This Volume
+IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+When "The Young Adventurer" was published, a year since, as the initial
+volume of The Pacific Series, it was announced that the second volume
+would be "The Young Pioneer." This has been changed to "The Young
+Miner," in order to avoid confusion with a book bearing a title somewhat
+similar to the one first proposed.
+
+Those who were interested in Tom Nelson's trip across the Plains will
+find in the present story a record of his adventures in the Land of
+Gold. Though his prosperity was chiefly due to his own energy and
+industry, it is also true that he was exceptionally lucky. Yet his good
+fortune has been far exceeded by that of numerous adventurous spirits in
+Colorado, within the last twelve months. Some measure of prosperity
+generally awaits the patient and energetic worker, and seldom comes to
+those who idly wait for something to turn up.
+
+NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 1879.
+
+
+
+
+THE YOUNG MINER;
+
+OR,
+
+TOM NELSON IN CALIFORNIA.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE GOLD-SEEKERS.
+
+
+A dozen men, provided with rockers, were busily engaged in gathering and
+washing dirt, mingled with gold-dust, on the banks of a small stream in
+California. It was in the early days, and this party was but one of
+hundreds who were scattered over the new Eldorado, seeking for the
+shining metal which throughout the civilized world exercises a sway
+potent and irresistible.
+
+I have said there were a dozen men, but this is a mistake. One of the
+party was a well-grown boy of sixteen, with a good-humored and even
+handsome face. He was something more than good-humored, however. There
+was an expression on his face which spoke of strength and resolution
+and patient endurance. The readers of "The Young Adventurer" will at
+once recognize in our young hero Tom Nelson, the oldest son of a poor
+New England farmer, who, finding no prospects at home, had joined the
+tide of emigrants pouring from all parts of the country to the land of
+which so many marvelous stories were told. Tom had come to work; and
+though he doubtless shared to some extent the extravagant anticipations
+of the great body of Eastern visitors who hoped to make a fortune in a
+year, he did not expect to succeed without hard toil.
+
+His companions belonged to the same party with whom he had crossed the
+plains, under the leadership of Phineas Fletcher, a broad-shouldered
+Illinois farmer, who had his family with him. Next to Tom was Donald
+Ferguson, a grave Scotchman, and Tom's special friend; a man of
+excellent principles, thoroughly reliable, and held in high respect by
+all though not possessed of popular manners. On the other side was
+Lawrence Peabody, a young Boston clerk, who had spent several years
+behind a dry-goods counter. He was soft and effeminate, with no talent
+for "roughing it," and wholly unfitted for the hard work which he had
+undertaken. He was deeply disappointed in his first work at
+gold-hunting, having come out with the vague idea that he should pick up
+a big nugget within a short time that would make his fortune and enable
+him to go home a rich man. The practical side of gold-seeking--this
+washing particles of dust from the dirt of the river-bed--was in the
+highest degree unsatisfactory and discouraging. He was not a bad fellow;
+and his companions, though they laughed at him, were well disposed
+towards him.
+
+Among the rest, mention may be made of John Miles, Henry Scott, and
+Chapman, owner of a refractory donkey named after King Solomon.
+
+Not far away from the river were the tents occupied by the miners. There
+was but one house, roughly built of logs. This was occupied by Captain
+Fletcher and his family. He had not had the trouble of building it, but
+had found it ready for occupation, having been constructed by a
+previous party who had wandered farther down the river in search of
+richer washings. In fact, it was this building which had decided our
+party to remain.
+
+"There isn't much difference in places," said Fletcher. "We may as well
+stay here."
+
+"Then why was it deserted?" suggested John Miles, dubiously. "That's
+rather against it, isn't it, captain?"
+
+"Not necessarily, Miles. You've been on berrying parties, haven't you,
+when at home?"
+
+"Many a time."
+
+"You've noticed that many of the pickers leave good places, just from
+love of novelty, and wander about the field, often faring worse than if
+they remained where they were?"
+
+"That's so, captain."
+
+"Then let us give this place a try. We'll make more working steady in a
+medium place than wandering here, there, and everywhere."
+
+So the whole party agreed to "give the place a try."
+
+There had been no brilliant success as yet, but fair luck. In six days
+Tom had washed out twenty-five dollars' worth of gold-dust, in spite of
+awkwardness and inexperience. Others had done better, but poor Lawrence
+Peabody had barely five dollars' worth to show. It must be said,
+however, that he had not averaged more than two or three hours of real
+labor in every twenty-four. He spent the rest of the time in wandering
+about aimlessly, or sitting down and watching the labors of his
+companions, while he enlivened them by pathetic lamentations over his
+unfortunate position, so far away from Boston and the refining
+influences of civilization.
+
+A little transcript of a conversation between Tom and himself will throw
+light upon the characters of both.
+
+"This is beastly work," sighed Peabody, resting from his by no means
+arduous labors, and looking over to Tom. "I tell you, it isn't fit for a
+gentleman."
+
+"It is rather hard to keep one's hands clean, Mr. Peabody," said Tom;
+"but you mustn't think of the present. Think of the time when you will
+go home, your pockets full of gold."
+
+"I don't see any prospect of it, Tom," sighed Peabody. "Here I've been
+hard at work for a week, and I haven't got over five dollars' worth of
+dust."
+
+"I have five times as much," said Tom.
+
+"Some people are lucky," said Peabody.
+
+"You haven't worked like Tom," said the Scotchman, plainly. "You haven't
+averaged over two hours a day, while Tom has worked eight or ten."
+
+"I have worked till my back was like to break," said the young man from
+Boston. "I am not accustomed to manual labor, Mr. Ferguson. My friend
+Tom has worked on a farm, while I have been engaged in mercantile
+pursuits. Oh, why did I leave Boston!"
+
+"I am sure I can't guess," said Ferguson, dryly.
+
+"I never expected anything like _this_."
+
+"What did you expect, if I may be so bold as to inquire?"
+
+"I thought I should find the gold in big nuggets worth thousands of
+dollars apiece. I was always reading in the papers about finding them. I
+think it's a great shame to deceive people by such stories. I don't
+believe there are any nuggets."
+
+"Oh, yes, there are; but they are few and far between," said Fletcher.
+"A neighbor of mine found one worth three thousand dollars. Altogether
+he brought home five thousand dollars, and invested it in a farm and
+saw-mill. He is doing a good business. When he came to California he had
+nothing."
+
+"That is what I should like, Captain Fletcher," said Tom. "If I could
+only manage to carry home five thousand dollars, I could make my father
+comfortable for life."
+
+"I shouldn't be satisfied with five thousand dollars," said Peabody,
+whose ideas were lofty.
+
+"How much would satisfy you?"
+
+"About fifty thousand," said the young Bostonian, his face lighting up
+at the thought of so large a sum.
+
+"And what would you do with it, if I may make so bold?" asked Ferguson.
+
+"I would buy a nice house at the South End, furnish it handsomely, and
+live in style."
+
+"I suppose you would marry?" suggested Tom, smiling.
+
+"I probably should," answered Peabody, gravely.
+
+"Perhaps you have the lady already selected."
+
+"I have."
+
+"Who is she?" asked John Mills. "Come, now, Peabody, don't be bashful."
+
+"It is the daughter of a Boston merchant."
+
+"Does the lady love you?"
+
+"We understand each other," answered Peabody, loftily. "She would marry
+me, poor as I am, but for her purse-proud, mercenary sire. It will be a
+happy day when, with my pockets full of gold, I enter his presence and
+claim his daughter's hand."
+
+"I wish you success, Mr. Peabody," said Tom. "I hope you have no
+rivals."
+
+"Yes, there is one."
+
+"Are you not afraid of him?"
+
+"Oh, no; he is a fellow of no style," said Peabody, drawing up his
+slender form, and looking as stylish as a very dirty shirt, muddy boots,
+and a soiled suit would allow.
+
+"I think I shall wait awhile before getting married," said Tom. "I am
+afraid I wouldn't stand any chance with an heiress, Mr. Peabody. Do you
+think I can ever be stylish?"
+
+The Bostonian understood Tom to be in earnest, and told him he thought
+in time, under proper training, he might become fairly stylish.
+
+The conversation was interrupted by the ringing of a bell from the
+log-house. Mrs. Fletcher, by an arrangement with the party, prepared
+their meals, and thus they fared better than most of the early pioneers.
+Their labor gave them a good appetite, and they were more solicitous
+about quantity than quality. Slow as he was at his work, there was no
+one who exhibited greater alacrity at meal-times, than Lawrence Peabody.
+At such times he was even cheerful.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+MISSOURI JACK.
+
+
+At the end of a month the settlement had considerably increased. A large
+party from Missouri went to work farther up stream, and a few stray
+emigrants also added themselves to the miners at River Bend, for this
+was the name selected by Captain Fletcher for the location. The new
+arrivals were a rougher and more disorderly class than Fletcher and his
+companions. Already there was a saloon, devoted to the double purpose of
+gambling and drinking; and the proprietor, Missouri Jack (no one knew
+his last name), was doing a thriving business. Indeed his income
+considerably exceeded that of any one in the settlement.
+
+Neither Tom nor any of his party contributed much to Missouri Jack's
+profits. In consequence, they had to bear the ill-will and sometimes
+open abuse of Jack and his friends.
+
+"Come in and take a drink, stranger," called out Jack, the day after the
+opening of the saloon, to Captain Fletcher.
+
+"No, thank you."
+
+"It shan't cost you a cent."
+
+"It would cost me my health," returned Fletcher.
+
+"Do you mean to say I sell bad whiskey?" demanded Jack, angrily,
+emphasizing the inquiry by an oath.
+
+"I don't know anything about it."
+
+"Then what _do_ you mean?"
+
+"I mean that all whiskey is bad for the health," replied Fletcher.
+
+"Oh, you're a temperance sneak!" exclaimed Missouri Jack,
+contemptuously.
+
+"I am a temperance man; you may leave out the other word," calmly
+answered Fletcher.
+
+"You're not a man!" exploded Jack. "A man that's afraid of whiskey is
+a--a--isn't half a man. He isn't fit to be a woman."
+
+"Have it as you like," said Fletcher, unruffled. "I shall not drink to
+please any man. I had a younger brother--a bright, promising young man
+poor Ben was--who drank himself to death. He'd have been alive now but
+for whiskey."
+
+"Oh, dry up your pious talk! You make me sick!" exclaimed Missouri Jack
+in deep disgust.
+
+Next he accosted John Miles, who curtly declined and received in return
+a volley of abuse. Now Miles was a powerful man, and not possessed of
+Fletcher's self-control. He paused, and surveyed Jack with a menacing
+look.
+
+"Look here, stranger," he said, sharply, "just have a care how you use
+that tongue of yours. This is a free country, and if I choose to decline
+your whiskey, there's no law against it that I know of."
+
+"You're a white-livered sneak!"
+
+Missouri Jack did not proceed with his remarks, for John Miles, seizing
+him by the shoulder, tripped him up, and strode away, leaving him
+prostrate, and pouring out a volley of curses. Being a bully, and
+cowardly as most bullies are, he did not pursue his broad-shouldered
+enemy, but vowed vengeance whenever a good opportunity came.
+
+In fact, the only one of the original miners who accepted Jack's
+invitation was Lawrence Peabody.
+
+"Step in, stranger, and have a drink!" said Jack, a little dubiously,
+having met with such poor luck heretofore.
+
+The young Bostonian paused. He was not a drinker at home, but in his
+discontent and disappointment he was tempted.
+
+"My dear sir, you are very polite," he said.
+
+"I hope you ain't one of them temperance sneaks," said Jack, his brow
+clouding in anticipation of a refusal.
+
+"I assure you I am not," Peabody hastened to say. "I have participated
+in convivial scenes more than once in Boston."
+
+"I don't understand college talk," said Jack; "but if you want a glass
+of prime whiskey, just say the word."
+
+"I don't care if I do," said Peabody, following his new friend into the
+saloon.
+
+The draught of prime whiskey scorched his throat as he swallowed it
+down, but it was followed by a sense of exhilaration, and Peabody's
+tongue was loosened.
+
+"You're a gentleman!" said Missouri Jack. "You ain't like them fellows
+you're with. They're sneaks."
+
+"Really, you compliment me, Mr.--, what may I call your name?"
+
+"Missouri Jack--that's the peg I hang on to."
+
+"My dear Mr. Jack, I am glad to know you. You are really quite an
+accession to our settlement."
+
+"Well, if I ain't, my saloon is. How you've managed to live so long
+without liquor beats me. Why, it ain't civilized."
+
+"It _was_ pretty dull," admitted Peabody.
+
+"No life, no amusement; for all the world like a parcel of Methodists.
+What luck have you met with, stranger?"
+
+"Beastly luck!" answered Peabody. "I tell you, Mr. Jack, California's a
+fraud. Many a time I've regretted leaving Boston, where I lived in
+style, and moved in the first circles, for such a place as this.
+Positively, Mr. Jack, I feel like a tramp, and I'm afraid I look like
+one. If my fashionable friends could see me now, they wouldn't know me."
+
+"I ain't got no fashionable friends, and I don't want any," growled
+Missouri Jack, spitting on the floor. "What I want is, to meet
+gentlemen that ain't afraid to drink like gentlemen. I say, stranger,
+you'd better leave them Methodist fellers, and join our gang."
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Jack, you're very kind, and I'll think of it," said
+Peabody, diplomatically. Though a little exhilarated, he was not quite
+blind to the character of the man with whom he was fraternizing, and had
+too much real refinement to enjoy his coarseness.
+
+"Have another drink!"
+
+"Thank you."
+
+Peabody drank again, this time with a friend of Jack's, a man of his own
+stripe, who straggled into the saloon.
+
+"Do you play euchre?" asked Jack, producing a dirty pack of cards.
+
+"I know little of it," said Peabody; "but I'll try a game."
+
+"Then you and me and Bill here will have a game."
+
+"All right," said Peabody, glad to while away the time.
+
+"What'll you put up on your game, stranger?" asked Bill.
+
+"You don't mean to play for money, do you?" asked Peabody, a little
+startled.
+
+"Sartain I do. What's the good of playin' for nothing?"
+
+So the young Bostonian, out of his modest pile was tempted to stake an
+ounce of gold-dust. Though his head was hardly in a condition to follow
+the game intelligently, he won, or at least Bill and Jack told him he
+had, and for the first time Lawrence felt the rapture of the successful
+gambler, as he gathered in his winnings.
+
+"He plays a steep game, Bill," said Jack.
+
+"Tip-top--A No. 1."
+
+"I believe I do play a pretty good game," said the flattered Peabody.
+"My friends in Boston used to say so."
+
+"You're hard to beat, and no mistake," said Bill. "Try another game."
+
+"I'm ready, gentlemen," said Peabody, with alacrity.
+
+"It's a great deal easier earning money this way," he reflected,
+regarding complacently the two ounces of dust which represented his
+winnings, "than washing dirt out of the river." And the poor dupe
+congratulated himself that a new way of securing the favors of fortune
+had been opened to him.
+
+The reader will easily guess that Lawrence Peabody did not win the next
+game, nor will he be surprised to hear that when he left the saloon his
+pockets were empty.
+
+"Better luck next time, stranger," said Jack, carelessly. "Take a drink
+before you go?"
+
+Peabody accepted the invitation, and soon after staggered into the tent
+occupied by Tom and his friend Ferguson.
+
+"What's the matter, Mr. Peabody?" asked Tom. "Are you sick?"
+
+"Yes," answered Peabody, sinking to the floor. "Something's the matter
+with my head. I don't feel well."
+
+"Have you been to the saloon, Mr. Peabody?" asked Ferguson.
+
+"Yes," answered the Bostonian.
+
+"And while there you drank some of their vile whiskey, didn't you?"
+
+"I'm a free man, Mr. Ferguson. If I choose to drink, what--what business
+is it--yours?"
+
+"None, except as a friend I advise you not to go there again."
+
+Further inquiries elicited the facts about the gambling, and Ferguson
+and Tom seriously remonstrated with Peabody, who, however, insisted that
+Mr. Jack, as he called him, was a hospitable gentleman.
+
+The dust which Peabody had lost should have been paid to Capt. Fletcher,
+as his share of the expenses that same evening. Of course this was now
+impossible. Fletcher warned him that any subsequent failure from the
+same cause would be followed by an exclusion from his table.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+HOW TOM GOT ON.
+
+
+About this time Tom took account of stock. He had come out to California
+with the noble and praiseworthy purpose of earning money to help his
+father pay off the mortgage on his little farm. He was the more anxious
+to succeed, because two hundred dollars of the amount had been raised to
+defray his expenses across the continent. The mortgage, amounting now to
+twenty-two hundred dollars, was held by Squire Hudson, a wealthy
+resident of the same town, who hoped eventually to find an excuse for
+fore-closing the mortgage, and ejecting Mr. Nelson's family. He was
+actuated not alone by mercenary motives, but also to gratify an ancient
+grudge. In early life Mrs. Nelson, Tom's mother, had rejected the suit
+of the wealthy squire, and this insult, as he chose to characterize it,
+he had never forgotten or forgiven.
+
+Had Tom been aware of the Squire's feelings, towards his family, he
+never would have been willing to have the mortgage increased for his
+sake, much as he wished to go to California. But neither Tom nor his
+father dreamed of Squire Hudson's secret animosity, and regarded his
+willingness to advance the extra two hundred dollars as an evidence of
+friendship.
+
+But I have said that Tom took account of stock--in other words,
+ascertained how much he was worth. First, then, of the money borrowed
+for his trip--the original two hundred dollars--he had twenty-five
+dollars left over. Besides this sum, after paying all expenses, he had
+accumulated, by hard work and strict economy, fifty dollars' worth of
+gold-dust.
+
+"I wish father had this money," said Tom to his tent-mate, Ferguson. "I
+am afraid he stands in need of it."
+
+"There may be a way to send it to him, Tom."
+
+"I wish there were."
+
+"There's one of our party going to San Francisco next week. He can buy
+a draft there, and send it to your father."
+
+"Who is going?" asked Tom, eagerly.
+
+"John Miles. You can trust him with the money, Tom."
+
+"Of course I can. I'd trust John Miles with any sum."
+
+"Who's that taking liberties with my name?" asked a manly voice, and
+John Miles himself stepped into the tent, bending his head as he
+entered.
+
+"I hear you are going to San Francisco, John?"
+
+"Yes, I start next week."
+
+"Will you come back again?"
+
+"I intend to. I am going to prospect a little, and buy some things for
+myself and Captain Fletcher."
+
+"Will you do me a favor?"
+
+"Of course I will, if it isn't too large a one," answered Miles.
+
+Tom explained what he wished, and John Miles cordially assented.
+
+"You're a good boy, Tom," he said, "to think of your father so soon."
+
+"I feel anxious about him," said Tom. "He raised money to send me out
+here, and I don't want him to suffer for it."
+
+"That's the right way to feel, Tom. I wish I had a father and mother to
+look out for," said Miles, soberly, "but you're in better luck than I.
+Both died when I was a mere lad. How much do you want to send?"
+
+"Seventy-five dollars."
+
+"Have you saved up so much already?" asked Miles, in surprise.
+
+"Part of it I had left over when I got here."
+
+"Will you have any left?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Isn't it well to reserve a little, then?"
+
+"Oh, I shall have some more soon," answered Tom, sanguine, as most boys
+are.
+
+"Suppose you are sick?"
+
+"If he is sick he shall suffer for nothing," said the Scotchman. "While
+I have money, Tom shall not feel the want of it."
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Ferguson," said Tom, gratefully.
+
+"That old fellow has a heart, after all," thought Miles, who had been
+disposed to look upon Ferguson ever since their first acquaintance, as
+rather miserly.
+
+The Scotchman was certainly frugal, and counted his pennies carefully,
+but he was not mean, and had conceived a strong affection for his young
+companion, whom he regarded much as a son or a nephew.
+
+"Suppose you take the money now, John," said Tom.
+
+"Shall I scribble a receipt, Tom? I am afraid my writing materials have
+given out."
+
+"I don't want any receipt," said Tom; "I'll trust you without one."
+
+"Nevertheless, lad," said the cautious Scotchman, "it may be well--"
+
+"Yes, Tom, Mr. Ferguson is right. Of course I know that you trust me;
+but if anything should happen to me,--any accident, I mean,--the paper
+may be useful to you."
+
+"Just as you like, Mr. Miles, but I don't ask it, remember that."
+
+"Yes, I will remember it, and I don't mean to meet with any accident if
+I can help it. Mr. Ferguson, can you oblige me with a pipeful of
+tobacco? I'll join you in smoking."
+
+Smoking was the Scotchman's solitary extravagance, not a costly one,
+however, as he never smoked cigars, but indulged only in a democratic
+clay pipe.
+
+John Miles threw himself on the ground between Tom and his Scotch
+friend, and watched complacently the wreaths of smoke as they curled
+upwards.
+
+"Tom, you ought to smoke," he said. "You don't know how much enjoyment
+you lose."
+
+"Don't tempt the lad," said Ferguson. "It's a bad habit."
+
+"You smoke yourself."
+
+"That is true, but it isn't well for a growing boy. It can do him no
+good."
+
+"I smoked before I was as old as Tom."
+
+"So did I, but I wish I had not."
+
+"Well, perhaps you're right, but it's a comfort when a man's tired or
+out of spirits."
+
+"I am not troubled in that way," said Tom. "I mean with being out of
+spirits."
+
+"Youth is a hopeful age," said the Scotchman. "When we are young we are
+always hoping for something good to befall us."
+
+"And when one is older, how is it, Mr. Ferguson?"
+
+"We fear ill more than we hope for good," he replied.
+
+"Then I want to remain young as long as I can."
+
+"A good wish, Tom. Some men are always young in spirit; but those that
+have seen the evil there is in the world find it harder to be hopeful."
+
+"You speak as if you had had experience of the evil, Mr. Ferguson."
+
+"So I have," answered the Scotchman slowly. Then, after a pause, "I will
+tell you about it: it's no secret."
+
+"Not if it is going to pain you."
+
+"Oh, the pain is past. It's only a matter of money, and those wounds
+heal."
+
+"Only a matter of money!" said John Miles to himself. "I must have
+misjudged Ferguson. I thought money was all in all with him. I did not
+think he would speak so lightly of it."
+
+"When I was a young man," Ferguson began, "my father died, leaving me a
+thousand pounds, and a small annuity to my mother. With this money I
+felt rich, but I knew it would not support me, nor was I minded to be
+idle. So I began to look about me, to consider what business I had best
+go into, when a young man, about my own age, a clerk in a mercantile
+house, came to me and proposed a partnership. He was to put in five
+hundred pounds, and contribute his knowledge of business, which was
+greater than mine. He was a young man of good parts, and had a brisk,
+pleasant way with him, that made him a favorite in business circles. I
+thought it was a good chance, and, after taking a little time for
+thought, agreed to his proposal. So the firm of McIntire and Ferguson
+was formed. We went into business, and for a time all seemed to go
+well. As my partner chose to keep the books, I was not so clear as I
+wished to be about matters, but we seemed to be prospering. One morning,
+however, on coming to business, I found that my partner had disappeared,
+after possessing himself of all the money he could collect on the credit
+of the firm. Of course we were bankrupts, or rather I was, for he left
+me to bear the brunt of failure."
+
+"Have you ever seen him since, Mr. Ferguson?"
+
+"From that day to this--twenty years--I have never set eyes on Sandy
+McIntire."
+
+"It was a mean trick to serve you, Ferguson," said Miles.
+
+"Yes," said the Scotchman, soberly. "I minded the loss of money, but the
+loss of confidence was a sore thought too, after all the trust I had put
+in that man."
+
+Presently Miles rose to go.
+
+"I'll take care of your money, Tom," he said, "and do my best to get it
+safely to your father."
+
+"Thank you, John."
+
+As Miles left the tent, he did not observe a crouching figure on the
+other side of it. It was the figure of Bill Crane, a crony of Missouri
+Jack, in fact, the man who helped him to fleece poor Peabody of his
+scanty hoard.
+
+Bill looked after Miles enviously.
+
+"I wonder how much money he's got?" thought Bill. "I'd like some of it,
+for I'm bust. I must tell Jack. I don't dare to tackle him alone."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+A FOILED ROBBER.
+
+
+In the grand rush to the newly discovered gold-fields all classes were
+represented. There were men of education, representatives of all the
+learned professions, men versed in business, and along with them
+adventurers and men of doubtful antecedents, graduates of prisons and
+penitentiaries. Bill Crane, introduced in the last chapter, belonged to
+the latter undesirable class. He had served a term at Sing-Sing as a
+housebreaker, and later another term in a Western penitentiary. He had
+come to California with a prejudice against honest labor, and a
+determination to make a living by the use of the peculiar talents on
+which he had hitherto relied. He had spent a week at River Bend, chiefly
+at the saloon of Missouri Jack, whom he found a congenial spirit, and
+had picked up a little money from flats like the young Bostonian; but,
+on the whole, he had found it an unprofitable field for the exercise of
+his special talents.
+
+"I must make a raise somehow," he bethought himself, "and then I'll make
+tracks for some other settlement."
+
+Precisely how to raise the fund of which he stood in need was difficult
+to decide. Moneyed men were not plenty at River Bend. Captain Fletcher
+and his party had been at work but a short time, and were not likely to
+have collected much.
+
+As we know, Bill Crane overheard a part of the closing conversation
+between Tom and John Miles. From this he learned that Miles, besides his
+own money, would be in charge of seventy-five dollars belonging to our
+young hero. It was not much, but it was something.
+
+"If the whole doesn't come to over two hundred dollars, I can make it
+do," thought Crane. "It will get me out of this beastly hole, and carry
+me to San Francisco."
+
+John Miles slept by himself under a small tent at the northern end of
+the small encampment. He looked like a man who ate well and slept well,
+and this would be favorable to Bill Crane, who proposed to effect the
+robbery in the night. He had half a mind to secure the aid of Missouri
+Jack, but then Jack would expect to go shares in the "plunder," and
+there was likely to be little enough for one. So Bill decided to make
+the attempt alone.
+
+In a small camp like that at River Bend, the movements and plans of each
+individual were generally known. So it was generally understood that
+John Miles intended to start on Thursday for the city.
+
+The previous evening he spent with Tom and Ferguson, with whom he was
+more intimate than any others of the party. He would not have been drawn
+to the Scotchman, but for his being Tom's room-mate. Through him he came
+to appreciate and respect the Scot's sterling virtues, and to overlook
+his dry, phlegmatic manner.
+
+"I hope you'll have good luck, Mr. Miles," said Tom.
+
+"Thank you, my boy."
+
+"I would join with my young friend Tom," said Ferguson, "if I were quite
+clear in my mind whether good luck is the right term to use."
+
+"Don't you think some men are luckier than others, Mr. Ferguson?" asked
+Tom.
+
+"Some men are more successful, doubtless; but what we call good luck,
+generally comes from greater industry, good judgment, and, above all,
+the prompt use of opportunities."
+
+"There is something in that," said Miles; "but when two men work side by
+side with equal industry, and one finds a nugget worth thousands of
+dollars, while the other plods along at a few dollars a day, isn't there
+some luck there?"
+
+"It may be so," said the Scotchman, cautiously, "but such cases are
+exceptional."
+
+"So one boy is born to an inheritance of wealth and another to an
+inheritance of hard work. Isn't there any luck there?"
+
+"The luck may be on the side of the poor boy," was the reply. "He is
+further removed from temptation."
+
+John Miles laughed.
+
+"Well, at any rate, it seems you believe in luck after all. I am sure
+you both wish me to be prosperous, whether you call it luck or by some
+other name. Tom, if I meet with any good opening that I think will suit
+you, I shall write you. You don't want to stay here, particularly?"
+
+"No; the place is not so pleasant since these new people have come here.
+Missouri Jack isn't a neighbor that I like."
+
+"He is exerting a bad influence," said Ferguson. "I am afraid Peabody
+visits him too often for his own good."
+
+"He ought to have stayed in Boston," said Miles. "He is not the man for
+such a life as ours. He is too delicate to work, or thinks he is, and I
+see no other reliable road to success."
+
+"I saw Peabody reeling out of the saloon this afternoon," said Tom. "I
+asked him if he considered it was 'high-toned' to drink in a saloon, as
+that is the word he is always using, but he said it didn't make much
+difference out here, where he wasn't known."
+
+"Peabody isn't overstocked with brains, though he does come from
+Boston," said Miles.
+
+Ten o'clock came, and Miles rose to go.
+
+"I must have a good night's rest," he said, "for to-morrow night must
+see me many miles on my road. Tom, I will attend to that commission of
+yours just as soon as I have the opportunity."
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Miles."
+
+John Miles walked slowly toward his tent. Arrived there, he threw
+himself down on his rude couch, and in less than fifteen minutes, he was
+sound asleep. He had done his usual day's work, and made some
+preparations for his journey besides, and these made slumber sweet and
+refreshing.
+
+Before settling himself for the night, however, Miles carefully
+deposited a bag of gold-dust under his head, wrapped up in an extra pair
+of pantaloons. Had he known that Bill Crane had formed a plan to rob him
+that very night, he would have taken extra precautions, but he was not
+inclined to be suspicious, or to anticipate danger.
+
+Perhaps an hour later, Tom, who found himself unusually restless, got up
+from his hard couch, leaving Ferguson fast asleep, and went out into
+the air, thinking that a walk would do him good and dispose him to
+sleep. The night was dark, but not wholly so. There was no moon, but a
+few stars were shining; and as his eyes became accustomed to the faint
+light, he could easily distinguish objects at the distance of a few
+rods.
+
+Tom's thoughts reverted to his humble home, more than three thousand
+miles away. Probably the fact that he had committed to John Miles a sum
+of money to send to his father, had turned his thoughts in that
+direction.
+
+"Father will be glad to get the seventy-five dollars," thought Tom, "and
+I am sure he will need it. I wish it could get there more quickly, but
+it is a long way off."
+
+Tom was not homesick, and was far from wishing himself back, with his
+object in coming yet unaccomplished, but it did occur to him, that he
+would like to see his father and mother, and brothers and sisters, if
+only for a few minutes.
+
+When he came out he had no particular direction in mind in which he
+wished to walk, but chance directed his steps toward the tent of his
+friend, John Miles.
+
+When he came near it, his attention was arrested by the sight of a
+crouching figure which appeared to be entering the tent. His first
+thought was, that Miles, like himself, had got up from his couch and was
+just returning. He was on the point of calling out "John," when a sudden
+doubt and suspicion silenced him.--"Might not it be a robber?"
+
+Tom was determined to find out. He crept nearer, so that he could have a
+clearer view of the figure.
+
+"It's Bill Crane!" he said to himself, with sudden recognition. "What's
+he up to?"
+
+Tom could guess. He didn't know the man's antecedents, but he had read
+his character aright. He was instantly on the alert. Crane evidently was
+on a thief's errand, and was likely to steal not only Miles's money but
+Tom's. Our hero was alive to the emergency, and resolved to foil him. He
+had his revolver with him; for in the unsettled state of society, with
+no one to enforce the laws, and indeed no laws to enforce, it was the
+custom for all men to go armed.
+
+Tom was not long left in doubt as to Crane's intentions. He saw him
+cautiously pulling at something in the tent, and felt sure that it was
+the bag of treasure. He decided that the time had come to act.
+
+"Put that back," he exclaimed in boyish, but clear, commanding tone.
+
+Bill Crane turned suddenly, panic-stricken.
+
+He saw Tom standing a few feet from him, with a revolver in his hand.
+
+All was not lost. He might, he thought, intimidate the boy.
+
+"Mind your business, you young cub," he growled.
+
+"What are you about?" demanded Tom.
+
+"I am going to sleep with Miles. He invited me. Does that satisfy you?"
+
+"No, it doesn't, for I know that it's a lie. You are here to rob him."
+
+"You'd better not insult me, boy, or I'll have your life."
+
+"Get up this instant and leave the tent, or I'll fire," said Tom,
+resolutely.
+
+"A young cub like you can't frighten me. That shooting-iron of yours
+isn't loaded," said Bill Crane, rather uneasily.
+
+"It'll be rather a bad thing for you to take the risk," said Tom, with a
+coolness that surprised himself, for the situation was a strange one for
+a boy brought up in a quiet New England farming town.
+
+"What do you want of me?" growled the desperado, uncomfortably, for he
+was satisfied that the weapon was loaded, and Tom looked as if he would
+shoot.
+
+"I want you to leave that tent at once," said Tom.
+
+"Suppose I don't."
+
+"Then I shall fire at you."
+
+"And be hung for attempted murder."
+
+"I think I could explain it," said our hero. "You know very well what
+will happen to you if you are caught."
+
+Bill Crane did know. Hanging was the penalty for theft in the early
+days of California, and he had no desire to swing from the branch of a
+tree.
+
+"You're a young fool!" he said roughly, as he rose from his stooping
+posture. "I wanted to ask Miles to do a little commission for me in
+Frisco. I had no thought of robbing him."
+
+"You can see him in the morning about it," said Tom, resolutely.
+
+"I'll be even with you for this," said the foiled thief, as he sullenly
+obeyed the boy, half-ashamed to do so.
+
+Tom went back to his tent, aroused Ferguson, and the two took turns in
+guarding the tent of Miles during the night. Tom did not wish to awaken
+him, for he needed rest on the eve of a long and fatiguing journey.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+MILES SETS OUT ON HIS JOURNEY.
+
+
+"When Miles woke up in the morning he found Tom beside him.
+
+"Hallo, Tom!" he said, in some surprise. "This is an early call."
+
+"I have been here half the night," said Tom, quietly.
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"I was afraid you would be robbed."
+
+"Did you have any particular reason for fearing it?" asked Miles,
+quickly.
+
+Thereupon Tom described his chance visit of the evening before, and what
+he saw. As might have been expected, John Miles was indignant.
+
+"The miserable sneak! I'd like to wring his neck," he exclaimed. "Did
+you say he had his hand upon the bag of gold-dust, Tom?"
+
+"Yes; I distinctly saw him attempting to draw it out from under your
+head."
+
+"If the boys knew of this, Crane's fate would be sealed. A thief in a
+mining camp has a short shrift."
+
+"You mean he would be hung?" asked Tom, in surprise.
+
+"Yes, he would grace a limb of yonder tree, and I am not sure but it
+would be the best way to dispose of him."
+
+Tom shuddered.
+
+"It would be a terrible fate," he said. "I should like to see him
+punished, but I don't want him hanged."
+
+"Then you will have to keep your mouth shut. Once let the boys get hold
+of what happened, and nothing will save him."
+
+"Then I shall keep it to myself."
+
+"I will see Crane, and let him understand that I am aware of the attempt
+he made," said Miles.
+
+After breakfast he came upon Crane within a few rods of Missouri Jack's
+saloon.
+
+"Look here, Bill Crane," said Miles, "I've got something to say to you."
+
+"What is it?" returned Crane, sullenly, looking ill at ease.
+
+"I understand you favored me with a visit, last night."
+
+"Who told you so?"
+
+"Tom Nelson."
+
+"The young cub had better mind his own business," growled Crane, in a
+menacing tone.
+
+"He did me a service in preventing your intended theft."
+
+"If he says I meant to rob you, he lies!"
+
+"Nevertheless, if he should make public what he saw, the boys would be
+likely to believe him rather than you," said Miles, significantly.
+
+"Is he going to tell?" asked Crane, nervously.
+
+"He has told me, but is not likely to speak of it to others, being
+unwilling that you should suffer the punishment you deserve."
+
+"He is very kind," sneered Bill Crane, but he felt very much relieved.
+
+"You probably owe your life to his kindness," said Miles, quietly. "He
+tells me you wish me to do something for you in Frisco."
+
+"I've changed my mind," said Crane, abruptly; "I may go there myself,
+soon."
+
+Miles smiled.
+
+"I thought it might be something urgent," he said, "since it led you to
+come to my tent at midnight."
+
+"I thought you would be starting away early this morning."
+
+"Well thought of, Bill Crane; but it is only fair to tell you that I
+don't believe a word you say. I have one thing to say to you before I
+go, and you had better bear it in mind. If you harm a hair of Tom
+Nelson's head, and I believe you quite capable of it, I will never rest
+till I have found you out and punished you for it."
+
+"I am not afraid of you, John Miles," retorted Crane, but he looked
+uncomfortable.
+
+"You will have cause to be, if you injure Tom."
+
+Miles walked off, leaving behind him a bitter enemy.
+
+"I _hate_ him--him and the boy too!" muttered Bill Crane. "If I dared, I
+would put my mark on him before he leaves the camp."
+
+But Crane did not dare. He knew that he was in a very critical position.
+His safety depended on the silence of two persons--one of whom would
+soon be gone. He was not aware that Ferguson also knew of his attempted
+crime, or the danger would have seemed greater. However much he thirsted
+for vengeance, it would not do to gratify it now. He must bide his time.
+
+Bill Crane was cunning as well as malignant. He decided to quiet Tom's
+suspicions if he could, and ensure his continued silence, by an
+affectation of friendliness. He waited till he saw our hero washing dust
+beyond earshot of any listeners, and strolled up to him.
+
+"How are you getting on, Tom?" he asked, with an appearance of
+friendliness.
+
+Tom looked up quickly. Considering all that had happened, he was
+somewhat struck by Crane's effrontery.
+
+"Fairly well," he answered coldly.
+
+"Shan't I relieve you a few minutes?" proposed Crane.
+
+"No, thank you."
+
+"It's pretty hard work, and don't pay as well as it might. I think
+California's a humbug, for my part."
+
+"Have you tried washing for gold?" asked Tom. "I haven't seen you at
+work."
+
+"Not here. I've tried it elsewhere, but it's slow."
+
+"Then, why do you stay here?" asked Tom, naturally.
+
+Crane shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"Because I haven't money to get away," he said. "I'm waiting for
+something to turn up. If I could only get to Frisco, I would go into
+some business. I would like to have gone with Miles."
+
+"Was that what you were going to propose to him, last night?" asked Tom,
+dryly.
+
+"Yes, I wanted to speak to him on that subject. I had a great mind to
+ask him to lend me a little money, and take me along with him. I would
+have arranged to pay him soon after we reached Frisco."
+
+Tom knew that the fellow was lying, and remained silent.
+
+"You made a little mistake about my intentions," continued Bill Crane,
+smoothly, "but perhaps it was natural under the circumstances."
+
+Tom thought it was, but still preserved silence, much to Crane's
+discomfiture.
+
+Bill Crane eyed him sharply, and saw his incredulity, but for that he
+cared little, if only he could secure his silence.
+
+"I think you will see that it isn't fair to me to speak of this matter,"
+he continued.
+
+"I had made up my mind not to speak of it," said Tom. "I don't want to
+get you into trouble."
+
+"Good-morning, Mr. Crane," said Lawrence Peabody, who had just come up.
+
+"Good-morning, Peabody. I was watching our friend Tom. How are you
+getting on?"
+
+"I haven't done anything yet to-day. It's dirty work. I don't think
+it's fit for a gentleman; Tom, there, is used to work, and he don't
+mind."
+
+"Shall we go round to Jack's?"
+
+"All right!"
+
+And the two walked away together.
+
+"I am sorry Peabody doesn't keep better company," Tom said to himself.
+"Bill Crane won't do him any good."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+ROBBED IN HIS SLEEP.
+
+
+Tom was right in concluding that Bill Crane's influence over Peabody was
+anything but good. The young Bostonian, however, was not long subjected
+to it. During the night following John Miles's departure, the little
+settlement at River Bend was called upon to deplore the loss of an
+eminent member.
+
+In brief, somewhere between midnight and dawn Mr. William Crane took his
+departure, without the ceremony of leave-taking. Had he gone alone no
+one perhaps would have felt any violent sorrow, but he took with him a
+horse belonging to Adam Dietrich, an industrious young German, who had
+only recently arrived. No one had seen the two go together, but it was
+only natural to suppose that Crane had spirited away the horse.
+
+Dietrich borrowed a horse, and, accompanied by a friend, set out in
+search of the thief, but returned at night unsuccessful. Had it been wet
+weather, it might have been possible to track the fugitive; but it was
+very dry, and the trail was soon lost. It was almost impossible to tell
+what direction Crane would choose, and continued pursuit would not pay,
+so Adam sadly returned to his work.
+
+Little doubt was entertained among the miners that Crane was responsible
+for the loss of the horse. Had he been caught, there would have been
+small chance for him, so generally was he pronounced guilty. A few of
+his companions, especially Missouri Jack, defended him.
+
+"Bill Crane wouldn't steal a horse any more than I would," said Jack;
+and there were those who agreed with him without acquitting Bill. "Bill
+ain't no saint, but he ain't a thief."
+
+Whether Jack believed what he said, admits of a doubt. Crane needed a
+different advocate to clear him from suspicion.
+
+It may as well be stated that Crane did steal the horse. He had a
+decided objection to walking as long as he could ride, and, having no
+animal of his own, annexed the property of his neighbor.
+
+He had two motives which influenced him to leave the settlement. First,
+he was in Tom's power, and he was by no means certain that our hero
+would keep silence touching his night-attempt at robbery. In the second
+place, he still coveted the bag of gold-dust which John Miles carried
+away with him. He had been prevented from taking it; but, as Miles was
+travelling alone, he foresaw a better chance of success if he should
+follow on his track.
+
+How or under what circumstances he should make the new attempt he left
+to be decided later. The first thing, obviously, was to overtake him.
+
+Crane experienced the same difficulty in tracking Miles that had led to
+the failure of his own pursuers. It was only on the fifth day, that, as
+he halted his steed on the hillside, and cast long glances about him, he
+caught sight, a mile away, of the object of his pursuit. He could not
+mistake the sturdy, broad-shouldered figure, and large, massive head.
+
+"That's Miles, sure enough!" he exclaimed, joyfully. "I thought I had
+missed him, but I'm in luck. That bag must be mine."
+
+The most direct course was to ride up in the fashion of a highwayman,
+and demand the bag. But Crane did not mean to proceed in this fashion.
+Physically, though not a weak man, he was not a match for Miles, and he
+knew it. Cunning must supply the place of strength. He knew that Miles
+was a sound sleeper, and could think of no better plan than repeating
+the visit he had made in camp. It was already late in the afternoon when
+he caught sight of the sturdy miner. It was his policy now to keep him
+in sight, but not to approach near enough for recognition. Once seen,
+Miles would be on his guard, and the game would be spoiled. Crane
+halted, therefore, and drew back within the shadow of the trees,
+henceforth advancing cautiously.
+
+John Miles did not once turn back. Had he done so, it is quite possible
+that he might have caught a glimpse of his pursuer. He had travelled
+since morning, and his faithful horse was beginning to show signs of
+fatigue.
+
+"You are tired, my poor Dick," he said kindly, stroking the horse. "You
+deserve supper and rest, and you shall have it."
+
+Dick appeared to understand what his rider said, for he gave a short
+neigh of satisfaction.
+
+John Miles looked around him. Just ahead was a large tree, under whose
+broad branches it would be pleasant to recline. Not far away was a
+slender mountain-stream trickling over the rocks. Nothing could have
+been better.
+
+Miles slid from his horse and made preparations to encamp for the night,
+first leading his faithful steed to the stream, where he quenched his
+thirst. Then he brought out his slender stock of provisions and partook
+of supper.
+
+"It's pleasant to rest after a long day's ride," soliloquized Miles. "I
+must have made forty miles to-day. I could easily have gone farther, had
+it been on the prairies at home, but these mountain-roads are hard upon
+man and beast."
+
+After supper Miles threw himself upon the ground, and his mind became
+busy with his plans and prospects.
+
+"I shall reach Frisco in three days, according to my calculations," he
+reflected; "and then, first of all, I must attend to Tom's commission.
+That's a good boy, Tom. I wish he were here with me to-night. Why didn't
+I urge him to come with me? He is not doing very well where he is, and
+there are plenty of chances for a smart boy in the city. If I find any
+opening for him, I will send for him. I don't know what gives me such an
+interest in that boy, but I'd sooner do him a good turn than any man I
+know. I hope that thief Crane won't play any trick upon him. If he does,
+I swear I'll get even with him."
+
+John Miles little suspected that he himself stood in more peril from the
+man he denounced than our hero. Had he known that Bill Crane was lurking
+in the vicinity, he would scarcely have courted slumber so fearlessly.
+
+Physical fatigue and the stillness of outward nature speedily brought
+on a feeling of drowsiness that was not long in bringing sleep. Twilight
+had hardly given place to night when our traveller had become "to dumb
+forgetfulness a prey."
+
+This was what Bill Crane had been waiting for. He rightly calculated
+that Miles would soon be asleep. He inferred this from his own feelings.
+He, too, had travelled many miles, and felt drowsy; but, with the object
+he had in view near accomplishment, he was able to resist the promptings
+of nature.
+
+Crane rode till he was but a few rods from Miles, then dismounted and
+tethered his horse. With stealthy step he approached the sleeper. With
+satisfaction he regarded the upturned face of the man whom, if waking,
+he would have feared, and noted his deep, regular breathing.
+
+"You wouldn't sleep so sound, John Miles," he said to himself, "if you
+knew I was standing over you. How easily I could put a bullet into you!
+But then I wouldn't have the satisfaction of anticipating your
+disappointment when you wake up and find your treasure gone! No, you
+may live. I have no use for your life, that is, if you don't wake up. In
+that case, I may have to kill you."
+
+The bag of gold-dust lay under the head of Miles. He knew of no better
+place for it, calculating that any attempt at removal would arouse him.
+So it might under ordinary circumstances, but unusual fatigue made him
+sleep like a log. Bill Crane kneeled down, and by delicate manipulation
+succeeded in drawing the bag from beneath the sleeper's head. Lest the
+removal of the pillow might awaken Miles, he replaced it by a coat,
+which he folded up so as to produce about the same elevation above the
+ground.
+
+The transfer was made, without in the least interfering with the
+slumbers of the tired traveller.
+
+Bill Crane rose to his feet, triumphant. Not only was he possessed of a
+sum of which he stood sorely in need, but he had the satisfaction of
+outwitting his adversary. Moreover, he had obtained Tom's money in
+addition, and thus revenged himself upon the boy who had once thwarted
+him.
+
+"Good-by, John Miles!" he said, lifting his hat mockingly. "Sorry to
+inconvenience you, but can't help it. A long sleep, and pleasant
+dreams!"
+
+Thus speaking, he turned away, unconscious that he had been observed by
+a third party.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE HEATHEN CHINEE.
+
+
+This third party belonged to that peculiar race immortalized by Bret
+Harte. He was a heathen Chinee! His face was smooth and bland, and wore
+an expression of childlike innocence which was well calculated to
+deceive. Ah Sin possessed the usual craft of his countrymen, and
+understood very well how to advance his worldly fortunes. He belonged to
+the advance guard of immigrants from the Central Flowery Kingdom, and
+with a companion, Ah Jim, was engaged in mining in the immediate
+neighborhood. His gains had not been great thus far, but then his
+expenses had amounted to little or nothing. He and his friend had
+brought two bags of rice from San Francisco, and they were well
+satisfied with this solitary article of diet.
+
+Ah Sin, from a distance, had seen John Miles encamp for the night, and,
+impelled by curiosity or a more questionable motive, had approached to
+take a view of the stranger. Before reaching him he caught sight of Bill
+Crane, and his almond eyes straightway watched the movements of that
+gentleman, while he himself kept sufficiently in the background to
+escape observation.
+
+When he saw Crane stealthily remove the bag from under the sleeper's
+head, he became very much interested, and a bland smile overspread his
+face, while his cue vibrated gently with approval.
+
+"'Melican man very smart," he murmured to himself. "He steal his
+friend's money while he sleep."
+
+My readers are probably aware that our Mongolian visitors find a
+difficulty in pronouncing the letter _r_, and invariably replace it by
+_l_.
+
+"Suppose other 'Melican man wake up, he make a low," continued Ah Sin,
+softly.
+
+But the other 'Melican man did not wake up, and Bill Crane got away with
+his booty, as we already know. Cautiously the Chinaman followed him,
+and ascertained where he intended to pass the night. It was at a
+moderate distance from the cabin which the two Chinamen had selected for
+their mining camp.
+
+Bill Crane jumped from his horse, stretched his limbs, and gaped.
+
+"I'm powerful sleepy," he soliloquized. "I can't go any farther
+to-night. I don't like to rest so near Miles, but I can be on the road
+before he wakes up. I guess it will be safe enough."
+
+Crane, having made up his mind to rest, rolled himself up in his
+blanket, and stretched himself out, first tying his horse to a sapling.
+The place was retired, and he felt moderately confident that, even if he
+overslept himself, he would not be discovered.
+
+"I'd like to see Miles when he discovers his loss," he said to himself,
+smiling at the thought. "He'll be ready to tear his hair, and won't have
+the least idea how the gold-dust was spirited away. You excel me in
+brute strength, John Miles, but one thing I am pretty sure of, you
+haven't got my brains," and he complacently tapped his forehead.
+
+"There must be at least two hundred dollars' worth in that bag," he
+reflected. "It isn't a great haul, but it will do. It will last me some
+time, and perhaps start me in something in Frisco. Bill Crane, you've
+done a good stroke of business to-day. You are entitled to a good
+night's rest, and you shall have it."
+
+First, however, he concealed the bag. He did not think it safe to place
+it under his head as Miles had done. He scooped a hole in the earth near
+by, deposited the bag, replaced the dirt, and spread a few leaves over
+the top.
+
+"No one will think of searching there," thought Crane. "Even if Miles
+himself surprises me here, he won't suspect anything."
+
+Bill Crane felt that he was unusually sharp and crafty, and felt great
+contempt for the stupidity of the man whom he had overreached. The time
+was not far off when he had occasion to doubt whether he had not
+overrated his own artfulness.
+
+A pair of almond eyes, lighted up with mild wonder, followed closely
+all the movements of William Crane. When the bag was concealed, and
+Crane lay down to sleep, the Chinaman nodded blandly, and remarked
+softly, "All light! Me go find Ah Jim."
+
+Ah Sin had to walk but half a mile to find the partner of his toils. Ah
+Sin and Ah Jim, though not related to each other, were as like as two
+peas. The same smooth face, the same air of childlike confidence, the
+same almond eyes, a pigtail of the same length, a blouse and loose pants
+of the same coarse cloth, were characteristic of both.
+
+When the two met, they straightway plunged into a conversation in which
+Ah Sin had most to say.
+
+Ah Jim listened attentively, and was evidently well pleased with what
+his companion said. I am afraid my young friends are not well up in the
+Chinese tongue, and would not understand the conversation, however
+faithfully reported. They must infer what it was from what followed.
+
+The two Chinamen bent their steps towards the resting-place of Bill
+Crane. Ah Sin carried a bag of about the same size as the one Crane had
+stolen, which he carefully filled with sandy earth. With stealthy steps
+these two innocent heathen drew near the spot, and looked searchingly at
+the recumbent form of the eminent representative of American
+civilization.
+
+Ah Sin turned to Ah Jim with a pleased smile.
+
+"All light!" he said. "'Melican man asleep."
+
+A similar smile lighted up the face of Ah Jim. "'Melican man sleep
+sound," he said; "no wake up."
+
+Quite unaware of the honor done him by the special Chinese embassy which
+had taken this early opportunity to call upon him, Bill Crane slept on.
+There was a smile upon his upturned face as if he were dreaming of
+something pleasant. He should have been a prey to remorse, if his
+conscience had done its duty, but Bill's conscience had grown callous,
+and gave him very little trouble. It was only when he was found out that
+he became sensible of a kind of mental discomfort which came as near to
+remorse as he was capable of feeling.
+
+Reassured by the deep, regular breathing of the sleeper, Ah Sin and his
+friend proceeded to their work. The former drew a slender stiletto-like
+knife from a fan which protruded above the collar of his blouse, and,
+stooping down, began skilfully to remove the dirt which covered the bag
+of gold-dust. From time to time he stole a glance at the sleeper to mark
+the first indications of returning consciousness. It was well for Crane
+that his sleep continued. A Chinaman does not set a high value upon
+human life, and the long stiletto would have been plunged into the
+'Melican man before he was well aware of what was going on. Bill Crane's
+good genius saved him from this sudden exit by continuing the profound
+slumber in which he was repairing the ravages of fatigue.
+
+The Chinamen therefore met with no interruption in their work. They drew
+out from its place of concealment the buried bag, and emptying the
+contents of their own poured into it the combined treasures of Miles and
+poor Tom. Then they filled the first bag with the worthless dust which
+they had brought with them, and carefully reburied it in the ground.
+
+They did their work so carefully and well that no one was likely to
+suspect that the bag had been tampered with.
+
+Having done their work, Ah Sin and his friend smiled upon each other in
+bland satisfaction, which was further expressed by a low guttural
+chuckle.
+
+"All light," said Ah Sin, with a nod.
+
+"All light," chimed in Ah Jim, nodding in return.
+
+A consciousness of lofty virtue could not have produced a happier
+expression upon any face than appeared on the mild countenance of the
+Chinamen.
+
+"'Melican man much supplised when he wake up," remarked Ah Jim.
+
+"Chinamen make much money," returned his friend.
+
+The two enterprising visitors returned to their quarters, and concealed
+their booty in a safe place. Then they too lay down and slept the sleep
+of confiding innocence.
+
+Bret Harte has not told us whether the heathen Chinee has a conscience;
+but if he has, neither Ah Sin nor Ah Jim experienced any inconvenience
+from its possession. Neither they nor Bill perhaps can fairly be taken
+as fair representatives of the different religious systems under which
+they were trained. Bill Crane could hardly claim any superiority over
+the heathen Chinee in point of honesty.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+BILL CRANE'S DISAGREEABLE DISCOVERY.
+
+
+It was five o'clock in the morning when Bill Crane opened his eyes. He
+felt refreshed by his night's sleep, yet under ordinary circumstances
+would have deferred getting up for at least an hour. But the
+consciousness that he had a treasure to guard, and the knowledge that he
+was at any moment liable to be called to account by the real owner,
+whose camp was scarcely more than a mile distant, aroused him to
+exertion.
+
+"I must get away while John Miles is still asleep," he bethought
+himself. "Let me get to Frisco first, and I can at once dispose of it,
+and he will never find me out."
+
+Crane did not wait to prepare breakfast. That he could take on the road
+an hour or two later, when he felt safe from interruption. He rose and
+shook himself. This was his scanty toilet. Next he must take the bag
+from its place of concealment, and then he could commence his journey.
+
+While uncovering the bag, Crane did not discover that it had been
+tampered with, partly because it was still there. It was natural to
+suppose that, if discovered by a third party, it would be carried away.
+He did not even open the bag, not thinking it necessary.
+
+"John Miles hasn't waked up yet," he said to himself with a smile. "When
+he does, there'll be some swearing, I'll be bound. You're a good boy,
+John Miles, but you ain't so smart as you think you are. I think I have
+got the start of you this time."
+
+Bill Crane rode off smiling.
+
+His course led him by the camp of the Chinamen. Early as it was they
+were astir. Ah Sin saw the rider, and at once recognized him as the man
+he had robbed. How could Crane know that those pleasant-faced barbarians
+had served him such a trick?
+
+"Hallo, Chinamen!" he said aloud. "Have they got out here already? I'll
+speak to them. Hallo, John!" he said, halting his horse, for even then
+every Chinaman was John.
+
+"How do, John?" replied Ah Sin, smiling blandly.
+
+"My name isn't John, but no matter. What are you two doing?"
+
+"Looking for gold," was the reply.
+
+"Do you find any?"
+
+"Velly little. Bad place."
+
+"Have you been in San Francisco?"
+
+"Yes, John."
+
+"Why didn't you stay there?"
+
+"Too many Chinamen--too little washee,--washee."
+
+"What have you got in the way of provisions? Mine are stale. I'd like to
+buy some of you."
+
+"We have got a little lice, John."
+
+"Got a little what? Oh, I know: you mean rice. Why don't you pronounce
+your English better?"
+
+"Because Chinamen not 'Melican men."
+
+"Then I suppose I may as well be moving on, as I can't get anything out
+of you. Oh, have you got any tea, John?"
+
+"Yes, John."
+
+"Got any made?"
+
+Ah Sin produced a cup, for he and his friend had just prepared their
+breakfast, and being warm, Bill Crane gulped it down with a relish.
+
+"After all, a man needs some warm drink in the morning," he said to
+himself. "How much to pay, John?"
+
+"Nothing, John. 'Melican man welcome."
+
+"John, you're a gentleman, or rather both of you are gentlemen, even if
+you are heathens. I'll remember you in my prayers."
+
+The eminent Christian, Bill Crane, rode off from the Chinese camp,
+calmly confident of his moral superiority to the two benighted heathen
+whom he left behind him. Whether he remembered his promise to intercede
+for them in prayer is a little doubtful, or would have been, if he had
+had occasion to pray himself. It is to be feared that prayer and William
+Crane had long been strangers.
+
+As Crane rode away, the two Chinamen exchanged glances. A gentle smile
+lighted up their yellow faces, and they were doubtless thinking of
+something pleasant. They exchanged a few guttural remarks which I should
+like to be able to translate, for they doubtless referred to Bill Crane,
+whom they had kindly supplied with a cup of tea gratis. Yet, perhaps,
+considering all things, it was the dearest cup of tea Crane had ever
+drank, since it was the only return he got for a bag of gold-dust worth
+over two hundred dollars. But there is an old saying, "Where ignorance
+is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." Crane was just as happy as if the bag
+really contained gold-dust. But this happy ignorance was not to last
+long.
+
+After riding five or six miles our traveller thought he might venture to
+dismount for rest and refreshment. He selected as his breakfast-table
+the green sward beside a sparkling mountain streamlet. He dismounted,
+permitting his horse to graze while he took out the stale provisions
+which must constitute his morning meal. They were not very palatable,
+and Crane sighed for the breakfasts of old, the memory of which at this
+moment was very tantalizing. But he comforted himself with the thought
+that he had the means of making up for his enforced self-denial when he
+reached San Francisco.
+
+This naturally led him to open the bag, and feast his eyes over his
+easily obtained wealth. He untied the string, and with a smile of
+pleased anticipation peered at the contents.
+
+His face changed suddenly.
+
+Was he dreaming? In place of the shining dust, his eyes rested on--sand.
+
+He hastily thrust in his finger, and stirred the grains. But nothing
+else was to be discovered. The bag contained nothing but worthless sand.
+
+Crane stared at the deceptive bag in the most lugubrious astonishment.
+Surely the bag contained gold-dust when he concealed it. There could be
+no doubt on that point, for he had opened it and seen the contents for
+himself. But in that case, how could such a change have been effected in
+one night? It had not been touched; so, at any rate, he believed. He had
+found it in the morning in the exact spot where he had placed it
+overnight, and yet--
+
+Bill Crane took another look at the contents of the bag, hoping that he
+had been deceived by some ocular delusion, but the second examination
+brought him no comfort. He sank back, feeling in a state of mental and
+bodily collapse.
+
+Never was poor thief so utterly bewildered as Bill Crane. He could
+almost believe that some magical transformation had been practiced at
+his expense. Was it possible, he thought, that John Miles, discovering
+his loss, had visited him, and played this trick upon him? He could not
+believe this. It was not in accordance with John's direct,
+straightforward nature. Instead of acting in this secret manner, he
+would have sternly charged Crane with the robbery, and punished him on
+the spot. Leaving him out of the account, then, the mystery deepened. It
+never occurred to Crane to suspect the Chinamen who had so hospitably
+furnished him with a cup of tea. Even if they had come into his mind, he
+would have been puzzled to account for their knowledge of his having the
+bag in his possession.
+
+Bill Crane was decidedly unhappy. His glowing anticipations of
+prosperity, based upon the capital contained in the bag, were rudely
+broken in upon, and the airy fabric of his hopes dashed to the ground.
+He felt that fortune had been unkind--that he was a deeply injured man.
+Had his claim to the stolen property been the best possible, he could
+not have felt the injustice of fate more keenly.
+
+"It's always the way!" he exclaimed in deep dejection. "I always was
+unlucky. Just as I thought I was on my feet again, this cursed gold-dust
+turns to sand. Here am I out in the wilderness without an ounce to my
+name. I don't know what to do. I'd give a good deal, if I had it, to
+find out what became of the gold-dust."
+
+As he spoke, Crane, in a fit of ill-temper, kicked the unlucky bag to a
+distance, and slowly and disconsolately mounting his horse, plodded on
+his way. All his cheerfulness was gone. It was some comfort, but still
+scant, to think that John Miles was as unlucky as himself. Both had
+become penniless tramps, and were alike the sport of Fortune. There was
+a difference in respect to their desert, however. John Miles may
+rightly claim the reader's sympathy, while Bill Crane must be considered
+to have met with a disaster which he richly deserved.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+CLEANED OUT.
+
+
+John Miles slept long, and awoke feeling refreshed and cheerful. He had
+a healthy organization, and never failed to eat and sleep well. Like
+Crane, he had no toilet to make, but sprang to his feet already dressed.
+
+His first thought was naturally of his treasure. His heart gave a quick
+bound when he failed to discover it in the place where he remembered to
+have put it. In dismay he instituted a search, which, of course, proved
+unavailing.
+
+"Who could have taken it?" thought Miles, large drops of perspiration
+gathering upon his forehead.
+
+All about him was loneliness. He could see no signs of life. Yet the bag
+could not have gone away of itself. There was certainly human agency in
+the matter.
+
+Miles confessed to himself with sadness that he had been imprudent to
+leave the bag where it would naturally excite the cupidity of any
+passing adventurer. That it must have been taken by such a one seemed
+evident. In that case, the chance of recovering it seemed slender
+enough. Nevertheless, John Miles decided to make an effort, hopeless as
+it was, to discover the whereabouts of his lost property.
+
+"If it had been mine, I wouldn't have cared so much," he said to
+himself, with a sigh; "but poor Tom's money is gone too. I will make it
+up to him if I live, but I am afraid his father will be inconvenienced
+by the delay."
+
+Miles made preparations for his departure, and strode away, looking
+searchingly to the right and left in search of something that might
+throw light upon his loss. Presently he espied the two Chinamen. Could
+they have taken it? He would at any rate speak to them.
+
+"Good-morning, John," he said, when he came within hearing distance.
+
+Ah Sin bobbed his head, and repeated "Good-morning, John."
+
+"Do you live here?"
+
+"Yes, we washee-washee for gold."
+
+"Does anyone else live near by?"
+
+The two inclined their heads, and answered in the negative.
+
+"Have you seen anyone pass last night or this morning?"
+
+"Yes," answered Ah Sin. "'Melican man stay all nightee--over there.
+Chinaman give him a cup of tea this morning."
+
+"How long ago?" asked Miles, eagerly.
+
+"Two hours," answered Ah Jim.
+
+"In what direction did he go?"
+
+The two Chinamen readily told him.
+
+Miles decided to tell them of the loss of his bag of gold-dust. Possibly
+they could throw some light upon his loss.
+
+"Some one stole a small bag of dust from me last night," he said. "I
+suspect it was the man you describe. Did he appear to have any such
+article with him?"
+
+"Yes," answered Ah Sin, who, with natural cunning, saw that this
+information would divert suspicion from them. "It was so large,"
+indicating the size with his hands.
+
+Of course his description was accurate, for he had very good reason to
+know the size of the bag.
+
+"He must have been the thief," said Miles, eagerly. "In what direction
+did you say he went?"
+
+Ah Sin pointed to the west.
+
+"I will follow him. It is on my way. If I catch the villain, it will be
+the worse for him."
+
+"He velly bad man," said Ah Sin, sympathizingly.
+
+"That's where you are right, my heathen friend. Well, good-morning,
+John. I am much obliged to you for your information."
+
+"Velly welcome, John."
+
+As John Miles rode away, Ah Sin turned to his friend Ah Jim, and
+remarked,--
+
+"S'pose he catch him, he kill him."
+
+"All lightee!" returned Ah Jim. "He velly bad man, he thief."
+
+The two Chinamen exchanged glances. If they had been white men, there
+would have been a smile or a wink, but these children of Confucius
+looked so serenely virtuous, so innocent of guile, that the most
+experienced detective would have seen nothing in their faces indicating
+any guilty knowledge of the lost treasure. But, guileless as they
+seemed, they had proved more than a match for Bill Crane and his victim.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+John Miles rode away with a faint hope that he might overtake the man,
+whoever he might be, who had stolen his precious bag. In due time he
+reached the spot where Crane had examined the bag, and on discovering
+its worthless contents, had thrown it away. The thief had not taken the
+trouble to empty it.
+
+When Miles saw it he hurried to it, hoping he might find some of the
+treasure inside. Of course he was disappointed, and at the same time
+bewildered.
+
+"This is certainly my bag," he said to himself. "Here are my initials,
+J. M. Then there are other marks well known to me. I could swear to it
+anywhere. But how does it happen that it is full of sand, and why has
+the thief thrown it away? That beats me!"
+
+Miles decided that for some reason unknown the thief had transferred its
+contents to some other bag--perhaps his own--and then had discarded the
+original one, in wanton humor filling it instead with sand.
+
+"He may have been afraid it would be found on him," thought Miles. "The
+marks on the bag would have been evidence enough to condemn him. By
+throwing away my bag he thinks himself safe."
+
+His solution of the puzzle was ingenious, but as we know he erred in two
+respects. Bill Crane had not filled the bag with sand and thrown it away
+from prudential considerations, nor had he profited by the theft he had
+committed. He had been as badly outwitted as his victim, and the profit
+had gone to the bland and obliging Chinamen, who had thus far escaped
+suspicion.
+
+John Miles slackened his rein, and thought seriously and sadly of the
+position to which he was reduced. What was he to do? He was, in the
+expressive language of the country, "cleaned out," and brought to a pass
+where he must begin life over again, with the disadvantage of being
+seventy-five dollars in debt, for he was resolved that Tom's loss should
+be paid back to the uttermost penny.
+
+Presently philosophy came to his aid.
+
+"It might have been worse," he reflected. "Two hundred dollars is too
+large a sum to lose, but it wont take long to make up if I have any sort
+of luck. I wish I were in San Francisco. It may trouble me to get there
+without means."
+
+When misfortune comes it is always best to look it manfully in the face,
+and not to shrink from or over estimate it. John Miles had a strong,
+healthy nature, with a good deal of confidence in his own resources, and
+in an hour or two he was again looking hopefully forward to the future.
+Not that he cherished a hope of recovering his lost money. There seemed
+to be no way of identifying it, even if he should track the thief. One
+ounce of gold-dust looks like another, and there is no way of
+distinguishing individual property in that form.
+
+John Miles pushed on slowly. About noon he found himself threading a
+narrow canon, shaded by gigantic redwood tress, with steep, almost
+perpendicular sides, with here and there a narrow streamlet descending
+in a cascade, and lighting up the darkened scene with its silvery
+reflections.
+
+"This is a pretty spot, but it would be lonely to live here," thought
+Miles. "Yet," shading his eyes, "there seems to be a cabin of some sort.
+Is it possible that anybody lives in this canon?"
+
+Ten minutes' ride brought him to a rude cabin, with a gigantic tree
+spreading at a great height protecting branches over it. That it was
+inhabited was clear, for in front of it stood a strongly built, robust
+woman, who seemed to be nearing forty.
+
+She bent a searching look upon the intruder, who bent his head
+courteously.
+
+"Good-morning, ma'am," said Miles.
+
+"Good-morning, stranger," was the reply. "Where might you be going?"
+
+"I am on my way to the city. Am I on the right track?"
+
+"I reckon so."
+
+"Do you live here--alone?" asked John Miles, in some curiosity.
+
+"It looks like it, doesn't it?" returned the woman. "I've been alone
+since my man pegged out."
+
+"Is that long?"
+
+"A matter of three weeks."
+
+"I sympathize with you," said Miles. "You must be very lonely."
+
+"Yes," said the widow. "Jim was good company, and I feel kind of
+lonesome without him, you better believe."
+
+"There isn't much sentiment there," thought Miles. "She doesn't appear
+to be heart-broken. Do you mean to stay here alone?" he inquired. "Are
+you not afraid?"
+
+"What's there to be afraid of?"
+
+"Some tramp or adventurer might attack and injure, or at least rob you."
+
+"Look here, stranger! do you see that?" and the woman produced a
+revolver. "Do you see that shooting-iron?"
+
+"It looks as if it might be a good one," said Miles, who began to think
+the woman better able to take care of herself than he had at first
+supposed.
+
+"You bet it is! I know how to use it, too. If one of them tramps gets in
+front of it, and sasses me, he'd better say his prayers mighty quick,
+for he'll need 'em. He needn't reckon much on my being a woman. I can
+shoot jest as true as my man could when he was alive."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+A CALIFORNIA WIDOW.
+
+
+John Miles eyed the woman curiously. There did not seem much that was
+feminine left in her. Life in the wilderness had made her as bold and
+self-reliant as a man. She was not compelled to plead for woman's
+rights. She resolutely took a man's rights, and was prepared to
+maintain them against all comers.
+
+"I rather think you can take care of yourself, ma'am," he said.
+
+"You can bet your bottom dollar on that, stranger," said the woman,
+cheerfully. "Brown--that's my husband--knew what I was. We was ekal
+partners--Brown and me--and he knew too much to tread on me."
+
+"I'm glad I wasn't Brown," thought John Miles. "When I marry, it'll be a
+woman, and not a man in petticoats."
+
+"If you're hungry, stranger," said the woman, "just jump off that horse
+of yours, and come in. I can give you a square meal, and I reckon you
+haven't had one lately."
+
+"You are right, Mrs. Brown," said Miles, dismounting with alacrity. "My
+provisions are dry and stale, and I shall enjoy a square meal amazingly.
+But I ought to tell you that last night I was robbed of a bag of
+gold-dust, and I have nothing to pay you."
+
+"Who asks for pay?" returned the woman. "I don't keep a hotel, but I'm
+tired of eating alone. I want to see how it seems to have a man setting
+opposite me agin. So come in, and I won't keep you waiting long."
+
+"Thank you, Mrs. Brown. If you don't mind, I'll light my pipe, and sit
+out here till I've had a smoke."
+
+"You can smoke inside if you want to. I always let Brown. It makes me
+feel better, now that he's pegged out, that I didn't deny him any of his
+little comforts."
+
+"Clearly Mrs. Brown was a considerate wife," thought Miles; "but she
+doesn't look like a woman to fall in love with."
+
+Tying his horse, he threw himself down on the grass, and enjoyed the
+luxury of a smoke while Mrs. Brown was heard bustling about inside,
+preparing the square meal which she had promised to her unexpected
+guest.
+
+Presently she reappeared.
+
+"The victuals is ready, if you are, stranger," she said.
+
+"I am ready, Mrs. Brown," said Miles, rising at once, and entering the
+cabin.
+
+The cabin was rough, and ill-adapted to a fastidious tenant, but it
+looked comfortable. What attracted Miles most, however, was a table set
+in the middle of the floor, covered with a substantial and appetizing
+meal. Mrs. Brown was a fair cook--perhaps her only feminine
+accomplishment. She placed Miles at the head of the table, and seated
+herself opposite him. She watched his attacks upon the fare she had
+provided with evident satisfaction.
+
+"I hope you like it," she said.
+
+"Mrs. Brown, I haven't tasted anything so good for a long time."
+
+She nodded, with a pleased look.
+
+"Brown allus liked my cookin," she said. "He had a good appetite most
+generally, and it was a pleasure to see him eat. It's kinder lonesome
+cookin' for yourself. Then, too, it takes away my appetite sittin' down
+alone to eat."
+
+"You must be very lonely, Mrs. Brown."
+
+"Yes, its lonesome like bein' a widder. I'm kinder used to seein' a man
+about the house."
+
+"So I suppose."
+
+"Be you a married man?" asked the lady, pointedly.
+
+"No, ma'am."
+
+"How old be you?"
+
+"Twenty-eight," answered Miles, rather amused.
+
+"Then you're old enough to get married?"
+
+"Oh yes, I am old enough."
+
+"Be you in love with any girl?"
+
+"The old woman's getting curious," thought Miles. "However, I don't mind
+gratifying her curiosity."
+
+"No, I'm not in love," he replied.
+
+Mrs. Brown eyed him thoughtfully. She seemed to be revolving some plan
+in her mind.
+
+"Take a good look at me, stranger," she said, bracing herself up, as if
+on exhibition.
+
+"Certainly," said John Miles, considerably astonished.
+
+"I want to ask you a few questions."
+
+"Go ahead, Mrs. Brown."
+
+"Am I hump-backed?"
+
+"Certainly not. Who said you were?"
+
+"Just attend to my questions, if you please, stranger. Am I
+squint-eyed?"
+
+"Mrs. Brown must be crazy," thought Miles. However, he answered in the
+negative.
+
+"Am I as homely as a hedge-fence?" pursued the widow.
+
+"Has anybody been calling you so? If so, tell me who it is."
+
+"Never you mind, stranger. Am I old and wrinkled?"
+
+"Certainly she's out of her mind," thought Miles. "I must humor her."
+
+"I think you are a very good-looking woman," he said, soothingly.
+
+"No, I'm not," said the strong-minded lady, "but at the same time I
+ain't a scarecrow."
+
+"Certainly not."
+
+"Don't talk too much, stranger. I expect you're surprised at my
+questions, but I'll come to the p'int at once. I'm tired of livin' here
+alone. I didn't think I'd miss Brown so much. He wasn't any great shakes
+of a man, but he was better than nothing. He was company for me, Brown
+was, in the long evenin's, and I miss him. I've made up my mind to take
+on somebody in his place, and I reckon I'd like to engage you, stranger.
+Will you marry me?"
+
+Mrs. Brown did not blush when she asked this extraordinary question. She
+was entirely self-possessed, and could not have been cooler, if she had
+been transacting an ordinary piece of business.
+
+John Miles had never before received a proposal of marriage. He felt as
+awkward and confused as a young girl, and began to hesitate and
+stammer.
+
+"Really, Mrs. Brown," he began, "you have taken me by surprise."
+
+"I expect I have," said the widow, "but I'll give you time to think it
+over. Brown left me I pretty comfortable, though I did more to get the
+property together than he. You wouldn't think it, perhaps, but I've got
+five thousand dollars in gold hid away somewheres near, and there's a
+claim not far away, that belongs to me, and will pay for workin'."
+
+"I am glad you are so well off, Mrs. Brown," said Miles.
+
+"If you marry me," continued the widow, "you can work that claim. You're
+a strong, able-bodied man, and a year from now, if you want to, we'll go
+to the city, and settle down. I'm older than you; but a matter of a few
+years don't make much difference. You were robbed, you told me?"
+
+"Yes, of all that I had."
+
+"How much was it?"
+
+"About two hundred dollars."
+
+"That ain't much."
+
+"It's a good deal when it's all you have," answered Miles.
+
+"If you marry me you won't miss it," said Mrs. Brown. "I won't give you
+my money right off, for you might run off with it, but at the end of the
+first year you shall have half of it. There's a parson a few miles up
+the canon, at Dirt Hole, that will marry us any time we ride over. What
+do you say, stranger?"
+
+It was an embarrassing moment for John Miles. He had no desire to
+succeed the deceased Brown, notwithstanding the little property he had
+left behind him. Mrs. Brown did not in the least resemble the wife of
+whom he had sometimes dreamed. But how could he decline without exciting
+the resentment of that singular female? He bore in mind that Mrs. Brown
+carried a revolver, and she might take a notion to shoot him down. He
+must temporize.
+
+"Your proposal is a very kind and flattering one, Mrs. Brown, but I
+don't care to marry just at present. I want to go to the city and try
+my fortune. I've only lately arrived in California, and I am not ready
+to settle down yet."
+
+To his relief Mrs. Brown accepted his objection in good part.
+
+"No offence, stranger," she said. "I didn't know how you might feel
+about it. I've made you a fair offer."
+
+"Indeed you have. The time may come when I shall return, and--"
+
+"I won't promise to wait for you, stranger. Somebody else may happen
+along that'll take the situation."
+
+"It would be too much to expect you to wait for me, I admit."
+
+"All right, stranger. You've answered fair, and now we'll let the matter
+drop."
+
+When Miles left the cabin he carried with him an addition to his stock
+of provisions, for which he was indebted to Mrs. Brown's liberality. It
+was evident that she bore no malice, notwithstanding her suit had been
+rejected.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+BILL CRANE'S GOOD LUCK.
+
+
+About an hour after John Miles rode away from the widow's door Mr.
+William Crane came in sight of the cabin. He had strayed from the direct
+course, and that had delayed him. Otherwise he would not have fallen
+behind Miles.
+
+Bill Crane was in rather a melancholy mood. He had not got over his
+disappointment of the morning. He was fagged out and hungry, and felt
+that luck was against him. When he saw the cabin, and the widow Brown
+sitting in the door-way, it instantly occurred to him that here was a
+chance to get a dinner. He had nothing to pay, to be sure, but he need
+say nothing about it till after the dinner was eaten.
+
+As he rode up, he removed his hat, and said, "Good-day, ma'am."
+
+Mrs. Brown scrutinized the new-comer with critical eyes. She decided
+that he was not as good-looking as John Miles. Indeed Bill Crane never
+could have been accounted handsome; but on this point the widow was not
+exacting. She was looking for somebody to fill the place of her lamented
+Brown, and relieve her loneliness, and it was Crane's eligibility in
+this respect that she was considering. Beauty was but skin deep, as Mrs.
+Brown was practical enough to admit, and she was not overstocked with
+that attractive quality herself. Though Crane did not know it, the
+resolute, middle-aged female, from whom he hoped to obtain a gratuitous
+dinner, was making up her mind to offer him the position of husband.
+
+"Good-day, stranger," she answered composedly. "Are you travelin' fur?"
+
+"I'm thinkin' of goin' to Frisco," he said, "but it's a long journey and
+I'm fagged out. If you have no objection, I'll stop at your place and
+see if I can rest a few minutes."
+
+"You can stop if you want to," she said. "I don't see much company, and
+I like to see a new face now and then."
+
+"So do I," said Crane, thinking a little flattery might help him;
+"especially when it's the face of a good-looking woman."
+
+"I ain't good-lookin' enough to hurt me," returned Mrs. Brown, with a
+frankness which rather disconcerted and puzzled Crane, "but I don't mind
+you callin' me so. If you are anyways hungry, I haven't cleared away the
+dinner, and--"
+
+"You are very kind," broke in Crane, eagerly; "I don't mind saying I am
+a little bit hungry."
+
+"All right, stranger. If you'll wait long enough for me to make some hot
+tea, and warm the victuals, you shall have a chance to judge of my
+cookin'."
+
+Bill Crane was quite elated. He decided that the widow would not ask him
+for payment, thus saving him from embarrassing excuses. In due time he
+was called in and seated in the chair not long since occupied by John
+Miles.
+
+"You're the second man that's dined with me to-day," said the widow.
+
+"And who was the first lucky man?" inquired Crane, suspecting at once
+that it might have been Miles.
+
+"I don't know his name, but he was a good-looking young man, who said he
+had had a bag of gold-dust stolen from him."
+
+"That's Miles," thought Crane; and he at once decided not to betray any
+knowledge of him.
+
+"He was in bad luck," said Bill. "Did he know who stole it?"
+
+"He didn't tell me. I don't think he knew."
+
+"That's well," thought Crane.
+
+"Did he say where he was going?"
+
+"To the city."
+
+"Do you live here all the year round, Mrs.----?"
+
+"My name's Brown, stranger."
+
+"All I can say is, that Brown is a lucky man. Another cup of tea if you
+please, Mrs. Brown."
+
+"You might not like to exchange places with him, for all his luck,
+stranger," remarked the widow.
+
+"Indeed I would," said Bill, with a languishing look.
+
+"He's six feet under ground!" explained Mrs. Brown, dryly.
+
+"Dead?" ejaculated Crane.
+
+"Yes; he's been dead these three weeks."
+
+"And you are a widow?"
+
+"That's so, stranger."
+
+"But you don't mean to stay a widow?" interrogated Crane.
+
+"Well, it is kinder lonesome. It seems natural like to have a man
+round."
+
+"I wonder if she's got any money," thought Crane. "I'll find out if I
+can."
+
+"Yes, Mrs. Brown, I feel for you," he said. "A woman can't struggle with
+the world as a man can."
+
+"I don't know about that, stranger. I can take care of myself, if that's
+what you mean."
+
+"But a woman needs a man to protect and work for her," insinuated
+Crane.
+
+"I don't need any one to protect me," said the widow; "and, as for
+support, I've got a matter of five thousand dollars laid by, and a good
+claim that'll pay for the workin'. I don't think I shall need to go to
+the poor-house yet awhile."
+
+Bill Crane's eyes sparkled. The widow Brown seemed wonderfully
+attractive in his eyes. He was willing to barter his young affections
+for five thousand dollars and a claim, even if the widow had been thrice
+as homely as she was. If he had known that Mrs. Brown was bent on
+marriage his way would have been clearer. His mind was made up. He would
+woo and win his fair hostess if he could.
+
+"When did Brown die?" he inquired.
+
+"Three weeks ago, stranger."
+
+"You must miss him."
+
+"Yes, he was a quiet man, Brown was. He never gave me any trouble, and
+it was natural to see him round."
+
+"You must not mourn for him too much, Mrs. Brown."
+
+"I shan't make a fool of myself," said the widow. "He's gone, and he
+won't come back. There's no use cryin'."
+
+"She's rather a queer specimen," thought Crane. "She hasn't broken her
+heart, it seems."
+
+"You ought to marry again," he said.
+
+"I mean to," said Mrs. Brown.
+
+"Well, that's frank," thought Crane. "There ain't any nonsense about
+her."
+
+"Your second husband will be a lucky man, Mrs. Brown."
+
+"Well, he'll have a good livin', and, if he treats me right, he'll get
+treated right too."
+
+"This is a cold world, Mrs. Brown. I've been drifting about till I'm
+tired. I'd like to settle down with a good wife."
+
+"If you want to take Brown's place, say so," remarked the widow, in a
+business-like tone.
+
+Bill Crane was staggered by the promptness with which his hint was
+taken, but did not hesitate to follow it up.
+
+"That's what I mean," he said.
+
+"What's your name, stranger?"
+
+"William Crane."
+
+"You haven't got another wife anywhere, have you?"
+
+"Of course not."
+
+"I've got to take your word for it, I s'pose. I guess I'll take the
+risk. I'll marry you if you say so."
+
+"How soon?" asked Crane, eagerly.
+
+"Well, there's a parson a few miles from here. We can ride right over
+and be back by sundown, if that will suit you."
+
+"A capital idea, Mrs. Brown. You won't be Brown long," he added,
+sportively. "How will you like to be called Mrs. Crane?"
+
+"One name will do as well as another," said the widow, philosophically.
+
+Crane wanted to make inquiries about the five thousand dollars and the
+claim; but he reflected that it might be inferred that his views were
+mercenary. It would be more politic to wait till after marriage. He did
+not understand the character of the woman he was going to marry. She
+understood very well that Crane was marrying her for her money; but she
+felt lonesome, and it suited her to have a husband, and she was willing
+to overlook such a trifle.
+
+The widow had a horse of her own. Directly after dinner it was
+harnessed, and the two rode over to Dirt Hole, a small mining
+settlement, where the Rev. Pelatiah Pond, a Methodist minister, united
+them in the bonds of matrimony.
+
+When Mr. and Mrs. Crane reached home, Bill ventured to inquire, "Have
+you got the money in the house, Mrs. Crane,--the five thousand dollars,
+I mean?"
+
+"It's put away in a safe place."
+
+"You'd better let me take care of it for you, my dear."
+
+"Not at present, Mr. Crane. A year from now I will let you have half of
+it, if you behave yourself."
+
+"As your husband, madam, I insist."
+
+"Stop right there, stranger--Mr. Crane, I mean," said the bride,
+decidedly. "Do you see that? and she whipped out a revolver.
+
+"Good gracious, Mrs. Crane! Do you want to murder me?"
+
+"No, I didn't marry you for that; but I want you to understand that the
+money is in my hands, and I don't allow any man to insist. I may let you
+have some of it when I get ready. Do you understand?"
+
+"I believe I do," murmured Crane. "I'm regularly taken in and done for,"
+he reflected sadly.
+
+But directly after their return Mrs. Crane prepared a nice supper, and
+Crane, as he ate it, and smoked a pipe later, began to be reconciled to
+his new situation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+TOM RECEIVES NEWS FROM HOME.
+
+
+Meanwhile Tom, happily unconscious that the money entrusted to John
+Miles had been lost, continued to work diligently at his claim. His
+success varied from day to day; but, on the whole, he was gaining. He
+spent nothing except for absolute necessities, and in spite of all
+temptations he gave a wide berth to Missouri Jack's saloon. In this way
+he gained the ill-will of the saloon-keeper, who felt a certain portion
+of every miner's gains ought to find its way into his till.
+
+One evening Tom met the saloon-keeper when out walking. The latter had
+not at that time given up securing Tom's patronage.
+
+"Good-evening, young feller," said Jack.
+
+Tom answered the greeting politely.
+
+"Why don't you come round to the saloon evenings? We always have a jolly
+crowd there. After a hard day's work it'll do you good to take a social
+glass."
+
+"I would rather not drink, thank you," said Tom.
+
+"You ain't afraid of a little drink, I hope, are you?"
+
+"Yes, I would rather let it alone."
+
+"Oh, you're too good to live," said Jack, in deep disgust.
+
+"I hope not," answered Tom, smiling; "for I hope to live a good many
+years."
+
+That was the last attempt Missouri Jack made to secure Tom as a patron.
+Our hero spoke in so decided a tone that he understood the uselessness
+of the attempt.
+
+Two months passed, and Tom heard nothing from John Miles. He was not
+surprised or disquieted, for he knew that mails to the interior were
+very irregular, and, besides, Miles might not be fond of letter-writing.
+He took it for granted that the seventy-five dollars had been forwarded
+home, and were now in his father's hands. He had saved as much more, and
+would like to have sent that too, for its possession gave him anxiety;
+but there seemed to be no opportunity.
+
+About this time he received two letters. The first was from John Miles,
+written from San Francisco. After acquainting Tom with his loss of the
+bag of gold-dust, he proceeded:--
+
+"I should not have cared so much, Tom, had the loss been mine only; but
+it was hard to think that I had lost your money too, and was unable to
+pay it back. I know, from what you said, that your father needed the
+money, and that the delay would put him to a good deal of inconvenience.
+You shall have it all back, Tom, every cent; but you will have to wait
+awhile. On reaching Frisco I got work, and soon saved up enough to pay
+the debt, when, as bad luck would have it, I fell sick, and before I got
+well all my money had been used up. Now I am well again, and at work,
+and if I have good luck will be able soon to send on the money to your
+father. I know you will understand the circumstances, and will excuse
+the delay.
+
+"The very day I discovered my loss I had a chance to marry a fortune.
+You will stare at that, and wonder how it happened. At a lonely cabin I
+made the acquaintance of a widow, who was looking out for a second
+husband. She was left with a comfortable property, which, with her hand,
+she was willing to bestow upon your friend; but she didn't tempt me
+much. I believe her fortune amounted to five thousand dollars and a
+claim. It would be a good chance for you, if you were old enough, Tom.
+
+"I don't know when this letter will reach you, for the country mails--at
+least to such out-of-the-way places as River Bend--go quite irregularly.
+However, I hope you will get it after a while, and won't be too much
+troubled about the money; if I live it shall be repaid."
+
+Tom showed this letter to Ferguson.
+
+"It's a pity, my lad, that the money was stolen," said the Scotchman;
+"but you'll get it again. John Miles is an honest man."
+
+"I am sure of that, Mr. Ferguson. I don't know that I ought to make him
+pay it back, though. It isn't his fault that it was lost."
+
+"That's true, my lad, and you might offer to share the loss with him,
+but I doubt if he would accept your offer. He will feel better to pay it
+all back."
+
+"At any rate I will write him, and make him the offer."
+
+"That's fair, Tom; but you'll see what he'll say."
+
+It may be stated here that Miles utterly declined to accept any
+abatement of the debt.
+
+"I ought to have taken better care of the money," he said. "It's my
+fault, and I shall pay it in full."
+
+The next letter was from home. Tom opened and read it eagerly. It was
+mainly from his father, but there was a note from each member of the
+family.
+
+His father wrote:--
+
+     MY DEAR TOM,--We are glad to hear that you have reached
+     California after a wearisome journey, and are now at work. We
+     have travelled so little that we can hardly realize that you are
+     more than three thousand miles away from us, with so many
+     mountains, plains, and valleys between. Of course you cannot tell
+     us much in your letters of your various experiences. I wish we
+     could have you with us this evening, and hear some of them from
+     your own lips.
+
+     I am anxious to hear that you are succeeding in the object of
+     your journey, and that you will not find the stories of the rich
+     gold fields greatly exaggerated. I do not myself believe all I
+     hear, yet I think there must be gold enough to pay those who
+     search for it diligently. You must remember, my dear boy, that
+     hard work is better than luck, and more to be relied upon. Don't
+     expect to make your fortune all at once by finding a big nugget,
+     but work steadily, and you will meet with more or less success.
+
+     If you succeed moderately, I shall be glad you went away, for
+     here prospects are not very good. Our little farm seems to be
+     less productive every year. The soil is not very good, as you
+     know, and I cannot afford fertilizers. This year the crops were
+     not as good as usual, and we have felt the decrease sensibly. If
+     there were not a mortgage on the farm, I could get along very
+     well, but the interest now amounts to one hundred and thirty-two
+     dollars annually, and it is hard to get that amount together.
+     Next month sixty-six dollars come due, and I don't know how I am
+     to find the money. Squire Hudson could afford to wait; but I am
+     afraid he won't. The older and richer he gets, the more grasping
+     he becomes, I sometimes think. However, I don't want to borrow
+     trouble. If it is absolutely necessary I can sell off one of the
+     cows to raise the money, and before the year comes round I think
+     you will be able to help me.
+
+     Walter, though only twelve years old,--his thirteenth birthday
+     comes next month,--helps me about the farm, and is very useful in
+     doing chores. He likes farm-work, and will be ready to succeed me
+     in time. As for Sarah, she is a good, sensible girl, and helps
+     her mother in a good many ways. Though I am a poor man, and
+     always expect to remain so, I feel that I am blessed in having
+     good, industrious children, who promise to grow up and do me
+     credit. I should not be willing to exchange one of my boys for
+     Squire Hudson's son Sinclair. He is, to my mind, a very
+     disagreeable boy, who makes himself ridiculous by the airs he
+     puts on. I have seen him once or twice lately when he appeared to
+     have been drinking; but I hope I am mistaken in this. He is an
+     only son, and it would be a pity that he should go astray.
+
+Tom looked thoughtful after reading this letter.
+
+"Is it bad news, Tom, lad?" asked Ferguson.
+
+"Times are hard at home, Mr. Ferguson," answered Tom. "Father is very
+much in need of money. It would have been a great help to him if he had
+received that seventy-five dollars."
+
+"You have as much as that on hand now, Tom. If it isn't enough, I will
+lend you some."
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Ferguson. You are a good friend, and I wouldn't mind
+accepting your offer, if I needed it. But father won't need any more
+than I can send him. Only I don't know how to get it to him."
+
+"If you were in San Francisco, you would have no difficulty in sending
+the money."
+
+"No."
+
+"I've been thinking, Tom," said Ferguson, after a while, "that it might
+be a good plan for us to take a little vacation, and visit the city. We
+have been working steadily here over three months, and the change would
+do us good. Besides, we might on the way come across some better place.
+This isn't as good now as when we began to work it."
+
+"That is true," said Tom.
+
+"Suppose, then, we stay a week longer, sell out our claim if we can,
+and start in the direction of the city."
+
+"You and I?"
+
+"Yes; we shall be better off without company."
+
+"We had better not let Peabody know we are going, or he will want to
+accompany us."
+
+"I could almost be willing to take him, poor creature, to get him away
+from that Missouri Jack; but, as you say, he would not be a help to us."
+
+So it was decided that, in a few days, as soon as they were ready, Tom
+and Ferguson should leave River Bend.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+A SPECULATIVE INVESTMENT.
+
+
+It leaked out after a while that Tom and Ferguson were intending to
+leave River Bend, and considerable regret was expressed by the other
+members of the party. Tom was a general favorite. His youth and his
+obliging disposition made him liked by all except Missouri Jack and his
+set. It cannot be said that his Scotch friend was popular, but he was,
+at all events, highly respected as a man of high principle and rigid
+honesty. This was not the way the miners expressed it. They called him a
+"square" man, and that word expressed high moral praise. They all felt
+that Tom was going off in good company.
+
+Before they went, the two had a chance for a speculation. Two weeks
+before, a man came to River Bend, across the country, with a horse and
+wagon, the latter an old express wagon, which he had brought round the
+Horn from some one of the Eastern States. What had induced him to take
+so much trouble to convey such bulky articles was not quite clear. Now
+that he was a miner he had no use for them, and at River Bend they were
+not saleable. This man, Abner Kent, came to Ferguson's tent, where he
+and Tom were resting after the labors of the day. He was a tall man,
+with a shambling gait and an angular face.
+
+"Good-evening," he said. "If you ain't busy I'll sit down a few
+minutes."
+
+"We are glad to see you Mr. Kent," said Ferguson. "Tom and I were
+discussing our plans, but we've plenty of time for that. Come in. Here's
+a place for you."
+
+"I hear that you are going to leave us, you two?"
+
+"Yes, Tom has some business in San Francisco, and I want to see a little
+more of the country."
+
+"How are you going?"
+
+"We'll take the cars if we can find any," answered Tom. "If we can't
+we'll foot it."
+
+"That's what I came to see you about. You know I've got a horse and
+wagon."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Why don't you buy it? You'll go easier and quicker."
+
+"We can't afford it," said Ferguson. "Poor men must walk."
+
+"You don't see the point. When you get through with the team, you can
+easily sell them for more than you gave. It will be a good speculation."
+
+"That will depend on how much we give," said the Scotchman, shrewdly.
+
+"To be sure, Mr. Ferguson. Now about that, I'll be easy. They ain't any
+good to me here. I'll take--let me see--four hundred dollars cash.
+You'll maybe double your money inside of a month."
+
+The team did seem cheap at this price, as prices of all articles in a
+new country are very much enhanced.
+
+"Tom and I will talk it over and let you know to-morrow morning," said
+Ferguson.
+
+"That's all right. It's a good chance for you."
+
+When Kent was gone Tom asked, "What do you think of his offer, Mr.
+Ferguson?"
+
+"I think it will be a good investment, Tom, and that we shall be less
+likely to be robbed than if we carried gold-dust with us. You know how
+John Miles got robbed."
+
+"I have only a hundred dollars," said Tom, doubtfully.
+
+"I have enough to add to it, but I think we can get the team cheaper. I
+don't want to beat the man down, but a bargain is a bargain, and we must
+look out for our own interest."
+
+"You know more about such things than I do, Mr. Ferguson; I will agree
+to anything you say."
+
+"Very well, my lad, I shall be sure to consult your interest as well as
+my own. It will be very comfortable for us to have a team of our own."
+
+"It will seem strange to me," said Tom, laughing. "What will they think
+at home when they hear that I have set up a carriage?"
+
+"They might think it imprudent to invest all you had in that way; but
+we'll make money out of it yet, or I am sorely mistaken."
+
+The next morning, while Tom and Ferguson were at work, Kent came up to
+them.
+
+"What have you decided about the team?" he asked.
+
+"We are not willing to pay four hundred dollars," said Ferguson.
+
+"That's a fair price."
+
+"It may be, but it will take all the money Tom and I can raise. You know
+it wouldn't be quite prudent for us to part with all our funds."
+
+"I will take a note for part of the money," said Kent.
+
+"That's very considerate of you, but scarcely prudent."
+
+"Then don't you want it at all?" asked Kent, disappointed.
+
+"Yes; we are prepared with an offer. We'll give you three hundred
+dollars."
+
+Kent shook his head.
+
+"That's too little," he said.
+
+Ferguson remained silent. He wished to give Kent time to reflect upon
+his offer.
+
+"Have you sold these claims of yours?" asked Kent, after a pause.
+
+"No."
+
+"Then add them to your offer, and I accept it."
+
+This proposal struck Ferguson favorably. They could not carry away their
+claims, and very possibly no other purchaser might offer, as, except as
+regards location, other places along the river-bank could be had without
+cost.
+
+"What do you say, Tom?" asked Ferguson.
+
+"I agree if you do, Mr. Ferguson."
+
+"Then it's a bargain, Mr. Kent. I hope it'll prove satisfactory to both
+of us."
+
+"I don't think you'll regret it. It's a good speculation."
+
+When the two friends had settled for their purchase, Tom paying one
+hundred and Ferguson two hundred dollars, our hero found himself left
+with twenty dollars, or its equivalent in gold-dust, while his companion
+had about one hundred and fifty left over.
+
+"We shall go off in style," said Tom; "riding in our own carriage. But
+there's one thing I have been thinking of. I want to send a hundred
+dollars home as soon as I get the chance. Suppose we can't sell the
+team?"
+
+"Have no fears about that, Tom. I'll lend you the money if that is the
+case; but, mark my word, we shan't have it left on our hands, of that
+you may be sure."
+
+The night before they were to start Lawrence Peabody dropped in. He was
+looking down in the mouth.
+
+"How does the world use you, Mr. Peabody?" inquired Tom.
+
+"Fortune is against me," said Peabody. "I'm tired of River Bend."
+
+Tom glanced at his companion. He could guess what was coming.
+
+"Won't you take me with you, Tom?" entreated the young Bostonian.
+
+"You must ask Mr. Ferguson. He is the head of our party."
+
+Peabody looked appealingly towards Ferguson, but the Scotchman shook his
+head.
+
+"You mustn't be offended, Mr. Peabody," he said, "when I tell you that
+you are responsible for your own bad luck. You have had just as good a
+chance as Tom or I."
+
+"Your claim was better."
+
+"There was no difference that I can see, except that we worked, and you
+didn't. You don't expect gold to come to you?"
+
+"You and Tom are more used to hard work than I," murmured Peabody.
+
+"If you did not feel able to work, you should not have come to
+California. A man must work harder here than at home, and then he stands
+a chance of succeeding better."
+
+"Then you won't take me?" asked Peabody, sadly.
+
+"Are you in debt to Captain Fletcher for board?"
+
+Peabody reluctantly admitted that he was, but had no idea how much he
+owed.
+
+"Fletcher tells me that he shall not trust you any longer."
+
+Lawrence Peabody looked frightened.
+
+"What shall I do?" he faltered. "I shall starve."
+
+"You can't blame the captain; he knows that you spend the little money
+you do earn at the saloon. But he will give you a chance. There is no
+one to wash clothes in the camp, and we have all observed that you keep
+yours looking well. If you will set up a laundry, you can make more
+money than in any other way."
+
+"But then I should be a common washer-woman," objected Peabody. "What
+would my friends in Boston say?"
+
+"They won't hear of it. Besides, a man can do here what he would not do
+at home."
+
+It may be stated here that Peabody, finding work absolutely needful,
+went into partnership with a Chinaman, who arrived at the camp a day or
+two later, and succeeded in making a fair living, which hitherto he had
+been unable to do. After he was employed, his visits to the saloon
+became less frequent. At times he was disturbed by the fear that his
+friends at home might learn the character of his employment; apart from
+this he found his new business, with the income it yielded, not
+distasteful.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+A NEW ACQUAINTANCE.
+
+
+Having made all necessary preparations, Ferguson and Tom set out on
+their way. They took a course differing somewhat from that chosen by
+John Miles, one object being to survey the country, and find, if
+possible, a suitable place for continuing their search for gold. After
+their three months' steady work both of our travellers were prepared to
+enjoy the journey. Their road was difficult at times, from its
+steepness, and more than once they found it necessary, out of
+consideration for the horse, to get out and walk. But this only added to
+the romantic charm of the trip.
+
+"It's like a constant picnic," said Tom. "I should like to travel this
+way for a year, if I did not feel the need of working."
+
+"We might tire of it after a while," suggested Ferguson,--"in the rainy
+season, for example."
+
+"That would not be so pleasant, to be sure," Tom admitted. "Do you have
+such fine scenery in Scotland, Mr. Ferguson?"
+
+"Our mountains are not so high, my lad, nor our trees so gigantic; but
+it's the associations that make them interesting. Every hill has a
+legend connected with it, and our great novelist, Walter Scott, has
+invested them with a charm that draws pilgrims from all parts of the
+world to see them. Now this is a new country--beautiful, I grant, but
+without a history. Look around you, and you will see nothing to remind
+you of man. It is nature on a grand scale, I admit, but the soul is
+wanting."
+
+"I like mountains," said Tom, thoughtfully. "There is something grand
+about them."
+
+"There are some famous mountains in your native State, New Hampshire,
+are there not, Tom?"
+
+"Yes; but I have only seen them from a distance. They are not above
+thirty miles away from where I was born; but poor people don't travel in
+search of scenery, Mr. Ferguson."
+
+"No, my lad, and there's another thing I have noticed. We don't care
+much for the curiosities that are near us. The people about here, if
+there are any settled inhabitants, care nothing about the mountains, I
+doubt."
+
+"That is true. In our village at home there is an old man nearly eighty
+years old who has never visited the mountains, though he has lived near
+them all his life."
+
+"I can well believe it, my lad. But what is that?"
+
+The sound which elicited this exclamation was a loud "Hollo!" evidently
+proceeding from some one in their rear.
+
+Both Tom and the Scotchman turned, and their eyes rested on a horseman
+evidently spurring forward to overtake them. Tom, who was driving,
+reined in the horse, and brought him to a stop. The horseman was soon
+even with them.
+
+He was evidently a Yankee. All Yankees do not carry about with them an
+unmistakable certificate of their origin, but Ebenezer Onthank was a
+typical New Englander. His face was long and thin, his expression shrewd
+and good-natured, his limbs were long and ungainly. In later life, with
+the addition of forty or fifty pounds of flesh, he would be much
+improved in appearance.
+
+"Good-morning, gentlemen," said he. "It seems kinder good to see a human
+face again. It ain't very populous round here, is it?"
+
+"We haven't seen any large towns," said Tom, smiling.
+
+"Where are you steerin'?" inquired the Yankee. "I'm expectin' to fetch
+up at San Francisco some time, if I don't get lost in the woods."
+
+"That is our destination, my friend," returned Ferguson.
+
+"Would you mind my joining your party?" asked Onthank. "It's lonesome
+travelin' by one's self without a soul to speak to."
+
+"We shall be glad of your company," said the Scotchman, sincerely, for,
+though naturally cautious, he could not suspect the new-comer of
+anything which would make him an undesirable companion.
+
+"Perhaps you'd like to know who I am," said the new acquaintance. "My
+name is Ebenezer Onthank, from Green Mountain Mills, in Vermont. My
+father is deacon of the Baptist Church at home."
+
+"I suppose you will take his place when you get older," said Tom,
+gravely.
+
+"No, I guess not. I wonder what Susan Jones would say to my bein' a
+deacon!" and Ebenezer burst into a loud laugh.
+
+"Is Miss Jones a particular friend of yours?" asked Tom, slyly.
+
+"I should say she was. Why, I expect to marry her when I get home."
+
+"I congratulate you."
+
+"Don't be too fast. We ain't hitched yet. Say, boy, where do you come
+from?"
+
+"From Vernon, in New Hampshire."
+
+"You don't say! Why, that ain't more'n fifty miles from Green Mountain
+Mills; cu'rus we should meet so fur away from hum, ain't it? When did
+you start?"
+
+"Seven or eight months ago."
+
+"I've been in California six months. Does that gentleman come from your
+town?"
+
+"My friend," answered the Scotchman, not without a touch of pride, "I am
+not an American; I am from the Highlands of Scotland."
+
+"You be? Sho! Well, of course you can't help that."
+
+"Help it, sir? I am proud of hailing from the land of Scott and Burns."
+
+"Well, I guess it's a pretty nice sort of country," said Mr. Onthank,
+patronizingly. "I guess you'll like America best, though."
+
+"I am by no means sure of that, my friend," said Ferguson, a little
+nettled. "America's all very well, but--"
+
+"Why, you could put Scotland into its waist-coat pocket, and there'd be
+plenty of room left," said Ebenezer, energetically.
+
+"I admit that, as regards size, Scotland cannot compare with this
+country."
+
+"Say, have you got mountains as high as them, or trees as high as that?"
+pointing to a gigantic redwood.
+
+"No; but size is not everything."
+
+"That's so. Vermont is a little State, but she's smart, I tell you. But
+you haven't told me your names yet."
+
+"I am called Donald Ferguson, Mr. Onthank. My young friend here answers
+to the name of Thomas Nelson."
+
+"Commonly called Tom," added our hero, smiling.
+
+"Why, I've got a brother Tom," said Mr. Onthank. "Cu'rus, isn't it?"
+
+Considering that Tom is by no means an uncommon name, it could hardly be
+called very remarkable, but Tom politely assented.
+
+"Is he older than I am?" he inquired.
+
+"Yes, my brother Tom is twenty-one years old. I expect he voted at the
+last town-meeting. I'm four years older than Tom."
+
+"Have you been fortunate so far in California, Mr. Onthank?"
+
+"Can't say I have. I guess I've wandered round too much. Been a sort of
+rollin' stone; and my granny used to say that a rollin' stone gathers no
+moss. I've got about enough money to get me to San Francisco, and I own
+this animal; but I haven't made a fortune yet. What luck have you two
+had?"
+
+"Pretty fair, but it will take a good while to make our fortunes. We own
+this team, and that's about all we do own."
+
+"A sort of an express wagon, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Ain't goin' into the express business, be you?"
+
+"Probably not. We bought it on speculation."
+
+"That reminds me of old Sam Bailey in our town. He was always tradin'
+horses. Sometimes he made money, and then again he didn't. How much did
+you give?"
+
+Tom told him.
+
+"That was a pretty stiff price, wasn't it?"
+
+"It would be considered so at home, but we hope to get a good deal more,
+when we come to sell it."
+
+Their new friend kept on with them, amusing them with his homely
+sayings, and original views of things. His conversation beguiled the
+tedium of the journey, so that all were surprised when the shadows
+deepened, and supper-time came. Selecting a favorable place they
+encamped for the night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+A GRIZZLY BEAR.
+
+
+Ebenezer Onthank was an early riser. He had been brought up on a farm,
+where, during a part of the year it was the custom for the "menfolks" to
+rise between four and five o'clock in the morning to begin the labors of
+the day. His old habit clung to him, and at five o'clock, when Tom and
+Ferguson were yet asleep, Mr. Onthank sprang from his leafy couch
+refreshed and vigorous.
+
+Seeing his companions yet sleeping, he concluded to take a walk.
+
+"It'll give me an appetite for breakfast," thought he, "and a chance to
+see something of the country."
+
+As to the appetite, Ebenezer was generally well provided. Indeed,
+latterly his appetite had exceeded his means of gratifying it, and more
+than once he had longed to be back at his old home in the Vermont
+farm-house, where the table was always generously, if not elegantly,
+furnished. If Ebenezer had a special weakness it was for doughnuts,
+which he called nut-cakes.
+
+"If I only had a few of marm's nut-cakes," he had said the night before
+to his new-found friends, "I'd be a happy man."
+
+"What are nut-cakes?" asked the Scotchman, puzzled.
+
+"Don't you know what nut-cakes are?" inquired Ebenezer, astonished at
+Ferguson's ignorance.
+
+"I never heard of them before," said Ferguson.
+
+"Well, I declare! I thought everybody knew what nut-cakes are,"
+ejaculated the Yankee. "Don't you ever make 'em in Scotland?"
+
+"Not that I ever heard."
+
+"Then you don't know what is good. You know what they are, Tom?"
+
+"Oh, yes," said Tom, smiling. "We often have them at home. Perhaps Mr.
+Ferguson would understand better if he heard them called doughnuts or
+crullers."
+
+Thus defined Mr. Ferguson acknowledged that he had heard of them, and he
+thought he had once tasted one. Scotland, however, fell considerably in
+the estimation of Mr. Onthank, when he learned that his favorite article
+of food was almost unknown in that distant country.
+
+"You Scotchmen don't know what is good," he said. "If you ever come to
+Green Mountain Mills, I'll get marm to fry a batch of nut-cakes, and
+you'll say they're goloptious."
+
+This last word was not familiar to Ferguson, but the smack of the lips
+with which it was accompanied made it sufficiently intelligible. He
+assured Ebenezer politely that he hoped some day to accept his kind
+invitation.
+
+When Ebenezer left the camp he had no definite plan of exploration.
+Everything was alike new to him, and it mattered little in what
+direction his steps led him. It was a charming morning. The sun had
+risen, and hill and valley were glorified by its slanting rays. The air
+was bracing, and Ebenezer, though neither a poet nor a sentimentalist,
+felt his spirits rise, as with vigorous steps he strode on, letting his
+eyes wander at will over the landscape.
+
+"Looks kinder han'some," he said to himself. "I wish Susan Jones was
+with me now. Gals like to walk round and look at scenery, and pick
+flowers, and so on. As for me, a good field of corn suits me better than
+all the flowers in the world. They're only good to smell of; out here
+though I'd like a good 'claim' best. It seems cu'rus to think how much
+money you can get sometimes from a hole in the ground. Beats cornfields
+for profit, by a great sight, if you only get hold of the right place. I
+just wish I could find a big nugget, as big as my head. I guess it would
+make me the richest man in Green Mountain Mills. I'd be a bigger man
+than the old deacon. They'd be glad to make me selectman, and perhaps
+send me to Montpelier after a while to make laws. Well, there's no
+knowin' what may turn up. Why shouldn't I light on a nugget as well as
+the next man?"
+
+In this pleasant channel the thoughts of our Yankee adventurer were
+running as he strode over the uneven ground, with all the vigor gained
+by his hardy training. But his walk was destined to be interrupted in a
+decidedly unpleasant manner. All at once he became conscious of a huge
+object, scarcely thirty yards distant, whose attention he had already
+attracted. Mr. Onthank had been long enough in California to recognize
+in the huge, unwieldy figure--a grizzly bear!
+
+Ebenezer Onthank was no coward, but it must be admitted that when he saw
+the eyes of the grizzly fixed upon him he turned pale, and his limbs
+trembled. He had heard from fellow-miners stories of the great strength
+and ferocity of this most formidable beast. The grizzly bear shows no
+fear of man. He is always ready to make an attack, even when not
+stimulated by hunger. Even the lion is crafty and cunning, and likes to
+attack his enemy unawares; but the grizzly boldly advances to the attack
+without seeking to surprise his adversary. If out of humor it makes no
+account of odds, but will as readily attack a party as a single foe.
+Col. Albert S. Evans, the author of an interesting volume, containing
+sketches of life in California, says, "I am satisfied that an average
+grizzly could at any time whip the strongest African lion in a fair
+stand-up fight, while a full-grown bull is no more to him than a rat is
+to the largest house-cats."
+
+Twenty-five years ago the grizzly was to be found in various parts of
+California. As the State has become settled his haunts have become
+contracted, but even now, as the writer just quoted assures us, he is
+still found in great numbers in the Coast Range Mountains from San Diego
+to Del Norte. In describing Samson, a famous specimen once on exhibition
+in San Francisco, we are told that "his strength was that of an
+elephant, and his claws, eight inches in length, curved like a rainbow
+and sharp as a knife, would enable him to tear open anything made of
+flesh and blood as you or I would open a banana."
+
+Such was the new acquaintance who confronted Mr. Onthank, and barred
+his progress.
+
+"Jerusalem!" ejaculated the surprised and dismayed Yankee, and he
+instinctively felt for his rifle. But, alas! he had left it in the camp.
+It was thoughtless and imprudent to venture out unarmed; but the scene
+was so quiet and peaceful that no thought of danger had entered the mind
+of our unlucky friend.
+
+The bear sat upon his haunches, and stared at the intruder. Ebenezer,
+brought to a stand-still, returned his gaze. They were less than a
+hundred feet apart, and the situation was decidedly critical.
+
+"I guess he wants to chaw me up for his breakfast," thought Ebenezer,
+despairingly, "and I don't see what I can do to prevent it."
+
+The bear, however, seemed in no hurry to commence the attack. He
+surveyed our Yankee with dignified gravity, conscious that he had him at
+advantage. When Ebenezer felt for his rifle he uttered a low growl,
+being possibly aware of his purpose. Possibly he laughed in his sleeve
+(some of my young critics may suggest that bears have no sleeves) at his
+failure.
+
+Ebenezer looked about him despairingly. No man will surrender at
+discretion to a grizzly, for he can hope for no mercy. But what could be
+done? Once subjected to the terrible hug, and the life would be crushed
+out of him in less than a minute.
+
+"If Ferguson and Tom were only here!" thought poor Ebenezer.
+
+But the camp was at least two miles away, and his two companions,
+unconscious of his terrible peril, were calmly sleeping, and not likely
+to awaken till he was a crushed and bleeding corpse.
+
+In great crises the mind travels rapidly. I shall not attempt to record
+the thoughts that chased one another through the mind of the luckless
+adventurer. But they were by no means pleasant.
+
+"I shall never see Green Mountain Mills again," he thought, with an
+inward groan. "I shall never marry Susan Jones, or eat any of marm's
+nut-cakes. If I only had my rifle here, I'd make one effort for my life.
+I'd spoil the beauty of that ugly devil anyhow."
+
+Still, as if charmed, he stood staring open-eyed at the grizzly.
+
+Bruin, deciding that this had lasted long enough, began in a slow and
+dignified manner to approach the intruder upon his solitude.
+
+This broke the charm. With a wild shout Ebenezer Onthank took to his
+heels and flew over the ground at a rate of speed which Weston, the
+champion runner, would scarcely be able to equal.
+
+The grizzly accepted the challenge, and increased his own speed,
+developing an activity hardly to be expected of his huge and unwieldy
+form.
+
+It was man against beast, with the odds decidedly in the favor of the
+latter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+UP A TREE.
+
+
+The race between the Yankee and the bear was an exciting one, to the
+former at least. He was fleet of foot, and in a hundred yards' dash
+would have won without great difficulty; but in wind and endurance the
+grizzly excelled him. So, as the race continued, Mr. Onthank, looking
+back from time to time, was painfully conscious that his enemy was
+gaining upon him. The perspiration came out upon his face in large
+drops, and he panted painfully. He felt that the chances were against
+him, and he could almost feel in advance the fatal hug which would
+slowly press the life out of him. As he felt his strength failing he
+looked around him despairingly. Just before him was a moderate-sized
+tree. Though he knew that bears can climb, he gathered his remaining
+strength, seized a low hanging branch, and swung himself up just in
+time to avoid his persistent foe, who was close upon his heels. He did
+not tarry where he was, but climbed higher up, until from a height of
+twenty feet he could look down upon the bear.
+
+Bruin looked up placidly, but did not begin to climb at once. Probably
+he was fatigued with his race. Moreover he knew that his intended victim
+could not get away. The latter was emphatically and literally "treed."
+The bear sat upon his haunches and complacently regarded the Yankee.
+
+Ebenezer Onthank made himself as comfortable as he could under the
+circumstances. He was by no means easy in mind, however. He was "holding
+the fort," it is true; but the enemy was in force outside, and evidently
+intended to remain. Worse still, he would probably after a while climb
+the tree, and this would bring matters to a crisis.
+
+"You pesky critter! Why don't you go along about your business?"
+exclaimed the unhappy adventurer, shaking his fist at the foe.
+
+Bruin deigned no reply, but continued to survey him with steady,
+unwinking eyes.
+
+"If I only had a gun, I'd pepper you," continued Ebenezer. "I should
+like to put a bullet into that impudent eye of yours."
+
+Though the bear had never received an English education, his instinct
+probably enabled him to understand the feelings of his intended victim,
+but he remained as placid as ever.
+
+So an hour passed. At the end of that time the situation remained
+unchanged. The unfortunate Yankee was getting hungry, as well as tired
+of his somewhat constrained position. Bears probably have more patience
+than the human family, for Bruin had scarcely moved, except occasionally
+to wag his great head. He felt that in the game that was being played it
+was his adversary's turn to make the next move.
+
+"I wish Tom and the Scotchman would find me out," thought Onthank. "What
+on earth makes them sleep so late?" he continued, irritably. "They must
+be naturally lazy."
+
+He may be excused for feeling irritated, though there was no particular
+reason to expect his two friends to curtail their hours of slumber
+because he had done so. But he was not in a position where it is easy to
+be reasonable, and in his situation every minute seemed to him as long
+as five.
+
+Meanwhile, in the camp, a mile away, Tom and Ferguson had awakened.
+
+"How did you sleep, Tom?" asked the Scotchman.
+
+"Tip-top. Did you rest well?"
+
+"I have a gift of sleep," replied Ferguson. "But where is our Yankee
+friend?"
+
+"I suppose he has taken an early walk," said Tom. "He will be back
+before long, I guess. We'd better not wait breakfast for him. I'm hungry
+for one."
+
+The two friends proceeded to break their fast, washing down the rather
+stale provisions with water from a spring near by.
+
+"I wish it were coffee," said Tom. "I'm tired of cold water."
+
+"Doubtless the coffee would be more gratifying to the palate, Tom; but
+it's likely the water is better for the health."
+
+"I suppose you would refuse a cup of hot coffee, Mr. Ferguson, if it
+were offered you," said Tom, smiling.
+
+"I don't say that, Tom. I would risk its effect upon my health for once.
+But, as we haven't got it, we may as well make the best of what we
+have."
+
+Soon after their simple meal, which did not consume much time, Tom
+suggested to his companion that they set out in search of Mr. Onthank.
+He did not suspect that their missing companion was in trouble, but he
+thought that it would be pleasant to take a walk.
+
+"You can go, if you like, Tom," said Ferguson, with characteristic
+caution. "I will remain behind to look after the camp."
+
+"All right, Mr. Ferguson. I'll soon be back."
+
+"Don't go too far away, my lad; and mind your bearings, so that you can
+find your way back."
+
+"Never fear, Mr. Ferguson. It wouldn't be very easy to be lost here.
+I'll keep my eyes open, and bring Mr. Onthank back with me if I see him
+anywhere."
+
+Ferguson sat down, and indulged himself in reading, probably for the
+hundredth time, Walter Scott's Marmion, of which he had a small pocket
+edition; while Tom went on his way.
+
+A fortunate chance directed our hero by an almost straight course to the
+very tree where Ebenezer Onthank was still perched with the grizzly
+standing guard beneath. From time to time he looked about him anxiously,
+in the hope of seeing the approach of one of his travelling companions.
+
+It was with a feeling of joy, not wholly unmingled with anxiety, that he
+descried Tom descending a hillock not many rods away. As yet it was
+evident that our hero had not caught sight of the bear and his prisoner.
+It was very necessary to put him on his guard.
+
+"Tom!" shouted Mr. Onthank, at the top of his voice.
+
+Tom heard the call in spite of the distance, and looked about him, but
+did not immediately catch sight of the speaker. It did not occur to him
+to look upwards.
+
+"Tom!" shouted the Yankee again. "Here I am. Look up in the tree."
+
+That time Tom's glance detected his companion, and, not yet having
+discovered the bear, he was led to wonder why Mr. Onthank had climbed
+the tree. As he was advancing incautiously, Onthank shouted again,
+"There's a cursed grizzly under the tree. Don't come too near."
+
+Tom saw the bear, and he paused suddenly. He was startled in truth, for
+he had been long enough in California to be aware that it was a
+dangerous beast.
+
+"Isn't Ferguson with you?" asked Onthank, anxiously, for he knew that a
+boy of sixteen, even if armed, was no match for the king of the
+California sierras.
+
+"No, he's behind in the camp," shouted Tom, in reply.
+
+By this time the bear became aware that there was a second intruder
+within his precincts. He turned his head deliberately and surveyed our
+hero. It is not within the range of the author to read the thoughts of a
+grizzly, but, from the indifference with which he turned away and
+resumed his watch, it may be inferred that he considered Tom too small
+game to merit his attention. This was rather satisfactory to our young
+hero, who was not ambitious to come in close quarters with so formidable
+an antagonist.
+
+Startled as he was, Tom maintained his ground. He wanted to help
+Onthank; but he did not know how to do it.
+
+"What can I do to help you, Mr. Onthank?" shouted Tom.
+
+"Blamed if I know," answered the Yankee, helplessly. "I wish Ferguson
+were here. It won't do for you to attack the beast single-handed."
+
+"Shall I go back for Ferguson?" asked Tom.
+
+"I don't know; how far away is the camp?"
+
+"It must be as much as a mile."
+
+"While you are away the brute may take it into his head to climb the
+tree, and then I am gone up."
+
+"Haven't you any weapon?"
+
+"No."
+
+"I'll fire at the bear if you say so."
+
+"It would be of no use. If you missed, or only grazed him, he would make
+for you."
+
+"I wish you had my rifle," said Tom.
+
+"So do I. I'd let him have it straight in the eye. Have you had
+breakfast?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I'm as hungry as a bear--as this bear who probably wants me for his
+breakfast. O Tom, if I was only back at Green Mountain Mills once more,
+I'd be content to live and die there, and all the gold in California
+wouldn't bring me out here again."
+
+Tom stood silent and perplexed. While he was considering whether he
+could do anything to help his friend, the bear slowly rose, approached
+the tree, and, grasping it between his paws, prepared to climb. He was
+evidently tired of waiting.
+
+"He's coming, Tom!" shouted Onthank. "O Lord, what shall I do?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+AN EXCITING PURSUIT.
+
+
+Mr Onthank's reflections when the grizzly was slowly but steadily
+climbing the tree were by no means pleasant.
+
+"If he once grips me, I am gone," he said, despairingly.
+
+"Shall I shoot?" asked Tom, looking on in excitement.
+
+"You might hit me," said Ebenezer, who knew nothing of Tom's skill as a
+marksman.
+
+"No, I won't."
+
+"I think I'll swing off," said the Yankee, "and join you."
+
+Whether this was or was not a wise thing to do Tom did not feel
+qualified to decide. It was evident that Onthank must do something
+speedily, or he would be in the power of the bear. He waited nervously
+till Bruin was uncomfortably near, and then, seizing the branch with
+his hands, swung to the ground. The height was considerable, and the
+fall jarred him; but, quickly recovering himself, he ran towards Tom.
+
+"Now we must run for our lives, Tom," he said, suiting the action to the
+word.
+
+Tom fully understood the necessity, and followed suit, first hazarding a
+glance at the discomfited bear.
+
+When the grizzly witnessed the escape of his victim he showed no
+excitement, nor did he accelerate his motions. He began deliberately to
+back down the tree. This required some little time, which Tom and his
+friend made the most of.
+
+"Give me your rifle," said Onthank.
+
+"I'd rather keep it," said Tom.
+
+"I can make better use of it," said the Yankee.
+
+"I don't know about that," said Tom. "At any rate I will keep it."
+
+He felt that it was hardly reasonable to expect him, in the presence of
+such a danger, to give up his only instrument of defence.
+
+"You are only a boy," said his companion, discontented.
+
+"I can shoot," answered Tom, briefly.
+
+Onthank was not in general an unreasonable man, but danger makes men
+selfish.
+
+"Give it to me," he said, in a tone of authority, and he tried to wrest
+it from Tom's hands.
+
+"You shall not have it," exclaimed Tom, indignantly. "Take away your
+hand, or I'll shoot you!"
+
+Of course Tom was excited, and would not have carried out his threat,
+but he was fully resolved to stand up for his rights.
+
+Whether Ebenezer would have yielded the point, being stronger than Tom,
+is uncertain; but our hero shouted "Look out for the bear!" and the
+Yankee, in alarm, released his hold, and the two entered upon a race, in
+which the Yankee's superior length of limb enabled him to keep the first
+place.
+
+Bruin was now on terra firma, and was on his way, wagging his great
+head, developing an alarming rate of speed. Tom was somewhat hampered
+by the weapon which he carried, and he was getting out of breath.
+Onthank was three or four rods ahead of him. The situation had changed,
+and it was now Tom that was in the greater peril.
+
+"Don't give out, Tom!" called out Ebenezer, encouragingly.
+
+"I won't," gasped Tom, "if I can help it."
+
+"Is he gaining on us?"
+
+"Yes," returned our hero.
+
+"Then I'll try another tree," said Onthank, and he caught a branch, and
+clambered up into a tree quite similar to the other in which he had been
+besieged.
+
+Tom would gladly have followed his example, but the branch was too high
+for him to reach readily, and the grizzly was too near to give him
+adequate time. Poor boy! He began to despair, and was at an utter loss
+what to do. To face round and fire at the foe seemed about all that was
+left him, but he wanted to reserve his fire to the last. He caught sight
+of another tree, of a larger trunk than the one which Onthank had
+ascended, and ran towards it, pursued by the grizzly. Then commenced a
+dodging game, which seemed to afford but a brief respite from
+destruction.
+
+"This can't last long," thought poor Tom. "I suppose I must die."
+
+In that brief time of peril many thoughts passed through his mind. To
+die at his age would be sad enough; but the thought that his expedition
+would be a failure, only involving his father deeper in difficulty and
+debt chiefly troubled him. The mortgage would be foreclosed, and his
+father and whole family deprived of their humble home. Onthank watched
+the boy's peril, unable to give him assistance. To do him justice he
+almost forgot his own danger in the more apparent and immediate peril of
+his young companion.
+
+"Be careful!" he shouted, quite needlessly. "Don't let him grip you.
+Give it to him right in the eye."
+
+Tom was so absorbed, and his mind so painfully occupied by his efforts
+to keep out of his enemy's clutches, that he was not conscious of the
+warning.
+
+Active and alert as he was, the result was hardly a matter of doubt. He
+would tire sooner than the bear, and if he ran again he was sure to be
+overtaken. This, however, was what he did. Of course the grizzly
+instantly pursued him. Poor Tom breathed a prayer for help, though there
+seemed no chance of his prayer being answered; but sometimes God sends
+assistance when there seems no chance of escape.
+
+The galloping of a horse was heard. There was a whirling sound, and
+Bruin, already within two yards of Tom, was jerked back, and brought to
+a stand-still by a lasso which wound about his neck. A shout caused Tom
+suddenly to turn his head, and to his joy he saw a mounted Mexican
+_vaquero_, who had brought him timely relief.
+
+Bruin growled angrily on finding himself balked of his prey. He was not
+disposed to yield to his new antagonist. Rising and sitting on his
+haunches he began coolly to draw in the lasso, against the combined
+strength of man and horse. The muscular force of a big grizzly is
+simply enormous. Usually he is attacked from two sides, two lassos being
+thrown around him. For a single antagonist he is sometimes more than a
+match, as seemed likely in the present case. The _rieta_ being attached
+to the pommel of the saddle, of course the bear, in pulling as he did,
+hand over hand, steadily brought the _vaquero_ and his steed nearer. The
+horse, terrified, trembled in every limb, and tried to rear; but his
+strength was as nothing when opposed to the steady power of his massive
+antagonist.
+
+Relieved from the immediate attentions of the grizzly, Tom did not
+continue to run, but stood still, and, forgetting his own peril,
+remained an excited spectator of the struggle between the bear and the
+_vaquero_.
+
+The Mexican in an excited manner shouted to him to shoot. This brought
+Tom to a sense of his duty. A third person had been brought into danger
+by an effort to give him assistance, and he was too manly to leave him
+to his fate. He raised his rifle, and, taking quick aim, fired. Our
+young hero was of course inexperienced, and it was only by a piece of
+good fortune that his bullet inflicted a serious wound, striking the
+bear in the throat. The blood began to flow and the grizzly, growling
+fiercely, slackened his hold on the lasso. The _vaquero_ followed up
+Tom's shot by another, equally effective, and the powerful animal
+dropped to the ground, dangerous still if approached, but unfitted for
+pursuit.
+
+The _vaquero_ reined his horse back, and his dark face became illumined
+with a smile of satisfaction.
+
+"He will do no more harm," he said in good English, but with a foreign
+accent. "The danger is over."
+
+"Is the critter used up?" shouted Onthank, cautiously, from his elevated
+perch. "Is he defunct?"
+
+"He soon will be," answered Tom. "I guess it will be safe to come down."
+
+Ebenezer Onthank needed no second invitation. He "shinned" down the tree
+in a manner not unlike the grizzly, and approached the spot where the
+huge foe was lying, the life-blood flowing from his throat.
+
+"I'd like to kick you, you big brute!" said Mr. Onthank.
+
+The bear slowly turned upon him his glazing eyes, and they expressed so
+much ferocity that almost involuntarily the Yankee drew back. The bear
+partly raised himself, and tried to drag himself towards his
+adversaries; but the effort was vain.
+
+"He is one of the largest I have seen," said the _vaquero_. "See how
+strong he is!"
+
+"It was lucky for me that you came up," said Tom. "He was almost upon
+me."
+
+"I had about given you up, Tom," said Onthank, "and I thought my turn
+was coming next."
+
+"We are much indebted to you, sir," said Tom, gratefully, to the
+Mexican. "You have saved my life."
+
+The _vaquero_ courteously expressed his satisfaction, and, remounting
+his horse, resumed his journey.
+
+"I never want to see another grizzly," said Onthank. "This one is enough
+for me, darn his ugly pictur'!"
+
+"I quite agree with you, Mr. Onthank," said Tom.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+TOM'S OLD HOME.
+
+
+Leaving Tom for a time, we will cross the continent, and, a little
+earlier in point of time, look in upon Mark Nelson and his family at
+their humble home in New Hampshire.
+
+For years Mr. Nelson had been struggling to provide a comfortable living
+for his wife and children. The struggle was not an easy one. His small
+farm was sterile, and yielded grudgingly its annual crops. Then the
+mortgage held by Squire Hudson imposed a burden of interest very hard to
+meet. Each half year sixty-six dollars must be raised somehow to satisfy
+the squire's demand. Though a rich man, with ready money in plenty, he
+never failed to call for his money on the very day it was due. Once or
+twice he had granted a delay of a day or two; but his manner was so
+unpleasant that the farmer, except from dire necessity, was hardly
+likely to ask a renewal of the favor.
+
+The six months immediately following Tom's departure from home were not
+favorable to his father. There was a drought of considerable duration,
+which made the crops smaller than usual, and thus materially decreased
+the farmer's income. When the semi-annual interest became due, with the
+most energetic effort Mark Nelson had got together but thirty-six
+dollars towards it, leaving a deficit of thirty dollars.
+
+"I feel anxious about to-morrow, Mary," he said, as the little family
+sat together the night before in the plain sitting-room. "I have never
+been so much behindhand before with the interest."
+
+"How much do you lack, Mark?" asked Mrs. Nelson.
+
+"Thirty dollars."
+
+"That is a good deal of money," said his wife, gravely.
+
+"Yes; I don't know where to raise it. If Squire Hudson were only a
+little considerate. But he isn't, and, even if he were, I am afraid
+there is no prospect of my raising the money at present."
+
+"You may get some money from Tom soon," suggested Sarah.
+
+"I can't rely upon that. Tom will doubtless send when he is able, for he
+understands my circumstances, and is a thoughtful boy; but it is going
+to take time for him to earn a surplus--enough to send on."
+
+"He may find a big nugget," said Walter, the second boy, who eagerly
+read the letters from California which from time to time appeared in the
+weekly paper.
+
+"He _may_, but the chances are against it."
+
+"I was reading in last week's paper about a man finding a nugget worth
+over two thousand dollars."
+
+"Such nuggets are as rare as large prizes in a lottery, I suspect," said
+Mark Nelson, who had a large share of plain common-sense.
+
+Walter looked rather disappointed, having made up his mind that Tom
+would certainly find a big lump of gold, and come home rich.
+
+"Don't you think Tom will find some gold?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, I have no doubt he will gather some gold-dust. I have no doubt,
+too, that he will earn more than he or I can do at home; but I haven't
+much faith in these extraordinary pieces of good luck."
+
+"Still, Tom _may_ find a nugget," persisted Walter.
+
+"Yes, he _may_, and I shall be very glad if he does; but we must not
+build too many air-castles on that chance."
+
+"I wish I could see the dear boy again," sighed his mother, looking up
+from the stocking she was laboriously darning.
+
+"So do I," said Walter. "He would have a lot to tell us."
+
+"California seems so far away," resumed Mrs. Nelson, "and he has no one
+there to look after him, and mend his clothes--"
+
+"And darn his stockings," said Walter, smiling.
+
+"If he walked all the way across the continent," said Sarah, "I don't
+believe he would have larger holes in his stockings than you have,
+Walter."
+
+"Oh, well, I exercise a good deal," said Walter. "Ask father if I
+don't."
+
+"Walter will be more successful as a farmer than as a scholar," said Mr.
+Nelson. "He helps me a good deal."
+
+"Tom was a good scholar," said Sarah, "and he was always ready to work
+too. Walter will never astonish or electrify the world by his learning."
+
+"I don't want to," said her brother. "It isn't in my line."
+
+"That's true enough."
+
+"Don't tease Walter," said Mrs. Nelson. "He helps your father a good
+deal, and he is not a dunce."
+
+"Thank you, mother, for taking my part. Sarah is going to be a
+strong-minded woman. I should not wonder if she came out as a lecturer
+on 'Woman's Rights' some time. I think I see her, with a pair of
+iron-bowed spectacles on her nose, and her back hair tied up in a big
+knot, flinging her arms about, and--"
+
+"That'll do, Walter," said Sarah. "It is an unusually powerful effort
+for you. I have no desire to lecture on 'Woman's Rights,' though I think
+they ought to have them all the same."
+
+"I guess you'll get yours. You'll make your husband stand round, if you
+ever get one."
+
+Sarah laughed good-naturedly, and retorted, "I shall pity your wife, if
+she has to darn your stockings."
+
+The next day about dinner-time Squire Hudson walked up to the front
+door, and knocked. His approach was witnessed, not without trepidation,
+for he was not an easy creditor.
+
+The squire looked about him searchingly as he entered. He suspected that
+the interest was not ready, and the farmer's grave face confirmed his
+suspicions. That he was glad of this of course Mark Nelson did not
+dream, for he was not aware of his creditor's deep-laid plans.
+
+"A fine day!" said the squire, with suavity. "I hope you are well, Mrs.
+Nelson."
+
+"Pretty well, thank you, sir."
+
+"Have you heard from Tom lately?"
+
+"Yes; he had just reached California."
+
+"Then of course he could not say anything of his prospects?"
+
+"It was too soon."
+
+"You must miss him a good deal--all of you."
+
+"I am thinking of him all the time," said Mrs. Nelson.
+
+"To be sure, that is natural in a mother. But if the boy does well, that
+will repay you hereafter."
+
+"If I only felt sure he would do well."
+
+"Oh, he is young and industrious. He will be sure to make his way. He'll
+like it too. Why, my Sinclair envies him the chance of leaving home. He
+wanted to go with him."
+
+"Sinclair would not like to go in the same way as Tom, with the prospect
+of having to work hard after he got there," said Mark Nelson.
+
+"To be sure not, neighbor Nelson. My boy has never been brought up to
+work. My circumstances--ahem!--have not made it necessary."
+
+"Sinclair is fortunate in having a rich father," said the farmer.
+
+"So I tell him," said the squire, complacently. "His fortune is already
+made."
+
+"What are you going to do with him, squire?"
+
+"Oh, I shall make a professional man of him,--a lawyer, most likely,"
+said the rich man, complacently. "I can give him a suitable income till
+he gets into a paying practice."
+
+"That will be a good many years," thought Sarah, "unless Sinclair works
+harder than he has lately at school;" but the shrewd young lady kept
+this thought to herself.
+
+One by one wife and children left the room, for it was well understood
+that the squire came on business, and would be likely to desire a
+private interview with the farmer. They went into the kitchen, closing
+the door behind them, and awaited anxiously the result of the
+interview.
+
+"I do hope Squire Hudson will be considerate," said Mrs. Nelson,
+anxiously.
+
+"I am afraid he won't be, mother," said Sarah. "He is a hard man."
+
+"Sinclair puts on no end of airs," said Walter. "By the way he struts
+round you would think he owned the whole town. You had better set your
+cap for him, Sarah, for he will be rich some day."
+
+"I would rather be an old maid than marry him," said Sarah, decidedly.
+
+"Very likely your wish will be gratified," said her brother.
+
+Mrs. Nelson did not smile at this sally, for her mind was too full of
+anxiety.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+A MODERN SHYLOCK.
+
+
+"I believe your interest falls due to-day, Mr. Nelson," said the squire,
+when he found himself alone with his debtor.
+
+"Yes," answered the farmer, slowly. It was not very likely to slip his
+mind.
+
+"I suppose you have the money ready," continued the squire, who supposed
+no such thing.
+
+"I have a part of it ready," said Mark Nelson, with an effort.
+
+"A part," repeated his creditor, with a frown.
+
+"Yes; I can give you thirty-six dollars to-day."
+
+"_Only_ thirty-six dollars! The amount due is sixty-six."
+
+"I know it, Squire Hudson; but this has been a bad year for the farmers,
+as you probably know. Owing to the drought, my crops fell off at least
+one quarter."
+
+"I can't help that," said the squire, coldly.
+
+"If you will be a little patient," said Mr. Nelson, uneasily.
+
+"Neighbor Nelson," said his creditor, interrupting him, "I wish to ask
+you one question. When I lent you money on mortgage was there a
+stipulation that if there was a drought I was to wait for my just
+interest?"
+
+"No, Squire Hudson."
+
+"To be sure not; I would not of course lend you money on any such terms.
+It was understood that my interest was to be paid semi-annually,--was it
+not so?"
+
+"Yes, but--"
+
+"Wait a moment. You must certainly agree that I am entitled to prompt
+payment. A bargain is a bargain."
+
+"I don't dispute it, Squire Hudson, and I have tried to be ready for
+you; but in spite of all my efforts I am thirty dollars short."
+
+"Do you expect me to be content with this explanation?"
+
+"I think you are rather hard on me, squire. It isn't as if I had the
+money and objected to pay. I am a poor man, but no one ever lost a
+dollar by me; and I don't mean that any one shall, while I have my life
+and strength."
+
+"That's all very well, but it won't make up the thirty dollars in which
+you are delinquent."
+
+"What would you have me do? I cannot _make_ money."
+
+"I wouldn't give much for an investment when the interest is delayed. It
+is no longer worth its face. If any of my railroad bonds defer their
+usual interest they at once drop in value."
+
+"I know very little of railroad bonds, never having any money to invest
+in them; but I think my farm will be full security for all the money I
+owe you."
+
+"Suppose I should foreclose--you would consider it an unkind thing and a
+great hardship, wouldn't you?"
+
+"It would take away my means of supporting my family. I don't think you
+would go to extremes, for the sake of thirty dollars."
+
+"It isn't the amount of money, neighbor Nelson, that is to be
+considered. It is the principle that is involved."
+
+This is a very common pretext with men who have made up their minds to
+do a mean thing. Generally speaking it is false, and the money is the
+first consideration.
+
+"Will you give me two months to pay the balance of interest?" asked Mark
+Nelson.
+
+"What better prospect have you of being able to pay me then?"
+
+"As soon as Tom has any money to send, he will remit to me. I think it
+probable that I shall hear from him in the course of two months."
+
+"If that is your reliance," said the squire, shrugging his shoulders, "I
+am afraid you are leaning upon a broken reed. I know boys pretty well,
+and I fancy Tom will find a use for all the money he earns."
+
+"You don't know him, Squire Hudson. He is a very conscientious boy, and
+understands very well the sacrifice I made in raising money to send him
+to California. He is not very likely to forget that."
+
+"It seems to me that the sacrifice was mine," said the squire, with a
+half sneer. "If I remember rightly, I advanced the money which he took
+away with him."
+
+Mark Nelson flushed, and he answered warmly, "You did advance the money,
+Squire Hudson, but I gave you security for it."
+
+"And the very first interest that has come due you are not prepared to
+meet. You can't blame me for feeling a little doubt as to the wisdom of
+my advance."
+
+"Are you very much in need of the thirty dollars?" asked Mr. Nelson,
+nettled at the squire's tone.
+
+"What do you mean, sir?"
+
+"Is it subjecting you to any great inconvenience to wait a couple of
+months for it? That is what I mean."
+
+"My circumstances are not such," returned the squire, haughtily, "as to
+make me feel even the loss of thirty dollars."
+
+"I wish I could say the same, but I cannot. Since, then, it will
+occasion you no inconvenience, I ask you as a favor that you will let
+the balance rest for two months."
+
+Squire Hudson saw that he was cornered; but none the less was he
+disposed to yield the point. He even felt provoked with the farmer for
+having forced from him an acknowledgment that he did not need the money
+he so persistently demanded.
+
+"I told you before," he said, "that it was not the amount of money, but
+the principle, that I care for. You cannot have forgotten this."
+
+"I don't see how any principle is involved, Squire Hudson."
+
+"You look at the matter solely from a debtor's point of view. If you
+held the mortgage, instead of myself, you would change your view very
+quickly."
+
+"I don't think I should," said the farmer, slowly. "I would be
+considerate to a poor neighbor, even if it did inconvenience me a
+little."
+
+"The poor neighbor should not have borrowed money on which he was unable
+to pay interest," said Squire Hudson, severely.
+
+"How could I anticipate the drought that has diminished my crops?" said
+Mark Nelson, with spirit.
+
+"That is neither here nor there. You knew that the interest must be
+paid, drought or no drought, crop or no crop."
+
+"I cannot argue with you further, since you refuse to consider
+circumstances over which I have had no control. You refuse to grant me
+any delay?"
+
+"I do."
+
+"Since I have not the money to pay you, will you tell me what you
+require?"
+
+"How many cows do you keep?"
+
+"Three."
+
+"You can give me one of these, and I will consider it an equivalent for
+the thirty dollars."
+
+"Do you require this?" asked the farmer, uneasily.
+
+"Yes; unless you have some other satisfactory arrangement to propose."
+
+"I am afraid I have nothing else which you would regard as satisfactory.
+The loss of a cow will diminish my income. Instead of three, I ought to
+have four or five. I shouldn't like to be reduced to two."
+
+"Very likely not; but an honest man is willing to make a sacrifice in
+order to meet his just liabilities. Besides, you expect to have the
+money, you say, in a couple of months. When it has come, you may have
+your cow back, on paying two months' interest on the deferred payment.
+That is only fair."
+
+"Say no more, Squire Hudson," said the farmer. "I must, of course,
+consent to this arrangement since you insist upon it. How soon do you
+wish for the cow?"
+
+"You had better let your son Walter drive it over this afternoon."
+
+"He is losing no time," thought Mark Nelson, bitterly. "He does not even
+appear to be willing that I should have the benefit of this night's
+milking."
+
+"You may send me Whiteface," continued Squire Hudson, who knew that this
+was the most valuable of the three cows.
+
+"That is my best cow," protested the farmer "That makes little
+difference, as you expect to redeem it in two months."
+
+Mark Nelson was silent. He felt indignant with Squire Hudson for his
+cruel exaction; but he felt that he was in his power, and that he must
+submit to his exactions.
+
+"You will attend to this matter?" asked the squire, as he rose and
+prepared to go.
+
+"Yes," answered the farmer, coldly.
+
+When his creditor was gone he went into the kitchen and acquainted the
+family with what had passed. Great were the grief and indignation of the
+children, and Walter expressed a desire that Squire Hudson might lose
+all his property as a fitting reward for his meanness.
+
+"Heaven help me if I can't meet the next interest!" said Mark Nelson,
+later in the day, to his wife.
+
+"Don't be too much troubled about the future, Mark," said his wife, who
+was of a more hopeful temperament than her husband; "I am sure that you
+will get some help from Tom before six months are over."
+
+"I hope so," answered her husband; but for the rest of the day he was
+very grave.
+
+Walter drove over Whiteface, at his father's request; but he came near
+crying, stout boy as he was, at the loss of the faithful animal which
+his father had reared from a calf.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+AT SACRAMENTO.
+
+
+After his escape from the grizzly Tom had no further adventures of an
+exciting character. One afternoon he and his companions arrived at
+Sacramento. It was but a small settlement, but was more town-like than
+any place they had yet seen in California. They drove to a two-story
+frame building, which was the chief hotel in the town. Taking the
+precaution to inquire the price of board and lodging, they were dismayed
+by the extravagance of the charges. Tom saw that his reserve fund of
+twenty dollars would scarcely last him forty-eight hours.
+
+"I can't stay here, Mr. Ferguson," he said. "I will take my chances and
+camp out, if necessary."
+
+"I agree with you, lad; I'm not inclined to waste my substance on
+luxurious living."
+
+"There won't be much luxurious living, I guess," said Ebenezer Onthank,
+who, with Yankee curiosity, had already visited the kitchen and obtained
+some idea of the fare to be expected. "I kin get better board at Green
+Mountain Mills for three dollars a week, and folks are darned glad to
+accommodate you for that price. These chaps seem to think and act as if
+we were made of money."
+
+"I wish some of your Green Mountain Mills boarding-houses were here,"
+said Tom. "I could save plenty of money then."
+
+"Well, gentlemen, do you want to stay here?" inquired the landlord.
+
+"We'd like to, squire, but not bein' millionaires I guess we'll have to
+put it off till times are better."
+
+"Just as you say," said the landlord, indifferently. "There's others
+waiting for the only room I have empty." Then, noticing for the first
+time the express wagon which Tom had left outside, he asked, in a tone
+of interest, "Who owns that team?"
+
+"It belongs to this boy and myself," answered Ferguson.
+
+"Where did it come from?"
+
+"The States."
+
+"You don't want to sell, do you?"
+
+Tom was about to reply in the affirmative, but the Scot, more shrewd,
+answered indifferently, "We may sell it when we get to San Francisco."
+
+"I need just such a team as that," said the landlord, eagerly. "I'll
+give you a good price for it. You can go down the river to Frisco."
+
+"I suppose we might," said Ferguson, slowly, "if it was worth our
+while."
+
+"What'll you take, cash down?" inquired the landlord, earnestly.
+
+"Nay, my friend, I prefer to hear your views as to the price."
+
+"I will give you eight hundred dollars for the wagon."
+
+This was certainly an excellent profit, for but three hundred had been
+paid for horse and wagon. Tom's heart beat fast with excitement, for he
+remembered that one-third of the money would come to him. If it had
+depended upon him he would have clinched the bargain at once, but he
+wisely left the matter in the hands of his companion and partner.
+
+"That seems a fair offer," said Ferguson; "but I think we may as well
+wait till we reach San Francisco. Besides, we want to sell the horse,
+too."
+
+"I will give you a thousand dollars for the two," said the landlord.
+
+A man with his pantaloons tucked in his boots, a coarse woolen shirt,
+and a wide-brimmed sombrero, which overshadowed a face bearing a beard
+of a week's growth, was leaning against the door-post.
+
+"Landlord," said he, "I see your price, and I'll go two hundred better."
+
+Tom stared at the speaker in surprise. He looked like a man who would
+have found it hard to raise twelve dollars, yet he had made an offer of
+twelve hundred. Our hero did not learn till afterwards that the man had
+"struck it rich" at the mines, sold out his claim for ten thousand
+dollars, and for the time being was the lucky possessor of a large bank
+account.
+
+"Now, Tom Scott," expostulated the landlord, "this ain't fair. I want
+the wagon more'n you do, and you're a-raisin' the price on me."
+
+"How do you know that?" drawled Scott. "I've got a pile, and I mean to
+take it easy while it lasts. I'm going back to the mines like a
+gentleman, with my own team, you bet, if I've got money enough to buy
+one."
+
+The landlord was satisfied that, if he wanted the team, he must outbid
+his competitor, and advanced his offer to thirteen hundred dollars. But
+Tom Scott was not terrified. His money had come easily, and he would not
+let two or three hundred dollars stand in the way of his wishes.
+
+"I'll go fifteen," he drawled.
+
+The landlord shrugged his shoulders, and said, in a disappointed tone,
+"You'll have to take it, Scott. You've gone ahead of my pile."
+
+"Well, stranger, is it a bargain?" asked Scott.
+
+The Scotchman, though inwardly elated as well as astonished at the
+extraordinary offer he had received, answered quietly, "If my partner
+agrees."
+
+"I guess we'd better sell," said Tom, trying not to betray his inward
+satisfaction.
+
+"All right," said Scott, appearing to be well pleased. "You can have
+your money when you want it. If you are going to Frisco, I'll give you
+an order on my banker there."
+
+"Tom Scott's a square man, and his order will fetch the money," said the
+landlord, observing Ferguson's prudent hesitation.
+
+"That is satisfactory," replied Ferguson.
+
+In five minutes more the business was concluded, and Ferguson and Tom,
+longing to congratulate each other on their good fortune, walked off
+together.
+
+"We're in luck, Mr. Ferguson," said Tom. "I don't know whether I stand
+on my head or my heels. I never expected such a price."
+
+"Twelve hundred dollars is a great profit," said Ferguson. "I almost
+doubt whether we are justified in asking such an extortionate price of
+the poor man."
+
+"He is pleased with his bargain, and I don't think we need to trouble
+ourselves about that," answered Tom. "Besides, you know we can't compare
+prices with those at home."
+
+"No doubt there is reason in what you say, my lad; but it's not easy at
+first to make allowance for the difference."
+
+"That's so, Mr. Ferguson. When shall we go to San Francisco?"
+
+"We will go to-morrow, if we can. I suppose you will wish to send some
+money to your father."
+
+"Yes, I am in a hurry to send to him, for I am sure he needs it already.
+I can hardly realize that I am worth five hundred dollars."
+
+"Five hundred?"
+
+"Yes, I had a third share in the team."
+
+"That isn't my way of looking at it, Tom."
+
+"Is it possible Mr. Ferguson would cheat me out of my fair share?"
+thought Tom, but he only harbored the suspicion for an instant. He had
+seen too much of his friend to believe such a thing, and he quietly
+waited for an explanation.
+
+"I'll tell you how I propose that we divide it, Tom. First we'll take
+out the money each of us put in, one hundred for you and two hundred for
+me, and then we'll divide the profit equally."
+
+"But," protested Tom, "you are entitled to two-thirds."
+
+"Then I won't take it," said Ferguson, decidedly. "I only want half of
+the profit. That will give me eight hundred dollars, and that ought to
+satisfy me."
+
+"And I shall have seven hundred," said Tom, his eyes sparkling.
+
+"Precisely."
+
+"How kind you are, Mr. Ferguson!" exclaimed Tom, eagerly seizing the
+Scotchman's hand.
+
+"No, my lad; I am only just. I am glad to help a boy who is working for
+his father and family."
+
+"I shouldn't deserve to succeed if I didn't," said Tom, earnestly.
+
+"Always bear that in mind, my lad, and God will smile on your efforts,
+and raise you up friends."
+
+In spite of the high price, Tom and his partner felt justified now in
+stopping over night at the hotel where they had met with such a piece of
+good luck, and the next day started down the river for San Francisco.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+TOM BUYS A BUSINESS.
+
+
+It was an interesting moment for our two friends when they landed in San
+Francisco. The future Western metropolis was only a town of scattered
+wooden and adobe houses, with irregular streets and a general lack of
+uniformity in its buildings; but everybody seemed on the alert. The
+number of drones was wonderfully small; even the constitutionally lazy
+could not resist the golden incentives to labor. Money was looked upon
+with very different eyes there and at the East. No one took the trouble
+to dispute prices; and a man who landed with an article rare or
+desirable could often obtain twenty times its value. Within ten minutes
+of his arrival Tom witnessed a case of this kind.
+
+Just as he was entering Montgomery street he noticed a man--evidently a
+new-comer--with a fine bunch of pineapples in his hand. He had just
+arrived in the steamer Columbus, then anchored out in the stream.
+
+"I shouldn't mind having one of those pineapples," said Tom to Ferguson.
+
+"Doubtless they are high-priced, being a rarity," said the Scotchman.
+
+Just then a passer-by, attracted like Tom, and feeling a similar
+longing, stepped up to the new-comer.
+
+"Are those pineapples for sale?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, if you'll pay enough," was the half-jocular reply.
+
+"Name your price."
+
+"Ten dollars."
+
+"Here is your money;" and he put a gold piece into the hand of the
+astounded passenger, which represented ten times the sum he had paid for
+the fruit at San Blas.
+
+"That's a pretty steep price," said Tom, "for six pineapples."
+
+"It is very wasteful to spend such a sight of money to pamper the
+appetite," said the canny Scot. "Truly, a fool and his money are soon
+parted."
+
+He was destined to be still more surprised. The purchaser within five
+minutes transferred half his purchase to another for fifteen dollars.
+
+"Gold seems to be plenty here," said Tom.
+
+"I hope all provisions are not as high," said Ferguson, "or we shall
+soon have a chance to spend all we have."
+
+"Where shall we go first?" asked Tom.
+
+"We had better go to a public house, and secure a lodging," said
+Ferguson.
+
+"I wish I knew some one here to direct me."
+
+Scarcely had Tom uttered these words than he cried out in surprise,
+"Why, there's John Miles!"
+
+They were passing a little, unpainted, wooden building, of one and a
+half stories, used as a grocery. A German name was on the sign; but
+behind the rough counter stood the familiar form of John Miles.
+
+Tom dashed into the store, followed by his more dignified companion.
+
+"How are you, John?" he exclaimed.
+
+"Why, if it isn't Tom," returned Miles, his face showing the joy he
+felt. "And here's Mr. Ferguson, too."
+
+Then there ensued a hearty shaking of hands, followed by the question,
+"When did you get here?"
+
+"About twenty minutes ago."
+
+"And you came straight to me. That's good."
+
+"So it is; but it's an accident. We had no idea where you were. So you
+are a grocer, John. Is the place yours?"
+
+"If it is, then I've changed my name," said Miles, pointing to the sign
+bearing the name:--
+
+     JOHN SCHINKELWITZ.
+
+"The first name's right, at any rate," said Tom, laughing. "I suppose
+you are the clerk, then."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"How long have you been here?"
+
+"Four weeks."
+
+"Is it a good business?"
+
+"Very good. My Dutch friend pays me five dollars a day, and I sleep
+here."
+
+"Among the groceries?"
+
+"Yes; it saves me the expense of a bed outside, and that is a good deal.
+I haven't saved quite enough to pay you yet, Tom, but I can soon."
+
+"No hurry, John. I have been lucky since I saw you."
+
+"I am glad to hear it, Tom. Did the claim prove more productive?"
+
+"No; but I have been speculating. Guess how much money I have with me."
+
+"A hundred and fifty dollars."
+
+"More."
+
+"Two hundred."
+
+"More yet."
+
+"Not three hundred, Tom?"
+
+"I won't make you guess any more. I have seven hundred dollars. No
+wonder you look surprised. I'll tell you how I made it;" and Tom
+repeated the story of his purchase and its profitable sale.
+
+"I am not so much surprised now," said Miles, "for in this country a man
+will have what he takes a fancy to, no matter what it costs. I am glad
+the good luck came to you and Mr. Ferguson. I shouldn't mind having that
+amount of money myself."
+
+"What would you do with it?"
+
+"I would buy out my employer, and then I could make money fast."
+
+"Does he want to sell?"
+
+"Yes, he wants to go to the mines."
+
+"Would he sell for such a small sum?"
+
+"Yes; there isn't much of a stock, but we are constantly replenishing. I
+tell you what, Tom, _you_ buy him out, and I'll manage the business."
+
+"Are you in earnest, John?"
+
+"Certainly I am."
+
+"But I want to send some money home," objected Tom.
+
+"How much?"
+
+"A hundred dollars at least."
+
+"I'll lend you the hundred, my lad," said Ferguson, "and fifty more, and
+you can take your own money and buy the business. I don't favor acting
+hastily, in general, but I have faith in our friend here, and I am led
+to believe that the enterprise will be a profitable one."
+
+"You'll be my partner, Tom, and I'll give you a third of the profits
+without your doing a thing. If you work with me, you shall have as much
+more as will be satisfactory."
+
+"I would rather go back to the mines, John, and leave you to manage this
+business by yourself. A quarter of the profits will satisfy me."
+
+"No, it shall be a third. As you furnish the capital, that is only
+fair."
+
+"We may be counting our chickens too soon. Perhaps your Dutch friend,
+whose name I can't pronounce, won't sell."
+
+"Here he is to speak for himself."
+
+A short German, with a ponderous frame, and a broad, good-humored face,
+here entered the grocery, panting with the exertion of walking, and
+looked inquiringly at Tom and the Scotchman.
+
+"Herr Schinkelwitz, this is my friend, Tom Nelson," said Miles.
+
+"Glad to see you, mine vriend," said the German, addressing Ferguson.
+
+"No, that is Mr. Ferguson," said Miles, smiling. "I should have
+introduced him first."
+
+"Wie gehts, Herr Ferguson?" said the grocer. "You have one strange
+name."
+
+"Your name seems strange to me," said the Scotchman.
+
+"Oh, no; Schinkelwitz is a very common name. Most peoples admire my
+name."
+
+Tom was considerably amused, but Herr Schinkelwitz did not observe the
+smile which he could not repress.
+
+"I have told my friends you would like to sell out the business," said
+Miles.
+
+"Oh, ja, it is a good business, but my health is not good. I think it
+will be much better at the mines. You will do well to buy it yourself."
+
+"I would if I had money enough."
+
+"Ja, I must have the money, for I shall need it."
+
+"My friend here has money, and may buy of you," said Miles, indicating
+Tom.
+
+"What, the boy?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Where did he get so much money?"
+
+"At the mines."
+
+"Oh, ja, that is a good place to get gold. Well, my young vriend, I will
+sell cheap."
+
+It will not be necessary to enter into a detailed account of the
+negotiation. It is enough to say that for the sum of seven hundred
+dollars Herr Schinkelwitz made over the business to Herr Tom, as he
+called him, and our hero found himself penniless, but the owner of a
+grocery. In half an hour it was all completed.
+
+"Now, Tom, you are my boss," said Miles. "Shall I put your name
+outside?"
+
+"No, John, put your own. I am only a silent partner, you know."
+
+"I congratulate you, Tom," said Ferguson. "Here are two hundred dollars,
+for which you can give me your note."
+
+"Two hundred?"
+
+"Yes; you will need some yourself, besides what you send to your
+father."
+
+"Suppose I can't pay you back?"
+
+"Then I will levy on the grocery, my lad," said Ferguson.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+A GAMBLING-HOUSE.
+
+
+Having completed this important business arrangement, the two friends
+went out to explore the town. The limits were narrow compared with those
+of the flourishing city of the present day. Where the Palace and Grand
+hotels now stand was a sand-hill, and the bay encroached upon the
+business part of the city far more than now.
+
+Scarcely a stone's throw from the grocery, on Montgomery street, between
+California and Sacramento, was the office of Adams' Express, which
+advertised to forward gold-dust and packages by every steamer.
+
+"I will go in here, Mr. Ferguson," said Tom. "I shall not feel
+comfortable till I have started this money homeward. I am sure it will
+be wanted."
+
+"Right, my lad. We will attend to it, by all means."
+
+They entered the building,--a very humble one it would now be
+considered,--but they found other customers before them, and had to wait
+for their turn.
+
+"What can I do for you?" asked the clerk, in a quick, business-like
+tone.
+
+"I want to send home a hundred dollars," said Tom.
+
+"Give me the address."
+
+This was done, the money paid over, and a receipt returned in two
+minutes.
+
+"How long before my father will receive the money?" asked Tom.
+
+"The steamer starts in three days. About a month will be needed."
+
+Then Tom moved aside, and the next man took his place.
+
+"I am glad that is attended to," said Tom, relieved. "Now, Mr. Ferguson,
+I will go wherever you wish."
+
+"We had better secure a lodging," said the Scotchman. "When we are sure
+of a bed we can walk about at our leisure."
+
+Lodgings were to be had, but they were generally very dear. The first
+room looked at was five dollars per day, without board,--a price our
+friends were unwilling to pay. Finally they found a decent, though small
+room, with rather a narrow bed, which could be had for three fifths of
+that sum, and they engaged it.
+
+"We will have to go back to the mines soon," said Tom. "San Francisco is
+too expensive for us to live in."
+
+"You can afford it better than I, Tom," said his friend.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because you have a business that brings you in an income."
+
+"Oh, I forgot that," said our hero, smiling. "Things happen so fast here
+that I haven't got used to my new position. Do you think I invested my
+money wisely, Mr. Ferguson?"
+
+"Yes, my lad, since your agent is a trustworthy, honest man."
+
+"I am sure I can trust John Miles."
+
+"If I were not confident of it, also, I would not have encouraged you to
+take so important a step."
+
+"I think I won't write to father about it," said Tom, after a pause. "He
+might think I had acted foolishly, and become anxious. If I succeed,
+then I shall be glad to surprise him. I think I shall make money; but I
+don't want to count on it too much. I shall be ready to go back with you
+to the mines whenever you say the word."
+
+As they sauntered about, gazing curiously at the motley sights around
+them, they heard strains of music. It appeared to proceed from a large
+wooden building, with a jutting roof, under which, on benches, lounged a
+number of persons, some of them Mexicans, in their native costumes,
+smoking cigarettes. A large American flag was displayed over the door,
+and a crowd was constantly passing in and out.
+
+"Let us go in," said Tom.
+
+His companion making no objection, they entered. The first sight of the
+interior made clear the character of the place. There were numerous
+tables, spread with games,--faro, monte, and roulette,--each surrounded
+by an absorbed and interested group. "Easy come, easy go," was the rule
+with the early California pioneers, and the gaming-table enlisted in its
+service many men who would not have dreamed at home that they could ever
+be brought to tolerate such an instrument of evil.
+
+Tom was a country boy, and unsophisticated, but he could not help
+understanding the nature of the business which brought so many to the
+place.
+
+"I suppose they are gambling," he said.
+
+"Yes, poor, deluded creatures!" said the Scotchman, who had been brought
+up to an abhorrence of games of chance. "They are wasting their time and
+their substance, and foolishly laying up for themselves future misery."
+
+Had this remark been heard it would have excited indignation, and
+perhaps subjected the speaker to insult; but the players were too
+intent upon their varying chances to pay any attention to the remarks of
+by-standers.
+
+"I hope, Tom, you will never yield to the seductive lures of the
+gaming-table," continued Ferguson.
+
+"I don't think there is much danger," said Tom. "I have always been
+taught that gambling is wicked."
+
+"May you long feel so, my lad!"
+
+Tom did, however, watch the players with interest. He saw money lost and
+won, without understanding exactly how it was decided. From the game his
+attention was drawn to the gamesters. He was led to notice,
+particularly, a young man of prepossessing countenance, who was
+evidently profoundly excited. From time to time he drew out a roll of
+gold pieces, which he placed on a card, and invariably lost. He must
+have had a considerable sum; but, small or large, he was in ill-luck,
+and constantly lost. As he neared the end of his resources the feverish
+blush upon his handsome features was succeeded by a deep pallor, and
+there was no mistaking the expression of deep anguish and despair which
+announced that he had reached the end.
+
+Tom became painfully interested in the young man, and silently drew the
+attention of his companion to him. When the end came, and the victim,
+thoroughly "cleaned out," turned to go out, Tom said, in a low voice,
+"Let us follow him."
+
+Ferguson acquiesced. He, too, had become interested, and the young man's
+expression as he passed our two friends was so despairing that Ferguson
+felt some alarm as to the effect of his disappointment upon his mind.
+
+Once in the street, Ferguson and Tom followed the unfortunate young man
+into an obscure street, keeping up with difficulty, for his pace was
+rapid and excited. It proved to be a fortunate thing, for when he
+supposed himself free from observation the young man drew a pistol, and,
+with an incoherent exclamation, placed it in contact with his temple.
+
+Tom sprang forward, and so did the Scotchman; but the boy was the
+quicker and more agile, and dashed the pistol aside just in time to
+prevent a suicide.
+
+"Why did you do that?" asked the baffled would-be-suicide, gloomily,
+turning his gaze upon Tom.
+
+"I was afraid you were going to kill yourself."
+
+"So I was."
+
+"What could induce you to take such a rash step?" asked Ferguson.
+
+"I have been a reckless fool. I have lost all my money at the accursed
+gambling-table, and my life is not worth retaining."
+
+"It appears to me," said the Scotchman, quietly, "that you set too high
+a value upon money. You have certainly been very foolish to risk it at
+the gaming-table, and the loss will no doubt inconvenience you; but was
+your money all you had to live for?"
+
+The young man regarded Ferguson with some surprise; but his excitement
+was evidently abated. The quiet tone of the speaker had a favorable
+effect upon him.
+
+"I didn't think of it in that light," he admitted.
+
+"Have you no relatives to whom your life is of value?"
+
+"Yes," answered the young man. "I have a mother and sister."
+
+"Would not your death affect them more than the loss of money?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"It seems to me that to take your life would be to treat them cruelly."
+
+The young man was evidently agitated by contending thoughts.
+
+"I suppose you are right," he said, slowly; "but let me tell you all,
+and you can judge me better: I arrived in California six months since.
+My home is in Ohio, not far from Cincinnati. I was fortunate enough to
+commence mining at a point on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada
+Mountains where I was almost alone. I 'struck it rich,' and two days
+since arrived in San Francisco with over two thousand dollars in
+gold-dust."
+
+"You were certainly in luck," said Ferguson, surprised.
+
+"I turned it into money, and, in strolling about the city, was lured
+into that accursed den. I looked on and was fascinated. I thought I
+would try my luck. I began with a small stake, and kept on till I had
+lost every dollar. In one hour the fruits of six months' labor are gone.
+Do you wonder that I am reduced to despair?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+A NEW SCHEME.
+
+
+"I see no cause for despair," replied Ferguson, in the same calm tone.
+
+"I have not a penny left out of the two thousand dollars I had only an
+hour since."
+
+"I understand all that."
+
+"I am a ruined man," said the young man, despondently.
+
+"I don't admit that. How old are you?"
+
+"Twenty-one."
+
+"You are well and strong, are you not?"
+
+"Oh, yes, I have nothing to complain of on that score."
+
+"Then it appears to me that your loss is not serious. Your capital still
+remains."
+
+"My capital?" repeated the young man.
+
+"Yes; your strong arms, your education, your capacity to labor."
+
+"But I shall have to begin over again."
+
+"Beginning over again at your age, when, possibly, fifty years of life
+lie before you, is not such a serious matter. Were I in your
+situation,--and I am twice as old as you,--I should not thing of
+despairing. Don't you think it would be rather foolish for two thousand
+dollars, which you have been only six months in accumulating, to throw
+away fifty years, and all that you can make in that time, thereby
+bringing a life-long grief to your mother and sister?"
+
+The calm, logical tone of the Scotchman had its effect.
+
+"I see that I was about to add to one piece of folly another far
+greater," said the young man. "I don't know who you are, sir, but I
+heartily thank you and your son for saving my life."
+
+"This is not my son, but my young friend, Thomas Nelson," said Ferguson.
+"I am not so fortunate as to have a son."
+
+"Well, God bless you both, and good-night!"
+
+"Excuse my persistency, but may I ask where you are going?"
+
+"I am not going to repeat my folly of just now, if that is what you
+mean."
+
+"I did not suspect you of that; but are you sure of a bed anywhere?"
+
+"No; I have no money to pay for one. I shall walk the streets, or
+possibly lie down in some quiet place. I was accustomed to roughing it
+at the mines, and can do it again if necessary."
+
+"Tom and I have a room in which you are welcome to find a shelter. I am
+sorry that our bed is too narrow to hold another."
+
+"Thank you. That will be better than to sleep in the streets. But are
+you not afraid to make me this offer?"
+
+"Why should I be?"
+
+"I might rob you during the night."
+
+"You might, but you don't look like one who would so reward confidence."
+
+"You are right. If you had fifty thousand dollars I would not touch a
+dollar of it. I will accept your offer. How can I repay you for your
+kindness?"
+
+"There may be a way. We will talk of that this evening."
+
+Nine o'clock found the three collected in the small room which had been
+hired by Ferguson for himself and Tom.
+
+"My friend," said Ferguson, "you told us that you found a favorable
+place for mining up in the Sierras."
+
+"Yes, I 'struck it rich.'"
+
+"I take it for granted that you did not exhaust the wealth of the
+place?"
+
+"Far from it. I only dipped into it. There is abundance left."
+
+"Is this place known to many?"
+
+"To only one, so far as I know. He and I worked independently, but were
+company for each other."
+
+"But what induced you to leave so rich a claim?"
+
+"I was tired of working, and wanted to come to the city for a change.
+You know what a change I have experienced here."
+
+"Why don't you go back and start anew in the place where you met with
+your former good fortune?" asked Ferguson.
+
+"Because I am penniless. I must find something to do here for a while.
+When I have got together a little fund, sufficient for the purpose, I
+will go back."
+
+"Would you go back now, if you had the chance?"
+
+"Would I? Certainly I would, for I could make money faster there than
+here."
+
+"Would you have any objection to let Tom and myself accompany you?"
+
+"Not the least. I should be glad of your company. There is gold enough
+for us all."
+
+"Then we will start to-morrow, that is, if you and Tom are willing."
+
+"I am ready," said Tom, promptly.
+
+"But I have nothing. I don't like to be an expense to you," objected the
+young man.
+
+"We will pay your expenses. We shall be more than recompensed by the
+richness of the mines. We might find something to do here, but both Tom
+and myself prefer the freedom of the mining camp, and, if the spot is
+as rich as you have led us to suspect, we shall make more money there."
+
+"Agreed!" said the young man, promptly. "Name the hour of starting, and
+rely upon me to be ready."
+
+Ferguson was evidently well pleased with this response. He felt that his
+new acquaintance would be so far away from the city, and would sooner
+retrieve his fortunes at the mines. He hoped, too, to find opportunity
+to strengthen his principles, and guard him against the temptations of
+the city when he should again visit it. Again, he had reason to think
+that the arrangement would benefit Tom and himself in a pecuniary way,
+and the Scotchman was by no means indifferent to that consideration;
+though, as we have seen, he did not unduly exalt the power or value of
+money.
+
+Tom, too, was pleased with the prospect. He was grateful and attached to
+Ferguson, whom he felt to be a true friend, but he was glad to have
+another companion nearer his own age. The young man was of a
+prepossessing exterior, and when he had shaken off his present
+disquietude looked as if he might be a cheerful and agreeable companion.
+
+"Since we are to live together, for a time at least, and become
+fellow-workers," said Ferguson, "we ought to know each other better. I
+will introduce myself first."
+
+Hereupon Ferguson gave a brief account of himself, which need not be
+repeated, and then called upon Tom, who followed his example.
+
+"Now it is my turn," said their new acquaintance. "You don't even know
+my name yet, though you have done me such an important service. I have
+already told you that I am from Ohio. My name is Richard Russell, though
+my friends generally call me Dick. My father, whom I had the misfortune
+to lose several years since, was at one time a member of Congress. He
+left a small property, the income of which is barely sufficient to
+provide my mother and sister with the comforts of life. I had a fair
+education, including enough Latin and Greek to fit me for entering
+college. My mother desired me to enter; but I knew that she could not
+keep me there without practicing pinching economy, and I secured a place
+with a small salary in a business house in Cincinnati. A year since,
+when the papers were full of the gold discoveries on this coast, I was
+seized, like so many others, with the golden fever, and arranged to
+start overland. It would have proved a wise step had I not been so rash
+a fool as to squander my earnings; for two thousand dollars in six
+months compare very favorably with twelve dollars a week, which I was
+earning at home. I might have gone home by the next steamer, and had
+money enough to carry me through a course of legal study, had I desired.
+I am out of patience with myself when I think of how I have thrown away
+my good fortune."
+
+"Don't think too much of the past, which cannot be recalled. Resolve not
+to repeat your folly, and all may yet be well."
+
+"I have fully resolved upon that," said Russell, earnestly.
+
+"Do you think you shall study law, if you are again fortunate, Mr.
+Russell?" asked Tom.
+
+"If you please don't call me Mr. Russell, unless you want me to call you
+Mr. Nelson. Call me Dick."
+
+"I will," said Tom, smiling, "for I am not ready to be called Mr. Nelson
+yet."
+
+"Now, to answer your question: if I can get two thousand dollars
+together again, I shall probably study law. Of course I don't mean to be
+a miner all my life any more than you. Now, Tom, what are your plans?"
+
+"I think I should like to be a lawyer, too, but I must earn more than
+two thousand dollars first."
+
+"Two thousand ought to be sufficient to educate you if you are
+economical."
+
+"It would be, but I want to pay off a mortgage on my father's farm
+before I begin to lay up money for myself."
+
+"You are a good fellow, Tom, and I wish you success."
+
+"Thank you, Dick. I will succeed if hard work can bring success."
+
+"Good-night to you both," said Ferguson. "I want to sleep well to
+prepare myself for starting to-morrow."
+
+In half an hour all three were sleeping soundly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+PREPARING FOR A NEW START.
+
+
+When Tom opened his eyes he did not at first remember where he was, but
+a glance at Dick Russell, his new acquaintance, stretched out on the
+floor and still sleeping, quickly recalled the important events of the
+day previous. Mr. Ferguson was already dressed.
+
+"Well, Tom, are you rested?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, Mr. Ferguson; I slept like a top. What time is it?"
+
+"It is seven o'clock. Our new friend is still asleep."
+
+"I suppose he was on his feet all day yesterday."
+
+"I don't know whether I ought to hurry you away from San Francisco so
+soon, Tom," said his Scotch friend. "We only arrived yesterday, and you
+have not had time to see the place, and enjoy yourself after your hard
+work at the mines."
+
+"I don't care for that, Mr. Ferguson. I am anxious to be at work again.
+I didn't come out here to enjoy myself, but to make money for my
+father."
+
+"You have succeeded pretty well thus far, Tom."
+
+"Yes; but I have made more by the sale of the team than by work at the
+mines."
+
+"True; but that is a legitimate transaction. If our friend here has
+reported correctly, we shall find mining more profitable in the place he
+mentions than at River Bend."
+
+"I have no objection to that, though I was satisfied with River Bend.
+Wouldn't it be splendid, Mr. Ferguson, if we could do as well in the
+next six months as he did?"
+
+"Making two thousand dollars each?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"We may accomplish it; but it is best not to calculate upon it."
+
+"If I could only free the farm from that troublesome mortgage I should
+be proud and happy. It has worn upon father, as I could see, and he has
+been compelled to toil early and late to pay the interest, besides
+supporting us all."
+
+"How much is the mortgage, Tom?"
+
+"Twenty-two hundred dollars."
+
+"You have made a good beginning towards it already, Tom. You have seven
+hundred dollars invested in business."
+
+"But out of that I owe you a hundred and fifty, Mr. Ferguson."
+
+"Don't trouble yourself about that, Tom. Unless I should stand in great
+need of it, I will wait till you have paid off the mortgage before
+asking to have it repaid."
+
+"You are very kind, Mr. Ferguson," said Tom, gratefully. "A part of my
+seven hundred dollars rightfully belongs to you, for you owned
+two-thirds of the horse and wagon."
+
+"I couldn't have bought them without your help, Tom. So you see that you
+enabled me to make money. I am quite satisfied with an equal
+partnership."
+
+"And I am very well satisfied with my partner," said Tom, smiling.
+"Shall we wake up Russell?"
+
+"Yes, for we have much to do to-day."
+
+"John Miles will be surprised at my leaving the city so quick."
+
+"By the way, Tom, as he is to remain here, while you are out of the
+reach of post-offices, it may be well to ask your father to direct
+future letters to his care, and he can forward them as he has
+opportunity."
+
+"That is a good idea. I will write to-day so as to catch the next
+steamer, and I will also speak to John."
+
+Tom had to shake Dick Russell energetically before that young man opened
+his eyes.
+
+"What's the matter?" he ejaculated, drowsily.
+
+"Don't you want some breakfast?" asked Tom.
+
+"Oh, it's you, Tom! Yes, you have touched the right chord. I have a
+first-class appetite--and no money," he added, his face clouding.
+
+"Mr. Ferguson is treasurer," said Tom, lightly, wishing to divert
+Russell from the thoughts of his heavy loss, and the folly to which he
+owed it; "but we know very little of the city. Can you guide us to a
+good restaurant?"
+
+"To a good one, but not a cheap one. Everything is high here."
+
+"Then it is fortunate we are going to leave so soon."
+
+In a small restaurant, on Montgomery street, our three friends partook
+of a hearty breakfast. It might not have attracted an epicure, but
+neither of the three was fastidious; and, though the charge was five
+dollars, Ferguson, economical as he was, paid the bill cheerfully. It
+was the first "civilized" breakfast he had eaten for months, and it
+might be months before he would be able to partake of another as good.
+
+"I wish we could breakfast like this at the mines," said Tom.
+
+"So say I," chimed in Dick Russell; "but you know that the gold-hunter
+must sacrifice home comforts."
+
+"I shan't complain of that, if I can do as well as you did," said Tom.
+
+"I see no reason why you can't. There is plenty of gold there, and all
+that is needed is work and perseverance."
+
+"I am willing to contribute them," said Tom. "I mean to do my best to
+succeed."
+
+"None of us can do more, my lad," said Ferguson. "Let us hope that God
+will prosper our undertakings."
+
+"I say, I am glad I have met with you two," said Dick Russell. "You'll
+keep me on the right track; and, in spite of my past folly, I hope in
+time to win success."
+
+"I am glad to hear you speak so sensibly, my young friend," said the
+Scotchman, kindly. "It's a great deal better to put your back to the
+wheel once more, than to take the life God gave you."
+
+"Don't speak of that again, Mr. Ferguson," said Russell, shuddering. "I
+don't like to think of it."
+
+"He'll do," thought Ferguson, with satisfaction. "His mind is now in a
+healthy condition, and I have great hopes of him."
+
+The rest of the day was devoted to the purchase of supplies. Ferguson
+also bought a mule, in behalf of the party, which was of service in
+carrying a part of their burdens. It was not until afternoon that Tom
+found an opportunity to call on John Miles, and acquaint him with his
+almost immediate departure.
+
+"I am sorry you are going away so soon, Tom," said Miles. "I thought you
+would stay at least a week."
+
+"So I would if I were not so anxious to be at work once more. You know
+how my father is situated, John, for I have told you more than once."
+
+"Yes, Tom; but I see no reason why you should feel uneasy. With the help
+you are to send him, there will be no trouble about his paying his
+interest regularly."
+
+"I know that, John; but I shall feel uneasy until the mortgage is paid
+off, and he is out of Squire Hudson's power."
+
+"For how long a time has the farm your father owns been encumbered with
+this mortgage?"
+
+"For ten years, at least."
+
+"Is the mortgage for any specified term of years?"
+
+"I don't think so."
+
+"It merely runs from year to year then?"
+
+"I suppose so."
+
+"In that case this Squire Hudson could foreclose at any time, could he
+not?"
+
+"Yes," answered Tom, soberly.
+
+"Don't make yourself uneasy about it, however," said Miles, observing
+that Tom seemed apprehensive. "As your father's farm is not particularly
+valuable, there can be no danger of foreclosure. By the way, wouldn't
+you like to have me remit your father something next month out of the
+profits of the business?--I can charge it to your account."
+
+"I am glad you mentioned it, John. You may send him fifty or
+seventy-five dollars, if my share should amount to so much."
+
+"I will."
+
+"And I am going to have my home letters directed to your care. You can
+forward them to me whenever you have an opportunity."
+
+"I won't fail, Tom. If there is anything you need sent out to you, you
+have only to write me, and I will attend to your commissions."
+
+"It is very convenient to have an agent in the city," said John,
+smiling. "I shall feel much more comfortable out at the mines."
+
+"I wish you good luck, Tom; but remember, even if you don't succeed in
+your search for gold, I shall be making money for you here."
+
+"You make me feel quite like a capitalist, John."
+
+"I hope you may be one some day. Good-by!"
+
+They shook hands and parted. Before night-fall Tom had started on his
+new journey in quest of gold.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+WHITEFACE.
+
+
+Mark Nelson missed sorely the cow which he had been compelled to yield
+to the squire on account of default of interest. Whiteface was his best
+cow, and a great favorite with all the children. She gave nearly as much
+milk as the other two, and had been one of the main dependences of the
+family. It was worth considerably more than the thirty dollars for which
+the squire took it; but he insisted upon that and no other, and
+Whiteface had to go.
+
+Six months had passed, and there seemed to be very little chance of
+redeeming the lost cow. Squire Hudson had agreed to give her back on
+payment of the balance due, with accrued interest; but neither he nor
+Mark Nelson expected that such an offer would be made.
+
+"I was passing Squire Hudson's to-day, and saw poor Whiteface," said
+Walter, one evening. "I think she knew me, for when I called her she
+lowed back."
+
+"I wish we had her back," said Sarah. "It was heartless in the squire to
+take her. He had a dozen cows of his own."
+
+"He hasn't any heart," said Walter, "or, if he has, it must be pretty
+small."
+
+"We must not forget that he was entitled to some security for the
+balance of interest I owe him," said the farmer.
+
+"The cow was worth a good deal more than thirty dollars," said Sarah.
+
+"Yes, she was; but I am not sure whether I could have got any more money
+for her at a forced sale. Then you know the squire is pledged to give
+her back whenever I can pay him the thirty dollars, with interest."
+
+"I wish you could pay it now, father," said Walter.
+
+"So do I, my boy; but I cannot, unless your brother sends me some
+money."
+
+"It is three weeks since we have heard from Tom," said Mrs. Nelson,
+anxiously. "I am afraid he is sick."
+
+"Don't worry yourself with imaginary fears, Mary," said her husband.
+"Tom may be sick, of course; but he is strong and healthy, and we won't
+fear such a thing without some ground. Probably a letter is on the way
+from him now."
+
+"I hope he is making money," said Walter. "I wish I were with him."
+
+"I would never consent to have you go too," said Mrs. Nelson, hastily.
+
+"I don't think Walter seriously thinks of asking leave," said Mr.
+Nelson, smiling. "As he is only thirteen years old, I should be inclined
+to object myself. I must have him at home to help me with the farm."
+
+"I should be perfectly contented to stay at home if we had Whiteface
+back," said Walter. "I've a great mind to steal her out of the squire's
+yard. I bet she'd be glad to come."
+
+"Don't speak in that way, Walter," said his father. "I dislike to have
+you speak of stealing, even in fun."
+
+At this moment there was a knock at the front door. Farmer Nelson's
+house was an old-fashioned one, and not provided with a bell.
+
+"Go to the door, Sarah," said her father.
+
+Sarah obeyed.
+
+"Good-evening, Nahum," she said to the village expressman.
+
+"I've got a small package for your folks," said Nahum. "It's marked all
+over. Guess it came from Californy."
+
+"It must be from Tom," exclaimed Sarah, in delight.
+
+"That's what I thought," said the expressman, who knew everybody in the
+village, and could probably give a fairly correct list of their sisters,
+cousins, and aunts, with a fair guess at their worldly circumstances.
+
+"Is there anything to pay, Nahum?"
+
+"Only fifty cents,--the expressage from Boston. Never mind about it now,
+for I'm in a hurry. Your father can hand it to me next time he sees me."
+
+"O father, here's a package from Tom," said Sarah, hurrying into the
+room where they were all sitting.
+
+"Open it quick," said Walter. "See if there's any money in it."
+
+The cord was cut, and a small box was disclosed containing a hundred
+dollars in gold pieces and a line from Tom, stating that he was doing
+well, and that he hoped soon to send some more money.
+
+"A hundred dollars! What a lot of money!" exclaimed Walter, gazing on
+the little pile of coins as if fascinated.
+
+"I am so glad the dear boy is doing well," said Mrs. Nelson.
+
+"Now we can have Whiteface back, can't we, father?" asked Walter,
+joyfully.
+
+"Yes, Walter," said Mark Nelson, almost as excited as his son. "I will
+go over the first thing in the morning."
+
+"Can't we go over this evening?" asked Walter, impatiently.
+
+"No, it is dark, and Whiteface is stalled for the night."
+
+"You'll have seventy dollars left over, father, won't you?"
+
+"Yes; and that will provide for my next interest. I feel grateful and
+happy at Tom's success and his thoughtfulness."
+
+Could Tom have seen the effect of his remittance it would have made his
+heart glad, and he would have felt abundantly repaid for his labor and
+self-denial.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+SQUIRE HUDSON'S DISAPPOINTMENT.
+
+
+If Whiteface was missed at her old home, she was scarcely less
+appreciated by her new possessor. On the very morning succeeding the day
+when Tom's remittance was received the squire remarked to his head
+workman, "Whiteface is an excellent cow, Abner."
+
+"Yes, squire, I calculate she's the best you've got."
+
+"I don't know but she is, Abner," said the squire, complacently. "I
+consider her worth at least fifty dollars."
+
+"So she is, every cent of it."
+
+"And she cost me only thirty," thought Squire Hudson, with a smile of
+content.
+
+He was a rich man, and abundantly able to pay his poor neighbor the full
+value of the cow; but somehow it never occurred to him to do it. He was
+not above taking an unfair advantage of a man who was unluckily in his
+power. Of course the squire knew that Farmer Nelson had a right to
+redeem the cow at the price agreed upon with interest; but he felt
+pretty safe on this point. The farmer was not very likely to have thirty
+dollars to spare, and as for a remittance from Tom the squire was pretty
+sure none would be received.
+
+"It'll be all the boy can do to take care of himself out there," he
+reflected, "let alone sending money home. He may send ten dollars or so
+some time; but it's very doubtful, very doubtful!"
+
+Squire Hudson turned to go back to the house when he saw the man of whom
+he had been thinking coming up the road. He stopped short, thinking the
+farmer might wish to speak to him.
+
+"Good-morning, Mr. Nelson," he said, pleasantly, for he was in
+good-humor.
+
+"Good-morning, squire."
+
+"Your Whiteface has got to feel quite at home in my barn-yard."
+
+"She is a good cow, Squire Hudson."
+
+"Yes, tolerable, tolerable."
+
+"She is worth more than the thirty dollars for which you took her."
+
+"Well, I don't know about that. Cows are pretty cheap nowadays."
+
+"I see how it is," thought the squire. "Nelson wants me to allow him
+more for the cow; but a bargain is a bargain, and I shan't do it."
+
+"I always valued her at a considerably higher price."
+
+"No doubt, no doubt. You raised her yourself, didn't you?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"That makes a difference, of course. You attach a sentimental value to
+her; but that doesn't affect her real value. I really can't allow you
+any more for her."
+
+"I don't want you to, Squire Hudson."
+
+The squire looked astonished.
+
+"What is the man driving at?" he thought.
+
+"She may not be worth any more to you, and so you won't mind my taking
+her back."
+
+"Taking her back!" ejaculated the squire.
+
+"Certainly; it was agreed that I could redeem her at any time, by paying
+you the thirty dollars and interest."
+
+"Not after two months," said the squire, hastily.
+
+"It is not two months. It was only six weeks yesterday. The fact is,
+squire, I've come for Whiteface, and I've got the money for you."
+
+"Have you heard from Tom?" asked the squire, with a blank look of
+disappointment.
+
+"Yes; I heard from him yesterday."
+
+"And he sent you some money?"
+
+"Yes; he reports that he is doing well."
+
+"Did he send you thirty dollars?"
+
+"Rather more than that," said Mark Nelson, not caring to gratify the
+curiosity of his creditor.
+
+"I think you had better keep your money, and leave Whiteface with me,"
+said Squire Hudson, after a pause.
+
+"I would rather not, squire. The fact is, Whiteface is a sort of pet at
+home, and we all want her back."
+
+Squire Hudson was disconcerted. He had not expected that Mr. Nelson
+would be able to redeem the cow, and he was reluctant to give her up.
+But there was no excuse for retaining her. His agreement stood in the
+way.
+
+"Neighbor Nelson," he said, after a pause, "I don't mind giving you five
+dollars over and above what you owe me for Whiteface. Come, that's a
+good offer."
+
+Mark Nelson shook his head.
+
+"She's worth more than that," he said. "But that's neither here nor
+there. I raised the animal, and it was sorely against my will that I
+parted with her six weeks ago. Now that I have the money to pay you I
+want her back."
+
+"I think you are standing in your own light, Mr. Nelson," said the
+squire. "I have taken a fancy to the cow, and am willing to pay more for
+her than she is worth. I will say ten dollars."
+
+Mark Nelson shook his head.
+
+"I'd rather have Whiteface than the money," he said.
+
+"If she comes into my possession again," said Squire Hudson, "I shall
+not be willing to grant you the privilege of redeeming her. It won't be
+many months before another payment becomes due."
+
+"I hope to be ready to meet it, squire," said the farmer, not appearing
+at all anxious.
+
+"He seems very independent," thought the squire, watching, moodily, the
+cow driven away by her former owner. "He may sing another tune on
+interest day. I wonder how much the boy sent home."
+
+Had he known that Mr. Nelson had in his pocket enough money to pay the
+whole of the next accruing interest, he would have felt more doubtful
+about recovering the cow which he now coveted more than ever.
+
+"Well, Abner, I've lost her," said the squire, hurrying to his
+assistant; "but she'll be back here some day, mark my words!"
+
+"I thought you bought her, squire," said Abner, in surprise.
+
+"Well, not exactly. I took her for a debt; but Nelson had the right of
+redeeming her, and he has done it. His boy sent him the money."
+
+"That Tom Nelson is a smart boy," said Abner, who, though in the
+squire's employ, was friendly to our hero.
+
+"Well, so-so," remarked the squire, indifferently. "I helped him to go
+to California; but I am not sure whether it was a wise step. I let my
+feelings get the better of my judgment."
+
+"Then it is the first time," was Abner's unspoken comment.
+
+"It may turn out for the best," he said aloud.
+
+"I doubt if I shall ever see my money again," said the squire; but he
+did not seem to take it to heart, judging from his manner and tone.
+
+"Didn't you have security for the loan?" asked Abner.
+
+"Well, ye-es," answered the squire, slowly; "but not very good. The farm
+was already mortgaged for its full value."
+
+"The squire is getting benevolent," thought Abner, "or he wants me to
+think so; but I'm inclined to think he has some object under it all.
+What is it?"
+
+A few weeks later Farmer Nelson's heart was gladdened by the receipt of
+another remittance this time sent by John Miles, out of the profit of
+the business in which Tom was his partner. The amount this time was
+seventy-five dollars. It made him feel quite rich.
+
+"Mary," he said, "we all need some new clothes, and I propose to use
+this money for that purpose. Now I want you to consider how we can spend
+it to the best advantage. To begin with, you must buy a new dress. You
+have long needed one."
+
+Mrs. Nelson demurred a little, but was forced to admit that the dress
+was needed. So the purchases were made at once. It is wonderful how far
+seventy-five dollars will go in an economical family of plain tastes. It
+was soon apparent to the neighbors that the Nelsons were exhibiting
+signs of prosperity.
+
+"It must be Tom," they decided.
+
+Efforts were made to ascertain just how much our hero had sent home; but
+on this point the Nelsons would not speak definitely. They reported in
+general terms that Tom was doing well.
+
+Of course Squire Hudson was not ignorant of the apparent improvement in
+the fortunes of his debtor. Strange to say, he seemed rather annoyed. He
+was pleased, however, by the outlay for dress.
+
+"They're getting extravagant, Abner," he said, cheerfully. "I thought
+Mark Nelson was a man of more sense. Because his son has sent home a
+little money, he must rig out the whole family in new clothes. 'A fool
+and his money are soon parted.'"
+
+"Mark Nelson is no fool," said Abner, stoutly.
+
+"He is in this instance," said the squire, sharply. "However, I don't
+object to it, if he likes to violate the rules of prudence. It strikes
+me, however, that it would be well for him to pay up the money I
+advanced for Tom's expenses, before buying new clothes wholesale."
+
+Abner repeated this to Mr. Nelson.
+
+The farmer answered quietly, "The squire is not wholly wrong. It is good
+doctrine to pay your debts before you spend money for what you don't
+need. In this case, however, we did need the clothes we bought. Now that
+we are provided, I hope, before very long, if Tom is prospered, to pay
+back the two hundred dollars the squire advanced for him."
+
+"I hope you will, I'm sure," said Abner. "That's a smart boy of yours,
+and I always said so."
+
+"He is a good boy, and I am sure he will do what is right."
+
+"He's a blamed sight better than the squire's boy. Sinclair is a
+stuck-up jackanapes, and it would do me good to kick him."
+
+"It might not do him any good."
+
+"I am not sure about that; I think he needs it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+THE NEW DIGGINGS.
+
+
+Meanwhile Tom and his party, pursuing their journey by easy stages, for
+they sensibly determined not to overtask their strength, reached at last
+the spot of which Russell had spoken. Ferguson and Tom soon found that
+he had not exaggerated. The new diggings were certainly far richer than
+those at River Bend. It was, in fact, the bed of a dead river upon which
+Russell had stumbled without knowing it. My readers are probably aware
+that in the beds of rivers or creeks the early miners found their first
+harvest of gold, and, that, where practicable, these were mined by
+turning the stream in the dry season, when the water was low. As it may
+not be so well understood what is meant by a dead river, I quote a
+passage from an article in the "Overland Monthly," as found in the pages
+of the "Pacific Coast Mining Review," for the year 1878-79:--
+
+"A dead river is one which formerly existed, but exists no longer. In
+volcanic regions it sometimes happens that the liquid lava, seeking the
+lowest ground, fills up the beds of the rivers which die and are
+replaced by water-courses running in other channels and in different
+directions. These dead streams are so few, and of so little importance
+elsewhere, that, as yet, I believe, no class name has been given to
+them; but in California they are among the chief source of its mineral
+wealth, and among the most remarkable features of its geological
+formation. They take us back to a remote era, before the time of Rome,
+of Greece, or of Egypt; far back beyond the origin of history or
+tradition, before our coast had taken its present shapes; before Shasta,
+and Lassen, and Castle Peaks had poured out their lava floods; before
+the Sacramento river had its birth; and while, if not before, the
+mastodon, the elephant, the rhinoceros, the horse, the mammoth bull, the
+tapir, and the bison lived in the land. They are indeed among the most
+remarkable discoveries of the age, and among the greatest wonders of
+geology. They deserve some common name, and we have to choose between
+'extinct' and 'dead.' We speak of 'extinct volcanoes,' and of 'dead
+languages,' and, as the latter is Saxon and short, we prefer it. They
+have been called 'old channels;' but this name does not convey the
+proper idea, since a channel is not necessarily a river, and an old
+channel is not necessarily a dead one. A dead river is a channel
+formerly occupied by a running stream, but now filled up with earthy or
+rocky matter, and is not to be confounded with a channel that is open
+and remains dry during the greater part of the year because of a lack of
+water, or that has been abandoned by the stream for a deeper channel
+elsewhere. A dry river-bed is not a dead river.
+
+"The dead rivers of California, so far as are known, are on the western
+slope of the Sierra Nevada, from five hundred to seven thousand feet
+above the level of the sea. They are all gold-yielding, and therefore
+they have been sought and examined. They have yielded probably _three
+hundred millions_ in all; they now produce perhaps eight million dollars
+annually. They are not less interesting to the miner than to the
+geologist, not less important to the statesman than to the antiquarian."
+
+At the risk of being considered tedious by some of my boy-readers, I
+will transcribe the writer's explanation of the existence of these dead
+rivers. For the reason we must go back to a remote geological epoch:
+"The main cause must have been the subsequent rise of the Sierra Nevada.
+Suppose that a range of mountains, seven thousand feet high, were
+upheaved thirty miles east of the Mississippi; that the bed of that
+stream were on the mountain side, three thousand feet above the sea, and
+that thirty miles west the country maintained its present level; the
+result would be that the present Mississippi would soon be a dead river;
+it would be cut across by streams running down the mountain side, and
+flowing into a new Mississippi, thirty miles or more west of the present
+one. We know that the Sierra Nevada has been upheaved; that a large
+stream ran on what is now the mountain side, and that it has been
+succeeded by a new river farther west, and we must infer that the death
+of the old and the birth of the new river were caused by the upheaval."
+
+Reference is here made to the Big Blue Lead, the largest dead river
+known in California, which has been traced for a distance of sixty-five
+miles, from Little Grizzly, in Sierra County, to Forest Hill, in Placer
+County. The original river, however, is thought to have run for many
+hundreds of miles. Eventually traces of its existence may be found
+elsewhere.
+
+It is not to be supposed that Tom and his friends knew anything about
+dead rivers, or troubled themselves as to how the rich deposits had been
+made, or how long they had been waiting discovery. They were chiefly
+engaged with more practical considerations. They found a rich harvest in
+the ravines, and they went to work energetically.
+
+The work was monotonous, and a detailed account of their progress would
+be tiresome. What we chiefly care about is results, and these may be
+gathered from a conversation which took place some five months later.
+
+Under a tent, at night-fall, reclined the three friends. They looked
+contented, and on good terms with the world; but, though prosperous,
+they certainly did not look it. In fact, they were all three
+exceedingly, almost disreputably, shabby. They looked more like tramps
+than respectable gold-miners.
+
+"Tom, you are looking very ragged," said Dick Russell, surveying our
+hero critically.
+
+"I know it, Dick. I feel as though I had just come out of a rag-bag. I
+can't say that you look much better, nor Ferguson either."
+
+"This rough work is hard on clothing," said Russell. "I wish there were
+a ready-made clothing store near by."
+
+"So do I. I would pay a high price for a good suit."
+
+"If our friends at home could see us, what would they think, eh, Tom?"
+
+"That we were candidates for the poor-house."
+
+"That's so. I've been into several poor-houses in the course of my life,
+but I never saw any of the inmates quite so poorly clad as we are."
+
+"You are right," said Ferguson; "but there are generally compensations.
+I was taking account of stock, and I estimate that I have from sixteen
+to eighteen hundred dollars' worth of gold-dust."
+
+"I have nearly as much," said Tom.
+
+"My pile won't vary far from Tom's," said Russell.
+
+"That is a pretty good showing for five months, my friend," said the
+Scotchman.
+
+"It will make up for the old clothes," said Tom.
+
+"I have been thinking," said Ferguson, "that we need a vacation. What do
+you say to starting next week for San Francisco?"
+
+"I agree," said Russell, promptly.
+
+"And I," said Tom. "I should like to see John Miles."
+
+"Very well. We will continue our work about a week longer, and then
+start."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+A RICH DEPOSIT.
+
+
+About the middle of the next forenoon Tom suddenly stopped work.
+
+"What's the matter, Tom? Are you tired?"
+
+"No, but I feel like exploring a little. Who goes with me?"
+
+"Not I," answered Ferguson. "Let well enough alone."
+
+"I'll go with you," said Russell. "I should like a holiday. Besides, we
+may discover something."
+
+"'A rolling stone gathers no moss,'" said Ferguson.
+
+"True, but there's another proverb: 'All work and no play makes Jack a
+dull boy.' Tom and I will try a little play."
+
+The two friends sauntered away in an idle mood; yet, combining business
+with pleasure, they watched carefully the surface indications, ready to
+avail themselves of any that were favorable.
+
+"It's a strange life we are leading, Tom," said Russell. "It is free,
+and independent, and healthful; but I shouldn't like to live so all my
+life."
+
+"Nor I," answered Tom. "No amount of gold would repay me."
+
+"Because gold is only valuable for what it will bring. Here it brings
+nothing."
+
+"Except the hope of future ease and comfort," suggested Tom.
+
+"Of course; that is what we are working for. We have made a good
+beginning."
+
+"Yes, Dick. I have almost accomplished what I have had in view ever
+since I left home."
+
+"I know. You mean paying off your father's mortgage."
+
+"That's it. It amounts to twenty-two hundred dollars, and I have but a
+few hundred dollars more to earn. I would stay here a month or two
+longer, if my clothes would hold together; but I can't risk it."
+
+"You need rest, at any rate, Tom, leaving clothes out of the question."
+
+As he spoke, Tom, without special thought, drove his pick into the
+ground. It was a lucky inspiration. Some shining particles attracted the
+attention of Russell.
+
+"Tom," he exclaimed, in excitement, "do you see that, and that? I
+believe you've struck a bonanza."
+
+Upon that both set to work in earnest. A further investigation showed
+that Russell was right. Tom, by good luck, had chanced upon a deposit of
+far greater richness than any they had yet encountered.
+
+"If it holds out, our fortunes are made, Tom," said Russell. "Go and
+call Ferguson, and I will remain on guard till you come back."
+
+Tom stood not on the order of his going, but went at once.
+
+"What's the matter, Tom?" asked the Scotchman, as, panting and
+breathless, Tom stood before him. "Has anything happened to Russell?"
+
+"No; it's good news--splendid news, Mr. Ferguson. We've found a place
+ten times as rich as this. Come at once, and see."
+
+Ferguson made preparations to accompany Tom with what seemed to our hero
+to be provoking deliberation. In truth the Scotchman, with his national
+caution, was rather skeptical as to Tom's news, and did not suffer
+himself to become enthusiastic or excited. Tom had hard work to
+accommodate his impatient steps to the measured pace of his more sedate
+companion. When at length they reached the spot they found Russell no
+less impatient.
+
+"I thought you would never come," he said.
+
+"Tom wanted to fly," said Ferguson; "but I am too old for that. Now,
+what is it you have found?"
+
+When he was shown what had been discovered he admitted that it was very
+promising.
+
+"If it holds out, we shall be lucky," he said.
+
+"It _will_ hold out," said Russell, enthusiastically.
+
+"It isn't well to be too confident," said Ferguson, cautiously.
+
+"You are very cold-blooded, Mr. Ferguson," said Russell, impatiently.
+"Won't anything excite you?"
+
+"What good would it do to become excited?" returned the Scotchman. "I am
+as ready to test the matter as you are, and I shall rejoice if your
+sanguine expectations are realized. Do not expect too much, however, and
+you will guard against possible disappointment."
+
+But there was no disappointment awaiting them. They worked steadily for
+two weeks, with marvelous results. In this time they unearthed six
+thousand dollars' worth of gold, which by arrangement they divided
+equally between them; and still the gold deposit was far from being
+exhausted.
+
+At the end of the fortnight they were visited by a party of capitalists
+from San Francisco, who were out on an exploring expedition. They
+recognized the richness of the new discoveries, and after some
+negotiation offered the three friends ten thousand dollars for their
+claims. One consideration decided them to accept. It was absolutely
+necessary for them to go to the city for clothing and other articles, of
+which they stood in imperative need. They closed the bargain and started
+on their return.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+BAD NEWS FROM HOME.
+
+
+Arriving in the city late in the afternoon, Tom went at once to see John
+Miles. When the latter caught sight of Tom, in his ragged attire, he
+came to the natural conclusion that our hero had met with hard luck.
+
+"Why, Tom, where did you spring from?" he exclaimed, grasping the hand
+of his young partner.
+
+"I am just in from the mines."
+
+"I suppose you are in want of money," said Miles, his voice betraying
+sympathy.
+
+Tom laughed.
+
+"How do you like my appearance, John?" he asked.
+
+"Never mind that, Tom. I see you have had a rough time; but I have been
+earning money for you."
+
+"Did you send money regularly to father?"
+
+"Yes; I have sent him three hundred dollars in all."
+
+"That's good," said Tom, in a tone of satisfaction. "That has made him
+easy. I suppose that took up about all I was entitled to?"
+
+"No; I have as much more to your credit. I am ready to pay it to you at
+once."
+
+"I see, John, you think I have not been doing well."
+
+"You don't look very prosperous, Tom, I must acknowledge."
+
+"Well, John, appearances are deceitful. I have been wonderfully lucky."
+
+"I am delighted to hear it, Tom," said Miles, cordially. "How much is it
+now?"
+
+"What do you say to a thousand dollars?"
+
+"Excellent."
+
+"Two thousand?"
+
+"You don't mean it!"
+
+"I won't keep you in suspense, John. I don't know exactly how much I've
+got, but it's over six thousand dollars!"
+
+John Miles stared at our hero in undisguised astonishment.
+
+"Are you sure you're quite right _here_?" he said, touching his
+forehead. "You haven't been sun-struck, have you?"
+
+"No, John, it's all as I tell you. Let me explain how my luck came."
+
+In a few sentences Tom made it clear to his partner that his luck was
+real.
+
+"As to the three hundred dollars due me from you, John," concluded Tom,
+"I make you a present of it."
+
+"But, Tom--" protested Miles.
+
+"Let it be so, and for the future you shall pay me my share. Have you
+any letters for me?"
+
+"I have three."
+
+"Give them to me, quick. I am hungry for news from home."
+
+Tom sat down on a keg, and fairly devoured the letters, two of which
+were from his father. One of these gave him much to think of. I will
+transcribe the passages which gave Tom most concern:--
+
+"Yesterday I paid Squire Hudson his regular semi-annual interest,
+amounting to sixty-six dollars. Thanks to your liberal remittances, I
+had no difficulty in making the payment. Indeed, I had two hundred
+dollars left over. Imagine my dismay when the squire told me he had made
+up his mind to call in the mortgage, having another use for the money.
+
+"'But I can't pay it up,' said I.
+
+"'You ought to be able to obtain the money somewhere,' he returned.
+
+"'You are the only capitalist with whom I am acquainted,' said I.
+'Since I have paid you the interest promptly, what more can you desire?'
+
+"He insisted that he needed the money. I offered to pay him the two
+hundred dollars which he had advanced for your journey. He seemed
+surprised, but repeated that he must have the whole. The upshot of it
+was that he gave me a formal notice of three months, as stipulated in
+the mortgage. At the end of that time, unless I am ready to pay the
+twenty-two hundred dollars, he will foreclose, and the old farm must be
+sold. Of course it will be sold much below its real value. Probably the
+squire will get it for the amount of the mortgage, and we shall be
+thrown upon the world, without a home. It seems hard, Tom, and very
+selfish; but might makes right, and Squire Hudson has the power on his
+side."
+
+In a postscript Mark Nelson added, "I understand that Squire Hudson has
+a connection, his wife's brother, for whom he wants the farm. That
+explains his resolute refusal to give me time to redeem it. Of course it
+is too early to decide upon any plans. I must hire some tenement to move
+into when I have to leave here. It will be hard upon us all to give up
+the old farm. Walter, who has a taste for farming, and whom I look to be
+my successor, feels very sad. Don't let this news depress you too much,
+Tom. We shall not suffer. Thanks to you, I have some money ahead, and we
+shall not lack for comfort."
+
+Tom looked up when he had finished reading the letter.
+
+"John," he said, quickly, "when does the next steamer start for New
+York?"
+
+"Day after to-morrow."
+
+"Where can I engage passage?"
+
+"Are you going home?"
+
+"Yes, John, it is absolutely necessary. Squire Hudson is about to
+foreclose the mortgage on my father's farm. I must be there to stop it."
+
+"Have you money enough?"
+
+"Three times over. He shall be defeated in his wicked purpose, or my
+name isn't Tom Nelson."
+
+Tom spoke in a quick, indignant tone, and his voice had a manly ring.
+
+"Wait, John, let me read you the letter."
+
+"The man's a mean rascal!" said Miles. "A rich man who will take
+advantage of a poor man's necessity to deprive him of his home deserves
+to be horsewhipped."
+
+"I shan't attempt that," said Tom, smiling; "but I will disappoint him.
+He little thinks I have it in my power to defeat his plans."
+
+That very evening Tom engaged passage to New York, and two days later he
+sailed out of the Golden Gate.
+
+"I don't know how long I shall be gone, John," he said. "You need send
+me no remittances, for I have money enough with me. You will hear from
+me as soon as I have reached home, and transacted my business with
+Squire Hudson."
+
+"You will come out here again, Tom, won't you?"
+
+"Yes, and before long. I have been so busily occupied making money that
+I have seen almost nothing of San Francisco."
+
+Tom did not journey alone. Ferguson, having thriven beyond his
+expectations, decided to sail to New York, and thence to Scotland, on a
+visit to his relatives, though he thought it probable he should come
+back within a year. Dick Russell also was now in a position to study law
+at home, and gave up the business of gold-mining forever.
+
+"I owe all my present prosperity to you two," he said. "But for you I
+should have blown my brains out five months since."
+
+"We owe our prosperity to you also," said Tom. "You guided us to the
+mines from which we gathered a golden harvest."
+
+"We have worked together, and been mutual helpers," said Ferguson. "God
+has favored us all, and to Him be the thanks!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+THE NIGHT BEFORE THE AUCTION.
+
+
+It was a sad household, that of Mark Nelson, on the day preceding the
+departure from the farm. There was to be an auction the next day, at
+which the farm-stock and farm-implements were to be sold. It was well
+understood that Squire Hudson was to be the buyer of the farm, and as he
+was not likely to have any competitor there was little hope that it
+would fetch more than the amount of the mortgage.
+
+During the afternoon Mr. Nelson called on Squire Hudson to make the best
+terms he could at private sale.
+
+"The farm is worth at least a thousand dollars more than the mortgage,
+Squire Hudson," said the farmer.
+
+"It is worth what it will fetch, Mr. Nelson," said the squire.
+
+"Do you mean that an article always commands its full value at auction,
+Squire Hudson?"
+
+"Ahem! it brings its market value, Mr. Nelson."
+
+"Which may be far below its intrinsic value. Suppose a diamond worth ten
+thousand dollars were put up at auction in our village, do you consider
+that it would bring a fair price?"
+
+"Ahem! you are wandering from the subject. We are talking of farms, not
+diamonds."
+
+"As to the farm, then, you are likely to be the only bidder, unless you
+allow the mortgage to remain."
+
+"If I were inclined to do that I would not disturb you as long as you
+paid the interest promptly."
+
+"Then you decline to buy the farm at private sale?"
+
+"I do."
+
+"I don't think you will be any better off in the end, Squire Hudson, for
+oppressing a poor man, and robbing him of his little all," said Mark
+Nelson, bitterly.
+
+"You don't look at the matter from a business point of view," said the
+squire, coldly. "I am acting as any business man would under the
+circumstances."
+
+"I cannot believe you, sir. All business men are not so hard-hearted."
+
+"I really don't think there is any use in prolonging this interview,"
+said Squire Hudson, stiffly. "I have resolved upon my course, in which I
+am perfectly justified, however you may choose to regard it."
+
+This removed the farmer's last hope, and he had only to look about for
+another home for his family. There was small choice of houses in the
+little farming town. In fact there was but one house,--a shabby,
+dilapidated building, a mile from the church and store. This, Mr.
+Nelson, having no choice, engaged for a period of three months.
+
+"It makes me homesick to think of going to live in that barn," said
+Sarah, as they were sitting together after supper.
+
+"It may not be so bad as you think for, Sarah," said her mother; but
+she secretly sympathized with her daughter.
+
+"I wish Squire Hudson had to live there himself," said Walter, in an
+angry outburst.
+
+Usually Walter was checked by his father when uttering such speeches;
+but to-night Mark Nelson took no notice of his son's angry remark. He
+felt that it would only be a righteous retribution upon the squire for
+his cold selfishness.
+
+While they were sitting in the plain room endeared to them by the
+association of years, a sound of wheels was heard, and the village stage
+stopped before the door.
+
+"Who can it be?" said Sarah, wonderingly.
+
+The whole family hurried to the window. What youthful, yet manly figure,
+was that actively descending from his perch beside the driver?
+
+"It's Tom!" exclaimed Mrs. Nelson. "Heaven be praised! It is my dear
+boy."
+
+Tom was almost suffocated by the embraces which he received on entering
+the house.
+
+"How you have grown, Tom!" said Sarah. "And how well you look!"
+
+"Thank you for the compliment," said Tom, laughing. "But I don't feel
+well."
+
+"What is the matter?" asked his mother, with maternal solicitude.
+
+"I am as hungry as a bear. Have you got anything to eat in the house?"
+
+This hint was enough. Fresh tea was made, and the wanderer was soon
+sitting before a bountiful supply of food, cooked in his mother's best
+style.
+
+"It seems good to be at home," said Tom, looking around him, his face
+beaming with happiness.
+
+"Did you get my letter, Tom, announcing the squire's intention to
+foreclose the mortgage?" asked his father, gravely.
+
+"Yes, father; is it really true?"
+
+"Yes; he will listen to no persuasions."
+
+"When does the sale take place?"
+
+"To-morrow."
+
+"I shall be present. Have you thought of any other house, father?"
+
+"The old Belcher house is the only one I can hire."
+
+"That is a poor place."
+
+"It must do for lack of a better."
+
+"I didn't think the squire would act so meanly. At any rate, father, I
+will see that you don't any of you suffer for lack of money."
+
+"Have you been doing well, Tom?" asked Walter.
+
+"Ask me to-morrow, Walter. To-night I want to hear all the news, and
+everything that has happened since I went away."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+BIDDING FOR THE FARM.
+
+
+"I apprehend," said the squire to his brother-in-law the next morning,
+"that we shall get the farm at our own price."
+
+"I hope we shall, squire," said the poor relative, deferentially. "I
+suppose this man Nelson is sorry to part with it."
+
+"Of course; he charges me with meanness, oppressing the poor, and so on;
+but of course I don't mind that. It's a matter of business; as I told
+him."
+
+"To be sure."
+
+"I am not to be moved by sentimental considerations. Business is
+business; but he won't see it in that light."
+
+"You consider the farm worth considerable more than the amount of the
+mortgage, of course?"
+
+"It is worth four thousand dollars, in my opinion," said the squire,
+complacently.
+
+"If you get it for twenty-two hundred, it will be an excellent bargain."
+
+"Father," exclaimed Sinclair, entering the breakfast-room, rather
+hurriedly, "Tom Nelson has got home."
+
+"Where did you hear this, my son?" asked Squire Hudson, in surprise.
+
+"At the store. He got home by coach last evening."
+
+"Got discontented, I suppose," said the squire, in a tone of triumph. "I
+thought that was how it would turn out. He can't expect me to advance
+money to take him out there again."
+
+"I wish you would let me go," said Sinclair.
+
+"Some day I may take a trip out there with you, my son. Have you seen
+Thomas?"
+
+"No, he keeps mighty close. He hasn't even been round at the store."
+
+"He is ashamed to show himself, I suppose. He will have to work on the
+farm--on a farm again."
+
+"I suppose that will be a hard pill for him to swallow," said Sinclair.
+
+"No doubt. He is poor and proud, like his father before him. I am glad
+of one thing,--that I am sure of getting back the two hundred dollars I
+advanced for his journey. I wonder where he raised money to get back."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Though there were not likely to be any competitors for the farm, a
+considerable number gathered at the sale. There was a general feeling of
+sympathy for the Nelsons, but no one was able to express that sympathy
+in a tangible form, Squire Hudson cared little for the opinion of his
+neighbors. Some of them were in debt to him, and he looked down upon
+them with the arrogance of wealth.
+
+Tom received many friendly greetings. He was plainly dressed, quiet in
+his manner, and seemed to take matters very coolly.
+
+At length the farm was put up, the auctioneer naturally turning towards
+the squire, who responded pompously, "I bid twenty-two hundred dollars,
+the amount of the mortgage I hold upon the property."
+
+"Is there any other bid?" asked the auctioneer.
+
+"I bid twenty-five hundred dollars," said a clear, boyish voice.
+
+All were startled, and all eyes were turned upon Tom Nelson, who came
+slightly forward.
+
+"Twenty-five hundred!" repeated the auctioneer, hesitating whether he
+should receive the bid.
+
+"I protest against this outrage," exclaimed Squire Hudson, angrily. "The
+bid is ridiculous."
+
+"Why is my bid ridiculous, Squire Hudson?" asked Tom, calmly.
+
+"Because you haven't got the money. It is a transparent attempt to run
+up the price of the farm."
+
+"You know nothing of my circumstances, Squire Hudson," said Tom,
+independently. "I stand ready to pay the sum I bid, and, should you
+outbid me, I am ready to prove to any committee you may appoint, that I
+possess the money, or all my bids shall go for nothing, and you can have
+the farm at your first offer."
+
+"That is fair!" cried all.
+
+"This is all nonsense," said the squire. "Those of you who choose may
+believe this boy; I don't."
+
+"Going at twenty-five hundred!" said the auctioneer.
+
+"Twenty-five hundred and fifty!" said the squire, adding, "I make the
+bid on the terms proposed by the boy."
+
+"Twenty-eight hundred!" said Tom.
+
+"And fifty!" bid the squire.
+
+"Three thousand!" instantly came from Tom.
+
+No one was more surprised than Tom's own family at this unexpected
+scene. He had not dropped a hint as to his intentions, choosing to take
+all by surprise. Mark Nelson was perplexed. Though he had great
+confidence in Tom, he feared that he could not make good his bold bids.
+
+At length the farm was knocked down to our hero at three thousand five
+hundred dollars.
+
+"Now," said the squire, angrily, "I demand that this farce come to an
+end. I believe the bidding of this boy to be a premeditated swindle. If
+so, I will do my best to have him punished."
+
+"And I," said Tom, boldly, "have an equal right to demand that Squire
+Hudson submit proof that he is responsible for the amount of his
+offers."
+
+"Curse your impudence!" exclaimed the squire, foaming with rage.
+
+"But I waive that right," continued Tom, "and will ask Squire Hudson to
+name two gentlemen present to examine the proofs which I have to offer
+of my ability to back my bids."
+
+"I name Mr. Jones and Mr. Howe," said the squire, quickly, "and request
+them to act at once."
+
+"That is my desire," said Tom.
+
+In five minutes the committee reported that Tom had shown them
+bank-books, of two Boston banks, certifying that he held two thousand
+dollars on deposit in one, and four thousand in the other.
+
+"Is that satisfactory?" asked Tom, coolly.
+
+"No," shouted the squire; "I believe that the books are bogus."
+
+But the rest of those present entertained no doubts, and our hero was at
+once surrounded by admiring friends, who shook his hand till it fairly
+ached.
+
+"Squire Hudson, your mortgage shall be paid whenever you desire," said
+Tom.
+
+"Three cheers for Tom Nelson!" proposed some one, and the cheers were
+given with a will. During the confusion the squire and his
+brother-in-law slipped out of the house, thoroughly discomfited.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+MANHOOD.
+
+
+If Squire Hudson was surprised at Tom's suddenly revealed wealth, Mr.
+Nelson was no less so. When Tom first commenced bidding his father
+feared that he was only trying to annoy the squire, or, perhaps, seeking
+to force him to pay a higher price for the farm. But when investigation
+revealed the fact of Tom's riches, and he saw the mountain of debt
+lifted from his little property, he was overjoyed and grateful.
+
+"I can't understand it, Tom," he said; "how could you possibly get
+possession of so much money?"
+
+"I have worked hard, father; but that won't explain it. I have been very
+lucky, and my good luck has enabled me to save the farm."
+
+"I think you will be easier with me than the squire, Tom," said his
+father, smiling. "I will make out a mortgage to you, since your money
+has been used to redeem the farm."
+
+"I shall have no claim on the farm," said Tom, "or if I have I give it
+to you. I have money enough for myself, and hope to earn a good deal
+more besides."
+
+"If that is the case, Tom, I will gladly accept your gift. It will be a
+great relief to think that I have no interest to pay. Now I shall be
+able to get along easily. I have over two hundred dollars on hand."
+
+"I want to make your life easier, hereafter, father. I think you need a
+larger income than the farm will yield you, and I will therefore send
+you a hundred dollars every quarter."
+
+"You are very generous, Tom; but I fear you will soon get rid of all
+your money at this rate."
+
+"I will explain my circumstances, father, and then you will think
+differently. I have a business in San Francisco which will yield me at
+least a thousand dollars a year, without my personal attention, and
+after paying the squire what is due him I shall have about four
+thousand dollars left. This I mean to invest securely in Boston."
+
+"I can hardly realize that you are so rich, Tom."
+
+"I can scarcely realize it myself, father. When I think of the change
+that fifteen months have made in my circumstances I consider myself the
+luckiest boy in the world, and have great cause for gratitude."
+
+It will be understood that, though Tom had bid thirty-five hundred
+dollars for the farm, all he was required to pay was the amount of the
+mortgage, the bid having been made in his father's interest. In a few
+days the business was completed, and Mr. Nelson found himself the owner
+of an unencumbered property.
+
+Tom remained a week longer in the village, and then started once more
+for California. His mother urged him to remain at home, now that he had
+so much money; but Tom reminded her that he was partner in a business in
+San Francisco, and that he needed to look after his interests there.
+John Miles might be sick, or die, and in that case he might meet with
+serious losses.
+
+Returning to San Francisco Tom became an active instead of a silent
+partner. The business was considerably enlarged, and became much more
+profitable. At the end of two years Tom sold out to his partner for
+several thousand dollars, and, entering an office, studied law, devoting
+a portion of his time to general study. At a comparatively early age he
+was admitted to the bar of his adopted city, and by degrees got into
+lucrative practice. He had become so much attached to California that he
+decided to make it his permanent home.
+
+Up among the New Hampshire hills his father still tills his little farm,
+but he no longer depends upon it for his entire living. Tom regularly
+sends the allowance he promised, and in addition his brothers are often
+the recipients of handsome gifts. Harry, developing a taste for study,
+was sent to Exeter Academy, from which in due course he was transferred
+to Harvard. He, too, was destined for the law, and when he had taken
+his legal degree joined Tom in California, and is now his partner.
+
+Other changes there are in the little village. Squire Hudson is dead,
+and Sinclair, making haste to sell the homestead, removed to New York,
+engaged in speculation, and lost everything. One day, shabbily dressed,
+he entered Tom's office in San Francisco, and asked for the loan of
+fifty dollars to enable him to reach the mines. Tom gave it, for old
+acquaintance' sake. It was not the last request for money made by
+Sinclair. Nothing has been heard of him for some years, and it is
+probable that a life which was of no service to any one is finished. He
+had the best start in life, but misused his advantages. Tom has worthily
+employed the talents committed to his charge, and is happy, honored, and
+prosperous.
+
+THE YOUNG EXPLORER;
+
+_or_,
+
+AMONG THE SIERRAS,
+
+will be the next volume.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Young Miner, by Horatio Alger, Jr.
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