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diff --git a/22669-h/22669-h.htm b/22669-h/22669-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..32d8472 --- /dev/null +++ b/22669-h/22669-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8594 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Young Miner, by Horatio Alger, Jr. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 2%; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 12%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 90%; font-size: 75%; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .totoc {position: absolute; right: 2%; font-size: 75%; text-align: right;} /* Table of contents anchor */ + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .ins.mynote {text-decoration: none; border-bottom: thin dotted red; } + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +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: ISO-8859-1 + +*** 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.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/p007.jpg" alt="p007" title="The Pacific Series"/></div> + +<h1>THE<br /> + +YOUNG MINER;</h1> + +<h4>OR,</h4> + +<h3>TOM NELSON IN CALIFORNIA.</h3> + +<h4>BY</h4> + +<h2>HORATIO ALGER, <span class="smcap">Jr.</span>,</h2> + +<center>AUTHOR OF “RAGGED DICK,” “TATTERED TOM,” “LUCK AND PLUCK,”<br /> +“BRAVE AND BOLD” SERIES, ETC., ETC.</center> + +<center>PHILADELPHIA:</center> + +<center>HENRY T. COATES & CO.</center> +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> + +<a name="toc" id="toc"></a> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" summary=""> + +<tr><td></td><td><a href="#FAMOUS_ALGER_BOOKS"><b>FAMOUS ALGER BOOKS.</b></a></td><td><a href="#PREFACE"><b>PREFACE.</b></a></td><td></td></tr> +<tr> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>CHAPTER I.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV.</b></a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII.</b></a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>CHAPTER X.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>CHAPTER XI.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><b>CHAPTER XII.</b></a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><b>CHAPTER XIII.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><b>CHAPTER XIV.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><b>CHAPTER XV.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><b>CHAPTER XVI.</b></a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><b>CHAPTER XVII.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><b>CHAPTER XVIII.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"><b>CHAPTER XIX.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XX"><b>CHAPTER XX.</b></a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI"><b>CHAPTER XXI.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII"><b>CHAPTER XXII.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII"><b>CHAPTER XXIII.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV"><b>CHAPTER XXIV.</b></a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV"><b>CHAPTER XXV.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI"><b>CHAPTER XXVI.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII"><b>CHAPTER XXVII.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII"><b>CHAPTER XXVIII.</b></a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX"><b>CHAPTER XXIX.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX"><b>CHAPTER XXX.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI"><b>CHAPTER XXXI.</b></a></td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII"><b>CHAPTER XXXII.</b></a></td> +</tr> +</table></div> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="FAMOUS_ALGER_BOOKS" id="FAMOUS_ALGER_BOOKS"></a>FAMOUS ALGER BOOKS.</h2> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Alger Books"> +<tbody> +<tr><td><b>RAGGED DICK SERIES</b>.</td> +<td>By <span class="smcap">Horatio Alger, Jr</span>. 6 vols. 12mo. Cloth.</td></tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ragged Dick</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">Rough and Ready</span>.</td></tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Fame and Fortune</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">Ben the Luggage Boy</span>.</td></tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Mark the Match Boy</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">Rufus and Rose</span>.</td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> + + +<tr><td><b>TATTERED TOM SERIES</b>.</td> +<td align='left'>By <span class="smcap">Horatio Alger, Jr</span>. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. <span class="smcap">First Series</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Tattered Tom</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">Phil the Fiddler</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Paul the Peddler</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">Slow and Sure</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td><b>TATTERED TOM SERIES</b>.</td> +<td>4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. <span class="smcap">Second Series</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Julius</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">Sam's Chance</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">The Young Outlaw</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">The Telegraph Boy</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td><b>CAMPAIGN SERIES</b>.</td> +<td>By <span class="smcap">Horatio Alger, Jr</span>. 3 vols.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Frank's Campaign</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">Charlie Codman's Cruise</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Paul Prescott's Charge</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td><b>LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES</b>.</td> +<td>By <span class="smcap">Horatio Alger, Jr</span>. 4 vols. 12mos. +Cloth. <span class="smcap">First Series</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Luck and Pluck</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">Strong and Steady</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sink or Swim</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">Strive and Succeed</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td><b>LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES</b>.</td> +<td>4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. <span class="smcap">Second Series</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Try and Trust</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">Risen from the Ranks</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Bound to Rise</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">Herbert Carter's Legacy</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td><b>BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES</b>.</td> +<td>By <span class="smcap">Horatio Alger, Jr</span>. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Brave and Bold</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">Shifting for Himself</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Jack's Ward</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">Wait and Hope</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td><b>PACIFIC SERIES</b>.</td> +<td>By <span class="smcap">Horatio Alger, Jr</span>. 4 vols. 12mo.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">The Young Adventurer</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">The Young Explorers</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">The Young Miner</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">Ben's Nugget</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td><b>ATLANTIC SERIES</b>.</td> +<td>By <span class="smcap">Horatio Alger, Jr</span>. 4 vols.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">The Young Circus Rider</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">Hector's Inheritance</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Do and Dare</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">Helping Himself</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td><b>WAY TO SUCCESS SERIES</b>.</td> +<td>By <span class="smcap">Horatio Alger, Jr</span>. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Bob Burton</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">Luke Walton</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">The Store Boy</span>.</td> +<td><span class="smcap">Struggling Upward</span>.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td></td></tr> +</tbody></table> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Alger Books"> +<tbody> +<tr><td><b>NEW WORLD SERIES</b>.</td><td>By <span class="smcap">Horatio Alger, Jr</span>. 3 vols. 12mo. Cloth.</td> </tr> +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Digging for Gold</span>.</td><td><span class="smcap">Facing the World</span>.</td><td><span class="smcap">In a New World</span>.</td></tr> +</tbody></table> + +<center><b><i>Other Volumes in Preparation</i></b>.</center> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> +<center><span class="smcap">Copyright by A. K. Loring</span>, 1879.</center> +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<center><ins class="mynote" title="Handwritten Note--Ian McGuire from Mother with Love'"> +To</ins><br /> +<br /> +<big><span class="smcap">Genevieve and Anita Alger</span>,</big><br /> +<br /> +This Volume<br /> +<br /> +IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.<br /></center> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE.</h2> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 5]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 10%;"><b><span class="smcap">New York</span>, Oct. 1, 1879.</b></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1>THE YOUNG MINER;</h1> + +<h5>OR,</h5> + +<h3>TOM NELSON IN CALIFORNIA.</h3> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2><p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 9]</span></p> +<h3>THE GOLD-SEEKERS.</h3> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 10]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 11]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>Among the rest, mention may be made of John +Miles, Henry Scott, and Chapman, owner of a +refractory donkey named after King Solomon.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 12]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>"There isn't much difference in places," said +Fletcher. "We may as well stay here."</p> + +<p>"Then why was it deserted?" suggested John +Miles, dubiously. "That's rather against it, isn't +it, captain?"</p> + +<p>"Not necessarily, Miles. You've been on berrying +parties, haven't you, when at home?"</p> + +<p>"Many a time."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"That's so, captain."</p> + +<p>"Then let us give this place a try. We'll +make more working steady in a medium place +than wandering here, there, and everywhere."</p> + +<p>So the whole party agreed to "give the place +a try."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 13]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>A little transcript of a conversation between +Tom and himself will throw light upon the characters +of both.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"It is rather hard to keep one's hands clean, +Mr. Peabody," said Tom; "but you mustn't think<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 14]</span> +of the present. Think of the time when you will +go home, your pockets full of gold."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I have five times as much," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"Some people are lucky," said Peabody.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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!"</p> + +<p>"I am sure I can't guess," said Ferguson, +dryly.</p> + +<p>"I never expected anything like <i>this</i>."</p> + +<p>"What did you expect, if I may be so bold +as to inquire?"<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 15]</span></p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't be satisfied with five thousand +dollars," said Peabody, whose ideas were lofty.</p> + +<p>"How much would satisfy you?"</p> + +<p>"About fifty thousand," said the young Bostonian, +his face lighting up at the thought<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 16]</span> of +so large a sum.</p> + +<p>"And what would you do with it, if I may +make so bold?" asked Ferguson.</p> + +<p>"I would buy a nice house at the South End, +furnish it handsomely, and live in style."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you would marry?" suggested Tom, +smiling.</p> + +<p>"I probably should," answered Peabody, gravely.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you have the lady already selected."</p> + +<p>"I have."</p> + +<p>"Who is she?" asked John Mills. "Come, +now, Peabody, don't be bashful."</p> + +<p>"It is the daughter of a Boston merchant."</p> + +<p>"Does the lady love you?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I wish you success, Mr. Peabody," said Tom. +"I hope you have no rivals."</p> + +<p>"Yes, there is one."</p> + +<p>"Are you not afraid of him?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; he is a fellow of no style," said<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 17]</span> +Peabody, drawing up his slender form, and looking +as stylish as a very dirty shirt, muddy boots, and +a soiled suit would allow.</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>The Bostonian understood Tom to be in earnest, +and told him he thought in time, under proper +training, he might become fairly stylish.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 18]</span></p> + +<h3>MISSOURI JACK.</h3> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 19]</span></p> + +<p>"Come in and take a drink, stranger," called +out Jack, the day after the opening of the saloon, +to Captain Fletcher.</p> + +<p>"No, thank you."</p> + +<p>"It shan't cost you a cent."</p> + +<p>"It would cost me my health," returned Fletcher.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say I sell bad whiskey?" +demanded Jack, angrily, emphasizing the inquiry by +an oath.</p> + +<p>"I don't know anything about it."</p> + +<p>"Then what <i>do</i> you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I mean that all whiskey is bad for the health," +replied Fletcher.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're a temperance sneak!" exclaimed +Missouri Jack, contemptuously.</p> + +<p>"I am a temperance man; you may leave out the +other word," calmly answered Fletcher.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 20]</span> +poor Ben was—who drank himself to death. He'd +have been alive now but for whiskey."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dry up your pious talk! You make me +sick!" exclaimed Missouri Jack in deep disgust.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"You're a white-livered sneak!"</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>In fact, the only one of the original miners who +accepted Jack's invitation was Lawrence Peabody.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 21]</span></p> + +<p>"Step in, stranger, and have a drink!" said Jack, +a little dubiously, having met with such poor luck +heretofore.</p> + +<p>The young Bostonian paused. He was not a +drinker at home, but in his discontent and disappointment +he was tempted.</p> + +<p>"My dear sir, you are very polite," he said.</p> + +<p>"I hope you ain't one of them temperance +sneaks," said Jack, his brow clouding in anticipation +of a refusal.</p> + +<p>"I assure you I am not," Peabody hastened to +say. "I have participated in convivial scenes more +than once in Boston."</p> + +<p>"I don't understand college talk," said Jack; +"but if you want a glass of prime whiskey, just +say the word."</p> + +<p>"I don't care if I do," said Peabody, following +his new friend into the saloon.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"You're a gentleman!" said Missouri Jack.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 22]</span> +"You ain't like them fellows you're with. They're +sneaks."</p> + +<p>"Really, you compliment me, Mr.—, what may +I call your name?"</p> + +<p>"Missouri Jack—that's the peg I hang on to."</p> + +<p>"My dear Mr. Jack, I am glad to know you. +You are really quite an accession to our settlement."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"It <i>was</i> pretty dull," admitted Peabody.</p> + +<p>"No life, no amusement; for all the world like a +parcel of Methodists. What luck have you met +with, stranger?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I ain't got no fashionable friends, and I don't +want any," growled Missouri Jack, spitting on the<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 23]</span> +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."</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"Have another drink!"</p> + +<p>"Thank you."</p> + +<p>Peabody drank again, this time with a friend +of Jack's, a man of his own stripe, who straggled +into the saloon.</p> + +<p>"Do you play euchre?" asked Jack, producing +a dirty pack of cards.</p> + +<p>"I know little of it," said Peabody; "but I'll +try a game."</p> + +<p>"Then you and me and Bill here will have a +game."</p> + +<p>"All right," said Peabody, glad to while away +the time.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 24]</span></p> + +<p>"What'll you put up on your game, stranger?" +asked Bill.</p> + +<p>"You don't mean to play for money, do you?" +asked Peabody, a little startled.</p> + +<p>"Sartain I do. What's the good of playin' for +nothing?"</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"He plays a steep game, Bill," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"Tip-top—A No. 1."</p> + +<p>"I believe I do play a pretty good game," +said the flattered Peabody. "My friends in Boston +used to say so."</p> + +<p>"You're hard to beat, and no mistake," said +Bill. "Try another game."</p> + +<p>"I'm ready, gentlemen," said Peabody, with +alacrity.</p> + +<p>"It's a great deal easier earning money this<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 25]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Better luck next time, stranger," said Jack, +carelessly. "Take a drink before you go?"</p> + +<p>Peabody accepted the invitation, and soon after +staggered into the tent occupied by Tom and his +friend Ferguson.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, Mr. Peabody?" asked +Tom. "Are you sick?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Peabody, sinking to the floor. +"Something's the matter with my head. I don't +feel well."</p> + +<p>"Have you been to the saloon, Mr. Peabody?" +asked Ferguson.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered the Bostonian.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 26]</span></p> + +<p>"And while there you drank some of their vile +whiskey, didn't you?"</p> + +<p>"I'm a free man, Mr. Ferguson. If I choosee +to drink, what—what business is it—yours?"</p> + +<p>"None, except as a friend I advise you not to +go there again."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 27]</span></p> +<h3>HOW TOM GOT ON.</h3> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>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.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 28]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"I wish father had this money," said Tom to +his tent-mate, Ferguson. "I am afraid he stands +in need of it."</p> + +<p>"There may be a way to send it to him, +Tom."</p> + +<p>"I wish there were."</p> + +<p>"There's one of our party going to San Francisco<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 29]</span> +next week. He can buy a draft there, and +send it to your father."</p> + +<p>"Who is going?" asked Tom, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"John Miles. You can trust him with the +money, Tom."</p> + +<p>"Of course I can. I'd trust John Miles with +any sum."</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"I hear you are going to San Francisco, +John?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I start next week."</p> + +<p>"Will you come back again?"</p> + +<p>"I intend to. I am going to prospect a +little, and buy some things for myself and Captain +Fletcher."</p> + +<p>"Will you do me a favor?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I will, if it isn't too large a one," +answered Miles.</p> + +<p>Tom explained what he wished, and John +Miles cordially assented.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 30]</span></p> + +<p>"You're a good boy, Tom," he said, "to think +of your father so soon."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"Seventy-five dollars."</p> + +<p>"Have you saved up so much already?" +asked Miles, in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Part of it I had left over when I got here."</p> + +<p>"Will you have any left?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Isn't it well to reserve a little, then?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I shall have some more soon," answered +Tom, sanguine, as most boys are.</p> + +<p>"Suppose you are sick?"</p> + +<p>"If he is sick he shall suffer for nothing," +said the Scotchman. "While I have money, Tom +shall not feel the want of it."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 31]</span></p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Ferguson," said Tom, gratefully.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Suppose you take the money now, John," +said Tom.</p> + +<p>"Shall I scribble a receipt, Tom? I am afraid +my writing materials have given out."</p> + +<p>"I don't want any receipt," said Tom; "I'll +trust you without one."</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless, lad," said the cautious Scotchman, +"it may be well—"</p> + +<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 32]</span></p> + +<p>"Just as you like, Mr. Miles, but I don't ask +it, remember that."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>John Miles threw himself on the ground between +Tom and his Scotch friend, and watched +complacently the wreaths of smoke as they curled +upwards.</p> + +<p>"Tom, you ought to smoke," he said. "You +don't know how much enjoyment you lose."</p> + +<p>"Don't tempt the lad," said Ferguson. "It's a +bad habit."</p> + +<p>"You smoke yourself."</p> + +<p>"That is true, but it isn't well for a growing +boy. It can do him no good."</p> + +<p>"I smoked before I was as old as Tom."</p> + +<p>"So did I, but I wish I had not."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 33]</span></p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps you're right, but it's a comfort +when a man's tired or out of spirits."</p> + +<p>"I am not troubled in that way," said Tom. +"I mean with being out of spirits."</p> + +<p>"Youth is a hopeful age," said the Scotchman. +"When we are young we are always hoping for +something good to befall us."</p> + +<p>"And when one is older, how is it, Mr. +Ferguson?"</p> + +<p>"We fear ill more than we hope for good," he +replied.</p> + +<p>"Then I want to remain young as long as I +can."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"You speak as if you had had experience of +the evil, Mr. Ferguson."</p> + +<p>"So I have," answered the Scotchman slowly. +Then, after a pause, "I will tell you about it: +it's no secret."</p> + +<p>"Not if it is going to pain you."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 34]</span></p> + +<p>"Oh, the pain is past. It's only a matter of +money, and those wounds heal."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 35]</span> 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."</p> + +<p>"Have you ever seen him since, Mr. Ferguson?"</p> + +<p>"From that day to this—twenty years—I have +never set eyes on Sandy McIntire."</p> + +<p>"It was a mean trick to serve you, Ferguson," +said Miles.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>Presently Miles rose to go.</p> + +<p>"I'll take care of your money, Tom," he said, +"and do my best to get it safely to your father."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 36]</span></p> + +<p>"Thank you, John."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Bill looked after Miles enviously.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 37]</span></p> +<h3>A FOILED ROBBER.</h3> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 38]</span> +the young Bostonian; but, on the whole, he had +found it an unprofitable field for the exercise of +his special talents.</p> + +<p>"I must make a raise somehow," he bethought +himself, "and then I'll make tracks for some +other settlement."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>John Miles slept by himself under a small<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 39]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"I hope you'll have good luck, Mr. Miles," said +Tom.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 40]</span></p> + +<p>"Thank you, my boy."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Don't you think some men are luckier than +others, Mr. Ferguson?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"It may be so," said the Scotchman, cautiously, +"but such cases are exceptional."</p> + +<p>"So one boy is born to an inheritance of wealth +and another to an inheritance of hard work. Isn't +there any luck there?"</p> + +<p>"The luck may be on the side of the poor boy," +was the reply. "He is further removed from temptation."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 41]</span></p> + +<p>John Miles laughed.</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"No; the place is not so pleasant since these +new people have come here. Missouri Jack isn't a +neighbor that I like."</p> + +<p>"He is exerting a bad influence," said Ferguson. +"I am afraid Peabody visits him too often for his +own good."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 42]</span></p> + +<p>"Peabody isn't overstocked with brains, though +he does come from Boston," said Miles.</p> + +<p>Ten o'clock came, and Miles rose to go.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Miles."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Perhaps an hour later, Tom, who found himself +unusually restless, got up from his hard couch, leaving<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 43]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>When he came out he had no particular direction +in mind in which he wished to walk, but chance<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 44]</span> +directed his steps toward the tent of his friend, +John Miles.</p> + +<p>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?"</p> + +<p>Tom was determined to find out. He crept +nearer, so that he could have a clearer view of +the figure.</p> + +<p>"It's Bill Crane!" he said to himself, with +sudden recognition. "What's he up to?"</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 45]</span> +laws, and indeed no laws to enforce, it was the +custom for all men to go armed.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Put that back," he exclaimed in boyish, but +clear, commanding tone.</p> + +<p>Bill Crane turned suddenly, panic-stricken.</p> + +<p>He saw Tom standing a few feet from him, +with a revolver in his hand.</p> + +<p>All was not lost. He might, he thought, intimidate +the boy.</p> + +<p>"Mind your business, you young cub," he +growled.</p> + +<p>"What are you about?" demanded Tom.</p> + +<p>"I am going to sleep with Miles. He invited +me. Does that satisfy you?"</p> + +<p>"No, it doesn't, for I know that it's a lie. +You are here to rob him."</p> + +<p>"You'd better not insult me, boy, or I'll have +your life."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 46]</span></p> + +<p>"Get up this instant and leave the tent, or +I'll fire," said Tom, resolutely.</p> + +<p>"A young cub like you can't frighten me. That +shooting-iron of yours isn't loaded," said Bill +Crane, rather uneasily.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"I want you to leave that tent at once," said +Tom.</p> + +<p>"Suppose I don't."</p> + +<p>"Then I shall fire at you."</p> + +<p>"And be hung for attempted murder."</p> + +<p>"I think I could explain it," said our hero. +"You know very well what will happen to you if +you are caught."</p> + +<p>Bill Crane did know. Hanging was the penalty<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 47]</span> +for theft in the early days of California, and he +had no desire to swing from the branch of a tree.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"You can see him in the morning about it," +said Tom, resolutely.</p> + +<p>"I'll be even with you for this," said the foiled +thief, as he sullenly obeyed the boy, half-ashamed +to do so.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 48]</span></p> + +<h3>MILES SETS OUT ON HIS JOURNEY.</h3> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>"When Miles woke up in the morning he found +Tom beside him.</p> + +<p>"Hallo, Tom!" he said, in some surprise. "This +is an early call."</p> + +<p>"I have been here half the night," said Tom, +quietly.</p> + +<p>"How is that?"</p> + +<p>"I was afraid you would be robbed."</p> + +<p>"Did you have any particular reason for fearing +it?" asked Miles, quickly.</p> + +<p>Thereupon Tom described his chance visit of the +evening before, and what he saw. As might have +been expected, John Miles was indignant.</p> + +<p>"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?"<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 49]</span>EY.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I distinctly saw him attempting to draw +it out from under your head."</p> + +<p>"If the boys knew of this, Crane's fate would +be sealed. A thief in a mining camp has a short +shrift."</p> + +<p>"You mean he would be hung?" asked Tom, +in surprise.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>Tom shuddered.</p> + +<p>"It would be a terrible fate," he said. "I +should like to see him punished, but I don't want +him hanged."</p> + +<p>"Then you will have to keep your mouth shut. +Once let the boys get hold of what happened, +and nothing will save him."</p> + +<p>"Then I shall keep it to myself."</p> + +<p>"I will see Crane, and let him understand +that I am aware of the attempt he made," said +Miles.</p> + +<p>After breakfast he came upon Crane within a +few rods of Missouri Jack's saloon.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 50]</span></p> + +<p>"Look here, Bill Crane," said Miles, "I've got +something to say to you."</p> + +<p>"What is it?" returned Crane, sullenly, looking +ill at ease.</p> + +<p>"I understand you favored me with a visit, +last night."</p> + +<p>"Who told you so?"</p> + +<p>"Tom Nelson."</p> + +<p>"The young cub had better mind his own +business," growled Crane, in a menacing tone.</p> + +<p>"He did me a service in preventing your intended +theft."</p> + +<p>"If he says I meant to rob you, he lies!"</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless, if he should make public what +he saw, the boys would be likely to believe him +rather than you," said Miles, significantly.</p> + +<p>"Is he going to tell?" asked Crane, nervously.</p> + +<p>"He has told me, but is not likely to speak +of it to others, being unwilling that you should +suffer the punishment you deserve."</p> + +<p>"He is very kind," sneered Bill Crane, but he +felt very much relieved.</p> + +<p>"You probably owe your life to his kindness,"<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 51]</span> +said Miles, quietly. "He tells me you wish me +to do something for you in Frisco."</p> + +<p>"I've changed my mind," said Crane, abruptly; +"I may go there myself, soon."</p> + +<p>Miles smiled.</p> + +<p>"I thought it might be something urgent," he +said, "since it led you to come to my tent at +midnight."</p> + +<p>"I thought you would be starting away early +this morning."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I am not afraid of you, John Miles," retorted +Crane, but he looked uncomfortable.</p> + +<p>"You will have cause to be, if you injure +Tom."</p> + +<p>Miles walked off, leaving behind him a bitter +enemy.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 52]</span></p> + +<p>"I <i>hate</i> him—him and the boy too!" muttered +Bill Crane. "If I dared, I would put my mark +on him before he leaves the camp."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"How are you getting on, Tom?" he asked, +with an appearance of friendliness.</p> + +<p>Tom looked up quickly. Considering all that +had happened, he was somewhat struck by Crane's +effrontery.</p> + +<p>"Fairly well," he answered coldly.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 53]</span></p> + +<p>"Shan't I relieve you a few minutes?" proposed +Crane.</p> + +<p>"No, thank you."</p> + +<p>"It's pretty hard work, and don't pay as well +as it might. I think California's a humbug, for +my part."</p> + +<p>"Have you tried washing for gold?" asked +Tom. "I haven't seen you at work."</p> + +<p>"Not here. I've tried it elsewhere, but it's +slow."</p> + +<p>"Then, why do you stay here?" asked Tom, +naturally.</p> + +<p>Crane shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Was that what you were going to propose to +him, last night?" asked Tom, dryly.</p> + +<p>"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.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 54]</span> +I would have arranged to pay him soon after we +reached Frisco."</p> + +<p>Tom knew that the fellow was lying, and remained +silent.</p> + +<p>"You made a little mistake about my intentions," +continued Bill Crane, smoothly, "but +perhaps it was natural under the circumstances."</p> + +<p>Tom thought it was, but still preserved silence, +much to Crane's discomfiture.</p> + +<p>Bill Crane eyed him sharply, and saw his incredulity, +but for that he cared little, if only he +could secure his silence.</p> + +<p>"I think you will see that it isn't fair to me +to speak of this matter," he continued.</p> + +<p>"I had made up my mind not to speak of +it," said Tom. "I don't want to get you into +trouble."</p> + +<p>"Good-morning, Mr. Crane," said Lawrence +Peabody, who had just come up.</p> + +<p>"Good-morning, Peabody. I was watching our +friend Tom. How are you getting on?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't done anything yet to-day. It's +dirty work. I don't think it's fit for a gentleman;<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 55]</span> +Tom, there, is used to work, and he don't +mind."</p> + +<p>"Shall we go round to Jack's?"</p> + +<p>"All right!"</p> + +<p>And the two walked away together.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry Peabody doesn't keep better company," +Tom said to himself. "Bill Crane won't +do him any good."</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 56]</span></p> + +<h3>ROBBED IN HIS SLEEP.</h3> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Dietrich borrowed a horse, and, accompanied<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 57]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>Whether Jack believed what he said, admits +of a doubt. Crane needed a different advocate to +clear him from suspicion.</p> + +<p>It may as well be stated that Crane did steal +the horse. He had a decided objection to walking<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 58]</span> +as long as he could ride, and, having no +animal of his own, annexed the property of his +neighbor.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 59]</span> +the sturdy, broad-shouldered figure, and large, +massive head.</p> + +<p>"That's Miles, sure enough!" he exclaimed, +joyfully. "I thought I had missed him, but I'm +in luck. That bag must be mine."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>John Miles did not once turn back. Had he +done so, it is quite possible that he might have<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 60]</span> +caught a glimpse of his pursuer. He had travelled +since morning, and his faithful horse was beginning +to show signs of fatigue.</p> + +<p>"You are tired, my poor Dick," he said kindly, +stroking the horse. "You deserve supper and +rest, and you shall have it."</p> + +<p>Dick appeared to understand what his rider +said, for he gave a short neigh of satisfaction.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 61]</span></p> + +<p>After supper Miles threw himself upon the +ground, and his mind became busy with his +plans and prospects.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Physical fatigue and the stillness of outward<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 62]</span> +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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 63]</span> +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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The transfer was made, without in the least +interfering with the slumbers of the tired traveller.</p> + +<p>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.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 64]</span></p> + +<p>"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!"</p> + +<p>Thus speaking, he turned away, unconscious +that he had been observed by a third party.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 65]</span></p> + +<h3>THE HEATHEN CHINEE.</h3> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Ah Sin, from a distance, had seen John Miles<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 66]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"'Melican man very smart," he murmured to +himself. "He steal his friend's money while he +sleep."</p> + +<p>My readers are probably aware that our Mongolian +visitors find a difficulty in pronouncing the +letter <i>r</i>, and invariably replace it by <i>l</i>.</p> + +<p>"Suppose other 'Melican man wake up, he +make a low," continued Ah Sin, softly.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 67]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>Bill Crane jumped from his horse, stretched +his limbs, and gaped.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 68]</span> +haven't got my brains," and he complacently tapped +his forehead.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"No one will think of searching there," thought +Crane. "Even if Miles himself surprises me here, +he won't suspect anything."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>A pair of almond eyes, lighted up with mild<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 69]</span> +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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>When the two met, they straightway plunged into +a conversation in which Ah Sin had most to say.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The two Chinamen bent their steps towards the +resting-place of Bill Crane. Ah Sin carried a bag<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 70]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>Ah Sin turned to Ah Jim with a pleased smile.</p> + +<p>"All light!" he said. "'Melican man asleep."</p> + +<p>A similar smile lighted up the face of Ah Jim. +"'Melican man sleep sound," he said; "no wake +up."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Reassured by the deep, regular breathing of the<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 71]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 72]</span></p> +<p>They did their work so carefully and well that +no one was likely to suspect that the bag had +been tampered with.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"All light," said Ah Sin, with a nod.</p> + +<p>"All light," chimed in Ah Jim, nodding in +return.</p> + +<p>A consciousness of lofty virtue could not have +produced a happier expression upon any face than +appeared on the mild countenance of the Chinamen.</p> + +<p>"'Melican man much supplised when he wake +up," remarked Ah Jim.</p> + +<p>"Chinamen make much money," returned his +friend.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Bret Harte has not told us whether the heathen +Chinee has a conscience; but if he has, neither<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 73]</span> +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.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 74]</span></p> +<h3>BILL CRANE'S DISAGREEABLE DISCOVERY.</h3> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 75]</span> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>Bill Crane rode off smiling.</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>"Hallo, Chinamen!" he said aloud. "Have +they got out here already? I'll speak to them.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 76]</span> +Hallo, John!" he said, halting his horse, for even +then every Chinaman was John.</p> + +<p>"How do, John?" replied Ah Sin, smiling +blandly.</p> + +<p>"My name isn't John, but no matter. What +are you two doing?"</p> + +<p>"Looking for gold," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Do you find any?"</p> + +<p>"Velly little. Bad place."</p> + +<p>"Have you been in San Francisco?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, John."</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you stay there?"</p> + +<p>"Too many Chinamen—too little washee,—washee."</p> + +<p>"What have you got in the way of provisions? +Mine are stale. I'd like to buy some of you."</p> + +<p>"We have got a little lice, John."</p> + +<p>"Got a little what? Oh, I know: you mean rice. +Why don't you pronounce your English better?"</p> + +<p>"Because Chinamen not 'Melican men."</p> + +<p>"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?"<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 77]</span></p> + +<p>"Yes, John."</p> + +<p>"Got any made?"</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"After all, a man needs some warm drink in +the morning," he said to himself. "How much to +pay, John?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing, John. 'Melican man welcome."</p> + +<p>"John, you're a gentleman, or rather both of +you are gentlemen, even if you are heathens. I'll +remember you in my prayers."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>As Crane rode away, the two Chinamen exchanged +glances. A gentle smile lighted up their yellow +faces, and they were doubtless thinking of something<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 78]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 79]</span> +means of making up for his enforced self-denial +when he reached San Francisco.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>His face changed suddenly.</p> + +<p>Was he dreaming? In place of the shining +dust, his eyes rested on—sand.</p> + +<p>He hastily thrust in his finger, and stirred the +grains. But nothing else was to be discovered. +The bag contained nothing but worthless sand.</p> + +<p>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—</p> + +<p>Bill Crane took another look at the contents<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 80]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Bill Crane was decidedly unhappy. His glowing +anticipations of prosperity, based upon the capital<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 81]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 82]</span> +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.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 83]</span></p> +<h3>CLEANED OUT.</h3> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Who could have taken it?" thought Miles, +large drops of perspiration gathering upon his +forehead.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Miles confessed to himself with sadness that<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 84]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Good-morning, John," he said, when he came +within hearing distance.</p> + +<p>Ah Sin<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 85]</span> bobbed his head, and repeated "Good-morning, +John."</p> + +<p>"Do you live here?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we washee-washee for gold."</p> + +<p>"Does anyone else live near by?"</p> + +<p>The two inclined their heads, and answered in +the negative.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen anyone pass last night or +this morning?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Ah Sin. "'Melican man stay +all nightee—over there. Chinaman give him a +cup of tea this morning."</p> + +<p>"How long ago?" asked Miles, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Two hours," answered Ah Jim.</p> + +<p>"In what direction did he go?"</p> + +<p>The two Chinamen readily told him.</p> + +<p>Miles decided to tell them of the loss of his bag +of gold-dust. Possibly they could throw some light +upon his loss.</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Ah Sin, who, with natural +cunning, saw that this information would divert<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 86]</span> +suspicion from them. "It was so large," indicating +the size with his hands.</p> + +<p>Of course his description was accurate, for he +had very good reason to know the size of the +bag.</p> + +<p>"He must have been the thief," said Miles, +eagerly. "In what direction did you say he +went?"</p> + +<p>Ah Sin pointed to the west.</p> + +<p>"I will follow him. It is on my way. If I +catch the villain, it will be the worse for him."</p> + +<p>"He velly bad man," said Ah Sin, sympathizingly.</p> + +<p>"That's where you are right, my heathen +friend. Well, good-morning, John. I am much +obliged to you for your information."</p> + +<p>"Velly welcome, John."</p> + +<p>As John Miles rode away, Ah Sin turned to +his friend Ah Jim, and remarked,—</p> + +<p>"S'pose he catch him, he kill him."</p> + +<p>"All lightee!" returned Ah Jim. "He velly +bad man, he thief."</p> + +<p>The two Chinamen exchanged glances. If they<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 87]</span> +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.</p> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 88]</span> +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!"</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>John Miles slackened his rein, and thought +seriously and sadly of the position to which he<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 89]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>Presently philosophy came to his aid.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 90]</span> +One ounce of gold-dust looks like another, and +there is no way of distinguishing individual +property in that form.</p> + +<p>John Miles pushed on slowly. About noon he +found himself threading a narrow cañon, 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.</p> + +<p>"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 +cañon?"</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>She bent a searching look upon the intruder, +who bent his head courteously.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 91]</span></p> + +<p>"Good-morning, ma'am," said Miles.</p> + +<p>"Good-morning, stranger," was the reply. +"Where might you be going?"</p> + +<p>"I am on my way to the city. Am I on the +right track?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon so."</p> + +<p>"Do you live here—alone?" asked John Miles, +in some curiosity.</p> + +<p>"It looks like it, doesn't it?" returned the +woman. "I've been alone since my man pegged +out."</p> + +<p>"Is that long?"</p> + +<p>"A matter of three weeks."</p> + +<p>"I sympathize with you," said Miles. "You +must be very lonely."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the widow. "Jim was good company, +and I feel kind of lonesome without him, +you better believe."</p> + +<p>"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?"<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 92]</span></p> + +<p>"What's there to be afraid of?"</p> + +<p>"Some tramp or adventurer might attack and +injure, or at least rob you."</p> + +<p>"Look here, stranger! do you see that?" and the +woman produced a revolver. "Do you see that +shooting-iron?"</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 93]</span></p> +<h3>A CALIFORNIA WIDOW.</h3> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"I rather think you can take care of yourself, +ma'am," he said.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad I wasn't Brown," thought John Miles. +"When I marry, it'll be a woman, and not a man +in petticoats."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 94]</span></p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mrs. Brown. If you don't mind, +I'll light my pipe, and sit out here till I've had a +smoke."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Clearly Mrs. Brown was a cons<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 95]</span>iderate wife," +thought Miles; "but she doesn't look like a woman +to fall in love with."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Presently she reappeared.</p> + +<p>"The victuals is ready, if you are, stranger," she +said.</p> + +<p>"I am ready, Mrs. Brown," said Miles, rising +at once, and entering the cabin.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"I hope you like it," she said.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 96]</span></p> + +<p>"Mrs. Brown, I haven't tasted anything so good +for a long time."</p> + +<p>She nodded, with a pleased look.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"You must be very lonely, Mrs. Brown."</p> + +<p>"Yes, its lonesome like bein' a widder. I'm +kinder used to seein' a man about the house."</p> + +<p>"So I suppose."</p> + +<p>"Be you a married man?" asked the lady, +pointedly.</p> + +<p>"No, ma'am."</p> + +<p>"How old be you?"</p> + +<p>"Twenty-eight," answered Miles, rather amused.</p> + +<p>"Then you're old enough to get married?"</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, I am old enough."</p> + +<p>"Be you in love with any girl?"</p> + +<p>"The old woman's getting curious," thought +Miles. "However, I don't mind gratifying her +curiosity."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 97]</span></p> + +<p>"No, I'm not in love," he replied.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Brown eyed him thoughtfully. She seemed +to be revolving some plan in her mind.</p> + +<p>"Take a good look at me, stranger," she said, +bracing herself up, as if on exhibition.</p> + +<p>"Certainly," said John Miles, considerably astonished.</p> + +<p>"I want to ask you a few questions."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead, Mrs. Brown."</p> + +<p>"Am I hump-backed?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not. Who said you were?"</p> + +<p>"Just attend to my questions, if you please, +stranger. Am I squint-eyed?"</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Brown must be crazy," thought Miles. +However, he answered in the negative.</p> + +<p>"Am I as homely as a hedge-fence?" pursued +the widow.</p> + +<p>"Has anybody been calling you so? If so, tell +me who it is."</p> + +<p>"Never you mind, stranger. Am I old and +wrinkled?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly she's out of her mind," thought +Miles. "I must humor her."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 98]</span></p> + +<p>"I think you are a very good-looking woman," +he said, soothingly.</p> + +<p>"No, I'm not," said the strong-minded lady, +"but at the same time I ain't a scarecrow."</p> + +<p>"Certainly not."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 99]</span></p> + +<p>"Really, Mrs. Brown," he began, "you have +taken me by surprise."</p> + +<p>"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'."</p> + +<p>"I am glad you are so well off, Mrs. Brown," +said Miles.</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, of all that I had."</p> + +<p>"How much was it?"</p> + +<p>"About two hundred dollars."</p> + +<p>"That ain't much."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 100]</span></p> + +<p>"It's a good deal when it's all you have," answered +Miles.</p> + +<p>"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 cañon, +at Dirt Hole, that will marry us any time we +ride over. What do you say, stranger?"</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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,<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 101]</span> +and I am not ready to settle down +yet."</p> + +<p>To his relief Mrs. Brown accepted his objection +in good part.</p> + +<p>"No offence, stranger," she said. "I didn't +know how you might feel about it. I've made +you a fair offer."</p> + +<p>"Indeed you have. The time may come when +I shall return, and—"</p> + +<p>"I won't promise to wait for you, stranger. +Somebody else may happen along that'll take the +situation."</p> + +<p>"It would be too much to expect you to wait +for me, I admit."</p> + +<p>"All right, stranger. You've answered fair, +and now we'll let the matter drop."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 102]</span></p> +<h3>BILL CRANE'S GOOD LUCK.</h3> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>As he rode up, he removed his hat, and said, +"Good-day, ma'am."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Brown scrutinized the new-comer with<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 103]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>"Good-day, stranger," she answered composedly. +"Are you travelin' fur?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"You can stop if you want to," she said.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 104]</span> +"I don't see much company, and I like to see +a new face now and then."</p> + +<p>"So do I," said Crane, thinking a little flattery +might help him; "especially when it's the +face of a good-looking woman."</p> + +<p>"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—"</p> + +<p>"You are very kind," broke in Crane, eagerly; +"I don't mind saying I am a little bit +hungry."</p> + +<p>"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'."</p> + +<p>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.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 105]</span></p> + +<p>"You're the second man that's dined with me +to-day," said the widow.</p> + +<p>"And who was the first lucky man?" inquired +Crane, suspecting at once that it might have been +Miles.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"That's Miles," thought Crane; and he at once +decided not to betray any knowledge of him.</p> + +<p>"He was in bad luck," said Bill. "Did he +know who stole it?"</p> + +<p>"He didn't tell me. I don't think he knew."</p> + +<p>"That's well," thought Crane.</p> + +<p>"Did he say where he was going?"</p> + +<p>"To the city."</p> + +<p>"Do you live here all the year round, +Mrs.——?"</p> + +<p>"My name's Brown, stranger."</p> + +<p>"All I can say is, that Brown is a lucky +man. Another cup of tea if you please, Mrs. +Brown."</p> + +<p>"You might not like to exchange places with<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 106]</span> +him, for all his luck, stranger," remarked the +widow.</p> + +<p>"Indeed I would," said Bill, with a languishing +look.</p> + +<p>"He's six feet under ground!" explained Mrs. +Brown, dryly.</p> + +<p>"Dead?" ejaculated Crane.</p> + +<p>"Yes; he's been dead these three weeks."</p> + +<p>"And you are a widow?"</p> + +<p>"That's so, stranger."</p> + +<p>"But you don't mean to stay a widow?" interrogated +Crane.</p> + +<p>"Well, it is kinder lonesome. It seems natural +like to have a man round."</p> + +<p>"I wonder if she's got any money," thought +Crane. "I'll find out if I can."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mrs. Brown, I feel for you," he said. +"A woman can't struggle with the world as a +man can."</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that, stranger. I can take +care of myself, if that's what you mean."</p> + +<p>"But a woman needs a man to protect and +work for her," insinuated Crane.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 107]</span></p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"When did Brown die?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>"Three weeks ago, stranger."</p> + +<p>"You must miss him."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he was a quiet man, Brown was. He +never gave me any trouble, and it was natural +to see him round."</p> + +<p>"You must not mourn for him too much, Mrs. +Brown."</p> + +<p>"I shan't make a fool of myself," said the<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 108]</span> +widow. "He's gone, and he won't come back. +There's no use cryin'."</p> + +<p>"She's rather a queer specimen," thought Crane. +"She hasn't broken her heart, it seems."</p> + +<p>"You ought to marry again," he said.</p> + +<p>"I mean to," said Mrs. Brown.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's frank," thought Crane. "There +ain't any nonsense about her."</p> + +<p>"Your second husband will be a lucky man, +Mrs. Brown."</p> + +<p>"Well, he'll have a good livin', and, if he treats +me right, he'll get treated right too."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"If you want to take Brown's place, say so," +remarked the widow, in a business-like tone.</p> + +<p>Bill Crane was staggered by the promptness +with which his hint was taken, but did not +hesitate to follow it up.</p> + +<p>"That's what I mean," he said.</p> + +<p>"What's your name, stranger?"</p> + +<p>"William Crane."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 109]</span></p> + +<p>"You haven't got another wife anywhere, have +you?"</p> + +<p>"Of course not."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"How soon?" asked Crane, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"A capital idea, Mrs. Brown. You won't be +Brown long," he added, sportively. "How will +you like to be called Mrs. Crane?"</p> + +<p>"One name will do as well as another," said +the widow, philosophically.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 110]</span> +suited her to have a husband, and she was willing +to overlook such a trifle.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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?"</p> + +<p>"It's put away in a safe place."</p> + +<p>"You'd better let me take care of it for you, +my dear."</p> + +<p>"Not at present, Mr. Crane. A year from now +I will let you have half of it, if you behave +yourself."</p> + +<p>"As your husband, madam, I insist."</p> + +<p>"Stop right there, stranger—Mr. Crane, I +mean," said the bride, decidedly. "Do you +see that? and she whipped out a revolver.</p> + +<p>"Good gracious, Mrs. Crane! Do you want to +murder me?"<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 111]</span></p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"I believe I do," murmured Crane. "I'm +regularly taken in and done for," he reflected +sadly.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 112]</span></p> +<h3>TOM RECEIVES NEWS FROM HOME.</h3> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>One evening Tom met the saloon-keeper when +out walking. The latter had not at that time +given up securing Tom's patronage.</p> + +<p>"Good-evening, young feller," said Jack.</p> + +<p>Tom answered the greeting politely.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you come round to the saloon +evenings? We always have a jolly crowd there.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 113]</span> +After a hard day's work it'll do you good to take +a social glass."</p> + +<p>"I would rather not drink, thank you," said +Tom.</p> + +<p>"You ain't afraid of a little drink, I hope, are +you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I would rather let it alone."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're too good to live," said Jack, in +deep disgust.</p> + +<p>"I hope not," answered Tom, smiling; "for I +hope to live a good many years."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 114]</span> +sent that too, for its possession gave him anxiety; +but there seemed to be no opportunity.</p> + +<p>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:—</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"The very day I discovered my loss I had a<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 115]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>Tom showed this letter to Ferguson.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 116]</span></p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"At any rate I will write him, and make him +the offer."</p> + +<p>"That's fair, Tom; but you'll see what he'll +say."</p> + +<p>It may be stated here that Miles utterly declined +to accept any abatement of the debt.</p> + +<p>"I ought to have taken better care of the +money," he said. "It's my fault, and I shall +pay it in full."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>His father wrote:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p><span class="smcap">My dear Tom</span>,—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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 117]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 a<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 118]</span>fford 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p></div> + +<p>Tom looked thoughtful after reading this letter.</p> + +<p>"Is it bad news, Tom, lad?" asked Ferguson.</p> + +<p>"Times are hard at home, Mr. Ferguson,"<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 119]</span> +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."</p> + +<p>"You have as much as that on hand now, +Tom. If it isn't enough, I will lend you some."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"If you were in San Francisco, you would have +no difficulty in sending the money."</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"That is true," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"Suppose, then, we stay a week longer, sell<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 120]</span> +out our claim if we can, and start in the direction +of the city."</p> + +<p>"You and I?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; we shall be better off without company."</p> + +<p>"We had better not let Peabody know we are +going, or he will want to accompany us."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>So it was decided that, in a few days, as soon +as they were ready, Tom and Ferguson should +leave River Bend.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 121]</span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> +<h3>A SPECULATIVE INVESTMENT.</h3> + + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 122]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>"Good-evening," he said. "If you ain't busy +I'll sit down a few minutes."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I hear that you are going to leave us, you +two?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Tom has some business in San Francisco, +and I want to see a little more of the +country."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 123]</span></p> + +<p>"How are you going?"</p> + +<p>"We'll take the cars if we can find any," +answered Tom. "If we can't we'll foot it."</p> + +<p>"That's what I came to see you about. You +know I've got a horse and wagon."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you buy it? You'll go easier and +quicker."</p> + +<p>"We can't afford it," said Ferguson. "Poor +men must walk."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"That will depend on how much we give," +said the Scotchman, shrewdly.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>The team did seem cheap at this price, as +prices of all articles in a new country are very +much enhanced.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 124]</span></p> + +<p>"Tom and I will talk it over and let you +know to-morrow morning," said Ferguson.</p> + +<p>"That's all right. It's a good chance for +you."</p> + +<p>When Kent was gone Tom asked, "What do +you think of his offer, Mr. Ferguson?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I have only a hundred dollars," said Tom, +doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"You know more about such things than I +do, Mr. Ferguson; I will agree to anything you +say."</p> + +<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 125]</span></p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>The next morning, while Tom and Ferguson +were at work, Kent came up to them.</p> + +<p>"What have you decided about the team?" +he asked.</p> + +<p>"We are not willing to pay four hundred +dollars," said Ferguson.</p> + +<p>"That's a fair price."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I will take a note for part of the money," +said Kent.</p> + +<p>"That's very considerate of you, but scarcely +prudent."</p> + +<p>"Then don't you want it at all?" asked Kent, +disappointed.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 126]</span></p> + +<p>"Yes; we are prepared with an offer. We'll +give you three hundred dollars."</p> + +<p>Kent shook his head.</p> + +<p>"That's too little," he said.</p> + +<p>Ferguson remained silent. He wished to give +Kent time to reflect upon his offer.</p> + +<p>"Have you sold these claims of yours?" asked +Kent, after a pause.</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Then add them to your offer, and I accept +it."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"What do you say, Tom?" asked Ferguson.</p> + +<p>"I agree if you do, Mr. Ferguson."</p> + +<p>"Then it's a bargain, Mr. Kent. I hope it'll +prove satisfactory to both of us."</p> + +<p>"I don't think you'll regret it. It's a good +speculation."</p> + +<p>When the two friends had settled for their<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 127]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>The night before they were to start Lawrence +Peabody dropped in. He was looking down in +the mouth.</p> + +<p>"How does the world use you, Mr. Peabody?" +inquired Tom.</p> + +<p>"Fortune is against me," said Peabody. "I'm +tired of River Bend."</p> + +<p>Tom glanced at his companion. He could guess +what was coming.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 128]</span></p> + +<p>"Won't you take me with you, Tom?" entreated +the young Bostonian.</p> + +<p>"You must ask Mr. Ferguson. He is the head +of our party."</p> + +<p>Peabody looked appealingly towards Ferguson, +but the Scotchman shook his head.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Your claim was better."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"You and Tom are more used to hard work +than I," murmured Peabody.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Then you won't take me?" asked Peabody, +sadly.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 129]</span></p> + +<p>"Are you in debt to Captain Fletcher for +board?"</p> + +<p>Peabody reluctantly admitted that he was, but +had no idea how much he owed.</p> + +<p>"Fletcher tells me that he shall not trust you +any longer."</p> + +<p>Lawrence Peabody looked frightened.</p> + +<p>"What shall I do?" he faltered. "I shall +starve."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"But then I should be a common washer-woman," +objected Peabody. "What would my +friends in Boston say?"</p> + +<p>"They won't hear of it. Besides, a man can +do here what he would not do at home."</p> + +<p>It may be stated here that Peabody, finding +work absolutely needful, went into partnership<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 130]</span> +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.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 131]</span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> +<h3>A NEW ACQUAINTANCE.</h3> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"We might tire of it after a while," suggested +Ferguson,—"in the rainy season, for example."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 132]</span></p> + +<p>"That would not be so pleasant, to be sure," +Tom admitted. "Do you have such fine scenery +in Scotland, Mr. Ferguson?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I like mountains," said Tom, thoughtfully. +"There is something grand about them."</p> + +<p>"There are some famous mountains in your +native State, New Hampshire, are there not, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"No, my lad, and there's another thing I have<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 133]</span> +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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I can well believe it, my lad. But what is +that?"</p> + +<p>The sound which elicited this exclamation was a +loud "Hollo!" evidently proceeding from some one +in their rear.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 134]</span> +the addition of forty or fifty pounds of flesh, he +would be much improved in appearance.</p> + +<p>"Good-morning, gentlemen," said he. "It seems +kinder good to see a human face again. It ain't +very populous round here, is it?"</p> + +<p>"We haven't seen any large towns," said Tom, +smiling.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"That is our destination, my friend," returned +Ferguson.</p> + +<p>"Would you mind my joining your party?" +asked Onthank. "It's lonesome travelin' by one's +self without a soul to speak to."</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you'd like to know who I am," said +the new acquaintance. "My name is Ebenezer<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 135]</span> +Onthank, from Green Mountain Mills, in Vermont. +My father is deacon of the Baptist Church at +home."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you will take his place when you +get older," said Tom, gravely.</p> + +<p>"No, I guess not. I wonder what Susan +Jones would say to my bein' a deacon!" and +Ebenezer burst into a loud laugh.</p> + +<p>"Is Miss Jones a particular friend of yours?" +asked Tom, slyly.</p> + +<p>"I should say she was. Why, I expect to +marry her when I get home."</p> + +<p>"I congratulate you."</p> + +<p>"Don't be too fast. We ain't hitched yet. +Say, boy, where do you come from?"</p> + +<p>"From Vernon, in New Hampshire."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"Seven or eight months ago."</p> + +<p>"I've been in California six months. Does +that gentleman come from your town?"<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 136]</span></p> + +<p>"My friend," answered the Scotchman, not +without a touch of pride, "I am not an American; +I am from the Highlands of Scotland."</p> + +<p>"You be? Sho! Well, of course you can't +help that."</p> + +<p>"Help it, sir? I am proud of hailing from +the land of Scott and Burns."</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess it's a pretty nice sort of +country," said Mr. Onthank, patronizingly. "I +guess you'll like America best, though."</p> + +<p>"I am by no means sure of that, my friend," +said Ferguson, a little nettled. "America's all +very well, but—"</p> + +<p>"Why, you could put Scotland into its waist-coat +pocket, and there'd be plenty of room left," +said Ebenezer, energetically.</p> + +<p>"I admit that, as regards size, Scotland cannot +compare with this country."</p> + +<p>"Say, have you got mountains as high as them, +or trees as high as that?" pointing to a gigantic +redwood.</p> + +<p><ins class="mynote" title="Interesting note handwritten in margin--'No? Ask my girl!'">"No;</ins> +but size is not everything."</p> + +<p>"That's so. Vermont is a little State, but she's<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 137]</span> +smart, I tell you. But you haven't told me your +names yet."</p> + +<p>"I am called Donald Ferguson, Mr. Onthank. +My young friend here answers to the name of +Thomas Nelson."</p> + +<p>"Commonly called Tom," added our hero, +smiling.</p> + +<p>"Why, I've got a brother Tom," said Mr. +Onthank. "Cu'rus, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>Considering that Tom is by no means an uncommon +name, it could hardly be called very remarkable, +but Tom politely assented.</p> + +<p>"Is he older than I am?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Have you been fortunate so far in California, +Mr. Onthank?"</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 138]</span> +haven't made a fortune yet. What luck have you +two had?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"A sort of an express wagon, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Ain't goin' into the express business, be +you?"</p> + +<p>"Probably not. We bought it on speculation."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>Tom told him.</p> + +<p>"That was a pretty stiff price, wasn't it?"</p> + +<p>"It would be considered so at home, but we +hope to get a good deal more, when we come +to sell it."</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 139]</span> +the shadows deepened, and supper-time came. +Selecting a favorable place they encamped for the +night.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 140]</span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> +<h3>A GRIZZLY BEAR.</h3> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Seeing his companions yet sleeping, he concluded +to take a walk.</p> + +<p>"It'll give me an appetite for breakfast," +thought he, "and a chance to see something of +the country."</p> + +<p>As to the appetite, Ebenezer was generally +well provided. Indeed, latterly his appetite had +exceeded his means of gratifying it, and more<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 141]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"What are nut-cakes?" asked the Scotchman, +puzzled.</p> + +<p>"Don't you know what nut-cakes are?" inquired +Ebenezer, astonished at Ferguson's ignorance.</p> + +<p>"I never heard of them before," said Ferguson.</p> + +<p>"Well, I declare! I thought everybody knew +what nut-cakes are," ejaculated the Yankee. +"Don't you ever make 'em in Scotland?"</p> + +<p>"Not that I ever heard."</p> + +<p>"Then you don't know what is good. You +know what they are, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 142]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 143]</span> +steps he strode on, letting his eyes wander +at will over the landscape.</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>In this pleasant channel the thoughts of our<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 144]</span> +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!</p> + +<p>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,<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 145]</span> +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."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>Such was the new acquaintance who confronted +Mr. Onthank, and barred his progress.</p> + +<p>"Jerusalem!" ejaculated the surprised and dismayed Yankee,<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 146]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Ebenezer looked about him despairingly. No<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 147]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>"If Ferguson and Tom were only here!" thought +poor Ebenezer.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 148]</span></p> +<p>Still, as if charmed, he stood staring open-eyed +at the grizzly.</p> + +<p>Bruin, deciding that this had lasted long enough, +began in a slow and dignified manner to approach +the intruder upon his solitude.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The grizzly accepted the challenge, and increased +his own speed, developing an activity hardly +to be expected of his huge and unwieldy form.</p> + +<p>It was man against beast, with the odds +decidedly in the favor of the latter.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 149]</span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> +<h3>UP A TREE.</h3> + + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 150]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"You pesky critter! Why don't you go along +about your business?" exclaimed the unhappy +adventurer, shaking his fist at the foe.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 151]</span></p> + +<p>Bruin deigned no reply, but continued to survey +him with steady, unwinking eyes.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>He may be excused for feeling irritated, though<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 152]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, in the camp, a mile away, Tom and +Ferguson had awakened.</p> + +<p>"How did you sleep, Tom?" asked the +Scotchman.</p> + +<p>"Tip-top. Did you rest well?"</p> + +<p>"I have a gift of sleep," replied Ferguson. +"But where is our Yankee friend?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>The two friends proceeded to break their fast, +washing down the rather stale provisions with +water from a spring near by.</p> + +<p>"I wish it were coffee," said Tom. "I'm tired +of cold water."</p> + +<p>"Doubtless the coffee would be more gratifying<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 153]</span> +to the palate, Tom; but it's likely the water is +better for the health."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you would refuse a cup of hot +coffee, Mr. Ferguson, if it were offered you," said +Tom, smiling.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"You can go, if you like, Tom," said Ferguson, +with characteristic caution. "I will remain +behind to look after the camp."</p> + +<p>"All right, Mr. Ferguson. I'll soon be back."</p> + +<p>"Don't go too far away, my lad; and mind +your bearings, so that you can find your way +back."</p> + +<p>"Never fear, Mr. Ferguson. It wouldn't be<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 154]</span> +very easy to be lost here. I'll keep my eyes open, +and bring Mr. Onthank back with me if I see +him anywhere."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Tom!" shouted Mr. Onthank, at the top of +his voice.</p> + +<p>Tom heard the call in spite of the distance, and<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 155]</span> +looked about him, but did not immediately catch +sight of the speaker. It did not occur to him to +look upwards.</p> + +<p>"Tom!" shouted the Yankee again. "Here I +am. Look up in the tree."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"No, he's behind in the camp," shouted Tom, +in reply.</p> + +<p>By this time the bear became aware that there +was a second intruder within his precincts. He<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 156]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>Startled as he was, Tom maintained his ground. +He wanted to help Onthank; but he did not know +how to do it.</p> + +<p>"What can I do to help you, Mr. Onthank?" +shouted Tom.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Shall I go back for Ferguson?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"I don't know; how far away is the camp?"</p> + +<p>"It must be as much as a mile."</p> + +<p>"While you are away the brute may take it +into his head to climb th<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 157]</span>e tree, and then I am +gone up."</p> + +<p>"Haven't you any weapon?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"I'll fire at the bear if you say so."</p> + +<p>"It would be of no use. If you missed, or +only grazed him, he would make for you."</p> + +<p>"I wish you had my rifle," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"So do I. I'd let him have it straight in the +eye. Have you had breakfast?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"He's coming, Tom!" shouted Onthank. "O +Lord, what shall I do?"</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 158]</span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> +<h3>AN EXCITING PURSUIT.</h3> + +<p>Mr Onthank's reflections when the grizzly was +slowly but steadily climbing the tree were by no +means pleasant.</p> + +<p>"If he once grips me, I am gone," he said, +despairingly.</p> + +<p>"Shall I shoot?" asked Tom, looking on in +excitement.</p> + +<p>"You might hit me," said Ebenezer, who knew +nothing of Tom's skill as a marksman.</p> + +<p>"No, I won't."</p> + +<p>"I think I'll swing off," said the Yankee, "and +join you."</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 159]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>"Now we must run for our lives, Tom," he +said, suiting the action to the word.</p> + +<p>Tom fully understood the necessity, and followed +suit, first hazarding a glance at the discomfited +bear.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Give me your rifle," said Onthank.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather keep it," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"I can make better use of it," said the Yankee.</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that," said Tom. "At +any rate I will keep it."</p> + +<p>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.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 160]</span></p> + +<p>"You are only a boy," said his companion, +discontented.</p> + +<p>"I can shoot," answered Tom, briefly.</p> + +<p>Onthank was not in general an unreasonable +man, but danger makes men selfish.</p> + +<p>"Give it to me," he said, in a tone of authority, +and he tried to wrest it from Tom's hands.</p> + +<p>"You shall not have it," exclaimed Tom, indignantly. +"Take away your hand, or I'll shoot +you!"</p> + +<p>Of course Tom was excited, and would not +have carried out his threat, but he was fully +resolved to stand up for his rights.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 161]</span> 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.</p> + +<p>"Don't give out, Tom!" called out Ebenezer, +encouragingly.</p> + +<p>"I won't," gasped Tom, "if I can help it."</p> + +<p>"Is he gaining on us?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," returned our hero.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 162]</span> +ascended, and ran towards it, pursued by the +grizzly. Then commenced a dodging game, which +seemed to afford but a brief respite from destruction.</p> + +<p>"This can't last long," thought poor Tom. +"I suppose I must die."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Be careful!" he shouted, quite needlessly. +"Don't let him grip you. Give it to him right +in the eye."</p> + +<p>Tom was so absorbed, and his mind so painfully +occupied by his efforts to keep out of his<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 163]</span> +enemy's clutches, that he was not conscious of +the warning.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>vaquero</i>, who had brought him timely relief.</p> + +<p>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.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 164]</span> +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 <i>rieta</i> +being attached to the pommel of the saddle, of +course the bear, in pulling as he did, hand over +hand, steadily brought the <i>vaquero</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>vaquero</i>.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 165]</span> +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 +<i>vaquero</i> 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.</p> + +<p>The <i>vaquero</i> reined his horse back, and his +dark face became illumined with a smile of satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"He will do no more harm," he said in good +English, but with a foreign accent. "The danger +is over."</p> + +<p>"Is the critter used up?" shouted Onthank, +cautiously, from his elevated perch. "Is he defunct?"</p> + +<p>"He soon will be," answered Tom. "I guess +it will be safe to come down."</p> + +<p>Ebenezer Onthank needed no second invitation. +He "shinned" down the tree in a manner not +unlike the grizzly, and approached the spot where<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 166]</span> +the huge foe was lying, the life-blood flowing from +his throat.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to kick you, you big brute!" said Mr. +Onthank.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"He is one of the largest I have seen," said +the <i>vaquero</i>. "See how strong he is!"</p> + +<p>"It was lucky for me that you came up," said +Tom. "He was almost upon me."</p> + +<p>"I had about given you up, Tom," said +Onthank, "and I thought my turn was coming +next."</p> + +<p>"We are much indebted to you, sir," said Tom, +gratefully, to the Mexican. "You have saved my +life."</p> + +<p>The <i>vaquero</i> courteously expressed his satisfaction, +and, remounting his horse, resumed his +journey.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 167]</span></p> + +<p>"I never want to see another grizzly," said +Onthank. "This one is enough for me, darn +his ugly pictur'!"</p> + +<p>"I quite agree with you, Mr. Onthank," said +Tom.</p> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 168]</span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> +<h3>TOM'S OLD HOME.</h3> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 169]</span> +farmer, except from dire necessity, was hardly +likely to ask a renewal of the favor.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"How much do you lack, Mark?" asked Mrs. +Nelson.</p> + +<p>"Thirty dollars."</p> + +<p>"That is a good deal of money," said his +wife, gravely.</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 170]</span> +there is no prospect of my raising the money at +present."</p> + +<p>"You may get some money from Tom soon," +suggested Sarah.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"He <i>may</i>, but the chances are against it."</p> + +<p>"I was reading in last week's paper about a +man finding a nugget worth over two thousand +dollars."</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>Walter looked rather disappointed, having made +up his mind that Tom would certainly find a big +lump of gold, and come home rich.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 171]</span></p> + +<p>"Don't you think Tom will find some gold?" +he asked.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Still, Tom <i>may</i> find a nugget," persisted +Walter.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he <i>may</i>, and I shall be very glad if he +does; but we must not build too many air-castles +on that chance."</p> + +<p>"I wish I could see the dear boy again," +sighed his mother, looking up from the stocking +she was laboriously darning.</p> + +<p>"So do I," said Walter. "He would have a +lot to tell us."</p> + +<p>"California seems so far away," resumed Mrs. +Nelson, "and he has no one there to look after +him, and mend his clothes—"</p> + +<p>"And darn his stockings," said Walter, smiling.</p> + +<p>"If he walked all the way across the continent,"<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 172]</span> +said Sarah, "I don't believe he would +have larger holes in his stockings than you have, +Walter."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, I exercise a good deal," said Walter. +"Ask father if I don't."</p> + +<p>"Walter will be more successful as a farmer +than as a scholar," said Mr. Nelson. "He helps +me a good deal."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to," said her brother. "It +isn't in my line."</p> + +<p>"That's true enough."</p> + +<p>"Don't tease Walter," said Mrs. Nelson. "He +helps your father a good deal, and he is not a +dunce."</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 173]</span> +her nose, and her back hair tied up in a big +knot, flinging her arms about, and—"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I guess you'll get yours. You'll make your +husband stand round, if you ever get one."</p> + +<p>Sarah laughed good-naturedly, and retorted, "I +shall pity your wife, if she has to darn your +stockings."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"A fine day!" said the squire, with suavity. +"I hope you are well, Mrs. Nelson."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 174]</span></p> + +<p>"Pretty well, thank you, sir."</p> + +<p>"Have you heard from Tom lately?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; he had just reached California."</p> + +<p>"Then of course he could not say anything of +his prospects?"</p> + +<p>"It was too soon."</p> + +<p>"You must miss him a good deal—all of +you."</p> + +<p>"I am thinking of him all the time," said +Mrs. Nelson.</p> + +<p>"To be sure, that is natural in a mother. +But if the boy does well, that will repay you +hereafter."</p> + +<p>"If I only felt sure he would do well."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"To be sure not, neighbor Nelson. My boy +has never been brought up to work. My circumstances—ahem!—have<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 175]</span> +not made it necessary."</p> + +<p>"Sinclair is fortunate in having a rich father," +said the farmer.</p> + +<p>"So I tell him," said the squire, complacently. +"His fortune is already made."</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do with him, +squire?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>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.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 176]</span></p> + +<p>"I do hope Squire Hudson will be considerate," +said Mrs. Nelson, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid he won't be, mother," said Sarah. +"He is a hard man."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I would rather be an old maid than marry +him," said Sarah, decidedly.</p> + +<p>"Very likely your wish will be gratified," said +her brother.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Nelson did not smile at this sally, for her +mind was too full of anxiety.</p> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 177]</span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> +<h3>A MODERN SHYLOCK.</h3> + + +<p>"I believe your interest falls due to-day, Mr. +Nelson," said the squire, when he found himself +alone with his debtor.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered the farmer, slowly. It was not +very likely to slip his mind.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you have the money ready," continued +the squire, who supposed no such thing.</p> + +<p>"I have a part of it ready," said Mark Nelson, +with an effort.</p> + +<p>"A part," repeated his creditor, with a frown.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I can give you thirty-six dollars +to-day."</p> + +<p>"<i>Only</i> thirty-six dollars! The amount due is +sixty-six."</p> + +<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 178]</span></p> + +<p>"I can't help that," said the squire, coldly.</p> + +<p>"If you will be a little patient," said Mr. +Nelson, uneasily.</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"No, Squire Hudson."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but—"</p> + +<p>"Wait a moment. You must certainly agree +that I am entitled to prompt payment. A bargain +is a bargain."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Do you expect me to be content with this +explanation?"</p> + +<p>"I think you are rather hard on me, squire.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 179]</span> +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."</p> + +<p>"That's all very well, but it won't make up +the thirty dollars in which you are delinquent."</p> + +<p>"What would you have me do? I cannot <i>make</i> +money."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Suppose I should foreclose—you would consider +it an unkind thing and a great hardship, +wouldn't you?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"It isn't the amount of money, neighbor Nelson, that<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 180]</span> +is to be considered. It is the principle +that is involved."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Will you give me two months to pay the +balance of interest?" asked Mark Nelson.</p> + +<p>"What better prospect have you of being able +to pay me then?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 181]</span></p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>Mark Nelson flushed, and he answered warmly, +"You did advance the money, Squire Hudson, +but I gave you security for it."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Are you very much in need of the thirty +dollars?" asked Mr. Nelson, nettled at the squire's +tone.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Is it subjecting you to any great inconvenience +to wait a couple of months for it? That +is what I mean."</p> + +<p>"My circumstances are not such," returned the +squire, haughtily, "as to make me feel even the +loss of thirty dollars."</p> + +<p>"I wish I could say the same, but I cannot. +Since, then, it will occasion you no inconvenience,<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 182]</span> +I ask you as a favor that you will let the balance +rest for two months."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I don't see how any principle is involved, +Squire Hudson."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"The poor neighbor should not have borrowed +money on which he was unable to pay interest," +said Squire Hudson, severely.</p> + +<p>"How could I anticipate the drought that has<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 183]</span> +diminished my crops?" said Mark Nelson, with +spirit.</p> + +<p>"That is neither here nor there. You knew +that the interest must be paid, drought or no +drought, crop or no crop."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"I do."</p> + +<p>"Since I have not the money to pay you, will +you tell me what you require?"</p> + +<p>"How many cows do you keep?"</p> + +<p>"Three."</p> + +<p>"You can give me one of these, and I will +consider it an equivalent for the thirty dollars."</p> + +<p>"Do you require this?" asked the farmer, +uneasily.</p> + +<p>"Yes; unless you have some other satisfactory +arrangement to propose."</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 184]</span> +ought to have four or five. I shouldn't like to +be reduced to two."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"You had better let your son Walter drive it +over this afternoon."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"You may send me Whiteface," continued Squire +Hudson, who knew that this was the most valuable +of the three cows.</p> + +<p>"That is my best cow," protested the farmer<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 185]</span> +"That makes little difference, as you expect +to redeem it in two months."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"You will attend to this matter?" asked the +squire, as he rose and prepared to go.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered the farmer, coldly.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Heaven help me if I can't meet the next +interest!" said Mark Nelson, later in the day, to +his wife.</p> + +<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 186]</span></p> + +<p>"I hope so," answered her husband; but for +the rest of the day he was very grave.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 187]</span></p> +<h3>AT SACRAMENTO.</h3> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"I can't stay here, Mr. Ferguson," he said. +"I will take my chances and camp out, if necessary."</p> + +<p>"I agree with you, lad; I'm not inclined to +waste my substance on luxurious living."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 188]</span></p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I wish some of your Green Mountain Mills +boarding-houses were here," said Tom. "I could +save plenty of money then."</p> + +<p>"Well, gentlemen, do you want to stay here?" +inquired the landlord.</p> + +<p>"We'd like to, squire, but not bein' millionaires +I guess we'll have to put it off till times +are better."</p> + +<p>"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?"<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 189]</span></p> + +<p>"It belongs to this boy and myself," answered +Ferguson.</p> + +<p>"Where did it come from?"</p> + +<p>"The States."</p> + +<p>"You don't want to sell, do you?"</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I suppose we might," said Ferguson, slowly, +"if it was worth our while."</p> + +<p>"What'll you take, cash down?" inquired the +landlord, earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Nay, my friend, I prefer to hear your views +as to the price."</p> + +<p>"I will give you eight hundred dollars for the +wagon."</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 190]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I will give you a thousand dollars for the +two," said the landlord.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Landlord," said he, "I see your price, and I'll +go two hundred better."</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 191]</span> +mines, sold out his claim for ten thousand dollars, +and for the time being was the lucky possessor +of a large bank account.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"I'll go fifteen," he drawled.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>"Well, stranger, is it a bargain?" asked Scott.</p> + +<p>The Scotchman, though inwardly elated as well<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 192]</span> +as astonished at the extraordinary offer he had +received, answered quietly, "If my partner agrees."</p> + +<p>"I guess we'd better sell," said Tom, trying +not to betray his inward satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Tom Scott's a square man, and his order will +fetch the money," said the landlord, observing +Ferguson's prudent hesitation.</p> + +<p>"That is satisfactory," replied Ferguson.</p> + +<p>In five minutes more the business was concluded, +and Ferguson and Tom, longing to congratulate +each other on their good fortune, walked +off together.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 193]</span></p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"No doubt there is reason in what you say, +my lad; but it's not easy at first to make allowance +for the difference."</p> + +<p>"That's so, Mr. Ferguson. When shall we go +to San Francisco?"</p> + +<p>"We will go to-morrow, if we can. I suppose +you will wish to send some money to your +father."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Five hundred?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I had a third share in the team."</p> + +<p>"That isn't my way of looking at it, Tom."</p> + +<p>"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.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 194]</span></p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"But," protested Tom, "you are entitled to +two-thirds."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"And I shall have seven hundred," said Tom, +his eyes sparkling.</p> + +<p>"Precisely."</p> + +<p>"How kind you are, Mr. Ferguson!" exclaimed +Tom, eagerly seizing the Scotchman's hand.</p> + +<p>"No, my lad; I am only just. I am glad to +help a boy who is working for his father and +family."</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't deserve to succeed if I didn't," +said Tom, earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Always bear that in mind, my lad, and God +will smile on your efforts, and raise you up +friends."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 195]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 196]</span></p> +<h3>TOM BUYS A BUSINESS.</h3> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Just as he was entering Montgomery street he +noticed a man—evidently a new-comer—with a<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 197]</span> +fine bunch of pineapples in his hand. He had +just arrived in the steamer Columbus, then anchored +out in the stream.</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't mind having one of those pineapples," +said Tom to Ferguson.</p> + +<p>"Doubtless they are high-priced, being a rarity," +said the Scotchman.</p> + +<p>Just then a passer-by, attracted like Tom, and +feeling a similar longing, stepped up to the new-comer.</p> + +<p>"Are those pineapples for sale?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you'll pay enough," was the half-jocular +reply.</p> + +<p>"Name your price."</p> + +<p>"Ten dollars."</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"That's a pretty steep price," said Tom, "for +six pineapples."</p> + +<p>"It is very wasteful to spend such a sight of +money to pamper the appetite," said the canny<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 198]</span> +Scot. "Truly, a fool and his money are soon +parted."</p> + +<p>He was destined to be still more surprised. +The purchaser within five minutes transferred half +his purchase to another for fifteen dollars.</p> + +<p>"Gold seems to be plenty here," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"I hope all provisions are not as high," said +Ferguson, "or we shall soon have a chance to +spend all we have."</p> + +<p>"Where shall we go first?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"We had better go to a public house, and +secure a lodging," said Ferguson.</p> + +<p>"I wish I knew some one here to direct me."</p> + +<p>Scarcely had Tom uttered these words than he +cried out in surprise, "Why, there's John Miles!"</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Tom dashed into the store, followed by his more +dignified companion.</p> + +<p>"How are you, John?" he exclaimed.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 199]</span></p> + +<p>"Why, if it isn't Tom," returned Miles, his +face showing the joy he felt. "And here's Mr. +Ferguson, too."</p> + +<p>Then there ensued a hearty shaking of hands, +followed by the question, "When did you get +here?"</p> + +<p>"About twenty minutes ago."</p> + +<p>"And you came straight to me. That's good."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"If it is, then I've changed my name," said +Miles, pointing to the sign bearing the name:—</p> + +<div class="center"><b>JOHN SCHINKELWITZ.</b></div> + +<p>"The first name's right, at any rate," said Tom, +laughing. "I suppose you are the clerk, then."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"How long have you been here?"</p> + +<p>"Four weeks."</p> + +<p>"Is it a good business?"</p> + +<p>"Very good. My Dutch friend pays me five +dollars a day, and I sleep here."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 200]</span></p> + +<p>"Among the groceries?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"No hurry, John. I have been lucky since I +saw you."</p> + +<p>"I am glad to hear it, Tom. Did the claim +prove more productive?"</p> + +<p>"No; but I have been speculating. Guess how +much money I have with me."</p> + +<p>"A hundred and fifty dollars."</p> + +<p>"More."</p> + +<p>"Two hundred."</p> + +<p>"More yet."</p> + +<p>"Not three hundred, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"I am not so much surprised now," said Miles, +"for in this country a man will have what he<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 201]</span> +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."</p> + +<p>"What would you do with it?"</p> + +<p>"I would buy out my employer, and then I +could make money fast."</p> + +<p>"Does he want to sell?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, he wants to go to the mines."</p> + +<p>"Would he sell for such a small sum?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; there isn't much of a stock, but we are +constantly replenishing. I tell you what, Tom, +<i>you</i> buy him out, and I'll manage the business."</p> + +<p>"Are you in earnest, John?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly I am."</p> + +<p>"But I want to send some money home," +objected Tom.</p> + +<p>"How much?"</p> + +<p>"A hundred dollars at least."</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 202]</span> +our friend here, and I am led to believe that +the enterprise will be a profitable one."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"No, it shall be a third. As you furnish the +capital, that is only fair."</p> + +<p>"We may be counting our chickens too soon. +Perhaps your Dutch friend, whose name I can't +pronounce, won't sell."</p> + +<p>"Here he is to speak for himself."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Herr Schinkelwitz, this is my friend, Tom +Nelson," said Miles.</p> + +<p>"Glad to see you, mine vriend," said the German, +addressing Ferguson.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 203]</span></p> + +<p>"No, that is Mr. Ferguson," said Miles, smiling. +"I should have introduced him first."</p> + +<p>"Wie gehts, Herr Ferguson?" said the grocer. +"You have one strange name."</p> + +<p>"Your name seems strange to me," said the +Scotchman.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; Schinkelwitz is a very common name. +Most peoples admire my name."</p> + +<p>Tom was considerably amused, but Herr Schinkelwitz +did not observe the smile which he could +not repress.</p> + +<p>"I have told my friends you would like to +sell out the business," said Miles.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I would if I had money enough."</p> + +<p>"Ja, I must have the money, for I shall need it."</p> + +<p>"My friend here has money, and may buy of +you," said Miles, indicating Tom.</p> + +<p>"What, the boy?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Where did he get so much money?"<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 204]</span></p> + +<p>"At the mines."</p> + +<p>"Oh, ja, that is a good place to get gold. +Well, my young vriend, I will sell cheap."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Now, Tom, you are my boss," said Miles. +"Shall I put your name outside?"</p> + +<p>"No, John, put your own. I am only a silent +partner, you know."</p> + +<p>"I congratulate you, Tom," said Ferguson. +"Here are two hundred dollars, for which you +can give me your note."</p> + +<p>"Two hundred?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; you will need some yourself, besides +what you send to your father."</p> + +<p>"Suppose I can't pay you back?"</p> + +<p>"Then I will levy on the grocery, my lad," +said Ferguson.</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 205]</span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> +<h3>A GAMBLING-HOUSE.</h3> + + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 206]</span></p> + +<p>"Right, my lad. We will attend to it, by all +means."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"What can I do for you?" asked the clerk, +in a quick, business-like tone.</p> + +<p>"I want to send home a hundred dollars," said +Tom.</p> + +<p>"Give me the address."</p> + +<p>This was done, the money paid over, and a +receipt returned in two minutes.</p> + +<p>"How long before my father will receive the +money?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"The steamer starts in three days. About a +month will be needed."</p> + +<p>Then Tom moved aside, and the next man took +his place.</p> + +<p>"I am glad that is attended to," said Tom, +relieved. "Now, Mr. Ferguson, I will go wherever +you wish."</p> + +<p>"We had better secure a lodging," said the<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 207]</span> +Scotchman. "When we are sure of a bed we +can walk about at our leisure."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"We will have to go back to the mines soon," +said Tom. "San Francisco is too expensive for +us to live in."</p> + +<p>"You can afford it better than I, Tom," said +his friend.</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Because you have a business that brings you +in an income."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, my lad, since your agent is a trustworthy, +honest man."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 208]</span></p> + +<p>"I am sure I can trust John Miles."</p> + +<p>"If I were not confident of it, also, I would +not have encouraged you to take so important +a step."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Let us go in," said Tom.</p> + +<p>His companion making no objection, they<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 209]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"I suppose they are gambling," he said.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>Had this remark been heard it would have +excited indignation, and perhaps subjected the +speaker to insult; but the players were too intent<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 210]</span> +upon their varying chances to pay any attention +to the remarks of by-standers.</p> + +<p>"I hope, Tom, you will never yield to the +seductive lures of the gaming-table," continued +Ferguson.</p> + +<p>"I don't think there is much danger," said +Tom. "I have always been taught that gambling +is wicked."</p> + +<p>"May you long feel so, my lad!"</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 211]</span> +deep anguish and despair which announced that +he had reached the end.</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Tom sprang forward, and so did the Scotchman; +but the boy was the quicker and more<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 212]</span> +agile, and dashed the pistol aside just in time +to prevent a suicide.</p> + +<p>"Why did you do that?" asked the baffled +would-be-suicide, gloomily, turning his gaze upon +Tom.</p> + +<p>"I was afraid you were going to kill yourself."</p> + +<p>"So I was."</p> + +<p>"What could induce you to take such a rash +step?" asked Ferguson.</p> + +<p>"I have been a reckless fool. I have lost all +my money at the accursed gambling-table, and my +life is not worth retaining."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>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.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 213]</span></p> + +<p>"I didn't think of it in that light," he admitted.</p> + +<p>"Have you no relatives to whom your life is +of value?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered the young man. "I have a +mother and sister."</p> + +<p>"Would not your death affect them more than +the loss of money?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"It seems to me that to take your life would +be to treat them cruelly."</p> + +<p>The young man was evidently agitated by contending +thoughts.</p> + +<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 214]</span></p> + +<p>"You were certainly in luck," said Ferguson, +surprised.</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 215]</span></p> +<h3>A NEW SCHEME.</h3> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>"I see no cause for despair," replied Ferguson, +in the same calm tone.</p> + +<p>"I have not a penny left out of the two thousand +dollars I had only an hour since."</p> + +<p>"I understand all that."</p> + +<p>"I am a ruined man," said the young man, +despondently.</p> + +<p>"I don't admit that. How old are you?"</p> + +<p>"Twenty-one."</p> + +<p>"You are well and strong, are you not?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I have nothing to complain of on +that score."</p> + +<p>"Then it appears to me that your loss is not +serious. Your capital still remains."</p> + +<p>"My capital?" repeated the young man.</p> + +<p>"Yes; your strong arms, your education, your +capacity to labor."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 216]</span></p> + +<p>"But I shall have to begin over again."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>The calm, logical tone of the Scotchman had its +effect.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"This is not my son, but my young friend, +Thomas Nelson," said Ferguson. "I am not so +fortunate as to have a son."</p> + +<p>"Well, God bless you both, and good-night!"</p> + +<p>"Excuse my persistency, but may I ask where +you are going?"<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 217]</span></p> + +<p>"I am not going to repeat my folly of just +now, if that is what you mean."</p> + +<p>"I did not suspect you of that; but are you +sure of a bed anywhere?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Thank you. That will be better than to sleep +in the streets. But are you not afraid to make +me this offer?"</p> + +<p>"Why should I be?"</p> + +<p>"I might rob you during the night."</p> + +<p>"You might, but you don't look like one who +would so reward confidence."</p> + +<p>"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?"<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 218]</span></p> + +<p>"There may be a way. We will talk of that +this evening."</p> + +<p>Nine o'clock found the three collected in the +small room which had been hired by Ferguson +for himself and Tom.</p> + +<p>"My friend," said Ferguson, "you told us that +you found a favorable place for mining up in the +Sierras."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I 'struck it rich.'"</p> + +<p>"I take it for granted that you did not exhaust +the wealth of the place?"</p> + +<p>"Far from it. I only dipped into it. There +is abundance left."</p> + +<p>"Is this place known to many?"</p> + +<p>"To only one, so far as I know. He and I +worked independently, but were company for each +other."</p> + +<p>"But what induced you to leave so rich a +claim?"</p> + +<p>"I was tired of working, and wanted to come +to the city for a change. You know what a +change I have experienced here."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you go back and start anew in<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 219]</span> +the place where you met with your former good +fortune?" asked Ferguson.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Would you go back now, if you had the +chance?"</p> + +<p>"Would I? Certainly I would, for I could +make money faster there than here."</p> + +<p>"Would you have any objection to let Tom +and myself accompany you?"</p> + +<p>"Not the least. I should be glad of your +company. There is gold enough for us all."</p> + +<p>"Then we will start to-morrow, that is, if you +and Tom are willing."</p> + +<p>"I am ready," said Tom, promptly.</p> + +<p>"But I have nothing. I don't like to be an +expense to you," objected the young man.</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 220]</span> +mining camp, and, if the spot is as rich as you +have led us to suspect, we shall make more +money there."</p> + +<p>"Agreed!" said the young man, promptly. +"Name the hour of starting, and rely upon me +to be ready."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 221]</span> +when he had shaken off his present disquietude +looked as if he might be a cheerful and agreeable +companion.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>Hereupon Ferguson gave a brief account of +himself, which need not be repeated, and then +called upon Tom, who followed his example.</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 222]</span> +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."</p> + +<p>"Don't think too much of the past, which cannot +be recalled. Resolve not to repeat your folly, +and all may yet be well."</p> + +<p>"I have fully resolved upon that," said Russell, +earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you shall study law, if you +are again fortunate, Mr. Russell?" asked Tom.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 223]</span></p> + +<p>"If you please don't call me Mr. Russell, +unless you want me to call you Mr. Nelson. Call +me Dick."</p> + +<p>"I will," said Tom, smiling, "for I am not +ready to be called Mr. Nelson yet."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"I think I should like to be a lawyer, too, +but I must earn more than two thousand dollars +first."</p> + +<p>"Two thousand ought to be sufficient to educate +you if you are economical."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"You are a good fellow, Tom, and I wish you +success."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Dick. I will succeed if hard +work can bring success."</p> + +<p>"Good-night to you both," said Ferguson. "I<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 224]</span> +want to sleep well to prepare myself for starting +to-morrow."</p> + +<p>In half an hour all three were sleeping soundly.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 225]</span></p> +<h3>PREPARING FOR A NEW START.</h3> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Well, Tom, are you rested?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mr. Ferguson; I slept like a top. +What time is it?"</p> + +<p>"It is seven o'clock. Our new friend is still +asleep."</p> + +<p>"I suppose he was on his feet all day yesterday."</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 226]</span> +enjoy yourself after your hard work at the +mines."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"You have succeeded pretty well thus far, +Tom."</p> + +<p>"Yes; but I have made more by the sale of +the team than by work at the mines."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"Making two thousand dollars each?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"We may accomplish it; but it is best not to +calculate upon it."</p> + +<p>"If I could only free the farm from that troublesome +mortgage<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 227]</span> 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."</p> + +<p>"How much is the mortgage, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Twenty-two hundred dollars."</p> + +<p>"You have made a good beginning towards it +already, Tom. You have seven hundred dollars +invested in business."</p> + +<p>"But out of that I owe you a hundred and +fifty, Mr. Ferguson."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 228]</span></p> + +<p>"And I am very well satisfied with my partner," +said Tom, smiling. "Shall we wake up Russell?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, for we have much to do to-day."</p> + +<p>"John Miles will be surprised at my leaving the +city so quick."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"That is a good idea. I will write to-day so +as to catch the next steamer, and I will also +speak to John."</p> + +<p>Tom had to shake Dick Russell energetically +before that young man opened his eyes.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" he ejaculated, drowsily.</p> + +<p>"Don't you want some breakfast?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 229]</span> +it; "but we know very little of the city. Can +you guide us to a good restaurant?"</p> + +<p>"To a good one, but not a cheap one. Everything +is high here."</p> + +<p>"Then it is fortunate we are going to leave +so soon."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"I wish we could breakfast like this at the +mines," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"So say I," chimed in Dick Russell; "but +you know that the gold-hunter must sacrifice home +comforts."</p> + +<p>"I shan't complain of that, if I can do as +well as you did," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"I see no reason why you can't. There is<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 230]</span> +plenty of gold there, and all that is needed is +work and perseverance."</p> + +<p>"I am willing to contribute them," said Tom. +"I mean to do my best to succeed."</p> + +<p>"None of us can do more, my lad," said +Ferguson. "Let us hope that God will prosper +our undertakings."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Don't speak of that again, Mr. Ferguson," +said Russell, shuddering. "I don't like to think +of it."</p> + +<p>"He'll do," thought Ferguson, with satisfaction. +"His mind is now in a healthy condition, and I +have great hopes of him."</p> + +<p>The rest of the day was devoted to the purchase +of supplies. Ferguson also bought a mule,<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 231]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry you are going away so soon, +Tom," said Miles. "I thought you would stay at +least a week."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I know that, John; but I shall feel uneasy until +the mortgage is paid off, and he is out of Squire +Hudson's power."</p> + +<p>"For how long a time has the farm your +father owns been encumbered with this mortgage?"</p> + +<p>"For ten years, at least."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 232]</span></p> + +<p>"Is the mortgage for any specified term of +years?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so."</p> + +<p>"It merely runs from year to year then?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose so."</p> + +<p>"In that case this Squire Hudson could foreclose +at any time, could he not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Tom, soberly.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I am glad you mentioned it, John. You may +send him fifty or seventy-five dollars, if my share +should amount to so much."</p> + +<p>"I will."</p> + +<p>"And I am going to have my home letters directed +to your care. You can forward them to me +whenever you have an opportunity."</p> + +<p>"I won't fail, Tom. If there is anything you<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 233]</span> +need sent out to you, you have only to write me, +and I will attend to your commissions."</p> + +<p>"It is very convenient to have an agent in the +city," said John, smiling. "I shall feel much more +comfortable out at the mines."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"You make me feel quite like a capitalist, John."</p> + +<p>"I hope you may be one some day. Good-by!"</p> + +<p>They shook hands and parted. Before night-fall +Tom had started on his new journey in quest of +gold.</p> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 234]</span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<h3>WHITEFACE.</h3> + + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"I was passing Squire Hudson's to-day, and saw<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 235]</span> +poor Whiteface," said Walter, one evening. "I +think she knew me, for when I called her she lowed +back."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"He hasn't any heart," said Walter, "or, if he +has, it must be pretty small."</p> + +<p>"We must not forget that he was entitled to +some security for the balance of interest I owe +him," said the farmer.</p> + +<p>"The cow was worth a good deal more than +thirty dollars," said Sarah.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I wish you could pay it now, father," said +Walter.</p> + +<p>"So do I, my boy; but I cannot, unless your +brother sends me some money."</p> + +<p>"It is three weeks since we have heard from<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 236]</span> +Tom," said Mrs. Nelson, anxiously. "I am afraid +he is sick."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I hope he is making money," said Walter. "I +wish I were with him."</p> + +<p>"I would never consent to have you go too," said +Mrs. Nelson, hastily.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Don't speak in that way, Walter," said his +father. "I dislike to have you speak of stealing, +even in fun."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 237]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Go to the door, Sarah," said her father.</p> + +<p>Sarah obeyed.</p> + +<p>"Good-evening, Nahum," she said to the village +expressman.</p> + +<p>"I've got a small package for your folks," +said Nahum. "It's marked all over. Guess it +came from Californy."</p> + +<p>"It must be from Tom," exclaimed Sarah, in +delight.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"Is there anything to pay, Nahum?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"O father, here's a package from Tom," said<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 238]</span> +Sarah, hurrying into the room where they were +all sitting.</p> + +<p>"Open it quick," said Walter. "See if there's +any money in it."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"A hundred dollars! What a lot of money!" +exclaimed Walter, gazing on the little pile of +coins as if fascinated.</p> + +<p>"I am so glad the dear boy is doing well," +said Mrs. Nelson.</p> + +<p>"Now we can have Whiteface back, can't we, +father?" asked Walter, joyfully.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Walter," said Mark Nelson, almost as +excited as his son. "I will go over the first +thing in the morning."</p> + +<p>"Can't we go over this evening?" asked Walter, +impatiently.</p> + +<p>"No, it is dark, and Whiteface is stalled for +the night."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 239]</span></p> + +<p>"You'll have seventy dollars left over, father, +won't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; and that will provide for my next interest. +I feel grateful and happy at Tom's success +and his thoughtfulness."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 240]</span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> +<h3>SQUIRE HUDSON'S DISAPPOINTMENT.</h3> + + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>"Yes, squire, I calculate she's the best you've +got."</p> + +<p>"I don't know but she is, Abner," said the +squire, complacently. "I consider her worth at +least fifty dollars."</p> + +<p>"So she is, every cent of it."</p> + +<p>"And she cost me only thirty," thought Squire +Hudson, with a smile of content.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 241]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>"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!"</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Good-morning, Mr. Nelson," he said, pleasantly, +for he was in good-humor.</p> + +<p>"Good-morning, squire."</p> + +<p>"Your Whiteface has got to feel quite at home +in my barn-yard."</p> + +<p>"She is a good cow, Squire Hudson."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 242]</span></p> + +<p>"Yes, tolerable, tolerable."</p> + +<p>"She is worth more than the thirty dollars for +which you took her."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know about that. Cows are +pretty cheap nowadays."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I always valued her at a considerably higher +price."</p> + +<p>"No doubt, no doubt. You raised her yourself, +didn't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I don't want you to, Squire Hudson."</p> + +<p>The squire looked astonished.</p> + +<p>"What is the man driving at?" he thought.</p> + +<p>"She may not be worth any more to you, and +so you won't mind my taking her back."</p> + +<p>"Taking her back!" ejaculated the squire.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 243]</span></p> + +<p>"Certainly; it was agreed that I could redeem +her at any time, by paying you the thirty dollars +and interest."</p> + +<p>"Not after two months," said the squire, hastily.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Have you heard from Tom?" asked the squire, +with a blank look of disappointment.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I heard from him yesterday."</p> + +<p>"And he sent you some money?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; he reports that he is doing well."</p> + +<p>"Did he send you thirty dollars?"</p> + +<p>"Rather more than that," said Mark Nelson, +not caring to gratify the curiosity of his creditor.</p> + +<p>"I think you had better keep your money, and +leave Whiteface with me," said Squire Hudson, after +a pause.</p> + +<p>"I would rather not, squire. The fact is, +Whiteface is a sort of pet at home, and we all +want her back."</p> + +<p>Squire Hudson was disconcerted. He had not +expected that Mr. Nelson would be able to redeem<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 244]</span> +the cow, and he was reluctant to give her +up. But there was no excuse for retaining her. +His agreement stood in the way.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>Mark Nelson shook his head.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>Mark Nelson shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather have Whiteface than the money," +he said.</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 245]</span> +many months before another payment becomes +due."</p> + +<p>"I hope to be ready to meet it, squire," said +the farmer, not appearing at all anxious.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Well, Abner, I've lost her," said the squire, +hurrying to his assistant; "but she'll be back +here some day, mark my words!"</p> + +<p>"I thought you bought her, squire," said Abner, +in surprise.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"That Tom Nelson is a smart boy," said Abner,<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 246]</span> +who, though in the squire's employ, was friendly +to our hero.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Then it is the first time," was Abner's unspoken +comment.</p> + +<p>"It may turn out for the best," he said aloud.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"Didn't you have security for the loan?" asked +Abner.</p> + +<p>"Well, ye-es," answered the squire, slowly; +"but not very good. The farm was already mortgaged +for its full value."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>A few weeks later Farmer Nelson's heart was +gladdened by the receipt of another remittance<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 247]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"It must be Tom," they decided.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Of course Squire Hudson was not ignorant of<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 248]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>"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.'"</p> + +<p>"Mark Nelson is no fool," said Abner, stoutly.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>Abner repeated this to Mr. Nelson.</p> + +<p>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,<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 249]</span> +to pay back the two hundred dollars the +squire advanced for him."</p> + +<p>"I hope you will, I'm sure," said Abner. +"That's a smart boy of yours, and I always +said so."</p> + +<p>"He is a good boy, and I am sure he will do +what is right."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"It might not do him any good."</p> + +<p>"I am not sure about that; I think he needs +it."</p> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 250]</span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + +<h3>THE NEW DIGGINGS.</h3> + + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 251]</span> +"Pacific Coast Mining Review," for the year +1878-79:—</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 252]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 253]</span> +examined. They have yielded probably <i>three hundred +millions</i> 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."</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 254]</span> +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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The work was monotonous, and a detailed account<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 255]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Tom, you are looking very ragged," said +Dick Russell, surveying our hero critically.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"This rough work is hard on clothing," said +Russell. "I wish there were a ready-made clothing +store near by."</p> + +<p>"So do I. I would pay a high price for a +good suit."</p> + +<p>"If our friends at home could see us, what +would they think, eh, Tom?"<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 256]</span></p> + +<p>"That we were candidates for the poor-house."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I have nearly as much," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"My pile won't vary far from Tom's," said +Russell.</p> + +<p>"That is a pretty good showing for five +months, my friend," said the Scotchman.</p> + +<p>"It will make up for the old clothes," said +Tom.</p> + +<p>"I have been thinking," said Ferguson, "that +we need a vacation. What do you say to starting +next week for San Francisco?"</p> + +<p>"I agree," said Russell, promptly.</p> + +<p>"And I," said Tom. "I should like to see +John Miles."</p> + +<p>"Very well. We will continue our work about +a week longer, and then start."</p> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 257]</span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> +<h3>A RICH DEPOSIT.</h3> + + +<p>About the middle of the next forenoon Tom +suddenly stopped work.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, Tom? Are you tired?"</p> + +<p>"No, but I feel like exploring a little. Who +goes with me?"</p> + +<p>"Not I," answered Ferguson. "Let well +enough alone."</p> + +<p>"I'll go with you," said Russell. "I should like +a holiday. Besides, we may discover something."</p> + +<p>"'A rolling stone gathers no moss,'" said Ferguson.</p> + +<p>"True, but there's another proverb: 'All work +and no play makes Jack a dull boy.' Tom and I +will try a little play."</p> + +<p>The two friends sauntered away in an idle +mood; yet, combining business with pleasure, they<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 258]</span> +watched carefully the surface indications, ready to +avail themselves of any that were favorable.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Nor I," answered Tom. "No amount of gold +would repay me."</p> + +<p>"Because gold is only valuable for what it will +bring. Here it brings nothing."</p> + +<p>"Except the hope of future ease and comfort," +suggested Tom.</p> + +<p>"Of course; that is what we are working for. +We have made a good beginning."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Dick. I have almost accomplished what +I have had in view ever since I left home."</p> + +<p>"I know. You mean paying off your father's +mortgage."</p> + +<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 259]</span></p> + +<p>"You need rest, at any rate, Tom, leaving +clothes out of the question."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Tom," he exclaimed, in excitement, "do you +see that, and that? I believe you've struck a +bonanza."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>Tom stood not on the order of his going, +but went at once.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, Tom?" asked the Scotchman, +as, panting and breathless, Tom stood before +him. "Has anything happened to Russell?"</p> + +<p>"No; it's good news—splendid news, Mr.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 260]</span> +Ferguson. We've found a place ten times as rich +as this. Come at once, and see."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"I thought you would never come," he said.</p> + +<p>"Tom wanted to fly," said Ferguson; "but I +am too old for that. Now, what is it you have +found?"</p> + +<p>When he was shown what had been discovered +he admitted that it was very promising.</p> + +<p>"If it holds out, we shall be lucky," he +said.</p> + +<p>"It <i>will</i> hold out," said Russell, enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"It isn't well to be too confident," said Ferguson, +cautiously.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 261]</span></p> + +<p>"You are very cold-blooded, Mr. Ferguson," +said Russell, impatiently. "Won't anything +excite you?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 262]</span> +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.</p> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 263]</span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> +<h3>BAD NEWS FROM HOME.</h3> + + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Why, Tom, where did you spring from?" he +exclaimed, grasping the hand of his young +partner.</p> + +<p>"I am just in from the mines."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you are in want of money," said +Miles, his voice betraying sympathy.</p> + +<p>Tom laughed.</p> + +<p>"How do you like my appearance, John?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"Never mind that, Tom. I see you have had +a rough time; but I have been earning money +for you."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 264]</span></p> + +<p>"Did you send money regularly to father?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I have sent him three hundred dollars +in all."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"No; I have as much more to your credit. +I am ready to pay it to you at once."</p> + +<p>"I see, John, you think I have not been +doing well."</p> + +<p>"You don't look very prosperous, Tom, I must +acknowledge."</p> + +<p>"Well, John, appearances are deceitful. I have +been wonderfully lucky."</p> + +<p>"I am delighted to hear it, Tom," said Miles, +cordially. "How much is it now?"</p> + +<p>"What do you say to a thousand dollars?"</p> + +<p>"Excellent."</p> + +<p>"Two thousand?"</p> + +<p>"You don't mean it!"</p> + +<p>"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!"<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 265]</span></p> + +<p>John Miles stared at our hero in undisguised +astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Are you sure you're quite right <i>here</i>?" he +said, touching his forehead. "You haven't been +sun-struck, have you?"</p> + +<p>"No, John, it's all as I tell you. Let me +explain how my luck came."</p> + +<p>In a few sentences Tom made it clear to his +partner that his luck was real.</p> + +<p>"As to the three hundred dollars due me from +you, John," concluded Tom, "I make you a +present of it."</p> + +<p>"But, Tom—" protested Miles.</p> + +<p>"Let it be so, and for the future you shall +pay me my share. Have you any letters for me?"</p> + +<p>"I have three."</p> + +<p>"Give them to me, quick. I am hungry for +news from home."</p> + +<p>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:—<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 266]</span></p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"'But I can't pay it up,' said I.</p> + +<p>"'You ought to be able to obtain the money +somewhere,' he returned.</p> + +<p>"'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?'</p> + +<p>"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.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 267]</span> +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."</p> + +<p>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."</p> + +<p>Tom looked up when he had finished reading +the letter.</p> + +<p>"John," he said, quickly, "when does the next +steamer start for New York?"<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 268]</span></p> + +<p>"Day after to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Where can I engage passage?"</p> + +<p>"Are you going home?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Have you money enough?"</p> + +<p>"Three times over. He shall be defeated in +his wicked purpose, or my name isn't Tom Nelson."</p> + +<p>Tom spoke in a quick, indignant tone, and +his voice had a manly ring.</p> + +<p>"Wait, John, let me read you the letter."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>That very evening Tom engaged passage to +New York, and two days later he sailed out of +the Golden Gate.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 269]</span></p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"You will come out here again, Tom, won't +you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and before long. I have been so busily +occupied making money that I have seen almost +nothing of San Francisco."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"I owe all my present prosperity to you two," +he said. "But for you I should have blown my +brains out five months since."</p> + +<p>"We owe our prosperity to you also," said<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 270]</span> +Tom. "You guided us to the mines from which +we gathered a golden harvest."</p> + +<p>"We have worked together, and been mutual +helpers," said Ferguson. "God has favored us +all, and to Him be the thanks!"</p> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 271]</span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> +<h3>THE NIGHT BEFORE THE AUCTION.</h3> + + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>During the afternoon Mr. Nelson called on +Squire Hudson to make the best terms he could +at private sale.</p> + +<p>"The farm is worth at least a thousand dollars +more than the mortgage, Squire Hudson," said +the farmer.</p> + +<p>"It is worth what it will fetch, Mr. Nelson," +said the squire.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 272]</span></p> + +<p>"Do you mean that an article always commands +its full value at auction, Squire Hudson?"</p> + +<p>"Ahem! it brings its market value, Mr. Nelson."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"Ahem! you are wandering from the subject. +We are talking of farms, not diamonds."</p> + +<p>"As to the farm, then, you are likely to be the +only bidder, unless you allow the mortgage to +remain."</p> + +<p>"If I were inclined to do that I would not +disturb you as long as you paid the interest +promptly."</p> + +<p>"Then you decline to buy the farm at private +sale?"</p> + +<p>"I do."</p> + +<p>"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.<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 273]</span></p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I cannot believe you, sir. All business men +are not so hard-hearted."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"It makes me homesick to think of going to +live in that barn," said Sarah, as they were sitting +together after supper.</p> + +<p>"It may not be so bad as you think for,<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 274]</span> +Sarah," said her mother; but she secretly sympathized +with her daughter.</p> + +<p>"I wish Squire Hudson had to live there himself," +said Walter, in an angry outburst.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Who can it be?" said Sarah, wonderingly.</p> + +<p>The whole family hurried to the window. What +youthful, yet manly figure, was that actively +descending from his perch beside the driver?</p> + +<p>"It's Tom!" exclaimed Mrs. Nelson. "Heaven +be praised! It is my dear boy."</p> + +<p>Tom was almost suffocated by the embraces +which he received on entering the house.</p> + +<p>"How you have grown, Tom!" said Sarah. +"And how well you look!"<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 275]</span></p> + +<p>"Thank you for the compliment," said Tom, +laughing. "But I don't feel well."</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?" asked his mother, with +maternal solicitude.</p> + +<p>"I am as hungry as a bear. Have you got +anything to eat in the house?"</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"It seems good to be at home," said Tom, +looking around him, his face beaming with happiness.</p> + +<p>"Did you get my letter, Tom, announcing the +squire's intention to foreclose the mortgage?" +asked his father, gravely.</p> + +<p>"Yes, father; is it really true?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; he will listen to no persuasions."</p> + +<p>"When does the sale take place?"</p> + +<p>"To-morrow."</p> + +<p>"I shall be present. Have you thought of any +other house, father?"</p> + +<p>"The old Belcher house is the only one I can +hire."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 276]</span></p> + +<p>"That is a poor place."</p> + +<p>"It must do for lack of a better."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Have you been doing well, Tom?" asked +Walter.</p> + +<p>"Ask me to-morrow, Walter. To-night I want +to hear all the news, and everything that has +happened since I went away."</p> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 277]</span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> +<h3>BIDDING FOR THE FARM.</h3> + + +<p>"I apprehend," said the squire to his brother-in-law +the next morning, "that we shall get the +farm at our own price."</p> + +<p>"I hope we shall, squire," said the poor relative, +deferentially. "I suppose this man Nelson +is sorry to part with it."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"To be sure."</p> + +<p>"I am not to be moved by sentimental considerations. +Business is business; but he won't see +it in that light."</p> + +<p>"You consider the farm worth considerable more +than the amount of the mortgage, of course?"<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 278]</span></p> + +<p>"It is worth four thousand dollars, in my +opinion," said the squire, complacently.</p> + +<p>"If you get it for twenty-two hundred, it will +be an excellent bargain."</p> + +<p>"Father," exclaimed Sinclair, entering the breakfast-room, +rather hurriedly, "Tom Nelson has got +home."</p> + +<p>"Where did you hear this, my son?" asked +Squire Hudson, in surprise.</p> + +<p>"At the store. He got home by coach +last evening."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I wish you would let me go," said Sinclair.</p> + +<p>"Some day I may take a trip out there with +you, my son. Have you seen Thomas?"</p> + +<p>"No, he keeps mighty close. He hasn't even +been round at the store."</p> + +<p>"He is ashamed to show himself, I suppose. +He will have to work on the farm—on a farm +again."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 279]</span></p> + +<p>"I suppose that will be a hard pill for him +to swallow," said Sinclair.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Tom received many friendly greetings. He was +plainly dressed, quiet in his manner, and seemed +to take matters very coolly.</p> + +<p>At length the farm was put up, the auctioneer +naturally turning towards the squire, who responded +pompously, "I bid twenty-two hundred dollars, the<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 280]</span> +amount of the mortgage I hold upon the property."</p> + +<p>"Is there any other bid?" asked the auctioneer.</p> + +<p>"I bid twenty-five hundred dollars," said a clear, +boyish voice.</p> + +<p>All were startled, and all eyes were turned upon +Tom Nelson, who came slightly forward.</p> + +<p>"Twenty-five hundred!" repeated the auctioneer, +hesitating whether he should receive the bid.</p> + +<p>"I protest against this outrage," exclaimed +Squire Hudson, angrily. "The bid is ridiculous."</p> + +<p>"Why is my bid ridiculous, Squire Hudson?" +asked Tom, calmly.</p> + +<p>"Because you haven't got the money. It is a +transparent attempt to run up the price of the +farm."</p> + +<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 281]</span></p> + +<p>"That is fair!" cried all.</p> + +<p>"This is all nonsense," said the squire. "Those +of you who choose may believe this boy; I +don't."</p> + +<p>"Going at twenty-five hundred!" said the auctioneer.</p> + +<p>"Twenty-five hundred and fifty!" said the +squire, adding, "I make the bid on the terms +proposed by the boy."</p> + +<p>"Twenty-eight hundred!" said Tom.</p> + +<p>"And fifty!" bid the squire.</p> + +<p>"Three thousand!" instantly came from Tom.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>At length the farm was knocked down to our +hero at three thousand five hundred dollars.</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 282]</span> +swindle. If so, I will do my best to have him +punished."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Curse your impudence!" exclaimed the squire, +foaming with rage.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I name Mr. Jones and Mr. Howe," said the +squire, quickly, "and request them to act at +once."</p> + +<p>"That is my desire," said Tom.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Is that satisfactory?" asked Tom, coolly.</p> + +<p>"No," shouted the squire; "I believe that the +books are bogus."<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 283]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Squire Hudson, your mortgage shall be paid +whenever you desire," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'>[Pg 284]</span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> +<h3>MANHOOD.</h3> + + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"I can't understand it, Tom," he said; "how +could you possibly get possession of so much +money?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"I think you will be easier with me than the +squire, Tom," said his father, smiling. "I will<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 285]</span> +make out a mortgage to you, since your money +has been used to redeem the farm."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"You are very generous, Tom; but I fear you +will soon get rid of all your money at this +rate."</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 286]</span> +is due him I shall have about four thousand +dollars left. This I mean to invest securely in +Boston."</p> + +<p>"I can hardly realize that you are so rich, +Tom."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 287]</span> +there. John Miles might be sick, or die, and in +that case he might meet with serious losses.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'>[Pg 288]</span> +his legal degree joined Tom in California, and is +now his partner.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<center><big> +<span class="smcap">The Young Explorer</span>;<br /> +<i>or</i>,<br /> +<span class="smcap">Among the Sierras</span>,<br /> +</big></center> + +<p>will be the next volume.</p> + +<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Top</a></span> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Young Miner, by Horatio Alger, Jr. + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG MINER *** + +***** This file should be named 22669-h.htm or 22669-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/6/6/22669/ + +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.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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