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diff --git a/27300.txt b/27300.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c513d92 --- /dev/null +++ b/27300.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7140 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Young Adventurer, by Horatio Alger + +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 Adventurer + or Tom's Trip Across the Plains + +Author: Horatio Alger + +Release Date: November 20, 2008 [EBook #27300] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG ADVENTURER *** + + + + +Produced by Fox in the Stars, Brenda Lewis, Emmy and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + + +THE + +YOUNG ADVENTURER + +OR + +TOM'S TRIP ACROSS THE PLAINS + +BY + +HORATIO ALGER, JR. + + AUTHOR OF "THE BACKWOODS BOY," "FROM CANAL BOY TO + PRESIDENT," "WALTER SHERWOOD'S PROBATION," "NED + NEWTON," "ADRIFT IN NEW YORK," ETC. + + + NEW YORK + HURST & COMPANY + PUBLISHERS + + + + +ALGER SERIES FOR BOYS. + + +UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME. + +BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. + + Adrift in New York. + Andy Gordon. + Andy Grant's Pluck. + Bob Burton. + Bound to Rise. + Brave and Bold. + Cash Boy. + Chester Rand. + Do and Dare. + Driven from Home. + Erie Train Boy. + Facing the World. + Hector's Inheritance. + Helping Himself. + Herbert Carter's Legacy. + In a New World. + Jack's Ward. + Jed, the Poor House Boy. + Julius, the Street Boy. + Luke Walton. + Making His Way. + Only an Irish Boy. + Paul, the Peddler. + Phil, the Fiddler. + Ralph Raymond's Heir. + Risen from the Ranks. + Sam's Chance. + Shifting for Himself. + Sink or Swim. + Slow and Sure. + Store Boy. + Strive and Succeed. + Strong and Steady. + Tin Box. + Tom, the Bootblack. + Tony, the Tramp. + Try and Trust. + Young Acrobat. + Young Outlaw. + Young Salesman. + + _Price Post-Paid, 35c. each, or any three + books for $1.00._ + + + HURST & COMPANY + PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + I MARK NELSON'S FAMILY 3 + II TOM FINDS A WALLET 10 + III TOM ASKS A LOAN 17 + IV TOM ASKS LEAVE OF ABSENCE 25 + V TOM RAISES THE MONEY 33 + VI TOM ARRIVES IN PITTSBURG 42 + VII THE PITTSBURG HOUSE 51 + VIII GRAHAM IN HIS TRUE COLORS 59 + IX THE "RIVER BELLE" 68 + X ON THE STEAMER 76 + XI THE FIRST DAY ON THE RIVER 85 + XII NO. 61 AND NO. 62 94 + XIII GRAHAM'S DISAPPOINTMENT 104 + XIV COMING TO AN UNDERSTANDING 113 + XV THE ALLEGHANY HOUSE 117 + XVI THE EVENTS OF A MORNING 122 + XVII TOM'S ARREST 131 + XVIII TOM GETS OUT OF HIS DIFFICULTY 140 + XIX A MISSOURI TAVERN 149 + XX ST. JOE 158 + XXI HOW THINGS WENT ON AT HOME 167 + XXII THE YOUNG MAN FROM BOSTON 175 + XXIII MR. PEABODY'S TROUBLES 184 + XXIV A SAD SIGHT 192 + XXV A NIGHT PANIC 201 + XXVI MR. PEABODY IS WORSTED 209 + XXVII THE LOST HORSE 217 + XXVIII INDIAN CASUISTRY 221 + XXIX A RACE FOR LIFE 230 + XXX TOM BECOMES AN INDIAN 234 + XXXI TOM GIVES A MAGICAL SOIREE 240 + XXXII TOM'S ESCAPE 247 + + + + +THE YOUNG ADVENTURER. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +MARK NELSON'S FAMILY. + + +"I wish I could pay off the mortgage on my farm," said Mark Nelson +soberly, taking his seat on the left of the fireplace, in the room where +his wife and family were assembled. + +"Have you paid the interest, Mark?" asked his wife. + +"Yes; I paid it this afternoon, and it has stripped me of money +completely. I have less than five dollars in my pocketbook toward buying +you and the children clothes for the winter." + +"Never mind me," said his wife cheerfully. "I am pretty well provided +for." + +"Why, mother," said Sarah, the oldest daughter, a girl of fourteen; "you +haven't had a new dress for a year." + +"I have enough to last me till spring, at any rate," said the mother. + +"You never buy anything for yourself." + +"I don't go in rags, do I?" asked Mrs. Nelson, with a smile. + +Mrs. Nelson had a happy disposition, which led her to accept +uncomplainingly, and even cheerfully, the sacrifices which, as the wife +of a farmer in poor circumstances, she was compelled to make. + +"You are right, Sarah," said Mark Nelson. "Your mother never seems to +think of herself. She might have been much better off if she had not +married me." + +The children did not understand this allusion. They had never been told +that their mother had received an offer from Squire Hudson, the +wealthiest man in the village, but had chosen instead to marry Mark +Nelson, whose only property was a small farm, mortgaged for half its +value. Her rejected admirer took the refusal hard, for, as much as it +was possible for him, he loved the prettiest girl in the village, as +Mary Dale was generally regarded. But Mary knew him to be cold and +selfish, and could not make up her mind to marry him. If she had done +so, she would now be living in the finest house in the village, with +the chance of spending the winter in New York or Boston, instead of +drudging in an humble home, where there was indeed enough to eat, but +little money for even necessary purposes. She had never regretted her +decision. Her husband, though poor, was generally respected and liked, +while the squire, though his money procured him a certain degree of +consideration, had no near or attached friends. + +To Squire Hudson many in the village paid tribute; for he held mortgages +on twenty farms and buildings, and was strict in exacting prompt payment +of the interest semi-annually. It was he to whom Mark Nelson's farm was +mortgaged for two thousand dollars. The mortgage had originally been for +fifteen hundred dollars, but five years before it had been increased to +two thousand, which represented more than half the sum which it would +have fetched, if put up for sale. The interest on this sum amounted to a +hundred and twenty dollars a year, which Mark Nelson always found it +hard to raise. Could he have retained it in his hands, and devoted it to +the use of his family, it would have helped them wonderfully, with Mrs. +Nelson's good management. + +Tom, the oldest boy, now approaching his sixteenth birthday, looked up +from a book he was reading. He was a bright-looking boy, with brown +hair, a ruddy complexion, and dark-blue eyes, who looked, and was, frank +and manly. + +"What is the amount of your interest?" he asked. + +"Sixty dollars every half-year, Tom. That is what I paid to Squire +Hudson this afternoon. It would have made us very comfortable, if I only +could have kept it." + +"It would have done you more good than the squire," said Sarah. + +"He has more money than he knows what to do with," said her father, +almost complainingly. "It seems hard that money should be so unevenly +distributed." + +"Money is not happiness," said Mrs. Nelson quietly. + +"No; but it helps to buy happiness." + +"I don't think Squire Hudson is as happy a man as you, Mark." + +Mark Nelson's face softened as he surveyed his wife and children. + +"I am happy at home," he said, "and I don't think the squire is." + +"I am sure he isn't," said Tom. "Mrs. Hudson is sour and ill-tempered, +and Sinclair--the only child--is a second edition of his mother. He is +the most unpopular boy in the village." + +"Still," said the farmer, not quite convinced, "money is an important +element of happiness, and a farmer stands a very poor chance of +acquiring it. Tom, I advise you not to be a farmer." + +"I don't mean to be if I can help it," said Tom. "I am ready for any +opening that offers. I hope some day to pay off the mortgage on the +farm, and make you a free man, father." + +"Thank you for your good intentions, Tom; but two thousand dollars is a +large sum of money." + +"I know it, father; but I was reading in a daily paper, not long since, +of a boy, as poor as myself, who was worth twenty-five thousand dollars +by the time he was thirty. Why shouldn't this happen to me?" + +"Don't build castles in the air, Tom," said his mother sensibly. + +"At least, mother, I may hope for good luck. I have been wanting to talk +to you both about my future prospects. I shall be sixteen next week, +and it is time I did something." + +"You are doing something--working on the farm now, Tom." + +"That don't count. Father advises me not to be a farmer, and I agree +with him. I think I am capable of making my way in the world in some +other way, where I can earn more money. There is Walter, who likes the +country, to stay with you." + +Walter, the third child, was now twelve years of age, with decided +country tastes. + +"I would like to be a farmer as well as anything," said Walter. "I like +the fresh air. I shouldn't like to be cooped up in a store, or to live +in the city. Let Tom go if he likes." + +"I have no objection," said Mr. Nelson; "but I have neither money nor +influence to help him. He will have to make his own way." + +"I am not afraid to try," said Tom courageously. "From this day I will +look out for a chance, if you and mother are willing." + +"I shall not oppose your wishes, Tom," said Mrs. Nelson gravely, "though +it will be a sad day for me when you leave your home." + +"That isn't the way to look at it, mother," said Tom. "If gold pieces +grew on currant bushes, it wouldn't be necessary for me to leave home +to make a living." + +"I wish they did," said Harry, a boy nine years of age. + +"What would you do then, Harry?" asked his brother, smiling. + +"I would buy a velocipede and a pair of skates." + +"I heard of a boy once who found a penny in the field, right under a +potato-vine," said Walter. + +"I don't believe it," said Harry. + +"It's true, for I was the boy." + +"Where did it come from?" + +"Tom put it there to fool me." + +"Won't you put one there to fool me, Tom?" asked Harry. + +"You are too smart, Harry," said Tom, laughing. "My pennies are too few +to try such experiments. I hope, by the time you are as old as Walter, +to give you something better." + +The conversation drifted to other topics, with which we are not +concerned. Tom, however, did not forget it. He felt that an important +question had that evening been decided for him. He had only thought of +making a start for himself hitherto. Now he had broached the subject, +and received the permission of his father and mother. The world was all +before him where to choose. His available capital was small, it is true, +amounting only to thirty-seven cents and a jack-knife; but he had, +besides, a stout heart, a pair of strong hands, an honest face, and +plenty of perseverance--not a bad equipment for a young adventurer. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +TOM FINDS A WALLET. + + +Since the time of which I am writing, over sixty years have passed, for +it was in the year 1850 that Tom made up his mind to leave home and seek +a fortune. The papers were full of the new gold discoveries in the new +country which had recently been added to the great republic. Thousands +were hurrying to the land of gold; men who had been unfortunate at home, +or, though moderately well situated, were seized by the spirit of +adventure. At considerable sacrifice many raised the means of reaching +the new El Dorado, while others borrowed or appropriated the necessary +sum. Some, able to do neither, set out on a venture, determined to get +there in some way. + +In the weekly paper, to which Mr. Nelson had for years been a +subscriber, Tom had read a good deal about California. His youthful +fancy had been wrought upon by the brilliant pictures of a land where a +penniless man might, if favored by fortune, secure a competence in a +twelvemonth, and he ardently wished that he, too, might have the chance +of going there. It was a wish, but not an expectation. It would cost at +least two hundred dollars to reach the Pacific coast, and there was no +hope of getting a tithe of that sum. + +"If I could only go to California," thought Tom, "I would make my way +somehow; I would cheerfully work twelve hours a day. I don't see why a +boy can't dig gold, as well as a man. If somebody would lend me money +enough to get there, I could afford to pay high interest." + +There was one man in Wilton who might lend him the money if he would. +That man was Squire Hudson. He always had money on hand in considerable +quantities, and two hundred dollars would be nothing to him. Tom would +not have dreamed of applying to him, however, but for a service which +just at this time he was able to render the squire. + +Tom had been in search of huckleberries--for this was the season--when, +in a narrow country road, not much frequented, his attention was drawn +to an object lying in the road. His heart hounded with excitement when +he saw that it was a well-filled pocketbook. He was not long in securing +it. + +Opening the wallet, he found it was absolutely stuffed with bank-bills, +some of large denomination. There were, besides, several papers, to +which he paid but little attention. They assured him, however, as he had +already surmised, that the wallet was the property of Squire Hudson. + +"I wonder how much money there is here," thought Tom, with natural +curiosity. + +He stepped into the woods to avoid notice, and carefully counted the +bills. There were two hundred-dollar bills, and three fifties, and so +many of smaller denominations that Tom found the whole to amount to five +hundred and sixty-seven dollars. + +"Almost six hundred dollars!" ejaculated Tom, in excitement, for he had +never seen so much money before. "How happy should I be if I had as much +money! How rich the squire is! He ought to be a happy man." + +Then the thought stole into our hero's mind, that the wallet contained +nearly three times as much as he would need to take him to California. + +"If it were only mine!" he thought to himself. + +Perhaps Tom ought to have been above temptation, but he was not. For one +little instant he was tempted to take out two hundred dollars, and then +drop the wallet where he had picked it up. No one would probably find +out where the missing money was. But Tom had been too well brought up to +yield to this temptation. Not even the thought that he might, perhaps +within a year, return the money with interest, prevailed upon him. + +"It wouldn't be honest," he decided, "and if I began in that way I could +not expect that God would prosper me. If that is the only way by which I +can go to California I must make up my mind to stay at home." + +So the question was settled in Tom's mind. The money must be returned to +the owner. His pail was nearly full of huckleberries, but he postponed +going home, for he felt that Squire Hudson would be feeling anxious +about his loss, and he thought it his duty to go and return the money +first of all. Accordingly he made his way directly to the imposing +residence of the rich man. + +Passing up the walk which led to the front door, Tom rang the bell. This +was answered by a cross-looking servant. She glanced at the pail of +berries, and said quickly: "We don't want any berries, and if we did you +ought to go round to the side door." + +"I haven't asked you to buy any berries, have I?" said Tom, rather +provoked by the rudeness of the girl, when he had come to do the squire +a favor. + +"No, but that's what you're after. We have bought all we want." + +"I tell you I didn't come here to sell berries," said Tom independently; +"I picked these for use at home." + +"Then what do you come here for, anyway, takin' up my time wid comin' to +the door, when I'm busy gettin' supper?" + +"I want to see Squire Hudson." + +"I don't know if he's at home." + +"Then you'd better find out, and not keep me waiting." + +"I never see such impudence," ejaculated the girl. + +"I mean what I say," continued Tom stoutly. "I want to see the squire on +important business." + +"Much business you have wid him!" said the girl scornfully. + +Tom by this time was out of patience. + +"Go and tell your master that I wish to see him," he said firmly. + +"I've a great mind to slam the door in your face," returned Bridget +angrily. + +"I wouldn't advise you to," said Tom calmly. + +A stop was put to the contention by an irritable voice. + +"What's all this, hey? Who's at the door, Bridget?" + +"A boy wid berries, sir." + +"Tell him I don't want any." + +"I have told him, and he won't go." + +"Won't go, hey?" and Squire Hudson came out into the hall. "What's all +this, I say? Won't go?" + +"I wish to see you, sir," said Tom, undaunted. "I have told the girl +that I didn't come here to sell berries; but she objects to my seeing +you." + +Squire Hudson was far from an amiable man, and this explanation made him +angry with the servant. He turned upon her fiercely. + +"What do you mean, you trollop," he demanded, "by refusing to let the +boy see me? What do you mean by your insolence, I say?" + +Bridget was overwhelmed, for the squire's temper was like a tornado. + +"I thought he wanted to sell berries," she faltered. + +"That isn't true," said Tom. "I told you expressly that I picked the +berries for use at home, and had none to sell." + +"Go back to the kitchen, you trollop!" thundered the squire. "You +deserve to go to jail for your outrageous conduct." + +Bridget did not venture to answer a word, for it would only have raised +a more violent storm, but retreated crestfallen to her own realm, and +left our hero in possession of the field. She contented herself with +muttering under her breath what she did not dare to speak aloud. + +"You are Tom Nelson, are you not?" asked the squire, adjusting his +spectacles, and looking more carefully at the boy. + +"Yes, sir." + +"Have you any message from your father?" + +"No, sir." + +"Then why did you come here to take up my time?" demanded the squire, +frowning. + +"I came to do you a service, Squire Hudson." + +"You came--to--do--me--a--service?" repeated the squire slowly. + +"Yes, sir." + +"You may as well come in," said the rich man, leading into the +sitting-room. + +Tom followed him into a handsomely furnished room, and the two sat down +opposite each other. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +TOM ASKS A LOAN. + + +"I don't know what service you can do me," said Squire Hudson +incredulously. + +His manner implied: "I am a rich man and you are a poor boy. How can you +possibly serve me?" + +"Have you lost anything lately?" inquired Tom, coming at once to +business. + +I suppose most men, when asked such a question, would first think of +their pocket-books. It was so with Squire Hudson. He hastily thrust his +hand into his pocket, and found--a large hole, through which, doubtless, +the wallet had slipped. + +"I have lost my wallet," he said anxiously. "Have you found it?" + +In reply Tom produced the missing article. The squire took it hurriedly, +and, at once opening it, counted the money. It was all there, and he +heaved a sigh of relief, for he was a man who cared for money more than +most people. + +"Where did you find it?" he asked. + +Tom answered the question. + +"It is very fortunate you came along before anyone else saw it. I rode +that way on horse-back this morning. I told Mrs. Hudson that my pocket +needed repairing, but she put it off, according to her usual custom. If +it had not been found, I would have kept her on short allowance for a +year to come." + +Tom felt rather embarrassed, for, of course, it would not do to join in +with the squire in his complaints of his wife. Suddenly Squire Hudson +said, eying him keenly: "Do you know how much money there is in this +wallet?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Then you counted it?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Why did you do it?" + +"I wanted to know how much there was, so that no one might blame me if +any were missing." + +"Didn't you want to take any?" asked the squire bluntly. + +"Yes," answered Tom promptly. + +"Why didn't you? For fear you would be found out?" + +"That may have had something to do with it, but it was principally +because it would have been stealing and stealing is wrong." + +"What would you have done with the money if you had taken it?" + +"Started for California next week," answered Tom directly. + +"Eh?" ejaculated the squire, rather astonished. "Why do you want to go +to California--a boy like you?" + +"To dig gold. I suppose a boy can dig gold, as well as a man. There +doesn't seem to be much chance for me here. There's nothing to do but to +work on the farm, and father and Walter can do all there is to be done +there." + +"How is your father getting along?" asked the rich man, with an interest +which rather surprised Tom. + +"Poorly," said Tom. "He makes both ends meet; but we all have to do +without a great many things that we need." + +The squire looked thoughtful. He took half a dollar from his wallet and +tendered it to Tom. + +"You've done me a service," he said. "Take that." + +Tom drew back. + +"I would rather not take money for being honest," he said. + +"That's all nonsense," said Squire Hudson sharply. + +"That's the way I feel about it," said Tom stoutly. + +"Then you're a fool." + +"I hope not, sir." + +"This would have been quite a large loss to me. I am perfectly willing +to give you this money." + +Then Tom gathered courage and said boldly, "You can do me a great favor, +Squire Hudson, if you choose." + +"What is it?" + +"Lend me enough money to go to California," said Tom nervously. + +"Good gracious! Is the boy crazy?" ejaculated the astonished squire. + +"No, sir, I am not crazy. I'll tell you what my plans are. I shall go to +work directly I get there, and shall devote the first money I make to +paying you. Of course, I shall expect to pay high interest. I am willing +to pay you three hundred dollars for two; unless I am sick, I think I +can do it inside of twelve months." + +"How much money do you suppose you will need for this wild-goose +expedition?" + +"About two hundred dollars, sir; and, as I just said, I will give you my +note for three." + +"A boy's note is worth nothing." + +"Perhaps it isn't in law; but I wouldn't rest till it was paid back." + +"What security have you to offer?" + +"None, sir, except my word." + +"Do you know what I would be if I lent you this money?" + +"You would be very kind." + +"Pish! I should be a fool." + +"I don't think you'd lose anything by it, sir; but, of course, I can't +blame you for refusing," and Tom rose to go. + +"Sit down again," said the squire; "I want to talk to you about this +matter. How long have you been thinking of California?" + +"Only two or three days, sir." + +"What made you think of it?" + +"I wanted to help father." + +"Who has told you about California?" + +"I have read about it in the papers." + +"Have you spoken to your father about going there?" + +"I have spoken to him about leaving home, and seeking my fortune; but I +have not mentioned going to California, because I thought it impossible +to raise the necessary money." + +"Of course. That's sensible, at least." + +Squire Hudson rose and walked thoughtfully about the room, occasionally +casting a keen glance at Tom, who remained sitting, with his pail of +huckleberries in his cap. + +After a while the squire spoke again. + +"Your father might let you have the money," he suggested. + +"My father has no money to spare," said Tom quickly. + +"Couldn't he raise some?" + +"I don't know how." + +"Then I'll tell you. I hold a mortgage for two thousand dollars on his +farm. I suppose you know that?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"I might be willing to increase the mortgage to twenty-two hundred, and +he could lend you the extra two hundred." + +This was a new idea to Tom, and he took a little time to think it over. + +"I don't like to ask father to do that," he said. "He finds it very hard +now to pay the interest on the mortgage." + +"I thought you intended to pay the money in a year," said the squire +sharply. + +"So I do," said Tom, and he began to think more favorably of the plan. + +"In that case your father wouldn't suffer." + +"You are right, sir. If father would only consent to do so, I would be +happy. But I might die." + +"Your father would have to take the risk of that. You can't expect me +to." + +This seemed fair enough, and, in fact, the danger didn't seem very +great to Tom. He was about sixteen; and to a boy of sixteen death seems +very far off, provided he is strong and vigorous, as Tom was. He rapidly +decided that the squire's offer was not to be refused without careful +consideration. It opened to him a career which looked bright and +promising. Once in California, what could he not do? Tom was hopeful and +sanguine, and did not allow himself to think of failure. + +"I understand that you are willing to advance the money, Squire Hudson?" +he said, determined to know just what to depend upon. + +"I will advance two hundred dollars, on condition that your father will +secure me by an increased mortgage. It is no particular object to me, +for I can readily invest the money in some other way." + +"I will speak to father about it, Squire Hudson, and meanwhile I am +thankful to you for making the offer." + +"Very well. Let me know as soon as possible," said the squire +carelessly. + +As Tom went out, the rich man soliloquized: "I have no faith in the +boy's scheme, and I don't believe half the stories they tell about the +California mines; but it will give me an extra hold on Nelson, and +hasten the day when the farm will come into my hands. When Mary Nelson +refused my hand I resolved some day to have my revenge. I have waited +long, but it will come at last. When she and her children are paupers, +she may regret the slight she put upon me." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +TOM ASKS LEAVE OF ABSENCE. + + +Tom walked home slowly, but the distance seemed short, for he was +absorbed in thought. In a way very unexpected he seemed to be likely to +realize what he had regarded as a very pleasant, but impossible, dream. +Would his father consent to the squire's proposal, and, if so, ought Tom +to consent to expose him to the risk of losing so considerable a sum of +money? If he had been older and more cautious he would probably have +decided in the negative; but Tom was hopeful and sanguine, and the +stories he had heard of California had dazzled him. There was, of +course, an element of uncertainty in his calculations, but the fact +that there seemed to be no prospect before him in his native village had +an important influence in shaping his decision. + +To ask his father the momentous question, however, was not easy, and he +delayed it, hoping for a favorable opportunity of introducing the +subject. His thoughtful manner excited attention, and secured him the +opportunity he sought. + +"You seem deep in thought, Tom," said his mother. + +"Yes, mother, I have a good deal to think about." + +"Anybody would think Tom overwhelmed with business," said Walter, next +to Tom in age, with good-humored banter. + +"I am," said Tom gravely. + +"Won't you take me in partnership, then?" asked Walter. + +Tom smiled. + +"I don't think I could do that," he answered. "Not to keep you waiting, +Squire Hudson has made me a business proposal this afternoon." + +All were surprised and looked to Tom for an explanation. + +"He offers to advance me two hundred dollars for a year, to help me out +to California." + +"Squire Hudson makes this offer to a boy of your age?" said his father +slowly. + +"Yes, or rather he makes the offer to you." + +"To me?" + +"Perhaps you will think me selfish for even mentioning it," said Tom +rapidly, in a hurry to explain fully now that the ice was broken. "He +will advance the money, on condition that you increase the mortgage on +the farm to twenty-two hundred dollars." + +Mr. Nelson looked blank. + +"Do you know, Tom," he said, "how hard I find it now to pay the interest +on the mortgage, and how hopeless I am of ever paying it off?" + +"I know all that, father; but I want to help you. If I keep my health, +and have a chance, I think I can help you. There's no chance for me +here, and there is a chance in California. You remember what we have +read in the _Weekly Messenger_ about the gold-fields, and what large +sums have been realized by miners." + +"They are men, and you are a boy." + +"That's true," said Tom, "but," he added, with natural pride, "I am +pretty strong for a boy. I am willing to work, and I don't see why I +can't dig gold as well as a man. I may not make as much, but if I only +do half as well as some that we have read about, I can do a good deal +for you." + +"How far off is California?" asked Mrs. Nelson. + +"Over three thousand miles, across the continent," answered her husband. +"By sea it is a good deal more." + +"Why, it is as far off as Europe," said Walter, who was fresh from his +lesson in geography. + +"It is farther than some parts of Europe--England, for example," said +his father. + +"And a wild, unsettled region," said Mrs. Nelson soberly. + +"I don't think so much of that," said Mark Nelson. "Tom is no baby. He +is a boy of good sense, not heedless, like some of his age, and I should +feel considerable confidence in his getting along well." + +"What, Mark, are you in favor of his going so far--a boy who has never +been away from home in his life?" + +"I don't know what to say. I have not had time to consider the matter, +as it has come upon me suddenly. I have a good deal of confidence in +Tom, but there is one difficulty in my mind." + +"What is that, father?" asked Tom anxiously. + +"The expense of getting to California, and the method of raising the +money; I don't like to increase the mortgage." + +"I suppose you are right, father," said Tom slowly. "I know it is more +than I have any right to ask. I wouldn't even have mentioned it if I +hadn't hoped to help you to pay it back." + +"That is understood, Tom," said his father kindly. "I know you mean what +you say, and that you would redeem your promise if fortune, or rather +Providence, permitted. It is a serious matter, however, and not to be +decided in a hurry. We will speak of it again." + +Nothing more was said about Tom's plan till after the children had gone +to bed. Then, as Mark Nelson and his wife sat before the fire in the +open fireplace, the subject was taken up anew. + +"Mary," said Mark, "I am beginning to think favorably of Tom's +proposal." + +"How can you say so, Mark?" interrupted his wife. "It seems like madness +to send a young boy so far away." + +"Tom can't be called a young boy; he is now sixteen." + +"But he has never been away from home." + +"He must go some time." + +"If it were only to Boston or New York; but to go more than three +thousand miles away!" and the mother shuddered. + +"There are dangers as great in Boston or New York as in California, +Mary, to a boy of Tom's age. He can't always be surrounded by home +influences." + +"I wish we could find employment for him in town," said Mrs. Nelson +uneasily. + +"That is a mother's thought, and it would be pleasant for all of us; but +I doubt if it would be better for Tom." + +"Why not?" + +"A boy who is thrown upon his own guardianship and his own resources +develops manliness and self-reliance sooner than at home. But we need +not take that into consideration; there is nothing to do here, nor is +there likely to be. He must go away from home to find employment. To +obtain a place in Boston or New York requires influence and friends in +those places; and we can hope for neither. In California he will become +his own employer. The gold-mines are open to all, and he may earn in a +year as much as he could in five years in the East." + +"Do you favor his going, then, Mark?" + +"Not against your will, Mary. Indeed, I should not feel justified in +increasing the mortgage upon our little property against your wish. That +concerns us all." + +"I don't think so much of that. I am so afraid Tom would get sick in +California. What would become of the poor boy in that case?" + +"That is a mother's thought. I think Tom would find friends, who would +not let him suffer. He is a manly, attractive boy, though he is ours, +and I think he is well calculated to make his way." + +"That he is," said his mother proudly. "No one can help liking Tom." + +"Then you see he is likely to find friends. Were he such a boy as +Sinclair Hudson, I should feel afraid that he would fare badly, if he +stood in need of help from others. Sinclair is certainly a very +disagreeable boy." + +"Yes, he is; and he isn't half as smart as Tom." + +"A mother's vanity," said Mark Nelson, smiling. "However, you are right +there. I should consider it a misfortune to have such a cross-grained, +selfish son as Sinclair. Squire Hudson, with all his wealth, is not +fortunate in his only child. There is considerable resemblance between +father and son. I often wish that some one else than the squire held the +mortgage on our farm." + +"You don't think he would take advantage of you?" + +"I don't think he would be very lenient to me if I failed to pay +interest promptly. He has a grudge against me, you know." + +"That is nonsense," said Mrs. Nelson, blushing, for she understood the +allusion. + +"I am glad he doesn't ask me to give him a mortgage on you, Mary." + +"He has forgotten all that," said Mrs. Nelson. "I am no longer young and +pretty." + +"I think you more attractive than ever," said the husband. + +"Because you are foolish," said his wife; but she was well pleased, +nevertheless. Poor as her husband was, she had never dreamed of +regretting her choice. + +"Be it so; but about this affair of Tom--what shall I say to him in the +morning?" + +Mrs. Nelson recovered her gravity instantly. + +"Decide as you think right, Mark," she said. "If you judge that Tom had +better go I will do my best to become reconciled to his absence, and set +about getting him ready." + +"It is a great responsibility, Mary," said Mark slowly; "but I accept +it. Let the boy go, if he wishes. He will leave our care, but we can +trust him to the care of his heavenly Father, who will be as near to him +in California as at home." + +Thus Tom's future was decided. His father and mother retired to bed, but +not to sleep. They were parting already in imagination with their +first-born, and the thought of that parting was sad indeed. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +TOM RAISES THE MONEY. + + +Tom got up early the next morning--in fact, he was up first in the +house--and attended to his usual "chores." He was splitting wood when +his father passed him on the way to the barn with the milk-pail in his +hand. + +"You are up early, Tom," he said. + +"Yes," answered our hero. + +Tom could not help wondering whether his father had come to any decision +about letting him go to California; but he did not like to ask. In due +time he would learn, of course. He felt that he should like to have it +decided one way or the other. While his plans were in doubt he felt +unsettled and nervous. + +At an early hour the family gathered about the breakfast table. Tom +noticed that his father and mother looked grave, and spoke in a subdued +tone, as if they had something on their minds; but he did not know what +to infer from this, except that they had his prospects still in +consideration. + +When breakfast was over, Mark Nelson pushed back his chair, and said: +"How soon can you get Tom ready to start, Mary?" + +"Am I going, father?" asked Tom, his heart giving an eager bound. + +"Is Tom really going?" asked the younger children, with scarcely less +eagerness. + +"If Squire Hudson doesn't go back on his promise. Tom, you can go with +me to the squire's." + +"How soon?" + +"In about an hour. He doesn't breakfast as early as we do. I think he +will be ready to receive us in about an hour." + +"Thank you, father," said Tom. "You are doing a great deal for me." + +"I can't do much for you, my boy. I can probably get you to California, +and then you will be thrown upon your own exertions." + +"I mean to work very hard. I think I shall succeed." + +"I hope so, at least, Tom. When the time comes to start the other boys, +I shall be glad to have your help in doing it." + +Tom was pleased to hear this, though it placed upon his shoulders a new +and heavy responsibility. He was assuming the responsibility not only +for his own future, but for that of his brothers. But it made him feel +more manly, as if the period of his dependent boyhood were over, and he +had become a young man all at once. + +"I hope I sha'n't disappoint you, father," he said. + +"If you do, I don't think it will be your fault, Tom," said his father +kindly. "Fortune may be against you, but we must take the risk of that." + +"I don't know what to think about it, Tom," said his mother, in a tone +of doubt and mental disturbance. "I feel as if you were too young to go +out in the wide world to seek your fortune." + +"I am not so very young, mother. I am old enough to make my way." + +"So your father says, and I have yielded to his judgment; but, Tom, I +don't know how to let you go." + +There were tears in Mrs. Nelson's eyes as she spoke. Tom was moved, and +if he needed anything to strengthen him in the good resolutions he had +formed, his mother's emotion supplied it. + +"You sha'n't regret giving your consent, mother," he said manfully, and, +rising from his seat, he went to his mother and kissed her. + +"Mary," said Mr. Nelson, "you haven't answered my question. How long +will it take to get Tom ready? If he is to go, he may as well start as +soon as possible." + +"Let me see," said Mrs. Nelson, "how many shirts have you got, Tom?" + +"Five." + +"Are they all in good order?" + +"I believe one needs mending." + +"I don't know whether that will be enough," said Mrs. Nelson doubtfully. + +"Mary," said her husband, "don't provide too large a supply of clothing. +Tom may find it a burden. Remember, in California, he will have to +travel on foot and carry his own baggage." + +"Then I think he is already pretty well provided. But some of his +clothes may need mending. That won't take long, and I will attend to it +at once." + +"Perhaps Squire Hudson will go back on you, after all," said Walter. + +Tom's face was overcast. That would be a disappointment he could not +easily bear. + +"I shall soon know," he said. + +An hour later Tom and his father set out for Squire Hudson's residence. +Tom felt nervous; he could not well help it. + +"Tom," said his father, "this is an important visit for you." + +"Yes, sir," said Tom. + +"You are feeling nervous, I see. Try to take it coolly, and don't feel +too low-spirited if things don't turn out as you hope." + +"I will try to follow your advice, father, but I am not sure as I can." + +"If you are disappointed, try to think it is for the best. A boy of your +age had made all arrangements to visit Europe with a party of friends. +The day before starting something happened which made it impossible for +him to go. For weeks he had been looking forward with eager anticipation +to his journey, and now it was indefinitely postponed." + +"What a terrible disappointment!" said Tom. + +"Yes, it seemed so, but mark the issue. The steamer was lost, and all on +board were drowned. The disappointment saved his life." + +"It might not always turn out so," objected Tom. + +"No, that is true. Still, if we are willing to think that our +disappointments are not always misfortunes, we shall go through life +with more cheerfulness and content." + +"Still, I hope I shall not be disappointed in this," said Tom. + +"You are perhaps too young to be philosophical," said his father. + +Mark Nelson had enjoyed only the usual advantages of education afforded +by a common school; but he was a man of good natural capacity, and more +thoughtful than many in his vocation. From him Tom inherited good +natural abilities and industrious habits. It would not be fair, however, +to give all the credit to his father. Mrs. Nelson was a superior woman, +and all her children were well endowed by nature. + +As they turned into Squire Hudson's gravel-path, the squire himself +opened the front door. + +"Were you coming to see me?" he asked. + +"We would like to speak with you a few minutes, squire, if you can spare +the time." + +"Oh, yes, I have nothing pressing on hand," said the squire, with +unusual affability. "Walk in, Mr. Nelson." + +He led the way into the room where Tom had had his interview with him +the day before. + +"Your son did me a good turn yesterday," he said graciously. "He behaved +in a very creditable manner." + +"He told me that he found your pocketbook, Squire Hudson." + +"Yes; it contained a large sum of money. Some boys would have kept it." + +"None of my boys would," said Mark Nelson proudly. + +"Of course not. They're too well brought up." + +"Tom told me that you offered to advance money enough to get him to +California," said Mr. Nelson, coming to business. + +"On satisfactory security," added the squire cautiously. + +"You proposed to increase the mortgage on my place?" + +"Yes," said the squire. "I wouldn't have done it, though, Neighbor +Nelson, but for the good turn the boy did me. I am not at all particular +about increasing the amount of the mortgage, but, if by so doing it I +can promote Tom's views, I won't object." + +"Thank you, sir," said Tom gratefully. + +"It is a serious step for me to take," continued Mr. Nelson, "for I feel +the incumbrance to be a heavy one already. In fact, it is with +difficulty that I pay the interest. But the time has come when Tom +should start in life, and in this village there seems to be no +opening." + +"None whatever," said the squire, in a tone of decision. + +"What do you think of the prospects in California?" asked Mark Nelson. +"You are a man of business, and can judge better than I. Are the stories +we hear of fortunes made in a short time to be relied upon?" + +"As to that," said the squire deliberately, "I suppose we can't believe +all we hear; we must make some allowances. But, after all, there's no +doubt of the existence of gold in large quantities; I am satisfied of +that." + +"Then about the wisdom of sending out a boy like Tom, alone; do you +think it best?" + +"It depends altogether on the boy," responded the squire. "If he is +honest, industrious, and energetic, he will make his way. You know your +own boy better than I do." + +"He is all you say, Squire Hudson. I have a great deal of confidence in +Tom." + +Tom looked at his father gratefully. Sometimes it does a boy good to +learn that the older people have confidence in him. + +"Then let him go," said the squire. "I stand ready to furnish the money. +I think you said you needed two hundred dollars." + +This question was put to Tom, and the boy answered in the affirmative. + +"Very well," said the squire. "As soon as the necessary writings are +made out, the money shall be ready." + +"It's all settled!" thought Tom triumphantly. + +At that moment Sinclair Hudson, the squire's only son, opened the door +and looked into the room. + +"Hello, Tom Nelson," said he, rather rudely. "What brings you here?" + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +TOM ARRIVES IN PITTSBURG. + + +"I came on business, Sinclair," answered Tom, smiling. + +"Thomas is going to California, Sinclair," explained Squire Hudson. + +Sinclair opened wide his eyes in amazement. "What for?" he asked. + +"To dig gold and make my fortune," answered Tom complacently. + +"Come out and tell me all about it." + +"You can go, Thomas," said Squire Hudson graciously. "Your father and I +will settle the business." + +"Is it true that you are going to California?" asked Sinclair, when they +were out in the front yard. + +"Yes." + +"How soon do you go?" + +"I want to get away in a week." + +"What has my father to do with it?" inquired Sinclair. + +"He is going to lend me the money to get there." + +"How much?" + +"Two hundred dollars." + +"Then he is a greater fool than I thought," said Sinclair, with +characteristic politeness. + +"Why do you say that?" demanded our hero, justly nettled. + +"Because he'll never see the money again." + +"Yes, he will. My father is responsible for it." + +"Your father is a poor man." + +"He is able to pay that, if I don't; but I hope he won't have to." + +"Do you really expect to find gold?" asked Sinclair curiously. + +"Certainly I do. Others have, and why shouldn't I? I am willing to work +hard." + +"Do you think you'll come home rich?" + +"I hope so." + +"I have a great mind to ask father to let me go with you," said Sinclair +unexpectedly. + +"You wouldn't like it. You haven't been brought up to work," said Tom, +rather startled, and not much pleased with the proposal, for Sinclair +Hudson was about the last boy he wished as a companion. + +"Oh, I wouldn't go to work. I would go as a gentleman, to see the +country. Wait a minute; I will run in and ask him." + +So Sinclair ran into the house, and preferred his request. + +"That's a wild idea, Sinclair," said his father quickly. + +"Why is it? I'm as old as Tom Nelson." + +"He is going because it is necessary for him to earn his living." + +"He will have a splendid time," grumbled the spoiled son. + +"You shall travel all you want to when you are older," said his father. +"Now you must get an education." + +"I want to travel now." + +"I will take you to New York the next time I go." + +"Give me five dollars besides." + +The money was handed him. + +He went out and reported to Tom that he was going to travel all over the +world when he was a little older, and had decided not to go to +California now. + +"If you have money enough you can go with me," he added graciously. + +"Thank you," said Tom politely, though the prospect of having Sinclair +for a traveling companion did not exhilarate him much. + +For a few days Mrs. Nelson was very busy getting Tom ready to go. It was +well, perhaps, that so much needed to be done, for it kept her mind from +the thought of the separation. + +The question of which route to take, whether by steamer or across the +plains, demanded consideration. It was finally decided that Tom should +go overland. It was thought he might join some company at St. Joseph--or +St. Joe, as it was then, and is now, popularly called--and pay his +passage in services, thus saving a good share of the two hundred +dollars. That was, of course, an important consideration. + +"How shall I carry my money?" asked Tom. + +"It will be best to take gold, and carry it for safety in a belt around +your waist," said his father. "You must be very prudent and careful, or +you may be robbed. That would be a serious thing for you, as I could not +forward you any more money." + +"I will be very prudent, father," said Tom. "I know the value of money +too well to risk losing it." + +Well, the days of preparation were over at length, and Tom stood on the +threshold, bidding good-by to his parents and his brothers and sisters. +He had not realized till now what it was to leave home on a long journey +of indefinite duration. He wanted to be heroic, but in spite of himself +his eyes moistened, and he came near breaking down. + +"I don't know how to part with you, my dear child," said his mother. + +"Think that it is all for the best, mother," said Tom, choking. "Think +of the time when I will come back with plenty of money." + +"God bless you, Tom!" said his father. "Don't forget your good habits +and principles when you are far away from us." + +"I won't, father." + +So Tom's long journey commenced. + +Tom's plan was to go to St. Louis first. His father made some inquiries +about the route, and recommended going to Pittsburg by cars, then to +take the boat on the Ohio River for Cincinnati. This seemed to Tom to +afford a pleasant variety, and he gladly accepted the suggestion. + +As they were approaching Pittsburg, Tom occupied a whole seat on the +left-hand side of the car. A brisk, plausible young man, of twenty-five, +passing through the aisle, observed the vacant seat, and, pausing, +inquired, "Is this seat engaged?" + +"No, sir," answered Tom. + +"Then, if you have no objection, I will occupy it." + +"Certainly, sir." + +The young man was nicely dressed. In his bosom sparkled a diamond pin, +and he wore three or four rings on his fingers. + +"He must be rich," thought Tom, who was of an observant turn. + +"A pleasant day to travel," remarked the young man affably. + +"Yes, it is," said Tom. + +"Do you go farther than Pittsburg?" + +"Yes, I am going to California," answered Tom proudly. + +"Is it possible? Are you alone?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"You are young to travel so far." + +"I am sixteen; that is, I shall be in two or three weeks." + +"Still, you are young to take such a journey alone. Are you going to +join friends there?" + +"No; I am going to seek my fortune." + +Once more the young man looked surprised, and scanned Tom curiously. + +"I presume you are from the city," he observed, with a smile which Tom +would not have understood if he had noticed it. The truth is, that Tom +bore evident marks of being a country boy. I don't like to say that he +looked "green," but he certainly lacked the air that distinguishes a +town-bred boy. His companion evidently understood boy nature, for Tom +was much flattered by the supposition that he was a city boy. + +"No," he answered, almost as if apologizing for a discreditable fact; +"I am from the country." + +"You don't say so!" exclaimed the other, in apparent surprise. "I +thought, from your appearance, that you were from the city. How do you +go from Pittsburg?" + +"By river to Cincinnati." + +"Do you really? I am glad to hear it; I am going there myself. We shall +be fellow passengers. That will be pleasant." + +Tom thought it would. His companion seemed very pleasant and social, and +he had been feeling lonely, as was only natural. + +"Yes, it will," he said. + +"By the way, as we may be thrown together, more or less, we ought to +know each other. My name is Milton Graham. My father is a rich merchant +in New York. I am traveling partly on business for my father's firm, and +partly for pleasure." + +"My name is Thomas Nelson; most people call me Tom," said our hero. + +"Then I will call you Tom," said Graham. "I like the name. I have a +favorite cousin named Tom. Poor boy!--he is an orphan. His father died +two years ago, leaving him two hundred thousand dollars. My father is +his guardian. He is about your age; only not quite so good-looking." + +Tom blushed. He had not thought much of his own looks, but he was human, +and no one is displeased at being considered good-looking. Mr. Graham +spoke meditatively, as if he was not intending to pay a compliment, only +mentioning a fact, and Tom did not feel called upon to thank him for +this flattering remark. + +"That is a great deal of money," he said. + +"Yes, it is. All my relations are rich; that is, except one uncle, who +probably is not worth over twenty thousand dollars." + +Tom was impressed. A man who could talk of such a sum in such terms must +certainly be very rich. + +"Do you know, Mr. Graham," he inquired, "how soon the steamer will start +after we reach Pittsburg?" + +"No; but I can find out after we reach there." + +On arriving at Pittsburg, inquiry was made, and it was ascertained that +the steamer _River Belle_ would leave at nine o'clock the following +morning. + +"We shall have to go to a hotel," said Graham. + +"Is there any cheap hotel here?" asked Tom prudently. + +"Yes; there is the Pittsburg House. Suppose we both go there." + +"All right." + +Mr. Graham had only a small carpetbag, smaller than Tom's. They took +them in their hands, and walked for a short distance, till they reached +a plain building, which, from the sign, Tom discovered to be the hotel +which had been mentioned. + +"Shall we room together? It will cost less," said Milton Graham +carelessly. + +"If you please," said Tom. + +He was lonely and thought he would like company. Besides, it would be +cheaper, and that was a weighty consideration. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE PITTSBURG HOUSE. + + +Tom and his companion entered the hotel. At the left was the clerk's +desk. Milton Graham naturally took the lead. He took a pen from the +clerk, and entered his name with a flourish. Then he handed the pen to +Tom, who followed his example, omitting the flourish, however. + +"This young gentleman will room with me," said Graham. + +"All right, sir," said the clerk. "Will you go up to your room now?" + +"Yes." + +The porter was summoned, and handed the key of No. 16. He took the two +carpetbags, and led the way up-stairs, for the Pittsburg House had no +elevator. Even in the best hotels at that time this modern convenience +was not to be found. + +The door of No. 16 was opened, revealing a plain room, about twelve feet +square, provided, as Tom was glad to see, with two narrow beds. + +"Have you got a quarter, Tom?" asked Graham. + +Tom drew one from his pocket. + +Graham took it and handed it to the porter, who expressed his thanks. + +"It's always customary to fee the porter," he said carelessly, in answer +to Tom's look of surprise. + +"What for?" + +"For bringing up the baggage." + +"Twenty-five cents for bringing up two small carpetbags! That's pretty +high. I'd have brought them up myself, if I had known," said Tom, +dissatisfied, for he felt that this fee was hardly in accordance with +his resolutions of economy. + +"Oh, he expects it. It's his regular perquisite. When you've traveled +more you'll understand." + +"How much are we to pay for our accommodations?" asked Tom anxiously. + +"About two dollars apiece, I reckon." + +"That's more than I can afford," said Tom, alarmed. + +"Perhaps it is less, as we room together." + +"I hope so, for I can't afford to be extravagant." + +"Do you call two dollars a day extravagant?" asked Graham, smiling. + +"It is for me. My father is poor." + +"Oh, it'll be all right. I'll fix it with the clerk. If you are ready, +suppose we go down and have some supper." + +To this Tom had no objection. He washed his hands and face, and brushed +his hair; then he declared himself ready. + +Tom was hungry, and did justice to the supper, which he found very good. +As they left the table, and reentered the office of the hotel, Milton +Graham said, "I am going to make a call on some friends. Sorry to leave +you, but we shall meet later in the evening." + +"All right," said Tom. + +On the whole he did not regret being alone. He began to doubt whether +Graham would make a desirable traveling companion. Tom felt the need of +economy, and he saw that his companion would make it difficult. If a fee +must be paid, it was fair to divide it; but the porter's fee had come +out of Tom's pocket. + +"Didn't he have a quarter, I wonder?" thought our hero. + +It was a small matter, but economy must begin in small matters, or it is +not likely to be practised at all. + +He took the opportunity to go to the desk and ascertain the sum likely +to be charged for his accommodations. + +"How long do you stay?" asked the clerk pleasantly. + +"Till to-morrow morning. I am going to sail in the _River Belle_." + +"Then we shall charge you a dollar and a half." + +This seemed large to Tom, but he made no objection. + +"How much would it have been if I had roomed alone?" he asked. + +"The same. We make no change in our terms on that account." + +"Mr. Graham told me it would be cheaper to room together." + +"He is your roommate, isn't he?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"He is mistaken, so far as our house is concerned. I suppose you have +known him for some time." + +"No, sir. I met him on the cars yesterday afternoon for the first time." + +"Then you don't know anything about him?" + +"Oh, yes," answered Tom. "He is the son of a rich merchant in New York." + +"Who told you that?" + +"He did." + +The clerk was a man of middle age. At home he had a son of Tom's age, +and this led him to feel a friendly interest in our hero. + +"I suppose you have never traveled much," he said. + +"No, sir. This is my first journey." + +"Are you going far?" + +"To California." + +"That is a long journey for a boy of your age," said the clerk, looking +surprised. + +"Yes, sir; but I can't get anything to do at home, and I am going to +California to seek my fortune." + +"I hope you will be successful," said the clerk, with hearty sympathy. +"Will you let me give you a piece of advice?" + +"I shall be very glad of it, sir," responded Tom. "I find I am quite +inexperienced." + +"Then don't trust strangers too readily. It is dangerous." + +"Do you refer to Mr. Graham?" asked Tom, startled. + +"Yes, I refer to him, or any other chance acquaintance." + +"Don't you think he is all right?" asked our hero anxiously. + +"I don't think he is the son of a rich merchant in New York." + +"Then why should he tell me so?" + +Tom was green, and I have no intention of concealing it. + +"I can't tell what his designs may be. Did you tell him that you were +going to California?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Then he will, of course, conclude that you have money. Did you tell him +where you keep it?" + +"No, sir. I keep it in a belt around my waist." + +"You are too ready to tell that, though with me the information is safe. +You are to room together. What will be easier, then, for your companion +to rob you during the night?" + +"I'd better take a room alone," said Tom, now thoroughly alarmed. + +"I should advise you to, in most cases, but at present it may be as well +to let things remain as they are, as it will save an awkward +explanation." + +"But I don't want to be robbed." + +"We have a safe in the office--there it is--in which we deposit articles +of value intrusted to us by our guests. Then we become responsible for +them. I advise you to leave your money with us overnight." + +"I will," said Tom, relieved. "I shall have to go to my room to remove +it." + +"Very well. If you have a watch, or any other valuable, it will be well +to put those in our charge also." + +"No, sir, I have nothing of consequence but the money." + +The belt of money was deposited in the safe, and Tom felt relieved. He +began to realize for the first time the need of prudence and caution. It +had never occurred to him that a nice, gentlemanly-looking man, like +Milton Graham, was likely to rob him of his scanty means. Even now he +thought there must be some mistake. Still he felt that he had done the +right thing in depositing the money with the clerk. The mere thought of +losing it, and finding himself high and dry--stranded, so to +speak--hundreds of miles from home, made him shudder. On the whole, Tom +had learned a valuable, though an unpleasant, lesson. The young are by +nature trustful. They are disposed to put confidence in those whom they +meet, even for the first time. Unhappily, in a world where there is so +much evil as there is in ours, such confidence is not justified. There +are too many who make it a business to prey on their fellows, and select +in preference the young and inexperienced. + +It was only seven o'clock. Tom had a curiosity to see the city of +Pittsburg, with whose name he had been familiar. So, after parting with +his treasure, he went out for a walk. He did not much care where he +went, since all was alike new to him. He ascertained, on inquiry, that +Smithfield Street was the principal business thoroughfare. He inquired +his way thither, and walked slowly through it, his attention fully +occupied by what he saw. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +GRAHAM IN HIS TRUE COLORS. + + +Tom strayed into a street leading from the main thoroughfare. Presently +he came to a brilliantly-lighted liquor saloon. As he paused in front of +the door, a heavy hand was laid upon his shoulder, and, looking up, he +met the glance of a well-dressed gentleman, rather portly, whose +flushed face and uncertain gait indicated his condition. He leaned +rather heavily upon Tom, apparently for support, for he seemed to have +been drinking more than was good for him. + +"My young friend," he said, "come in and take a drink." + +"Thank you, sir, but I would rather not," said Tom, startled. + +"It won't hurt you. It don't hurt me." + +As he uttered these last words he came near falling. In his effort to +save himself he clutched Tom by the arm, and nearly pulled him over. Our +hero was anxious to get away. + +"Are you sure it don't hurt you?" he could not help saying. + +"Do you think I'm drunk?" demanded the other. + +"I think you've taken more than is good for you, sir," Tom answered +bravely. + +"I guess you're right," muttered the gentleman, trying to stand upright. +"The drink's gone to my legs. That's strange. Does it ever go to your +legs?" + +"I never drink, sir." + +"You're a most extraor'nary young man," hiccoughed Tom's new +acquaintance. + +"I must bid you good-night, sir," said our hero, anxious to get away. + +"Don't go. I can't get home alone." + +"Where do you live, sir?" + +"I live in the country." + +"Are you staying at a hotel?" + +"Yes--Pittsburg House. Know Pittsburg House?" + +"Yes, sir. I am staying there myself. Shall I lead you there? You'd +better not drink any more." + +"Jus' you say, my young frien'. You know best." + +It was not a pleasant, or, indeed, an easy task to lead home the +inebriate, for he leaned heavily on Tom, and, being a large man, it was +as much as our hero could do to get him along. As they were walking +along Tom caught sight of his roommate, Milton Graham, just turning into +a saloon, in company with two other young men. They were laughing +loudly, and seemed in high spirits. Graham did not recognize Tom. + +"I hope he won't come home drunk," thought our hero. "It seems to me it +is fashionable to drink here." + +Tom's experience of city life was very limited. It was not long before +he learned that Pittsburg was by no means exceptional in this respect. + +He ushered his companion safely into the hotel, and then a servant took +charge of him, and led him to his room. Tom sat up a little while +longer, reading a paper he found in the office, and then went to bed. + +"I suppose Mr. Graham will come home late," he said to himself. "I must +leave the door unlocked." + +He soon went to sleep. How long he slept he did not know, but suddenly +awoke after an interval. Opening his eyes he became conscious that +Graham had returned. He discovered something more. His roommate, +partially undressed, and with his back turned to Tom, was engaged in +searching our hero's pockets. This discovery set Tom broad awake at +once. He was not frightened, but rather amused when he thought of +Graham's disappointment. He did not think it best to speak, but +counterfeited sleep. + +"I wonder where the boy keeps his money," he heard Graham mutter. +"Perhaps it is in his coat pocket. No, there is nothing but a +handkerchief. He's more careful than I gave him credit for. Perhaps it +is under his pillow." + +He laid down the clothes, and approached the bed. Tom, with some effort, +kept his eyes firmly closed. + +Graham slid his hand lightly under the pillow, but withdrew it with all +exclamation of disappointment. + +"He must have some money," he muttered. "Ah, I have it! It is in his +valise." + +He approached Tom's valise, but it was locked. He drew out a bunch of +keys, and tried one after the other, but in vain. Our hero feared he +might resort to violent means of opening it, and turned in bed. Graham +wheeled round quickly. + +Tom stretched, and opened his eyes languidly. + +"Is that you, Mr. Graham?" he asked. + +"Yes," answered Graham nonchalantly, proceeding to undress himself. +"Have you been abed long?" + +"I don't know," answered Tom. "What time is it?" + +"Haven't you got a watch?" + +"No, I am not rich enough." + +"It is one o'clock. I hadn't seen my friend for a long time, and +couldn't get away till late. By the way, have you got a key about you? I +can't open my carpetbag." + +Tom thought of suggesting the bunch of keys in Graham's pocket, but +decided not to. + +"My key is in my pants' pocket." + +"Suppose you get it," said Graham. "I don't like to feel in another +person's pocket. There might be some money there." + +This was very scrupulous for one who had already searched all Tom's +pockets thoroughly. + +Our hero got up, and got the key for his roommate. + +"No, it won't fit," said the young man, after a brief trial. "It is too +large." + +Tom replaced the key in his pocket, confident that Graham would in the +course of the night use it to open his valise. This, however, did not +trouble him. + +"He won't think it worth while to steal my shirts or stockings," he +reflected, "and the handkerchiefs are not worth taking." + +"It will be rather awkward if I can't find my keys," said Graham +craftily. "I keep my money in my valise." + +He thought his unsophisticated companion would reveal in turn where he +kept his money; but Tom only said, "That is a good place," and, turning +over, closed his eyes again. + +During the night Tom's valise was opened, as he ascertained in a simple +way. In the morning he found that the key was in the right hand-pocket +instead of the left, in which he had placed it. + +Upon Graham's last failure he began to suspect what Tom had done with +his money. + +"The boy isn't so green as I thought," he said to himself. "Curse his +prudence! I must get the money somehow, for I am precious hard up." + +He got up early, when Tom was yet asleep, and went down to the office. + +"Good morning," he said to the clerk affably. + +"Good morning, sir." + +"My young friend and roommate left his money with you last night. Please +deliver it to me." + +"What is the number of your room?" asked the clerk quietly. + +"No. 16. Tom Nelson is my roommate." + +"Why doesn't he come for it himself?" inquired the hotel clerk, with a +searching glance at Graham. + +"He wishes me to buy his steamboat ticket," answered Graham coolly. "He +is going down the river in my charge." + +"Are you his guardian?" + +"Yes," answered Graham, with cool effrontery. "He is the son of an +acquaintance of mine, and I naturally feel an interest in the boy." + +"He told me he never met you till yesterday." + +Graham was rather taken aback, but he recovered himself quickly. + +"That's pretty cool in Tom," he returned, shrugging his shoulders. "I +understand it, though." + +"I am glad you do," said the clerk sarcastically, "for it doesn't look +to me at all consistent with what you represent." + +"The fact is," said Graham plausibly, "Tom has a feeling of +independence, and doesn't like to have it supposed that he is under +anybody's protection. That accounts for what he told you. It isn't +right, though, to misrepresent. I must give him a scolding. I am in a +little of a hurry, so if you will kindly give me the boy's money----" + +"It won't do, Mr. Graham," said the clerk, very firmly. "The money was +put in our charge by the boy, and it will be delivered only to him." + +"You seem to be very suspicious," said Graham loftily. "Hand me my bill, +if you please. I will breakfast elsewhere." + +The bill was made out, and paid. Five minutes later Milton Graham, with +an air of outraged virtue, stalked out of the hotel, quite forgetting +the young friend who was under his charge. + +When Tom came down-stairs he was told of the attempt to get possession +of his money. + +"I am much obliged to you for not letting him have it," he said. "He +searched my clothes and valise during the night, but I said nothing, for +I knew he would find nothing worth taking." + +"He is a dangerous companion. If you ever meet him again, I advise you +to give him a wide berth." + +"I certainly shall follow your advice. If you had not warned me against +him he would have stolen my money during the night." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE "RIVER BELLE." + + +As Tom took his place at the breakfast table, he mechanically lifted his +eyes and glanced at his neighbors. Directly opposite him sat the +gentleman whom he had brought home the evening before. Now he looked +sober and respectable. Indeed, he looked as if he might be a person of +some prominence. He met Tom's glance, and recognized him. + +"I think you are the boy who came home with me last evening," he said. + +"Yes, sir," answered Tom, rather embarrassed. + +"I am afraid I was not quite myself," continued the stout gentleman. + +"Not quite, sir." + +"I ought to be ashamed of myself, and I am. I don't often allow myself +to be caught in that way. You did me a good service." + +"You are quite welcome, sir." + +"I had a good deal of money with me, and, if I had drank any more, I +should probably have been robbed." + +"Why did you run such a risk, sir?" Tom could not help asking. + +"Because I was a fool," said the other bluntly. "I have taste for drink, +but when I am at home I keep it under control." + +"Then you don't live in Pittsburg, sir?" + +"No. My home is in one of the river towns in Ohio. I came to Pittsburg +to collect money due me for produce, and but for you should probably +have carried none of it home." + +"I am very glad to be of service to you," said our hero sincerely. + +"What are your plans, my young friend? I suppose you are only a visitor +in this city." + +"I am on my way to California. I expect to sail in the _River Belle_ at +nine o'clock." + +"Then we shall be fellow passengers, and I shall have a chance to become +better acquainted with you. You are young to go to California alone. You +are alone--are you not?" + +"Yes, sir." + +They went down to the boat together, and on the way Tom told his story. +He learned that his acquaintance was Mr. Nicholas Waterbury; that he +had been a member of the Ohio Legislature, and, as he inferred, was a +prominent citizen of the town in which he lived. + +"I should be very much ashamed to have them hear at home how I had +forgotten myself," said Mr. Waterbury. + +"It need not be known," said Tom. "I shall not mention it to any one." + +"Thank you," said Mr. Waterbury. "I would rather you did not, as the +news might reach my home." + +"Where do you live, sir?" + +"In Marietta. I shall be glad to have you leave the boat there, and stay +a day or two with me." + +"Thank you, sir, but I am in a hurry to reach California, on my father's +account. I want to send back as soon as possible the money he raised to +pay my expenses out." + +"That is very commendable; I can enter into your feelings. I should like +to show my obligation to you in some way." + +"It is not worth thinking about, sir," said Tom modestly. + +"Permit me to disagree with you. Why, my young friend, how much money do +you think I had with me?" + +"I don't know, sir." + +"Upward of six hundred dollars." + +As Mr. Waterbury uttered these words, a young man, very dark, with +narrow black whiskers, passed them. He darted a quick glance at the +speaker, and walked rapidly on. Tom noticed him, but not with attention. + +"That is a good deal of money, sir," he remarked. + +"It would have been a good deal to lose," said Mr. Waterbury, "and I +have no doubt I should have lost it if it had not been for you." + +"I haven't so much money as you, but I came near losing it last night." + +"How was that?" asked Tom's new acquaintance, with curiosity. + +Tom explained the attempt of his roommate to rob him. + +"It would have been a serious loss to you, my young friend." + +"It would have broken up all my plans, and I should have had to work my +way home, greatly disappointed." + +"You will need to be careful about forming acquaintances. There are +exceptions, however. I am a new acquaintance; but I don't think you need +fear me." + +"No, sir," said Tom, smiling. + +"While I have received a great service from you, who are a new +acquaintance. But here we are at the steamer." + +The _River Belle_ lay at her pier. Tom and his companion went on board. +Both secured tickets, and Tom provided himself with a stateroom, for he +expected to remain on board till they reached Cincinnati. Freight of +various kinds was being busily stowed away below. It was a busy and +animated scene, and Tom looked on with interest. + +"Have you ever been on a steamboat before?" asked Mr. Waterbury. + +"No, sir. I have never traveled any to speak of before leaving home on +this journey," replied Tom. + +"It will be a pleasant variety for you, then, though the scenery is +tame. However, some of the river towns are pretty." + +"I am sure I shall like it, sir." + +"I wish I were going all the way with you--I mean as far as Cincinnati," +said Mr. Waterbury. + +"I wish you were, sir." + +"I have a great mind to do it," said the gentleman musingly. "I should +have to go very soon on business, at any rate, and I can attend to it +now just as well as later." + +"I shall be very glad if you can make it convenient, sir. We might +occupy the same stateroom." + +"Are you not afraid that I shall follow the example of your Pittsburg +roommate?" asked Mr. Waterbury. + +"I have less to lose than you," answered Tom. "Besides, I shall have to +have a roommate, as there are two berths." + +"Precisely, and I might be safer than some. I have a great mind to keep +on. I shall see some one on the pier in Marietta by whom I can send word +to my family. By the way, I have a son about your age, and a daughter +two years younger." + +"Have you, sir?" asked Tom, with interest. + +"I should like you to meet them. Perhaps you may some day." + +"I hope I may," said Tom politely. + +"I am a manufacturer," continued Mr. Waterbury, "and sell my goods +chiefly in Pittsburg and Cincinnati. From these places they are +forwarded farther east and west." + +"I suppose that's a pretty good business, sir?" + +"Sometimes; but there are intervals of depression. However, I have no +right to complain. I began a poor boy, and now I am moderately rich." + +"Were you as poor as I am?" inquired Tom, beginning to feel a personal +interest in his companion's career. + +"Quite so, I fancy. At the age of sixteen I couldn't call myself the +owner of five dollars." + +"And you have become rich?" said Tom, feeling very much encouraged. + +"Moderately so. I am probably worth fifty thousand dollars, and am just +fifty years of age." + +"That seems to me very rich," said Tom. + +"I should have said the same thing at your age. Our views change as we +get older. Still, I regard myself as very well off, and, with prudent +management, I need not fear reverses." + +"I should think not," said Tom. + +"You don't know how easy it is to lose money, my boy. I am not +referring to robbery, but to mismanagement." + +"Your success encourages me, Mr. Waterbury," said Tom. "I am willing to +work hard." + +"I think you will succeed. You look like a boy of good habits. Energy, +industry, and good habits can accomplish wonders. But I think we are on +the point of starting." + +Just before the gangplank was drawn in, two persons hastily crossed it. + +One was the dark young man who had passed them on the way down to the +boat; the other was Milton Graham. + +"Mr. Waterbury," said Tom hurriedly, "do you see that man?" + +"Yes." + +"He is the man that tried to rob me." + +"We must be on our guard, then. He may be up to more mischief." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +ON THE STEAMER. + + +In half an hour the _River Belle_ was on her way. Tom watched the city +as it receded from view. He enjoyed this new mode of travel better than +riding on the cars. He had never before been on any boat except a +ferry-boat, and congratulated himself on his decision to journey by boat +part of the way. + +Milton Graham had passed him two or three times, but Tom, though seeing +him, had not volunteered recognition. Finding that he must make the +first advances, Graham finally stopped short, looked full at our hero, +and his face wore a very natural expression of surprise and pleasure. + +"Why, Tom, is that you?" he said, offering his hand, which Tom did not +appear to see. + +"Yes," said our hero coldly. + +"I didn't expect to see you here." + +"I told you I intended to sail on the _River Belle_." + +"So you did; but I thought you had changed your mind." + +It made very little difference to Tom what Mr. Graham thought, and he +turned from him to watch the scenery past which the boat was gliding. + +"I suppose," continued the young man, "you were surprised to find me +gone when you came down-stairs to breakfast." + +"Yes, I was." + +"He resents it because I left him," thought Graham. "I guess I can bring +him around." + +"The fact was," explained Graham, in a plausible manner, "I went out to +call on a friend, meaning to come back to breakfast; but he made me +breakfast with him, and when I did return you were gone. I owe you an +apology, Tom. I hope you will excuse my unintentional neglect." + +"Oh, certainly," said Tom indifferently; "it's of no consequence." + +Mr. Graham looked at him sharply. He could not tell whether our hero +was aware of his dishonest intentions or not, but as Tom must still have +money, which he wanted to secure, he thought it best to ignore his +coldness. + +"No," said he; "it's of no consequence as long as we have come together +again. By the way, have you secured a stateroom?" + +"Yes." + +"If the other berth is not taken, I should like very much to go in with +you," said Graham insinuatingly. + +"I have a roommate," said Tom coolly. + +"You have? Who is it?" demanded Graham, disappointed. + +"That gentleman," answered Tom, pointing out Mr. Nicholas Waterbury. + +"Humph! do you know him?" + +"I met him at the Pittsburg House." + +"My young friend," said Graham, with the air of a friendly mentor, "I +want to give you a piece of advice." + +"Very well." + +"Don't be too ready to trust strangers. This Mr. Waterbury may be a very +good man, but, on the other hand, he may be a confidence man. Do you +understand me?" + +"I think so." + +"Now, I suppose you have money?" + +"A little." + +"Take care that he doesn't get possession of it. There are men who go +about expressly to fleece inexperienced strangers." + +"I suppose you know all about that," Tom could not help saying. + +"What do you mean?" demanded Graham suspiciously. + +"You are an old traveler, and must know all about the sharpers." + +"Oh, to be sure," said Graham, immediately dismissing his suspicions. +"You couldn't leave your companion, could you, and come into my +stateroom?" + +"I don't think I could." + +"Oh, very well. It's of no consequence. Keep a good lookout for your +roommate." + +Graham turned away, and resumed his walk. Soon Tom saw him in company +with the dark young man, to whom reference has already been made. + +"Well," said the latter, "how did you make out with the boy?" + +"He's offish. I don't know as he suspects me. I wanted to get him into +my stateroom, but he has already taken up with another man--that stout +party over there." + +"So I suspected. I can tell you something about that man." + +"What?" + +"He carries six hundred dollars about him." + +"You don't say so! How did you find out?" + +"I overheard him telling the boy so." + +"That's important news. The boy must have a couple of hundred, or +thereabouts, as he is on his way to California." + +"Eight hundred dollars together! That would make a good haul." + +"So it would, but it won't be easy to get it." + +While this conversation was going on Tom informed Mr. Waterbury of what +had passed between Graham and himself. + +"So he warned you against me, did he?" said Mr. Waterbury laughingly. + +"Yes, he thought I would be safer in his company." + +"If you want to exchange, I will retire," said Mr. Waterbury, smiling. + +"Thank you; I would rather not. I am glad I met you, or he might have +managed to get in with me." + +It was not long before they came to a landing. It was a small river +village, whose neat white houses, with here and there one of greater +pretensions, presented an attractive appearance. A lady and her daughter +came on board here. The lady was dressed in black, and appeared to be a +widow. The girl was perhaps fourteen years of age, with a bright, +attractive face. Two trunks were put on the boat with them, and as they +were the only passengers from this landing, Tom inferred that they were +their property. + +"That's quite a pretty girl," said Mr. Waterbury. + +"Yes," answered Tom. + +"You ought to get acquainted with her," said Mr. Waterbury jocosely. + +"Perhaps," said Tom shyly, "you will get acquainted with them, and then +you can introduce me." + +"You are quite sharp," said Mr. Waterbury, laughing. "However, your +hint is a good one. I may act upon it." + +It happened, however, that Tom required no introduction. As the lady and +her daughter walked across the deck, to occupy some desirable seats on +the other side, the former dropped a kid glove, which Tom, espying, +hastened forward and, picking up, politely tendered to the owner. + +"You are very kind," said the lady, in a pleasant voice. "I am much +obliged." + +"Mama is quite in the habit of dropping her gloves," said the young +girl, with a smiling glance at Tom. "I really think she does it on +purpose." + +"Then, perhaps, I had better keep near-by to pick them up," said Tom. + +"Really, Jennie," said her mother, "you are giving the young gentleman a +strange impression of me." + +"Well, mama, you know you dropped your gloves in the street the last +time you were in Pittsburg, but there was no gentleman to pick them up, +so I had to. Are you going to Cincinnati?" she asked, turning to Tom. + +"Yes, and farther; I am going to California," replied Tom. + +"Dear me, you will be quite a traveler. I wish I were going to +California." + +"You wouldn't like to go there on the same business that I am." + +"What is that?" + +"I am going to dig gold." + +"I don't know. I suppose it isn't girl's work; but if I saw any gold +about, I should like to dig for it. Is that your father that was +standing by you?" + +"No," answered Tom. "I never met him till yesterday. We were staying at +the same hotel in Pittsburg." + +"He seems like quite a nice old gentleman." + +Mr. Waterbury was not over fifty, but to the young girl he seemed an old +gentleman. + +"I find him very pleasant." + +There was a seat next to Jennie, and Tom ventured to occupy it. + +"What is your name?" asked the young lady sociably. + +"Thomas Nelson, but most people call me Tom." + +"My name is Jane Watson, but everybody calls me Jennie." + +"That is much prettier than Jane." + +"So I think. Jane seems old-maidish, don't you think so?" + +"Are you afraid of becoming an old maid?" asked Tom, smiling. + +"Awfully. I wouldn't be an old maid for anything. My school-teacher is +an old maid. She's horribly prim. She won't let us laugh, or talk, or +anything." + +"I don't think you'll grow up like that." + +"I hope not." + +"How you run on, Jennie!" said her mother. "What will this young +gentleman think of you?" + +"Nothing very bad, I hope," said Jennie, smiling archly on Tom. "I +suppose," she continued, addressing him, "I ought to be very quiet and +reserved, as you are a stranger." + +"I hope you won't be," said Tom heartily. + +"Then I won't. Somehow you don't seem like a stranger. You look a good +deal like a cousin of mine. I suppose that is the reason." + +So they chatted on for an hour or more. Jennie was very vivacious, +occasionally droll, and Tom enjoyed her company. The mother saw that our +hero was well-behaved and gentlemanly, and made no objection to the +sudden intimacy. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +THE FIRST DAY ON THE RIVER. + + +About half-past twelve dinner was announced. + +"I hope you'll sit next to us, Tom," said Jennie Watson. + +"I will, if I can." + +It happened that Milton Graham entered the saloon at the same time with +the new friends. He took the seat next to Jennie, much to that young +lady's annoyance. + +"Will you be kind enough to take the next seat?" she asked. "That young +gentleman is to sit next to me." + +"I am sorry to resign the pleasure, but anything to oblige," said +Graham. "Tom, I congratulate you," he continued, with a disagreeable +smile. + +"Thank you," said our hero briefly. + +"He calls you Tom. Does he know you?" inquired Jennie, in a low voice. + +"I made his acquaintance yesterday for the first time." + +"I don't like his looks; do you?" + +"Wait till after dinner and I will tell you," said Tom, fearing that +Graham would hear. + +Milton Graham saw that Jennie was pretty, and desired to make her +acquaintance. + +"Tom," said he--for he sat on the other side of our hero--"won't you +introduce me to your young lady friend?" + +Tom was not well versed in etiquette, but his good sense told him that +he ought to ask Jennie's permission first. + +"If Miss Watson is willing," he said, and asked her the question. + +Jennie was not aware of Graham's real character, and gave permission. +She was perhaps a little too ready to make new acquaintances. + +"Do you enjoy this mode of travel, Miss Watson?" said Graham, after the +introduction. + +"Oh, yes; I think it very pleasant." + +"I suppose you wouldn't like the ocean as well. I went to Havana last +winter--on business for my father--and had a very rough passage. The +steamer pitched and tossed, making us all miserably seasick." + +"I shouldn't like that." + +"I don't think you would; but we business men must not regard such +things." + +Tom listened to him with incredulity. Only the day before he would have +put full confidence in his statement; but he had learned a lesson, +thanks to Graham himself. + +"How far are you going, Miss Watson?" continued Graham. + +"To Cincinnati. My mother and I are going to live there." + +"It is a very pleasant city. I have often been there--on business." + +"What is your business, Mr. Graham?" Tom could not help asking. + +"I see you are a Yankee," said Graham, smiling. "Yankees are very +inquisitive--always asking questions." + +"Are you a Yankee, Mr. Graham?" asked Jennie. "You asked me where I was +going." + +"A fair hit," said Graham. "No, I am not a Yankee. I am a native of New +York." + +"And I of New Jersey," said Tom. + +"Oh, you are a foreigner then," said Graham. "We always call Jerseymen +foreigners." + +"It is a stupid joke, I think," said Tom, who was loyal to his native +State. + +"You didn't answer Tom's question," said Jennie, who was a very +straightforward young lady. + +"Oh, my father is a commission merchant," answered Graham. + +"What does he deal in?" + +"Articles too numerous to mention. Tom, will you pass me the potatoes?" + +Dinner was soon over, and the passengers went upon deck. Graham lit a +cigar. + +"Have a cigar, Tom?" he said. + +"No, thank you; I don't smoke." + +"You'll soon learn. I'll see you again soon." + +"Tom," said Jennie, "tell me about this Mr. Graham. What do you know +about him?" + +"I don't like to tell what I know," said Tom, hesitating. + +"But I want you to. You introduced me, you know." + +"What I know is not to his advantage. I don't like to talk against a +man." + +"You needn't mind telling me." + +On reflection Tom decided that he ought to tell what he knew, for he +felt that Jennie ought to be put on her guard against a man whom he did +not consider a suitable acquaintance for her. + +"Very well," said he, "if you promise not to let him know that I have +told you." + +"I promise." + +"He was my roommate last night at the Pittsburg House," said Tom, in a +low voice. "During the night he tried to rob me." + +"You don't say so!" ejaculated Jennie, in round-eyed wonder. + +"I will tell you the particulars." + +This Tom did. Jennie listened with indignation. + +"But I don't understand," she said. "Why should the son of a merchant +need to rob a boy like you? He looks as if he had plenty of money." + +"So I thought; but the hotel clerk told me that sharpers often appeared +like this Mr. Graham, if that is his name." + +"How strange it seems!" said Jennie. "I wish you hadn't introduced me." + +"I didn't want to; but he asked, and at the table I couldn't give my +reasons for refusing." + +"My dear child," said her mother, "you are too ready to form new +acquaintances. Let this be a lesson for you." + +"But some new acquaintances are nice," pleaded Jennie. "Isn't Tom a new +acquaintance?" + +"I will make an exception in his favor," said Mrs. Watson, smiling +pleasantly. + +"Thank you," said Tom. "How do you know but I may be a pickpocket?" he +continued, addressing Jennie. + +"As I have only ten cents in my pocket I will trust you," said the young +lady merrily. "I'd trust you with any amount, Tom," she added +impulsively. + +"Thank you, for your good opinion, Miss Jennie." + +"Don't call me Miss Jennie. If you do, I'll call you Mr. Tom." + +"I shouldn't know myself by that title. Then I'll call you Jennie." + +"I wish you were going to live in Cincinnati," said the young lady. "It +would be nice to have you come and see us." + +"I should like it; but I mustn't think so much of pleasure as business." + +"Like Mr. Graham." + +"I must work hard at the mines. I suppose I shall look pretty rough when +I am there." + +"When you've made your pile, Tom--that's what they call it, isn't +it?--you'll come back, won't you?" + +"Yes." + +"You must stop in Cincinnati on your way home." + +"I wouldn't know where to find you." + +"I will give you our address before we part. But that will be some time +yet." + +About this time Graham, who had finished smoking his cigar, strolled +back. + +"Miss Watson," said he, "don't you feel like having a promenade?" + +"Yes," said Jennie suddenly. "Tom, come walk with me." + +Our hero readily accepted the invitation, and the two walked up and down +the deck. + +"That's what I call a snub," said Graham's friend, the dark-complexioned +young man, who was within hearing. + +Graham's face was dark with anger. + +"Curse her impudence, and his too!" he muttered. "I should like to wring +the boy's neck." + +"He can't help it, if the girl prefers his company," said the other, +rather enjoying Graham's mortification. + +"I'll punish him all the same." + +By this time Tom and Jennie were near him again, on their return. + +"You don't treat me with much ceremony, Miss Watson," said Graham, with +an evil smile. + +"My mother doesn't like me to make too many acquaintances," said Jennie +demurely. + +"She is very prudent," sneered Graham. "You have known your present +companion quite a long time." + +"I hope to know him a long time," said the young lady promptly. "Let's +us continue our walk, Tom." + +In discomfiture which he was unable to hide, Graham walked away. + +"Evidently, Graham, you are no match for those two youngsters," said his +friend, in amusement, which Graham did not share. + +Graham did not reply, but seemed moody and preoccupied. + +Tom and his companion noticed Graham's displeasure, but they felt +indifferent to it. They had no desire to continue his acquaintance. Our +hero introduced Mr. Waterbury to his new friends, and this gentleman, +who was a thorough gentleman, except on the rare occasion when he +yielded to the temptation of strong drink, made a favorable impression +upon both. + +So the day passed. Tom enjoyed it thoroughly. The river banks afforded a +continuous panorama, while the frequent stops gave him an opportunity of +observing the different towns in detail. Two or three times he went +ashore, accompanied by Jennie, and remained till the steamer was ready +to start. + +Finally night came, and one by one the weary passengers retired to rest. + +"Good night, Tom," said Jennie Watson. "Be up early in the morning." + +"So as to get an appetite for breakfast?" asked Tom, with a smile. + +"I think we shall both have appetites enough; but it will be pleasant to +breathe the fresh morning air." + +Tom promised to get up, if he wakened in time. + +"If you don't mind, I will occupy the lower berth," said Mr. Waterbury. +"I can't climb as well as you." + +"All right, sir. It makes no difference to me." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +NO. 61 AND NO. 62. + + +The stateroom was small, as most staterooms on river boats are. There +appeared to be no means of ventilation. Mr. Waterbury was a stout man, +and inclined to be short-breathed. After an hour he rose and opened the +door, so as to leave it slightly ajar. With the relief thus afforded he +was able to go to sleep, and sleep soundly. Tom was already asleep, and +knew nothing of what had happened. + +The number of the stateroom was 61. Directly opposite was 62, occupied +by Milton Graham and his companion. + +If Graham did not go to sleep it was because his brain was busily +scheming how to obtain possession of the money belonging to his +neighbors. + +"Won't your key fit?" asked Vincent, for this was the name of the +dark-complexioned young man. + +"No use, even if it does. Of course they will lock it inside, and +probably leave the key in the lock." + +About midnight, Graham, who had not fully undressed, having merely taken +off his coat, got up, and, opening the door, peered out. To his surprise +and joy he saw that the door of No. 61 was ajar. He at first thought of +rousing Vincent, who was asleep; but a selfish thought suggested +itself. If he did this, he must share with Vincent anything he might +succeed in stealing; if not, he could keep it all himself. + +He left his stateroom silently, and looked cautiously around him. No one +seemed to be stirring in the cabin. Next he stepped across, and, opening +wider the door of 61, looked in. The two inmates were, to all +appearances, sleeping soundly. + +"So far, so good," he said to himself. + +He stepped in, moderating even his breathing, and took up a pair of +pants which lay on a chair. They belonged to Mr. Waterbury, for Tom had +merely taken off his coat, and lain down as he was. His belt of gold he +therefore found it unnecessary to take off. + +Graham saw at once, from the size of the pants, that they must belong to +the elder passenger. This suited him, however, as he knew from Vincent's +information that Mr. Waterbury had six hundred dollars, and Tom could +not be supposed to have anything like this sum. He felt eagerly in the +pockets, and to his great joy his hand came in contact with a pocketbook. +He drew it out without ceremony. It was a comfortable-looking wallet, +fairly bulging with bills. + +"He's got all his money inside," thought Graham, delighted. "What a fool +he must be to leave it so exposed--with his door open, too!" + +At this moment Graham heard a stir in the lower berth. There was no time +to wait. He glided out of the room, and reentered his own stateroom. +Immediately after his departure Mr. Waterbury, who had awakened in time +to catch sight of his receding figure, rose in his berth, and drew +toward him the garment which Graham had rifled. He felt in the pocket, +and discovered that the wallet had been taken. + +Instead of making a fuss, he smiled quietly, and said: "Just as I +expected." + +"I wonder if they have robbed Tom, too," he said to himself. + +He rose, closed the door, and then shook Tom with sufficient energy to +awaken him. + +"Who's there?" asked Tom, in some bewilderment, as he opened his eyes. + +"It's I--Mr. Waterbury." + +"Is it morning? Have we arrived?" + +"No, it is about midnight." + +"Is there anything the matter?" + +"I want you to see if you have been robbed.'" + +Tom was broad awake in an instant. + +"Robbed!" he exclaimed, in alarm. He felt for his belt and was relieved. + +"No," he answered. "What makes you ask?" + +"Because I have had a wallet taken. It makes me laugh when I think of +it." + +"Makes you laugh!" repeated Tom, under the transient impression that his +companion was insane. "Why should you laugh at the loss of your money?" + +"I saw the thief sneak out of the stateroom," continued Mr. Waterbury; +"but I didn't interfere with him." + +"You didn't!" said Tom, completely mystified. "I would. Did you see who +it was?" + +"Yes; it was your friend and late roommate." + +"Mr. Graham?" + +"As he calls himself. I don't suppose he has any rightful claim to the +name." + +"Surely, Mr. Waterbury, you are not going to let him keep the money," +said Tom energetically; "I'll go with you, and make him give it up. +Where is his stateroom?" + +"Just opposite--No. 62." + +"We had better go at once," said Tom, sitting up in his berth. + +"Oh, no; he's welcome to all there is in the pocketbook." + +"Wasn't there anything in it?" + +"It was stuffed full." + +Tom was more than ever convinced that his roommate was crazy. He had +heard that misfortune sometimes affected a man's mind; and he was +inclined to think that here was a case in point. + +"You'll get it back," said he soothingly. "Graham can't get off the +boat. We will report the matter to the captain." + +"I don't care whether I get it back or not," said Mr. Waterbury. + +Tom looked so confused and bewildered that his companion felt called +upon to end the mystification. + +"I know what is in your mind," he said, smiling. "You think I am crazy." + +"I don't understand how you can take your loss so coolly, sir." + +"Then I will explain. That wallet was a dummy." + +"A what, sir?" + +"A sham--a pretense. My pocketbook and money are safe under my pillow. +The wallet taken by your friend was filled with imitation greenbacks; in +reality, business circulars of a firm in Marietta." + +Tom saw it all now. + +"It's a capital joke," he said, laughing. "I'd like to see how Graham +looks when he discovers the value of his prize." + +"He will look green, and feel greener, I suspect," chuckled Mr. +Waterbury. "You are certain you have lost nothing, Tom?" + +"Perfectly certain, sir." + +"Then we won't trouble ourselves about what has happened. I fancy, +however, it will be best to keep our own door locked for the remainder +of the night, even at the risk of suffocation." + +"That's a capital trick of yours, Mr. Waterbury," said Tom admiringly. + +"It has more than once saved me from robbery. I have occasion to travel +considerably, and so am more or less exposed." + +"I wonder if Graham will discover the cheat before morning." + +"I doubt it. The staterooms are dark, and the imitation is so good that +on casual inspection the strips of paper will appear to be genuine +greenbacks." + +Mr. Waterbury retired to his berth, and was soon asleep again. Tom, as +he lay awake, from time to time laughed to himself, as he thought of +Graham's coming disappointment, and congratulated himself that he and +that young man were no longer roommates. + +When Graham returned to his stateroom Vincent, who was a light sleeper, +was aroused by the slight noise he made. + +"Are you up, Graham?" he asked. + +"Yes; I got up a minute." + +"Have you been out of the stateroom?" + +"Yes." + +"What for?" + +"To get a glass of water." + +There was a vessel of water in the cabin, and this seemed plausible +enough. + +"Any chance of doing anything to-night?" + +"No, I think not." + +Vincent sank back on his pillow, and Graham got back into his berth. +Quietly he drew the wallet from his pocket, in which he had placed it, +and eagerly opened it. The huge roll of bills was a pleasant and welcome +sight. + +"There's all of six hundred dollars here!" he said to himself. "I +mustn't let Vincent know that I have them." + +It occurred to Graham that, of course, Mr. Waterbury would proclaim his +loss in the morning, and it also occurred to him that he might be able +to fasten suspicion upon Tom, who, as his roommate, would naturally have +the best chance to commit the robbery. One thing might criminate +him--the discovery of the wallet upon his person. He therefore waited +till Vincent was once more asleep, and, getting up softly, made his way +to the deck. He drew the bills from the wallet, put them in an inside +pocket, and threw the wallet into the river. + +"Now I'm safe," he muttered, with a sigh of relief. "The money may be +found on me, but no one can prove it is not my own." + +He gained his berth without again awakening his companion. + +"A pretty good night's work!" he said to himself, in quiet exultation. +"Alone I have succeeded, while Vincent lies in stupid sleep. He is no +match for me, much as he thinks of himself. I have stolen a march upon +him this time." + +It is not in accordance with our ideas of the fitness of things that a +man who has committed a midnight robbery should be able to sleep +tranquilly for the balance of the night, but it is at any rate certain +that Graham slept soundly till his roommate awakened him in the morning. + +"Rouse up, Graham," he said. "Breakfast is nearly ready." + +"Is it?" asked Graham. + +"Instead of sleeping there, you ought to be thinking how we can make a +forced loan from our acquaintances in 61." + +"To be sure," said Graham, smiling. "I am rather stupid about such +things. Have you any plan to suggest?" + +"You seem very indifferent all at once," said Vincent. + +"Not at all. If you think of anything practical I am your man." + +He longed to get rid of Vincent, in order to have an opportunity of +counting his roll of bills. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +GRAHAM'S DISAPPOINTMENT. + + +Milton Graham, on reaching a place where he could do so unobserved, drew +from his pocket the roll of bills, with a smile of exultation. But the +smile faded, and was succeeded by a look of dismay, when he recognized +the worthlessness of his booty. An oath rose to his lips, and he thrust +the roll back into his pocket, as he noticed the approach of a +passenger. + +"It's a cursed imposition!" he muttered to himself, and he really felt +that he had been wronged by Mr. Waterbury. + +"What are you doing out here, Graham?" asked Vincent, for it was his +confederate who approached. + +"Nothing in particular. Why?" responded Graham. + +"What makes you look so glum?" + +"Do I look glum?" + +"You look as if you had but one friend in the world, and were about to +lose him." + +"That may be true enough," muttered Graham. + +"Come, man, don't look so downcast." + +"I'm out of luck, and out of cash, Vincent." + +"We're both in the same boat, as far as that goes; but that isn't going +to last. How about our stout friend? Can't we make him contribute to our +necessities?" + +"I don't believe he's got any money." + +"No? Why, I heard him tell the boy he had six hundred dollars." + +"Where does he keep it?" + +"In his pocketbook probably." + +"Will you oblige me by stating how we are going to get hold of it?" + +"I look to you for that." + +"He's too careful. I leave you to try your hand." + +"Let me go in to breakfast. There's nothing like a full stomach to +suggest ideas." + +So the two went to the breakfast table, and Graham, in spite of his +disappointment, managed to eat a hearty meal. + +An hour later Mr. Waterbury and Tom were standing on deck, conversing +with Jennie Watson and her mother, when Graham and Vincent approached +arm in arm. As soon as they were within hearing distance Mr. Waterbury +purposely remarked, "By the way, Mrs. Watson, I met with a loss last +night." + +"Indeed!" returned the lady. + +Graham was about to push on, not wishing Vincent to hear the disclosure, +as it might awaken his suspicions; but the latter's curiosity was +aroused. + +"Wait, Graham," he said; and Graham, against his will, was compelled to +slacken his pace. + +"A man entered my stateroom during the night, and stole a wallet from my +coat pocket." + +Graham changed color a little, and Vincent seemed amazed. + +"Did you hear that, Graham?" he asked. + +"Yes." + +"What does it mean?" + +"How can I tell?" + +"I hope you did not lose much," said Mrs. Watson, in a tone of sympathy. + +"I lost the wallet," said Mr. Waterbury, laughing. + +"Was there nothing in it?" + +"It was full of bills." + +Vincent looked at Graham with new-born suspicion, but Graham looked +indifferent. + +"It appears to me that you take the loss cheerfully," said Mrs. Watson, +puzzled. + +"I have reason to. The fact is, I was prepared for the visit, and had +filled the wallet with bogus bills. I fancy they won't do my visitor +much good." + +The lady smiled. + +"You were fortunate, Mr. Waterbury," said she. "Do you suspect any one +of the theft?" + +"I know pretty well who robbed me," returned Mr. Waterbury, and he +suffered his glance to rest on Graham, who seemed in a hurry to get +away. + +"Come along, Vincent," he said sharply. + +Vincent obeyed. Light dawned upon him, and he determined to verify his +suspicions. + +"Graham," said he, in a low voice, "you did this." + +"Did what?" + +"You got that wallet." + +Graham concluded that he might as well make a clean breast of it, since +it had become a matter of necessity. + +"Well," said he, "suppose I did?" + +"You were not going to let me know of it," said Vincent suspiciously. + +"That is true. I was ashamed of having been imposed upon." + +"When did you find out that the money was bogus?" + +"Immediately." + +"If it had been good, would you have shared with me honorably?" + +"Of course. What do you take me for?" + +Vincent was silent. He did not believe his companion. He suspected that +the latter had intended to steal a march on him. + +"You might have told me of it," he continued, in a tone of +dissatisfaction. + +"There was no need to say anything, as there was nothing to divide." + +"Have you got the wallet with you now?" + +"No; I threw it overboard." + +"And the bills?" + +"You may have them all, if you like." + +"Come into the stateroom, where we can be unobserved, and show them to +me." + +Graham complied with his suggestion. + +"It would have been a good haul if they had been genuine," said Vincent, +as he unfolded the roll. + +"Yes, but they are not; worse luck!" + +"I didn't give the old fellow credit for being so sharp." + +"Nor I. There's more in him than I supposed there was." + +"Well, what is to be done?" + +"Nothing. The old man is on his guard, and, besides, he suspects me. He +was probably awake when I entered the stateroom. He and the boy have +probably laughed over it together. I hate that boy." + +"Why?" + +"Because he is a green country boy, and yet he has succeeded in +thwarting me. I am ashamed whenever I think of it." + +"Would you like to play a trick on him in turn?" + +"Yes." + +"Then give me this roll of bills." + +"What do you want to do with them?" + +"Put them in his pocket." + +"Can you do it unobserved?" + +"Yes. The fact is, Graham, I served an apprenticeship as a pickpocket, +and flatter myself I still have some dexterity in that line." + +"Very well, it will be some satisfaction, and if the old man didn't see +me enter the stateroom, he may be brought to believe that the boy robbed +him. If that could be, I should feel partly compensated for my +disappointment. I should like to get that boy into trouble." + +"Consider it done, so far as I am concerned. Now let us separate, so as +to avoid suspicion." + +Vincent began to pace the deck in a leisurely manner, in each case +passing near Tom, who was still engaged in conversation with Jennie +Watson and her mother. For a time he was unable to effect his purpose, +as our hero was sitting down. But after a while Tom rose, and stood with +his back to Vincent. He wore a sack coat, with side pockets. This was +favorable to Vincent, who, as he passed, adroitly slipped the bills into +one of them, without attracting the attention of our hero. + +Presently Tom thrust his hand into his pocket mechanically. They +encountered the bills. In surprise he drew them out, and looked at them +in amazement. + +"What's that, Tom?" asked Jennie, with great curiosity. + +"It looks like money," answered Tom, not yet understanding what had +happened. + +"You seem to be rich." + +"By gracious!--it's Mr. Waterbury's money," exclaimed Tom. Then he +colored, as it flashed upon him that its presence in his pocket might +arouse suspicion. "I don't see how it got there," he continued, in a +bewildered way. + +Just then Mr. Waterbury came up, and was made acquainted with the +discovery. + +"I don't know what you'll think, Mr. Waterbury," said Tom, coloring; "I +haven't the slightest idea how the money came in my pocket." + +"I have," said Mr. Waterbury quietly. + +Tom looked at him, to discover whether he was under suspicion. + +"The companion of your friend Graham slipped it into your pocket. He was +very quick and adroit, but I detected him. He wanted to throw suspicion +upon you." + +"It is lucky you saw him, sir." + +"Why?" + +"You might have suspected me." + +"My dear boy, don't trouble yourself about that. No circumstantial +evidence will shake my confidence in your integrity." + +"Thank you, sir," said Tom gratefully. + +"What a wicked man to play a trick on you, Tom!" exclaimed Jennie +indignantly. + +"I see there is somebody else who has confidence in you, Tom," said Mr. +Waterbury, smiling; "I'd like to give him a piece of my mind." + +"I am ready to forgive him," said Mr. Waterbury, "as he has restored the +money. It will do as a bait for the next thief." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +COMING TO AN UNDERSTANDING. + + +"I believe, Tom," said Mr. Waterbury, "that I will come to an +understanding with these officious acquaintances of yours. I will +intimate to them that their persecution must cease." + +"Will they mind what you say, sir?" + +"I think they will," answered his friend quietly. + +Graham and Vincent were standing together, and apart from the rest of +the passengers, when Mr. Waterbury approached them. + +"A word with you, gentlemen," said he gravely. + +"I don't know you, sir," blustered Vincent. + +"Perhaps not. Permit me to remark that I have no special desire for your +acquaintance." + +"Then why do you take the liberty of addressing me?" + +"I rather admire the fellow's impudence," said Mr. Waterbury to himself. + +"Are you associated with this gentleman?" he asked, indicating Graham. + +"We are friends." + +"Then I will address an inquiry to him. I am not in the habit of +receiving calls in my stateroom during the hours of sleep." + +"I don't understand you, sir," said Milton Graham, with hauteur. + +"Oh, yes, you do, unless your memory is singularly defective. Our +staterooms are close together. You entered mine last night." + +"You must have been dreaming." + +"If so, I was dreaming with my eyes open. Perhaps it was in my dreams +that I saw you extract a wallet from my coat pocket." + +"Do you mean to insult me, sir?" demanded Graham. + +"Really, sir, your remarks are rather extraordinary," chimed in Vincent. + +"Do you mean to say that I robbed you?" demanded Graham, confident in +the knowledge that the booty was not on his person. + +"I find a wallet missing. That speaks for itself." + +"Let me suggest that your roommate probably took it," said Vincent. + +"Extremely probable," said Graham. "He roomed with me in Pittsburg, and +I caught him at my pockets during the night." + +"Did you ever hear the fable of the wolf and the lamb, Mr. Graham?" +asked Mr. Waterbury. + +"Can't say I have." + +"It's of no consequence. I am reminded of it, however." + +"Come to think of it," said Vincent, "I saw the boy with a roll of +bills. You had better search him. If he is innocent, he can't object." + +"I see your drift," returned Mr. Waterbury, after a pause. "I saw you +thrust the bills into his pocket, as he stood with his back turned, +conversing with one of the passengers. It was very skilfully done, but I +saw it." + +Vincent started, for he had supposed himself unobserved. + +"I see you are determined to insult us," he said. "I will charitably +conclude that you are drunk." + +"I can't be so charitable with you, sir. I believe you are a pair of +precious scoundrels, who, if you had your deserts, would be in the +penitentiary instead of at large." + +"I have a mind to knock you down," said Vincent angrily. + +As Vincent was several inches shorter and much slighter than the person +whom he threatened, this menace sounded rather ridiculous. + +"You are at liberty to try it," said the latter, smiling. "First, +however, let me warn you that, if you continue to annoy us, it will be +at your peril. If you remain quiet I shall leave you alone. Otherwise I +will make known your true character to the captain and passengers, and +you will undoubtedly be set ashore when we reach the next landing. I +have the honor to wish you good morning." + +"It strikes me, Graham," said Vincent, as Mr. Waterbury left them, "that +we have tackled the wrong passenger." + +"I believe you are right," said Graham. "Just my luck." + +"There isn't much use in staying on the boat. He will keep a good +lookout for us." + +"True; but I don't want to give up the boy." + +"He is under the guardianship of this determined old party." + +"They will separate at Cincinnati." + +"Well?" + +"He has money enough to take him to California. He is worth following +up." + +"Then you are in favor of going on to Cincinnati?" + +"By all means." + +"Very well. There are always chances of making an honest penny in a +large city." + +"Money or no money, I want to get even with the boy." + +So the worthy pair decided to go on to Cincinnati. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +THE ALLEGHANY HOUSE. + + +It was a bright, sunny morning when the _River Belle_ touched her pier +at Cincinnati. The passengers gathered on deck, and discussed their +plans. In one group were Tom, Mr. Waterbury, Jennie Watson, and her +mother. + +"I am sorry you are going to leave us, Tom," said Jennie; "I shall feel +awfully lonely." + +"So shall I," said Tom. + +"What's the use of going to that hateful California? Why can't you stay +here with us?" + +"Business before pleasure, Jennie," said her mother. "You mustn't forget +that Tom has his fortune to make." + +"I wish he could make it in Cincinnati, mother." + +"So do I; but I must admit that California presents a better prospect +just at present. You are both young, and I hope we may meet Tom in after +years." + +"When I have made my pile," suggested Tom. + +"Precisely." + +"You won't go right on, Tom, will you?" asked Jennie. "You'll stay here +a day or two." + +"Yes; I should like to see something of Cincinnati." + +"And you'll call on us?" + +"I shall be very happy to do so. Where are you going to stay?" + +"At the Burnet House. Won't you come there, too?" + +"Is it a high-priced hotel?" + +"I believe it is." + +"Then I can't afford to stay there; but I can call on you all the same." + +"Stay there as my guest, Tom," said Mr. Waterbury cordially. "It shall +not cost you anything." + +"Thank you, sir. You are very kind, but I don't like to accept +unnecessary favors. I will put up at some cheap hotel, and call upon you +both." + +"You would be heartily welcome, my boy," said Mr. Waterbury. + +"I don't doubt it, sir, and the time may come when I will gladly accept +your kindness," replied Tom. + +"But now you mean to have your own way; is that it, Tom." + +"You won't be offended, sir?" + +"On the contrary, I respect you for your manly independence. You won't +forget that I am your friend?" + +"I don't want to forget that, sir." + +So it happened that while Mrs. Watson, Jennie, and Mr. Waterbury +registered at the Burnet House, Tom, carpetbag in hand, walked through +the streets till he came to a plain inn, bearing the name Alleghany +House. It is not now in existence, having given way to an imposing +business block. + +"That looks as if it might suit my purse," thought Tom. + +He walked in, and, approaching the desk, inquired: "How much do you +charge at this hotel?" + +"A dollar a day," answered the clerk. "Will you have a room?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Please register your name." Tom did so. + +"Cato," called the clerk--summoning a colored boy, about Tom's +size--"take this young man to No. 18." + +"All right, sar," said Cato, showing his ivories. + +"When do you have dinner?" asked Tom. + +"One o'clock." + +Preceded by Cato, Tom walked up-stairs, and was ushered into a small, +dingy room on the second floor. There was a single window, looking +through dingy panes upon a back yard. There was a general air of +cheerlessness and discomfort, but at any rate it was larger than the +stateroom on the _River Belle_. + +"Is this the best room you have?" asked Tom, not very favorably +impressed. + +"Oh, no, sar," answered Cato. "If your wife was with you, sar, we'd give +you a scrumptious room, 'bout twice as big." + +"I didn't bring my wife along, Cato," said Tom, amused. "Are you +married?" + +"Not yet, sar," answered his colored guide, with a grin. + +"I think we can wait till we are a little older." + +"Reckon so, sar." + +"Just bring up a little water, Cato. I feel in need of washing." + +"Dirt don't show on me," said Cato, with a guffaw. + +"I suppose you do wash, now and then, don't you?" + +"Yes, sar, sometimes," answered Cato equivocally. + +When Tom had completed his toilet he found that it was but ten o'clock. +He accordingly went down-stairs, intending to see a little of the city +before dinner. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +THE EVENTS OF A MORNING. + + +Graham and Vincent had kept quiet during the latter part of the voyage. +They had a wholesome fear of Mr. Waterbury, and kept aloof from him and +Tom. They even exchanged their stateroom for one at a different part of +the boat. All was satisfactory to Tom and his companion. + +When the worthy pair reached Cincinnati they were hard up. Their united +funds amounted to but seven dollars, and it seemed quite necessary that +they should find the means of replenishing their purses somewhere. They +managed to ascertain that Tom and his friend were going to separate, and +this afforded them satisfaction, since it made their designs upon our +hero more feasible. At a distance they followed Tom to the Alleghany +House, and themselves took lodgings at a small, cheap tavern near-by. +Like Tom, they set out soon after their arrival in quest of adventure. + +"We must strike a vein soon, Graham," said Vincent, "or we shall be in a +tight place." + +"That's so," answered Graham. + +"Thus far our trip hasn't paid very well. It's been all outgo and no +income." + +"You're right, partner; but don't give up the ship," responded Graham, +whose spirits returned, now that he was on dry land. "I've been in the +same straits about once a month for the last five years." + +"I've known you for three years, Graham, and, so far as my knowledge +extends, I can attest the truth of what you say. By the way, you never +say anything of your life before that date." + +A shadow passed over Graham's face. + +"Because I don't care to think of it; I never talk of it," he said. + +"Pshaw, man, we all of us have some ugly secrets. Suppose we confide in +each other. Tell me your story, and I will tell you mine. It won't +change my opinion of you." + +"Probably not," said Graham. "Well, there is no use in holding back. For +this once I will go back to the past. Five years ago I was a favorite in +society. One day an acquaintance introduced me into a gambling house, +and I tried my hand successfully. I went out with fifty dollars more +than I brought in. It was an unlucky success, for it made me a frequent +visitor. All my surplus cash found a market there, and when that was +exhausted I borrowed from my employer." + +"Without his knowledge?" + +"Of course. For six months I evaded discovery. Then I was detected. My +friends interceded, and saved me from the penitentiary, but I lost my +situation, and was required to leave the city. I went to New York, tried +to obtain a situation there, failed, and then adopted my present +profession. I need not tell you the rest." + +"My dear friend, I think I know the rest pretty well. But don't look +sober. A fig for the past. What's the odds, as long as you're happy?" + +"Are you happy?" inquired Graham. + +"As long as I'm flush," answered Vincent, shrugging his shoulders. "I'm +nearly dead-broke now, and of course I am miserable. However, my story +comes next in order. I was a bank teller, appropriated part of the funds +of the bank, fled with it, spent it, and then became an ornament to our +common profession." + +"Where was the bank?" + +"In Canada. I haven't been there since. The climate don't suit me. It's +bleak, but I fear it might prove too hot for me. Now we know each +other." + +"You don't allow it to worry you, Vincent," said Graham. + +"No, I don't. Why should I? I let the dead past bury its dead, as +Longfellow says, and act in the living present. That reminds me, we +ought to be at work. I have a proposal to make. We won't hunt in +couples, but separate, and each will try to bring home something to help +the common fund. Is it agreed?" + +"Yes." + +"_Au revoir_, then!" + +"That fellow has no conscience," thought Graham. "Mine is callous, but +he goes beyond me. Perhaps he is the better off." + +Graham shook off his transient dull spirits, and walked on, keeping a +sharp lookout for a chance to fleece somebody. In front of a railroad +ticket office he espied a stolid-looking German, who was trying to read +the placard in the window. + +Graham approached him, and said politely, "My friend, perhaps I can help +you. Are you thinking of buying a railroad ticket?" + +The German turned, and his confidence was inspired by the friendly +interest of Graham's manner. + +"I go to Minnesota," he said, "where my brother live." + +"Exactly, and you want a ticket to go there?" + +"Yes, I want a ticket. Do they sell him here?" + +"No," said Graham. "That is, they do sell tickets here; but they ask too +much." + +"I will not pay too much," said the German, shaking his head +decisively. + +"Of course not; I will take you to a cheaper place." + +"That is good," said the German, well pleased. "It is luck I meet mit a +friend like you." + +"Yes," said Graham, linking his arm in that of his new acquaintance. "I +don't like to see a worthy man cheated. Come with me. How much money +have you?" + +This inquiry ought to have excited the suspicions of the German; but he +was trustful, and answered promptly, "Two hundred dollar." + +Graham's eyes sparkled. + +"If I could only get the whole of it," he thought. But that didn't seem +easy. + +They walked through street after street till Graham stopped in front of +an office. + +"Now," said he, "give me your money, and I will buy the ticket." + +"How much money?" asked his new acquaintance. + +"I don't know exactly," said Graham carelessly. "Just hand me your +pocketbook, and I will pay what is needed." + +But here the German's characteristic caution came in. + +"I will go with you," he said. + +"If you do, I can't get the tickets so cheap. The agent is a friend of +mine, and if he thinks it is for me he will give it to me for less. +Don't give me all your money. Fifty dollars will do. I will buy the +ticket, and bring you the rest of the money." + +This seemed plausible enough, and Graham would have got what he asked +for, but for the interference of Tom, who had come up just in time to +hear Graham's proposal. He had no difficulty in comprehending his +purpose. + +"Don't give him the money," he said. "He will cheat you." + +Both Graham and his intended victim wheeled round, and looked at our +hero. + +"Clear out of here, you young vagabond!" said Graham angrily. + +"This man wants to cheat you," persisted Tom. "Don't give him your +money." + +The bewildered foreigner looked from one to the other. + +"This is no ticket office," said Tom. "I will lead you to one, and you +shall buy a ticket for yourself." + +"He wants to swindle you," said Graham quickly. + +"You shall keep your money in your own hands," said Tom. "I don't want +it." + +"I go with you, my young friend," said the German, convinced by Tom's +honest face. "The other man may be all right, but I go with you." + +Graham protested in vain. His victim went off with Tom, who saw that he +was provided with the ticket he wanted. His new friend tried to force a +dollar upon him; but this Tom steadily refused. + +"I'll get even with you yet!" said Graham furiously; but our hero was +not disturbed by this menace. + +Vincent, meantime, was making a tour of observation, ready for any +adventure that might put an honest or dishonest penny into his pocket. +About half an hour later he found himself on the leading retail street +in Cincinnati. In front of him walked a lady, fashionably attired, +holding a mother-of-pearl portemonnaie carelessly in her hand. He +brushed by her, and at the same moment the pocketbook was snatched from +her hand. + +The lady screamed, and instinctively clutched Vincent by the arm. + +"This man has robbed me, I think," she said. The crowd began to gather +about Vincent, and he saw that he was cornered. Among the crowd, +unluckily for himself, was Tom. By a skilful movement Vincent thrust the +portemonnaie into our hero's pocket. + +"You are mistaken, madam," he said coolly; "I saw that boy take your +money." + +Instantly two men seized Tom. + +"Search him," said Vincent, "and see it I am not right." + +The portemonnaie was taken from Tom's pocket, amid the hootings of the +crowd. + +"So young, and yet so wicked!" said the lady regretfully. + +"I didn't take the money, madam," protested Tom, his face scarlet with +surprise and mortification. + +"Don't believe him, ma'am. I saw him take it," said Vincent virtuously. + +Poor Tom looked from one to another; but all faces were unfriendly. It +was a critical time for him. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +TOM'S ARREST. + + +To one who is scrupulously honest a sudden charge of dishonesty is +almost overwhelming. Now, Tom was honest, not so much because he had +been taught that honesty was a virtue, as by temperament and instinct. +Yet here he saw himself surrounded by hostile faces, for a crowd soon +collected. Not one believed in his innocence, not even the lady, who +thought it was such a pity that he was "so young and yet so wicked." + +"Will somebody call a policeman?" asked Vincent. + +A policeman soon made his appearance. He was a stout, burly man, and +pushed his way through the crowd without ceremony. + +"What's the row?" he inquired. + +"This boy has picked a lady's pocket," exclaimed Vincent. + +The officer placed his hand roughly on Tom's shoulder. + +"You were a little too smart, young feller!" said he. "You must come +along with me." + +"I didn't take the money," protested Tom, pale, but in a firm voice. + +"That's too thin," said Vincent, with a sneer. + +"Yes, it's too thin," repeated two or three in the crowd. + +"It's true," said Tom. + +"Perhaps you'll tell us how the money came in your pocket," suggested a +bystander. + +"That man put it in," answered Tom, indicating Vincent. + +The latter shrugged his shoulders. + +"He says so, because I exposed him," he remarked, turning to the crowd. + +"Of course; that's a common game," interposed the policeman. + +"Have you any reason for what you say, my boy?" asked a quiet-looking +man, with a pleasant face. + +"Of course he hasn't," replied Vincent hastily. + +"I spoke to the boy, sir." + +"I have a reason," answered Tom. "A friend of this man roomed with me at +Pittsburg, and during the night tried to rob me. We were both passengers +on the _River Belle_ on the last trip. During the trip he entered our +stateroom, and stole a wallet from my roommate. This man slyly put it +into my pocket, in order to escape suspicion." + +"It's a lie!" exclaimed Vincent uneasily. "Gentlemen, the boy is very +artful, and the greatest liar out." + +"Of course he is!" assented the policeman. "Come along, young feller!" + +"Wait a minute," said the quiet man. "Have you any proof of your +statements, my boy, except your own word?" + +"Yes, sir; my roommate will tell you the same thing." + +"Who is he? Where can he be found?" + +"He is Mr. Nicholas Waterbury, of Marietta. He is now at the Burnet +House." + +"That's all gammon!" said the officer roughly. "Come along. I can't wait +here all day." + +"Don't be in a hurry, officer," said the quiet man. "I know Mr. +Waterbury, and I believe the boy's story is correct." + +"It ain't any of your business!" said the officer insolently. "The boy's +a thief, and I'm goin' to lock him up." + +"Look out, sir!" said the quiet man sternly. "You are overstepping the +limits of your duty, and asserting what you have no possible means of +knowing. There is reason to believe that this man"--pointing out +Vincent--"is the real thief. I call upon you to arrest him." + +"I don't receive no orders from you, sir," said the policeman. "I'm more +likely to take you along." + +"That's right, officer," said Vincent approvingly. "The man is +interfering with you in the exercise of your duty. You have a perfect +right to arrest him." + +"I have a great mind to," said the officer, who was one of the many who +are puffed up by a little brief authority, and lose no opportunity of +exercising it. + +The quiet man did not seem in the least alarmed. He smiled, and said, +"Perhaps, officer, it might be well for you to inquire my name, before +proceeding to arrest me." + +"Who are you?" demanded the officer insolently. + +"I am Alderman Morris." + +A great change came over the policeman. He knew now that the quiet man +before him was President of the Board of Aldermen, and he began to be +alarmed, remembering with what rudeness he had treated him. + +"I beg your pardon, sir," he said humbly; "I didn't know you." + +"What is your name, sir?" demanded the alderman, in a tone of authority. + +"Jones, sir." + +"How long have you been on the force?" + +"Six months, your honor." + +"Then you ought to be better fitted for your position by this time." + +"I hope you won't take no offense at what I said, not knowing you, +alderman." + +"That's no personal offense, but I object to your pronouncing upon the +guilt of parties arrested when you know nothing of the matter." + +"Shall I take the boy along, sir?" + +"Yes, and this man also. I don't wish to interfere with the exercise of +justice, but it is my opinion that the boy is innocent." + +"I protest against this outrage," said Vincent nervously. "Am I to be +punished because I expose a thief?" + +"Come along, sir," said the policeman. "The alderman says so." + +"I appeal to the gentlemen present," said Vincent, hoping for a forcible +deliverance. + +"Madam," said the alderman to the lady who had been robbed, "did you see +the boy take your pocketbook?" + +"No, sir! I thought it was the man, till he told me it was the boy, and +the money was found on the boy." + +"I should think that told the story," said Vincent. "Any man here might +be arrested as soon as I. Fellow citizens, is this a free country, where +a man of reputation can be summarily arrested at the bidding of another? +If so, I would rather live under a monarchy." + +There was a murmur of approval, and some sympathy was excited. + +"There will be no injustice done, sir," said the alderman. "I propose to +follow up this matter myself. I will see my friend, Mr. Waterbury, and +I can soon learn whether the boy's story is correct." + +"He may lie, too!" said Vincent, who had very good reasons for fearing +Mr. Waterbury's testimony. + +"Mr. Waterbury is a gentleman of veracity," said Alderman Morris +sharply. "I see you recognize the name." + +"Never heard of him," said Vincent. "I suppose it is one of the boy's +confederates." + +"I will answer for him," said the alderman. "My boy," he said, "I hope +we shall be able to prove your innocence. Be under no anxiety. Go with +the officer, and I will seek out Mr. Waterbury. Officer, take care to +treat him gently." + +"All right, sir." + +There was no fear now that Tom would be roughly treated. He had too much +regard for his own interest, and his tenure of office, to disoblige a +man so influential and powerful as Alderman Morris. + +Notwithstanding there had been such a turn in his favor, Tom felt +humiliated to feel that he was under restraint, and his cheeks burned +with shame as he walked beside the officer. Vincent, upon the other +side, gnashed his teeth with rage, as he thought of his unexpected +detention. Just as revenge was in his grasp, he had been caught in the +same trap which he had so willingly set for Tom. + +"That Alderman Morris is a fool!" he said. "He isn't fit to be in +office." + +"Don't you say nothin' against him!" said the policeman. "It won't be +best for you. He's one of our leadin' citizens, Alderman Morris is." + +"He snubbed you!" sneered Vincent. "He talked to you as if you were a +dog." + +"No, he didn't. You'd better shut up, prisoner." + +"Oh, well, if you're willing to be trampled upon, it isn't any of my +business. I wouldn't stand it, alderman or no alderman. Such things +wouldn't be allowed in New York, where I live." + +"Oh, New York's a model city, so I've heard," retorted the policeman, in +a tone of sarcasm. "We don't pretend to come up to New York." + +Finding that nothing was to be gained by continuing his attacks upon +the alderman, Vincent became silent; but his brain was active. He felt +that Mr. Waterbury's testimony would be fatal to him. He must escape, if +possible. Soon a chance came. He seized his opportunity, shook off the +grasp of the officer, and darted away. Not knowing what to do with Tom, +who was also under arrest, the officer paused an instant, then, leaving +our hero, hastened in pursuit. + +"Now's your chance to escape, boy!" said a sympathetic bystander to him. + +"I don't want to escape," answered Tom. "I want my innocence proved. I +shall stay where I am till the officer returns." + +And he kept his word. Ten minutes later the officer came back, puffing +and panting, after an unsuccessful pursuit; prepared to find Tom gone +also. + +"What, are you there?" he asked, staring in wonder. + +"Yes," said Tom; "I don't want to escape. I shall come out right." + +"I believe you will," said the officer, with a revulsion of sentiment in +Tom's favor. "Just walk along beside me, and I won't take hold of you. +I'm not afraid of your running away now." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +TOM GETS OUT OF HIS DIFFICULTY. + + +Tom had not been long in the station-house when Alderman Morris, +accompanied by Mr. Waterbury, entered. The latter looked at Tom with a +humorous smile. + +"You don't appear to get along very well without my guardianship, Tom," +he said. + +"No, sir," answered Tom. "The trouble is, some of my other friends can't +let me alone." + +"Was it in a fit of emotional insanity that you relieved the lady of her +pocketbook?" asked Mr. Waterbury, bent on keeping up the joke. + +"If I ever do such a thing, you may be sure it is because I am insane," +answered Tom positively. + +"I shall," said Mr. Waterbury seriously. "Now, where is this precious +acquaintance of ours who got you into this scrape?" + +"He has escaped." + +"Escaped!" exclaimed the alderman hastily. "How is that?" + +Here the policeman took up the story, and explained that Vincent had +taken advantage of his double charge to effect his escape. + +"I suppose, officer," said Mr. Waterbury, "that you were unwilling to +leave Tom in order to pursue him." + +"I did leave him, sir, and didn't expect to find him when I got back. +But there he was, waiting for me as quietly as--anything." + +"Didn't you feel tempted to escape, too, my boy?" + +"Why should I, sir? I had done nothing; I had nothing to fear." + +"Innocence is not always a protection, for justice is sometimes far from +clear-sighted. In the present case, however, I think you will not suffer +for your confidence." + +Tom was not brought to trial. Mr. Waterbury's statement of what had +passed on the voyage of the _River Belle_ was held to be sufficient to +establish Tom's innocence, and he was allowed to walk out with Mr. +Waterbury. + +"Have you anything to do this morning, Tom?" asked his friend. + +"No, sir." + +"Then come around and dine with me at the Burnet House. Afterward we +will call upon your friends, the Watsons." + +Mrs. Watson and Jennie had altered their plans and gone to a +boarding-house, preferring that to a hotel. + +"That will be agreeable to me, sir." + +The dinner was excellent, and Tom did full justice to it. + +"At one time this morning, Tom, it looked as if you would dine at quite +a different place," said Mr. Waterbury, when they were eating the +dessert. + +"Yes, sir." + +"You won't think much of Cincinnati's hospitality, eh, Tom?" + +"Any place would be the same, where Vincent was," returned Tom. + +"Very true; he and Graham will bring discredit on any city which they +adopt as a home. How long shall you remain here?" + +"I should like to stay long enough to see something of the city, but I +cannot afford it. I must reach California as soon as possible." + +"No doubt you are right, in your circumstances. I have been inquiring +for you, and find that St. Joseph, in Missouri, is the usual +starting-point for travelers across the plains. I find an acquaintance +here in the hotel, who will start to-morrow for that place. I have +mentioned you to him, and he says he shall be glad to have your company +so far. Whether you keep together afterward will depend upon +yourselves." + +"I shall be glad to have company, sir," said Tom. Though manly and +self-reliant, he realized that it was quite a serious undertaking for a +boy of his age to make the trip alone. He was not sure of meeting with +another friend like Mr. Waterbury, and there might be danger of falling +in with another brace of worthies like Graham and Vincent. + +"My friend's name is Ferguson--a Scotchman, rather sedate, but entirely +trustworthy. I will introduce you this evening." + +"Thank you, sir." + +After dinner they walked to Mrs. Watson's boarding-house. Somewhere on +Vine Street, Mr. Waterbury paused in front of a jewelry store. + +"I want to step in here a minute, Tom," he said. + +"Certainly, sir." + +Tom remained near the door, while Mr. Waterbury went into the back part +of the store, where he was occupied for a few minutes with one of the +proprietors. When he came back he held a small box in his hand. + +"Please carry this for me, Tom," he said. + +"With pleasure, sir." + +They went out into the street together. + +"Do you know what is in the box, Tom?" asked Mr. Waterbury. + +"No, sir," answered our hero, a little surprised at the question. + +"You didn't see what I was buying, then?" continued Mr. Waterbury. + +"No, sir; I was watching the crowds on the sidewalk." + +"If you have any curiosity, you may open the box." + +Previously Tom had felt no curiosity. Now he did feel a little. + +Opening the box, his eye rested on a neat silver watch, with a chain +attached. The case was a pretty one, and Tom glanced at it with +approval. + +"It is very pretty, sir," he said; "but I thought you had a watch +already." + +"I didn't buy it for myself." + +"For your son?" asked Tom innocently. + +Mr. Waterbury smiled. + +"I thought of asking your acceptance of it," he said. + +"You don't mean that you are going to give it to me, sir?" said Tom +eagerly. + +"If you will accept it." + +"How kind you are, Mr. Waterbury!" exclaimed Tom gratefully. "There is +nothing in the world that I should like so much. How can I thank you?" + +"By considering it a proof of my interest in you. I was sure you would +like it. Before I had reached your age the great object of my ambition +was a watch. I received one from my uncle, as a gift, on my seventeenth +birthday. I believe I looked at it once in five minutes on an average +during the first day." + +"I dare say it will be so with me, sir," said Tom, who, at the moment, +had the watch in his hand, examining it. + +"As you are to rough it, I thought it best to get you a hunting-case +watch, because it will be less liable to injury. When you become a man I +hope you will be prosperous enough to buy a gold watch and chain, if you +prefer them. While you are a boy silver will be good enough." + +"Gold wouldn't correspond very well with my circumstances," said Tom. "I +didn't dream of even having a silver watch and chain for years to come. +I shall write home this evening, and tell mother of my good luck." + +"Will you mention that you have already been under arrest?" asked Mr. +Waterbury, smiling. + +Tom shook his head. + +"I am not proud of that," he answered; "and it would only trouble them +at home to have an account of it. When I get home, I may mention it +sometime." + +"Better put on your watch and chain, Tom, before we reach Mrs. +Watson's." + +Tom needed no second invitation. + +"It's lucky mother put a watch-pocket in my vest," he said. "We didn't +either of us suppose there would be any occasion for it; but I asked her +to do it." + +In a nice-looking brick boarding-house--for brown-stone houses were not +then often to be found--Tom and his friend found Mrs. Watson and Jennie. + +"I'm so glad to see you, Tom," said Jennie. "I've missed you awfully." + +"Thank you," said Tom. "I've come to bid you good-by." + +"Good-by! You don't mean that?" + +"I expect to start for St. Joseph to-morrow. I am in a hurry to get to +California." + +"That's real mean. I don't see why you can't stay in Cincinnati a week." + +"I should like to." + +"Then why don't you?" persisted the young girl. + +"Jennie," said her mother, "we must remember that Thomas is not +traveling for pleasure. He is going to California to seek his fortune. +It won't do for him to linger on his way." + +"A week won't make much difference; will it, Tom?" + +"I am afraid it will, Jennie. Besides, a friend of Mr. Waterbury will +start to-morrow, and has agreed to take me with him." + +"I suppose you've got to go, then," said Jennie regretfully. "Oh, where +did you get that watch, Tom?" + +"A kind friend gave it to me." + +"Who do you mean--Mr. Graham?" she asked archly. + +"He would be more likely to relieve me of it. No, it is Mr. Waterbury." + +"I am going to kiss you for that, Mr. Waterbury," said Jennie +impulsively; and she suited the action to the word. + +"What will Mr. Waterbury think, Jennie?" said her mother. + +"He thinks himself well repaid for his gift," answered that gentleman, +smiling; "and half inclined to give Tom another watch." + +"Isn't it my turn, now?" asked Tom, with a courage at which he afterward +rather wondered; but he was fast getting rid of his country bashfulness. + +"I never kiss boys," said Jennie demurely. + +"Then I will grow into a man as fast as I can," said Tom, "and give +somebody a watch, and then---- But that will be a good while to wait." + +"I may kiss you good-by," said Jennie, "if I feel like it." + +She did feel like it, and Tom received the kiss. + +"It strikes me, Tom," said Mr. Waterbury, as they were walking home, +"that you and Jennie are getting along fast." + +"She kissed you first," said Tom, blushing. + +"But the kiss she gave me was wholly on your account." + +"She seems just like a sister," said Tom. "She's a tip-top girl." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +A MISSOURI TAVERN. + + +The next day Tom started on his way. His new companion, Donald Ferguson, +was a sedate Scotchman, and a thoroughly reliable man. He was possessed +to the full of the frugality characteristic of the race to which he +belonged, and, being more accustomed to traveling than Tom, saved our +hero something in the matter of expense. He was always ready to talk of +Scotland, which he evidently thought the finest country in the world. He +admitted that Glasgow was not as large a city as London, but that it was +more attractive. As for New York, that city bore no comparison to the +chief city of Scotland. + +"You must go to Scotland some time, Tom," he said. "If you can't visit +but one country in the Old World, go to Scotland." + +Privately Tom was of opinion that he should prefer to visit England; but +he did not venture to hurt the feelings of his fellow-traveler by saying +so. + +"I wonder, Mr. Ferguson," he could not help saying one day, "that you +should have been willing to leave Scotland, since you so much prefer it +to America." + +"I'll tell you, my lad," answered the Scotchman. "I would rather live in +Scotland than anywhere else on God's footstool; but I won't be denying +that it is a poor place for a man to make money, if compared with a new +country like this." + +"There are no gold-mines, I suppose, sir?" + +"No; and the land is not as rich as the land here. It is rich in +historical associations; but a man, you know, can't live on those," he +added shrewdly. + +"No, I should think not," said Tom. "It would be pretty dry diet. How +long have you been in the country, Mr. Ferguson?" + +"A matter of three months only, my lad. It's the gold-mines that brought +me over. I read of them in the papers at home, and I took the first ship +across the Atlantic." + +"Have you a family, Mr. Ferguson?" + +"I've got an old mother at home, my lad, who looks to me for support. I +left fifty pounds with her when I came away. It'll last her, I'm +thinkin', till I can send her some from California." + +"Then Mr. Ferguson, you are like me," said Tom. "I am going to +California to work for my father and mother. Father is poor, and I have +brothers and sisters at home to provide for. I hope I shall succeed, for +their sake." + +"You will, my lad," said the Scotchman, in a tone of calm confidence. +"It is a noble purpose, and if you keep to it God will bless you in your +undertaking, and give you a good fortune." + +"I hope we shall both be fortunate." + +"I have no fear. I put my trust in the Lord, who is always ready to help +those who are working for him." + +Tom found that Mr. Ferguson, though his manner was dry and unattractive, +was a religious man, and he respected and esteemed him for his excellent +traits. He was not a man to inspire warm affection, but no one could +fail to respect him. He felt that he was fortunate in having such a man +for his companion, and he was glad that Mr. Ferguson appeared to like +him in turn. + +He also found that the Scotchman, though a man of peace, and very much +averse to quarreling, was by no means deficient in the trait of personal +courage. + +One evening they arrived at a small tavern in a Missouri town. Neither +Tom nor his companion particularly liked the appearance of the place nor +its frequenters, but it appeared to be the only place of entertainment +in the settlement. + +The barroom, which was the only public room set apart for the use of the +guests, was the resort of a party of drunken roisterers, who were +playing poker in the corner, and betting on the game. At the elbow of +each player was set a glass of whisky, and the end of each game was +marked by a fresh glass all around. + +Tom and Mr. Ferguson took a walk after supper, and then sat down quietly +at a little distance from the card-players, attracting at first but +little attention from them. + +Presently, at the close of a game, glasses were ordered for the party, +at the expense of those who had suffered defeat. + +"What'll you have, strangers?" inquired a tipsy fellow, with an Indian +complexion and long black hair, staggering toward Ferguson. + +"Thank you, sir," said the Scotchman; "but I don't drink." + +"Don't drink!" exclaimed the former, in evident surprise. "What sort of +a man, pray, may you be?" + +"I am a temperance man," said Ferguson, adding indiscreetly, "and it +would be well for you all if you would shun the vile liquor which is +destroying soul and body." + +"---- your impudence!" ejaculated the other, in a rage. "Do you dare to +insult gentlemen like us?" + +"I never insult anybody," said the Scotchman calmly. "What I have said +is for your good, and you would admit it if you were sober." + +"Do you dare to say I'm drunk?" demanded the man, in a fury. + +"Mr. Ferguson," said Tom, in a low voice, "I wouldn't provoke him if I +were you." + +But the Scotchman was no coward, and, though generally prudent, he was +too fond of argument to yield the point. + +"Of course, you're drunk," he said calmly. "If you will reflect, you +show all the signs of a man that has taken too much liquor. Your face is +flushed, your hand is unsteady, and----" + +He was interrupted by a volley of execrations from the man whom he was +coolly describing, and the latter, in a fit of fury, struck the +Scotchman in the face. Had the blow been well directed it would, for +the time, have marred the small share of personal beauty with which +nature had endowed Mr. Ferguson; but it glanced aside and just struck +him on his prominent cheek-bone. + +"A ring! a ring!" shouted the men in the corner, jumping to their feet +in excitement. "Let Jim and the Scotchman fight it out." + +"Gentlemen," said Mr. Ferguson, "I don't wish to fight with your friend. +He is drunk, as you can see plainly enough. I don't wish to fight with a +drunken man." + +"Who says I am drunk?" demanded the champion of whisky. "Let me get at +him." + +But his friends were now holding him back. They wanted to see a square +fight, according to rule. It would prove, in their opinion, a pleasant +little excitement. + +"I meant no offense," said Ferguson; "I only told the truth." + +"You are a ---- liar!" exclaimed the man, known as Jim. + +"I do not heed the words of a man in your condition," said the Scotchman +calmly. + +"Pull his nose, Jim! Make him fight!" exclaimed the friends of the +bully. "We'll back you!" + +The hint was taken. Jim staggered forward, and, seizing the Scotchman's +prominent nose, gave it a violent tweak. + +Now there are few men, with or without self-respect, who can calmly +submit to an insult like this. Certainly Mr. Donald Ferguson was not one +of them. The color mantled his high cheek-bones, and anger gained +dominion over him. He sprang to his feet, grasped the bully in his +strong arms, dashed him backward upon the floor of the barroom, and, +turning to the companions of the fallen man, he said, "Now come on, if +you want to fight. I'll take you one by one, and fight the whole of you, +if you like." + +Instead of being angry, they applauded his pluck. They cared little for +the fate of their champion, but were impressed by the evident strength +of the stranger. + +"Stranger," said one of them, "you've proved that you're a man of honor. +We thought you were a coward. It's a pity you don't drink. What may your +name be?" + +"Donald Ferguson." + +"Then, boys, here's to the health of Mr. Ferguson. He's a bully boy, and +no coward." + +"Gentlemen," said the Scotchman, "it's a compliment you mean, no doubt, +and I'm suitably thankful. If you'll allow me, I'll drink your health in +a liquor which will not injure any one. I'll wish you health and +prosperity in a glass of cold water, if the barkeeper happens to have +any of that beverage handy. Tom, join with me in the toast." + +Tom did so, and the speech was well received. + +"As for this gentleman," said Mr. Ferguson, addressing Jim, who had +struggled to his feet, and was surveying the scene in rather a +bewildered way, "I hope he won't harbor malice; I've only got even with +him. We may as well forgive and forget." + +"That's the talk! Jim, drink the stranger's health!" + +Jim looked a little doubtful, but when a glass of whisky was put into +his hand he could not resist the seductive draft, and tossed it down. + +"Now shake hands!" said one of the players. + +"With all my heart," said Ferguson, and the two shook hands, to the +great delight of the company. + +"You got off pretty well, Mr. Ferguson," said Tom, when they retired for +the night. + +"Yes, my lad, better than I expected. I thought once I would have to +fight the whole pack. Poor fellows! I pity them. They are but slaves to +their appetites. I hope, my lad, you'll never yield to a like +temptation." + +"No fear for me, Mr. Ferguson. I feel as you do on the subject." + +The journey continued till one day, about noon, they reached the town of +St, Joseph, popularly called St. Joe. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +ST. JOE. + + +St. Joe was at that time the fitting-out point for overland parties +bound for California. As a matter of course it presented a busy, +bustling appearance, and seemed full of life and movement. There was a +large transient population, of a very miscellaneous character. It +included the thrifty, industrious emigrant, prepared to work hard and +live poorly, till the hoped-for competence was attained; but there was +also the shiftless adventurer, whose chief object was to live without +work, and the unscrupulous swindler, who was ready, if opportunity +offered, to appropriate the hard earnings of others. + +"It's a lively place, Mr. Ferguson," said Tom. + +"It is, indeed, my young friend," said the cautious Scot; "but it is a +place, to my thinking, where it behooves a man to look well to his +purse." + +"No doubt you are right, Mr. Ferguson. I have learned to be cautious +since my adventure with Graham and Vincent." + +"There's many like them in the world, Tom. They are like lions, going +about seeking whom they may devour." + +St. Joseph could not at that time boast any first-class hotels. Inns and +lodging-houses it had in plenty. At one of these--a two-story building, +dignified by the title of "The Pacific Hotel"--our hero and his Scotch +friend found accommodations. They were charged two dollars and a half +per day--the same price they charged at first-class hotels in New York +and Boston, while their rooms and fare were very far from luxurious. The +landlord was a stout, jolly host, with a round, good-natured face. + +"You and your son will room together, I suppose," he said. + +"He isn't my son, but a young friend of mine," said Mr. Ferguson. + +"I thought he didn't look much like you," said the landlord. + +"I am hard and weather-beaten, while he is young and fresh." + +"Well, gentlemen, I wish you both good luck. What will you take? I have +a superior article of whisky that I can recommend." + +"Thank you, but I beg you will excuse me, sir," said Ferguson. "I never +drink." + +"Nor I," said Tom; "but I am much obliged to you all the same." + +"Well, that beats me," said the landlord. "Why, you don't know what's +good. You ain't a minister, are you?" turning to Ferguson. + +"I have not that high distinction, my friend. I am an unworthy member of +the church of Scotland." + +"I don't think your countrymen generally refuse whisky." + +"So much the worse for them. They are only too fond of it. My own +brother died a miserable death, brought on by his love of liquor." + +"Then I won't press you; but I say, strangers, you won't find many of +your way of thinking in the country you're going to." + +"I don't doubt he's right, Tom," said Ferguson to Tom, as they entered +the chamber assigned to them. "We may not be together always. I hope you +won't be led away by them that offer you strong drink. It would be the +ruin of you, boy." + +"Don't fear for me, Mr. Ferguson. I have no taste for it." + +"Sometimes it's hard to refuse." + +"It won't be hard for me." + +"I am glad to hear you say that, my lad. You are young, strong, and +industrious. You'll succeed, I'll warrant, if you steer clear of that +quicksand." + +Later in the day the two friends began to make inquiries about overland +travel. They had no wish to remain long at St. Joe. Both were impatient +to reach the land of gold, and neither cared to incur the expense of +living at the hotel any longer than was absolutely necessary. Luckily +this probably would not be long, for nearly every day a caravan set out +on the long journey, and doubtless they would be able to join on +agreeing to pay their share of the expenses. It was a great undertaking, +for the distance to be traversed was over two thousand miles, through an +unsettled country, some of it a desert, with the chances of an attack by +hostile Indians, and the certainty of weeks, and perhaps months, of +privation and fatigue. Mr. Donald Ferguson looked forward to it with +some apprehension; for, with characteristic Scotch caution, he counted +the cost of whatever he undertook, and did not fail to set before his +mind all the contingencies and dangers attending it. + +"It's a long journey we're going on, my lad," he said, "and we may not +reach the end of it in safety." + +"It isn't best to worry about that, Mr. Ferguson," said Tom cheerfully. + +"You are right, my lad. It's not for the best to worry, but it is well +to make provision for what may happen. Now, if anything happens to me, I +am minded to make you my executor." + +"But don't you think I am too young, Mr. Ferguson?" + +"You are o'er young, I grant, but you are a lad of good parts, +temperate, steady, and honest. I have no other friend I feel like +trusting." + +"I hope, Mr. Ferguson, there will be no occasion to render you any such +service, but whatever I can I will do." + +"It will be very simple. You will take my money, and see that it is sent +to my mother, in Glasgow. I will give you her address now, and then, if +any sudden fate overtakes me, there will be no trouble. You will know +just what to do." + +Tom was flattered by this mark of confidence. It was evident that the +cautious Scotchman had formed a very favorable opinion of him, or he +would not have selected so young a boy for so important a trust. + +"Will you do the same for me, Mr. Ferguson?" he asked, with the sudden +reflection that, young as he was, there was no absolute certainty of his +living to reach California. + +"Surely I will, my lad." + +"If I should die I should want any money I might have left sent to my +father." + +"Give me his address, my lad, and it shall be done. It is a good +precaution, and we shan't either of us die the sooner for doing our +duty, to the best of our ability, by those who would mourn our loss." + +Tom and his friend instituted inquiries, and ascertained that two days +later a caravan was to start on its way across the continent. They +ascertained, also, that the leader of the expedition was a pioneer named +Fletcher, who was making his home at the California Hotel. They made +their way thither, and were fortunate enough to find Mr. Fletcher at +home. He was a stout, broad-shouldered man, a practical farmer, who was +emigrating from Illinois. Unlike the majority of emigrants, he had his +family with him, namely, a wife, and four children, the oldest a boy of +twelve. + +"My friend," said Ferguson, "I hear that you are soon leaving here with +a party for California." + +"I leave day after to-morrow," answered Fletcher. + +"Is your party wholly made up?" + +"We are about full; but we might receive one or two more." + +"My young friend and I wish to join some good party, as we cannot afford +to remain here, and we are anxious to get to work as soon as possible." + +Some care needed to be exercised in the choice of a party, as there were +some who would only give trouble and annoyance, or perhaps fail to pay +their proper share of the expenses. But Ferguson's appearance was +sufficient guarantee of his reliability, and no one was likely to object +to Tom. + +"Of course," added Ferguson, "we are ready to bear our share of the +expense." + +"Then you can come," said Fletcher. "You will both need revolvers, for +we may be attacked by Indians, and must be able to defend ourselves." + +"Certainly, we will do our part, if need be." + +This was an expense which Tom had not foreseen; but he at once saw the +importance of being armed when crossing such a country as lay before +them, and went with Ferguson to make the needful purchase. His Scotch +friend instructed him in the method of using his new weapon, and Tom +felt a boy's natural pride in his new acquisition. He felt years older +then he did on the morning when he left his country home. He had gained +some knowledge of the world, and felt a greater confidence in himself on +that account. He looked forward to the remainder of his journey with +pleasurable excitement, and lost no time in making the necessary +preparations. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +HOW THINGS WENT ON AT HOME. + + +While Tom was slowly making his way westward, there was one place where +tidings from him were anxiously awaited, and where nightly prayers were +offered for his health and safe progress. Of course this was the dear, +though humble, farmhouse, which had been his home. + +Twice a week Tom wrote, and his letters were cheerful and reassuring. + + "Don't trouble yourself about me, dear mother"--he + wrote from Cincinnati. "I am making friends, and + learning how to travel. I feel years older, and + rely much more on myself than when, an inexperienced + boy, I bade you good-by. I am a thousand miles from + you, and the longest and most difficult part of the + journey lies before me; but with health and + strength, and prudence, I hope to arrive in good + condition at my destination. As to health I never + felt better in my life, and I have taken lessons in + prudence and caution which will be of essential + service to me. I have found that a boy who goes out + into the world to seek his fortune cannot trust + everybody he falls in with. He will find foes as + well as friends, and he will need to be on his + guard. + + "I start to-morrow for St. Joseph, in Missouri, + going by way of St. Louis. Mr. Donald Ferguson, a + middle-aged Scotchman, is my companion. A younger + and livelier companion might prove more agreeable, + but perhaps not so safe. Mr. Ferguson is old + enough to be my father, and I shall be guided by + his judgment where my own is at fault. He is very + frugal, as I believe his countrymen generally are, + and that, of course, just suits me. I don't know + how long I shall be in reaching St. Joseph, but I + shall write you once or twice on the way. Give my + love to father, Sarah, Walter, and Harry, and keep + a great deal for yourself. + "Your loving son, + "TOM." + +"Tom is growing manly, Mary," said Mark Nelson to his wife. "It's doing +him good to see a little of the world." + +"I suppose it is, Mark," said his wife; "but the more I think of it the +more I feel that he is very young to undertake such a long journey +alone." + +"He is young, but it will make a man of him." + +"He must be having a tip-top time," said Walter; "I wish I were with +him." + +"You would be more of a hindrance than a help to him, Walter," said Mark +Nelson. + +"You are only a child, you know," said Sarah, in an elder-sister tone. + +"What do you call yourself?" retorted Walter. "You are only two years +older than I am." + +"Girls always know more than boys of the same age," said Sarah +condescendingly. "Besides, I haven't said anything about going out to +California." + +"No, I should think not. A girl that's afraid of a mouse had better stay +at home." + +Walter referred to an incident of the day previous, when the sudden +appearance of a mouse threw Sarah into a panic. + +"Are there any mouses in California?" asked little Harry, with interest. + +"If there are I could carry a cat with me," returned Sarah +good-humoredly. + +Mark Nelson, though he felt Tom was a boy to be trusted, did ask himself +occasionally whether he had been wise in permitting him to leave home +under the circumstances. Suppose he continued in health, there were +doubts of his success. His golden dreams might not be realized. The two +hundred dollars which he had raised for Tom might be lost, and bring in +no return; and this would prove a serious loss to Mark, hampered as he +was already by a heavy mortgage on his farm. Would Squire Hudson be +forbearing, if ill-luck came? This was a question he could not answer. +He only knew that such was not the squire's reputation. + +"Well, Mr. Nelson, what do you hear from Tom," asked the squire, one day +about this time. "How far is he on his way?" + +"We received a letter from Cincinnati yesterday. He then was about +starting for St. Joseph." + +"Does he seem to enjoy the journey?" + +"He writes in excellent spirits. He says he has met with good friends." + +"Indeed! How does his money hold out?" + +"He does not speak of that." + +"Oh, well, I dare say he is getting along well;" and the squire walked +on. + +"Does he feel interested in Tom, or not?" queried Mark Nelson, as he +looked thoughtfully after the squire, as he walked on with stately +steps, leaning slightly on his gold-headed cane. He might have been +enlightened on this point, if he could have heard a conversation, later +in the day, between Squire Hudson and his son Sinclair. + +"I saw Mark Nelson this morning," he observed at the supper table. + +"Has he heard from Tom?" + +"Yes; his son wrote him from Cincinnati." + +"I wish I could go to Cincinnati," grumbled Sinclair; "I think I have a +better right to see the world than Tom Nelson." + +"All in good time, my son. Tom is not traveling for pleasure." + +"Still, he is getting the pleasure." + +"He will have to work hard when he reaches California. Probably he won't +have a cent left when he gets there." + +"What will he do then?" + +"He must earn money." + +"Do you think he will do well, father?" + +"He may, and then again he may not," answered the squire judicially. + +"If he don't, how is he going to pay you back the money you lent him?" + +"I always thought your father was foolish to lend his money to a boy +like that," said Mrs. Hudson querulously. + +"Women know nothing about business," said the squire, with an air of +superior wisdom. + +"Sometimes men don't know much," retorted his wife. + +"If you refer to me, Mrs. Hudson," said her husband, "you need have no +anxiety. I did not lend the money to the boy, but to his father." + +"That isn't much better. Everybody knows that Mark Nelson has all that +he can do to get along. His wife hasn't had a new dress for years." + +The squire's face grew hard and stern. He had never loved his wife, and +never forgiven Mrs. Nelson, whom he had loved as much as he was capable +of doing, for refusing his hand. + +"She has made her bed and she must lie upon it," he said curtly. "She +might have known that Mark Nelson would never be able to provide for +her." + +"Perhaps she never had any other offer," said Mrs. Hudson, who was +ignorant of a certain passage of her husband's life. + +"Probably she did, for she was a very pretty girl." + +"Then she's faded," said Mrs. Hudson, tossing her head. + +Squire Hudson did not reply; but as his eyes rested on the sharp, +querulous face of his helpmate, and he compared it mentally with the +pleasant face of Mrs. Nelson, he said to himself that, faded or not, the +latter was still better looking than his wife had been in the days of +her youth. Of course it would not do to say so, for Mrs. Hudson was not +amiable. + +"Mark Nelson has given me security," said the squire, returning to the +point under discussion. "I hold a mortgage on his farm for the whole +amount he owes me." + +"Do you think you shall have to foreclose, father?" asked Sinclair. + +"If Tom does not succeed in California, I probably shall," said the +squire. + +"Do you think he will succeed?" + +"He may be able to make a living, but I don't think he will be able to +help his father any." + +"Then why did you lend him the money?" + +"He wanted to go, and was willing to take the risk. I lent the money as +a business operation." + +"Suppose Mr. Nelson loses his farm, what will he do?" inquired Sinclair. + +"I really don't know," answered the squire, shrugging his shoulders. +"That is no concern of mine." + +"Tom wouldn't put on so many airs if his father had to go to the +poorhouse," said Sinclair. + +"Does he put on airs?" + +"He seems to think he is as good as I am," said Squire Hudson's heir. + +"That is perfectly ridiculous," said Mrs. Hudson. "The boy must be a +fool." + +"He is no fool," said the squire, who did not allow prejudice to carry +him so far as his wife and son. "He is a boy of very fair abilities; but +I apprehend he will find it harder to make his fortune than he +anticipated. However, time will show." + +"Most likely he'll come home in rags, and grow up a day-laborer," said +Sinclair complacently. "When I'm a rich man I'll give him work. He won't +feel like putting on airs, then." + +"What a good heart Sinclair has!" said Mrs. Hudson admiringly. + +Squire Hudson said nothing. Possibly the goodness of his son's heart was +not so manifest to him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +THE YOUNG MAN FROM BOSTON. + + +Soon after leaving St. Joe, the emigrant train which Tom had joined, +entered the territory of Kansas. At that early day the settlement of +this now prosperous State had scarcely begun. Its rich soil was as yet +unvexed by the plow and the spade, and the tall prairie grass and virgin +forest stretched for many and many a mile westward in undisturbed +loneliness. + +One afternoon, toward the setting of the sun, the caravan halted on the +site of the present capital of the State, Topeka. The patient oxen, +wearied with the twenty miles they had traveled, were permitted to +graze. The ten baggage wagons or "ships of the plain," as they were +sometimes called--came to anchor in a sea of verdure. They were ranged +in a circle, the interior space being occupied as a camping-ground. Then +began preparations for supper. Some of the party were sent for water. A +fire was built, and the travelers, with a luxurious enjoyment of rest, +sank upon the grass. + +Donald Ferguson looked thoughtfully over the vast expanse of unsettled +prairie, and said to Tom, "It's a great country, Tom. There seems no end +to it." + +"That's the way I felt when I was plodding along to-day through the +mud," said Tom, laughing. + +"It's because the soil is so rich," said the Scotchman. "It'll be a +great farming country some day, I'm thinking." + +"I suppose the soil isn't so rich in Scotland, Mr. Ferguson?" + +"No, my lad. It's rocky and barren, and covered with dry heather; but it +produces rare men, for all that." + +Mr. Ferguson was patriotic to the backbone. He would not claim for +Scotland what she could not fairly claim; but he was all ready with some +compensating claim. + +"How do you stand the walking, Mr. Ferguson?" + +"I'm getting used to it." + +"Then it's more than I am. I think it's beastly." + +These words were not uttered by Tom, but by rather a dandified-looking +young man, who came up limping. He was from Boston, and gave his name as +Lawrence Peabody. He had always lived in Boston, where he had been +employed in various genteel avocations; but in an evil hour he had been +lured from his comfortable home by the seductive cry of gold, and, +laying down his yardstick, had set out for California across the plains. +He was a slender young man, with limbs better fitted for dancing than +for tramping across the prairie, and he felt bitterly the fatigue of the +journey. + +"Are you tired, Mr. Peabody?" asked Tom. + +"I am just about dead. I didn't bargain for walking all the way across +the prairies. Why couldn't old Fletcher let me ride?" + +"The oxen have had all they could do to-day to draw the wagons through +the mud." + +"Look at those boots," said the Bostonian ruefully, pointing to a pair +of light calfskin boots, which were so overlaid with mud that it was +hard to tell what was their original color. "I bought those boots in +Boston only two weeks ago. Everybody called them stylish. Now they are +absolutely disreputable." + +"It seems to me, my friend," said the Scotchman, "that you did not show +much sagacity in selecting such boots for your journey. My young friend, +Tom, is much better provided." + +"His boots are cowhide," said Mr. Lawrence Peabody disdainfully. "Do +you think I would wear cowhide boots?" + +"You would find them more serviceable, Mr. Peabody," said Tom. "Besides, +I don't believe anybody could tell the difference now." + +"How much did you pay for them?" asked the Bostonian. + +"A dollar and a half." + +"Humph! I thought so," returned Peabody contemptuously. "We don't wear +cowhide boots in Boston." + +"You are not in Boston now." + +"I wish I was," said Peabody energetically. "I wouldn't have started if +I had known what was before me. I expected to travel like a gentleman, +instead of wading through this cursed mud till I'm ready to drop. Look +at my pantaloons, all splashed with mire. What would my friends say if I +should appear in this rig on Washington Street?" + +"They might take you for a bog-trotter," said Tom, smiling. + +"I have always been particular about my appearance," said Peabody +plaintively. "'He looks just as if he'd come out of a bandbox,' some of +my lady friends used to say. How do I look now?" + +"Like a dirty-handed son of toil," said Tom humorously. + +"So do you," retorted Peabody, who felt that this was uncomplimentary. + +"I admit it," said Tom; "and that's just what I expect to be. You don't +expect to dig gold with kid gloves on, do you, Mr. Peabody?" + +"I wish I had brought some with me," said the Bostonian seriously. "It +would have saved my hands looking so dingy." + +"How came you to start for California, my friend?" inquired Ferguson. + +"The fact is," said Peabody, "I am not rich. There are members of our +family who are wealthy; but I am not one of the lucky number." + +"You were making a living at home, were you not?" + +"Yes; but my income was only enough for myself." + +"I suppose you were in love, then," said Tom. + +"I don't mind saying that I was; confidentially, of course," said Mr. +Peabody complacently. + +"Was your love returned?" + +"I may say it was. The young lady was the daughter of a merchant prince. +I saw that she loved me, but her father would not consent to our union, +on account of my limited means. I read in the _Transcript_ of the gold +discoveries in California. I determined to go out there, and try my +fortune. If I am successful I will go home, and, with a bag of gold in +each hand, demand the hand of Matilda from her haughty sire. When he +asks me for my credentials, I will point to the gold, and say, 'Behold +them here!'" + +"If both your hands are full I don't see how you can point to the bags +of gold," said Tom, who liked to tease the young Bostonian. + +"There are a great many things you don't understand," said Mr. Peabody, +irritably. + +"He is right, Tom," said Ferguson, with a quiet smile. + +"If you are both against me, I will give it up," said Tom. "All I can +say is, I hope you'll get the two bags of gold, Mr. Peabody, and that +you'll get the young lady, too." + +Here Fletcher came up, and called upon Tom to assist in preparations for +supper. Our hero readily complied with the request. Indeed, he always +showed himself so obliging that he won the favorable regards of all. + +Mr. Peabody continued the conversation with Mr. Ferguson. + +"Do you think there's as much gold in California as people say?" he +asked. + +"No," answered the Scotchman. + +"You don't?" ejaculated the Bostonian, in dismay. + +"No; people always magnify when they talk of a new country. Now, my +friend, how much do you expect to get in the first year?" + +"Well, about fifty thousand dollars," answered Peabody. + +"And how much were you earning in Boston--a thousand dollars?" + +"About that," answered Peabody vaguely. In fact, he had been working on +a salary of twelve dollars a week, in a retail dry-goods store on +Washington Street. + +"Then you expect to make fifty times as much as at home?" + +"Don't you think I will?" + +"I have never had such large expectations. If I make three or four +thousand dollars in twelve months it will satisfy me." + +"But a man would never get rich, at that rate," said Lawrence Peabody +uneasily. + +"I don't know about that. It depends as much on what a man does with his +money, as on the amount he makes," said the prudent Scot. + +"I am afraid I did wrong in leaving Boston," said Peabody gloomily. "If +I am to travel many weeks through the mud, and get no more than that, I +shall feel that I am poorly paid." + +"You don't feel like my young friend Tom. He is full of hope, and enjoys +everything." + +"He hasn't been brought up as I have," said Peabody. "A country boy in +cowhide boots is tough, and don't mind roughing it." + +Ferguson did not have a chance to answer, for there was a summons to +supper--a welcome call, that made even Mr. Lawrence Peabody look +cheerful for the time being. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +MR. PEABODY'S TROUBLES. + + +When the party camped for the night the custom was to arrange the +baggage wagons in a semicircle, and provide a resting-place for the +women and children inside. As they were passing through a country +occupied by Indians it was necessary to post one or more sentinels to +keep watch through the night, and give notice of any who might be seen +lurking near the camp. Fortunately, however, an Indian attack was seldom +made at night. The time generally selected was in the morning, when the +party were preparing to start on their day's march. Tom, as a boy, would +have been excused taking his turn; but this did not suit him. He +requested as a favor, that he might stand watch with the rest. + +"Can he be relied upon? Is he not too young?" asked Fletcher, the +leader, of Mr. Ferguson. + +"You can depend upon him," said the Scotchman confidently. "There's +more manliness in Tom than in many men of twice his years." + +"Then I will put his name on the list," said Fletcher. + +"That's right. I'll answer for him." + +But there was one of the travelers who was by no means eager to stand on +watch. This was Lawrence Peabody, the young man from Boston. He sought +an interview with Fletcher, and asked to be excused. + +"On what grounds, Mr. Peabody?" asked Fletcher, surprised. + +"It doesn't agree with me to lose my night's sleep," said Peabody. "I am +naturally delicate, and----" + +"Your excuse is not satisfactory, Mr. Peabody. We are banded together in +a little community, having mutual rights and mutual obligations. In the +arrangements made for the common safety it is your duty to bear your +part." + +"I am willing to provide a substitute," said Peabody eagerly. + +"Where will you find a substitute?" + +"I have been talking with Tom Nelson. He says he is willing to serve in +my turn." + +"He will serve when his own turn comes; that will be all we can expect +of him." + +"But he is only a boy. Why should he be expected to take his turn?" + +"If he is old enough to be a substitute, he is old enough to stand watch +for himself." + +"But, Mr. Fletcher, I am very delicate," protested Lawrence Peabody. "I +must have my regular sleep, or I shall be sick." + +"We must take our chances of that, Mr. Peabody." + +"I shall be very likely to go to sleep on my post." + +"I wouldn't advise you to," said Fletcher seriously. "It might be +dangerous." + +"Dangerous!" ejaculated Peabody nervously. + +"Precisely. If a lurking Indian should surprise you, you might wake up +to find yourself scalped." + +"Good gracious!" exclaimed the Bostonian, his teeth chattering, for he +was not of the stuff of which heroes are made. "Do you--think there is +any danger of that?" + +"Considerable, if you neglect your duty." + +"But perhaps I can't help falling asleep." + +"Mr. Peabody," said Fletcher sternly, "you must keep awake. Not only +your own safety, but that of the whole camp, may depend upon your +vigilance. If you choose to risk your own life, I don't complain of +that, but you shall not imperil ours. I therefore give you notice, that +if you fall asleep on guard you will be drummed out of camp, and left to +shift for yourself." + +"But I couldn't find my way on the prairie," said Peabody, very much +alarmed. + +"You had better think of that when you are tempted to close your eyes, +Mr. Peabody," replied Fletcher. + +Lawrence Peabody walked off, feeling very much disconcerted. Fervently +he wished himself back in Boston, where there are no Indians, and a man +might sleep from one week's end to another without any danger of losing +his scalp. + +"What's the matter, Mr. Peabody?" asked Tom, observing his melancholy +appearance. + +"I don't think I shall ever live to see California," answered Mr. +Peabody plaintively. + +"Why, what's the matter now?" asked Tom, checking an inclination to +laugh; "are you sick?" + +"I don't feel very well, Tom. I'm very delicate, and this journey is +almost too much for my strength." + +"Oh, cheer up, Mr. Peabody! Think of the gold that awaits you at the end +of the journey." + +"It's all that keeps me up, I do assure you. But I am afraid I shall +never live to get there," said Peabody, with a groan. + +"Don't think of such things, Mr. Peabody. Of course none of us is sure +of living, but the chances are, that we shall reach California in +health, make our fortunes, and go home rich. At any rate, that's what I +am looking forward to." + +"I wouldn't mind so much but for one thing, Tom." + +"What is that?" + +"Fletcher insists that I shall take my turn in standing guard. If I were +not so delicate I wouldn't mind; but I know I can't stand it. I'll give +you two dollars to take my place, every time my turn comes." + +"I am willing, if Mr. Fletcher is," said Tom, who was by no means averse +to making a little extra money. + +"But he isn't. I proposed it to him, for I was sure I could arrange with +you; but he refused." + +"I suppose," said Tom slyly, "he thought I couldn't fill your place. You +are a brave, resolute man, and I am only a boy." + +"Tom--I--I don't mind telling you; but I am afraid I am not brave." + +"Oh, nonsense, Mr. Peabody! that is only your modesty." + +"But I assure you," said the young Bostonian earnestly, "I am speaking +the truth. If I should see an Indian crawling near the camp I'm really +afraid I should faint." + +"You won't know how brave you are till you are put to the test." + +"But do you think there is any chance of my being put to the test? Do +you think there are any Indians near?" asked Lawrence Peabody, wiping +the damp perspiration from his brow. + +"Of course there must be," said Tom. "We are passing through their +hunting-grounds, you know." + +"Why did I ever leave Boston?" said Mr. Peabody sadly. + +"You came, as I did, to make your fortune, Mr. Peabody." + +"I'm afraid I can't keep awake, Tom; Mr. Fletcher tells me, if I don't, +that he will turn me adrift on the prairie. Isn't that hard?" + +"I am afraid it is a necessary regulation. But you won't fall asleep. +Your turn will only come about once in two weeks, and that isn't much." + +"The nights will seem very long." + +"I don't think so. I think it'll be fun, for my part." + +"But suppose--when you are watching--you should all at once see an +Indian, Tom?" said Peabody, with a shiver. + +"I think it would be rather unlucky for the Indian," said Tom coolly. + +"You are a strange boy, Tom," said Mr. Peabody. + +"What makes you think so?" + +"You don't seem to care anything about the danger of being scalped." + +"I don't believe I should like being scalped any more than you do." + +"You might have got off from standing watch; but you asked to be allowed +to." + +"That is quite true, Mr. Peabody. I want to meet my fair share of danger +and fatigue." + +"You can stand it, for you are strong and tough. You have not my +delicacy of constitution." + +"Perhaps that's it," said Tom, laughing. + +"Would you mind speaking to Fletcher, and telling him you are willing to +take my place?" + +"I will do it, if you wish me to, Mr. Peabody." + +"Thank you, Tom; you are a true friend;" and Mr. Peabody wrung the hand +of his young companion. + +Tom was as good as his word. He spoke to Fletcher on the subject; but +the leader of the expedition was obdurate. + +"Can't consent, my boy," he said. "It is enough for you to take your +turn. That young dandy from Boston needs some discipline to make a man +of him. He will never do anything in a country like California unless +he has more grit than he shows at present. I shall do him a favor by +not excusing him." + +Tom reported the answer to Peabody, who groaned in spirit, and nervously +waited for the night when he was to stand watch. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +A SAD SIGHT. + + +A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain +defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted +leader look grave. Stretched out stiff and stark were two figures, cold +in death. They were men of middle age, apparently. From each the scalp +had been removed, thus betraying that the murderers were Indians. + +"I should like to come across the red devils who did this," said +Fletcher. + +"What would you do with them?" asked Ferguson. + +"Shoot them down like dogs, or if I could take them captive they should +dangle upon the boughs of yonder tree." + +"I hope I shall be ready to die when my time comes," said Ferguson; "but +I want it to be in a Christian bed, and not at the hands of a dirty +savage." + +Just then Lawrence Peabody came up. He had been lagging in the rear, as +usual. + +"What have you found?" he inquired, not seeing the bodies at first, on +account of the party surrounding them. + +"Come here, and see for yourself, Peabody," said one of the company. + +Lawrence Peabody peered at the dead men--he was rather near-sighted--and +turned very pale. + +"Is it the Indians?" he faltered. + +"Yes, it's those devils. You can tell their work when you see it. Don't +you see that they are scalped?" + +"I believe I shall faint," said Peabody, his face becoming of a greenish +hue. "Tom, let me lean on your shoulder. Do--do you think it has been +done lately?" + +"Yesterday, probably," said Ferguson. "The bodies look fresh." + +"Then the Indians that did it must be near here?" + +"Probably." + +"These men were either traveling by themselves, or had strayed away from +their party," said Fletcher. "It shows how necessary it is for us to +keep together. In union there is strength." + +The bodies were examined. In the pocket of one was found a letter +addressed to James Collins, dated at some town in Maine. The writer +appeared to be his wife. She spoke of longing for the time when he +should return with money enough to redeem their farm from a heavy +mortgage. + +"Poor woman!" said Ferguson. "She will wait for her husband in vain. The +mortgage will never be paid through his exertions." + +Tom looked sober, as he glanced compassionately at the poor emigrant. + +"He came on the same errand that I did," he said. "I hope my journey +will have a happier ending." + +"Always hope for the best, Tom," said his Scotch friend. "You will live +happier while you do live, and, if the worst comes, it will be time +enough to submit to it when you must." + +"That is good philosophy, Mr. Ferguson." + +"Indeed it is, my lad. Don't borrow trouble." + +"We must bury these poor men," said Fletcher. "We can't leave them out +here, possibly to be devoured by wild beasts. Who will volunteer for the +service?" + +"Come, Peabody," said John Miles, a broad-shouldered giant, who had a +good-natured contempt for the young man from Boston. "Suppose you and I +volunteer." + +Lawrence Peabody shrank back in dismay at the unwelcome proposition. + +"I couldn't do it," he said, shivering. "I never touched a dead body in +my life. I am so delicate that I couldn't do it, I assure you." + +"It's lucky we are not all delicate," said Miles, "or the poor fellows +would be left unburied. I suppose if anything happens to you, Peabody, +you will expect us to bury you?" + +"Oh, don't mention such a thing, Mr. Miles," entreated Peabody, showing +symptoms of becoming hysterical. "I really can't bear it." + +"It's my belief that nature has made a mistake, and Peabody was meant +for a woman," said Miles, shrugging his shoulders. + +"I will assist you, my friend," said the Scotchman. "It's all that +remains for us to do for the poor fellows." + +"Not quite all," said Tom. "Somebody ought to write to the poor wife. We +have her address in the letter you took from the pocket." + +"Well thought of, my lad," said Fletcher. "Will you undertake it?" + +"If you think I can do it properly," said Tom modestly. + +"It'll be grievous news, whoever writes it. You can do it as well as +another." + +In due time Mrs. Collins received a letter revealing the sad fate of her +husband, accompanied with a few simple words of sympathy. + +Over the grave a rude cross was planted, fashioned of two boards, with +the name of James Collins, cut out with a jack-knife, upon them. This +inscription was the work of Miles. + +"Somebody may see it who knows Collins," he said. + +It happened that, on the second night after the discovery of Collins and +his unfortunate companion, Lawrence Peabody's turn came to stand watch. +He was very uneasy and nervous through the day. In the hope of escaping +the ordeal he so much dreaded he bound a handkerchief round his head. + +"What's the matter, Mr. Peabody?" asked Fletcher. + +"I've got a fearful headache," groaned Peabody. "It seems to me as if it +would split open." + +"Let me feel of it," said Fletcher. + +"It doesn't feel hot; it doesn't throb," he said. + +"It aches terribly," said Peabody. "I'm very subject to headache. It is +the effect of a delicate constitution." + +"The fellow is shamming," said Fletcher to himself; and he felt disgust +rather than sympathy. + +"It's a little curious, Mr. Peabody, that this headache should not come +upon you till the day you are to stand on watch," remarked the leader, +with a sarcasm which even the young man from Boston detected. + +"Yes, it's strange," he admitted, "and very unlucky, for of course you +won't expect a sick man to watch." + +"You don't look at it in the right light, Mr. Peabody. I regard it as +rather lucky than otherwise." + +Lawrence Peabody stared. + +"I don't understand you, Mr. Fletcher," he said. + +"If you have the headache, it will prevent you from going to sleep, and +you remember you expressed yourself as afraid that you might. If you +were quite well, I might feel rather afraid of leaving the camp in your +charge. Now, I am sure you won't fall asleep." + +Mr. Peabody listened in dismay. The very plan to which he had resorted +in the hope of evading duty was likely to fasten that duty upon him. + +"He'll be well before night," thought Fletcher shrewdly; and he +privately imparted the joke to the rest of the party. The result was +that Mr. Peabody became an object of general attention. + +In half an hour the young man from Boston removed his handkerchief from +his head. + +"Are you feeling better, Mr. Peabody?" asked Tom. + +"Very much better," said Peabody. + +"Your headache seems to pass off suddenly." + +"Yes, it always does," said the young Bostonian. "I am like mother in +that. She had a delicate constitution, just like mine. One minute she +would have a headache as if her head would split open, and half an hour +afterward she would feel as well as usual." + +"You are very fortunate. I was afraid your headache would make it +uncomfortable for you to watch to-night." + +"Yes, it would; but, as the captain said, it would have kept me awake. +Now I don't believe I can keep from sleeping on my post." + +"Why don't you tell Fletcher so?" + +"Won't you tell him, Tom? He might pay more attention to it if you told +him." + +"No, Mr. Peabody. You are certainly the most suitable person to speak to +him. What makes you think he would pay more attention to me, who am only +a boy?" + +"He seems to like you, Tom." + +"I hope he does, but really, Mr. Peabody, you must attend to your own +business." + +Fletcher was at the head of the train, walking beside the first wagon. +Hearing hurried steps, he turned, and saw Mr. Lawrence Peabody, panting +for breath. + +"Have you got over your headache, Mr. Peabody?" he asked, with a quiet +smile. + +"Yes, Mr. Fletcher, it's all gone." + +"I am glad to hear it." + +"It would have kept me awake to-night, as you remarked," said Peabody. +"Now, I am really afraid that I shall fall asleep." + +"That would be bad for you." + +"Why so?" + +"You remember those two poor fellows whom we found scalped the other +day?" + +"I shall never forget them," said Lawrence Peabody, with a shudder. + +"Better think of them to-night. If you go to sleep on watch, those very +Indians may serve you in the same way." + +"Oh, good gracious!" ejaculated Peabody, turning pale. + +"They or some of their tribe are, no doubt, near at hand." + +"Don't you think you could excuse me, Mr. Fletcher?" stammered Peabody, +panic-stricken. + +"No!" thundered Fletcher, so sternly that the unhappy Bostonian shrank +back in dismay. + +For the credit of Boston, it may be said that John Miles--a +broad-shouldered young giant, who did not know what fear was--more +honorably represented the same city. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +A NIGHT PANIC. + + +Lawrence Peabody's feelings when night approached were not unlike those +of a prisoner under sentence of death. He was timid, nervous, and gifted +with a lively imagination. His fears were heightened by the sad +spectacle that he had recently witnessed. His depression was apparent to +all; but I regret to say that it inspired more amusement than sympathy. +Men winked at each other as they saw him pass; and, with the exception +of Tom and his Scotch friend, probably nobody pitied the poor fellow. + +"He's a poor creature, Tom," said Donald Ferguson; "but I pity him. We +wouldn't mind watching to-night; but I doubt it's a terrible thing to +him." + +"I would volunteer in his place, but Mr. Fletcher won't agree to it," +said Tom. + +"He is right. The young man must take his turn. He won't dread it so +much a second time." + +"What would the poor fellow do if he should see an Indian?" + +"Faint, likely; but that is not probable." + +"Mr. Fletcher thinks there are some not far off." + +"They don't attack in the night, so I hear." + +"That seems strange to me. I should think the night would be most +favorable for them." + +"It's their way. Perhaps they have some superstition that hinders." + +"I am glad of it, at any rate. I can sleep with greater comfort." + +The rest were not as considerate as Tom and Ferguson. They tried, +indeed, to excite still further the fears of the young Bostonian. + +"Peabody," said Miles, "have you made your will?" + +"No," answered Peabody nervously. "Why should I?" + +"Oh, I was thinking that if anything happened to you to-night you might +like to say how your things are to be disposed of. You've got a gold +watch, haven't you?" + +"Yes," said Peabody nervously. + +"And a little money, I suppose." + +"Not very much, Mr. Miles." + +"No matter about that. Of course if you are killed you won't have +occasion for it," said Miles, in a matter-of-fact tone. + +"I wish you wouldn't talk that way," said Peabody irritably. "It makes +me nervous." + +"What's the use of being nervous? It won't do any good." + +"Do you really think, Mr. Miles, there is much danger?" faltered +Peabody. + +"Of course there is danger. But the post of danger is the post of honor. +Now, Peabody, I want to give you a piece of advice. If you spy one of +those red devils crouching in the grass, don't stop to parley, but up +with your revolver, and let him have it in the head. If you can't hit +him in the head, hit him where you can." + +"Wouldn't it be better," suggested Peabody, in a tremulous voice, "to +wake you up, or Mr. Fletcher?" + +"While you were doing it the savage would make mince-meat of you. No, +Peabody, fire at once. This would wake us all up, and if you didn't kill +the reptile we would do it for you." + +"Perhaps he would see me first," suggested Peabody, in a troubled tone. + +"You mustn't let him. You must have your eyes all about you. You are not +near-sighted, are you?" + +"I believe I am--a little," said Peabody eagerly, thinking that this +might be esteemed a disqualification for the position he dreaded. + +"Oh, well, I guess it won't make any difference, only you will need to +be more vigilant." + +"I wish I was blind; just for to-night," thought Peabody to himself, +with an inward sigh. "Then they would have to excuse me." + +John Miles overtook Fletcher, who was with the head wagon. + +"Captain Fletcher," he said, "I am afraid Peabody will make a mighty +poor watch." + +"Just my opinion." + +"He is more timid than the average woman. I've got a sister at home that +has ten times his courage. If she hadn't I wouldn't own the +relationship." + +"I am not willing to excuse him." + +"Of course not; but I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll keep an eye open +myself, so that we sha'n't wholly depend on him." + +"If you are willing to do it, Miles, we shall all be indebted to you. +Don't let him know it, though." + +"I don't mean to. He shall suppose he is the only man awake in camp." + +At a comparatively early hour the party stretched themselves out upon +the ground, inviting sleep. Generally they did not have to wait long. +The day's march brought with it considerable physical fatigue. Even +those who were light sleepers at home slept well on the trip across the +plains. Few or none remained awake half an hour after lying down. So +Peabody knew that he would soon be practically alone. + +With a heavy heart he began to pace slowly forward and back. He came to +where Tom lay. + +"Tom--Tom Nelson," he called, in a low voice. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom, in a sleepy tone. + +"Are you asleep?" + +"No; but I soon shall be." + +"Won't you try to keep awake a little while? It won't seem so lonesome." + +"Sorry I can't accommodate you, Mr. Peabody; but I'm awfully tired and +sleepy." + +"Who's that talking there?" drowsily demanded the nearest emigrant. +"Can't you keep quiet, and let a fellow sleep?" + +"Good night, Mr. Peabody," said Tom, by way of putting an end to the +conversation. + +"Good night," returned the sentinel disconsolately. + +The hours passed on, and Lawrence Peabody maintained his watch. He was +in no danger of going to sleep, feeling too timid and nervous. He began +to feel a little more comfortable. He could see nothing suspicious, and +hear nothing except the deep breathing of his sleeping comrades. + +"It is not so bad as I expected," he muttered to himself. + +He began to feel a little self-complacent, and to reflect that he had +underrated his own courage. He privately reflected that he was doing as +well as any of his predecessors in duty. He began to think that after he +had got back to Boston with a fortune, gained in California, he could +impress his friends with a narrative of his night-watch on the distant +prairies. But his courage had not yet been tested. + +He took out his watch to see how time was passing. + +It pointed to twelve o'clock. + +Why there should be anything more alarming in twelve o'clock than in any +other hour I can't pretend to say, but the fact none will question. Mr. +Peabody felt a nervous thrill when his eyes rested on the dial. He +looked about him, and the darkness seemed blacker and more awe-inspiring +than ever, now that he knew it to be midnight. + +"Will it ever be morning?" he groaned. "Four long hours at least before +there will be light. I don't know how I am going to stand it." + +Now, there was attached to the wagon-train one of those universally +despised but useful animals, a donkey, the private property of a man +from Iowa, who expected to make it of service in California. The animal +was tethered near the camp, and was generally quiet. But to-night he was +wakeful, and managed about midnight to slip his tether, and wandered +off. Peabody did not observe his escape. His vigilance was somewhat +relaxed, and with his head down he gave way to mournful reflection. +Suddenly the donkey, who was now but a few rods distant, uplifted his +voice in a roar which the night stillness made louder than usual. It was +too much for the overwrought nerves of the sentinel. He gave a shriek of +terror, fired wildly in the air, and sank fainting to the ground. Of +course the camp was roused. Men jumped to their feet, and, rubbing their +eyes, gazed around them in bewilderment. + +It was not long before the truth dawned upon them. There lay the +sentinel, insensible from fright, his discharged weapon at his feet, and +the almost equally terrified donkey was in active flight, making the air +vocal with his peculiar cries. + +There was a great shout of laughter, in the midst of which Peabody +recovered consciousness. + +"Where am I?" he asked, looking about him wildly, and he instinctively +felt for his scalp, which he was relieved to find still in its place. + +"What's the matter?" asked the leader. "What made you fire?" + +"I--I thought it was the Indians," faltered Peabody. "I thought I heard +their horrid war-whoop." + +"Not very complimentary to the Indians to compare them with donkeys," +said Miles. + +Lawrence Peabody was excused from duty for the remainder of the night, +his place being taken by Miles and Tom in turn. + +It was a long time before he heard the last of his ridiculous panic, but +he was not sensitive as to his reputation for courage, and he bore it, +on the whole, pretty well. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +MR. PEABODY IS WORSTED. + + +The traveler of to-day who is whirled across the continent in six days +and a half has little conception of what the overland journey was in +the year 1850. Week after week and month after month slipped away +between the start and the arrival on the western slope of the Sierra +Nevadas. Delicate women and children of tender years developed +extraordinary endurance, and showed remarkable fortitude on the +wearisome trip. But the hope of bettering their fortunes was the magnet +that drew them steadily on, day after day, in their march across the +plains. + +Tom was at an age when adventure has a charm. His feet were often weary; +but he never tired of the journey. Every morning found him active, +alert, and ready for the toilsome walk. He was, indeed, impatient for +the time to come when he could be earning something to pay up his debt +to Squire Hudson, and so relieve his father from the additional burden +assumed for his sake. Otherwise he was quite content to plod on, seeing +something new every day. + +"You're always cheerful, Tom, my lad," said Ferguson, one day. + +"Yes," said Tom. "I am having a good time." + +"Youth is aye the time for enjoyment. When I was a lad like you I might +have been the same." + +"Don't you enjoy the journey, Mr. Ferguson?" asked Tom. + +"I'm getting tired of it, Tom. I look upon it as a means to an end. I'm +in a hurry to reach the mines." + +"So am I, Mr. Ferguson, for that matter." + +"And I can't help thinking, what if they don't turn out as well as we +expect? Then there'll be months lost, besides a good bit of money," +replied Ferguson. + +"Oh, I'm sure there is plenty of gold, and we shall get our share," said +Tom confidently; "that is, if we have our health." + +"I hope it'll be as you say, my lad. Indeed, I think you are right. You +have taught me a lesson." + +"Have I, Mr. Ferguson? What is it?" + +"Always to look on the bright side. It is a lesson worth learning. It +makes a man feel happier, and often gives courage to press on to the +accomplishment of his purpose." + +"I suppose it is natural to me," said Tom. + +"It is a happy gift. It is a pity that poor creature from Boston hadn't +it." + +Lawrence Peabody was approaching, and this no doubt led to the allusion. +He was limping along, looking decidedly down in the mouth, which, +indeed, was not unusual. + +"What is the matter with you, Mr. Peabody?" asked Tom. + +"I'm almost gone," groaned Peabody. "My strength is exhausted, and, +besides, I've got a terrible corn on my left foot." + +"How long has that been?" + +"For two or three days. It's torture for me to walk. I don't know but +you'll have to leave me here on the prairie to perish." + +"Not so bad as that, Mr. Peabody, I hope. Perhaps Mr. Chapman will lend +you his donkey to ride upon." + +The owner of the donkey was within hearing distance, and at once +expressed a willingness to lend his animal to Mr. Peabody. + +"That will be better than perishing on the prairies," said Tom +cheerfully. + +"I am not much used to riding," said Peabody cautiously. + +"He won't run away with you, Peabody," said the owner. "He's too lazy." + +Lawrence Peabody was already aware of this fact, and it gave him courage +to accept the offered help. He mounted Solomon--as the donkey was +called, for some unknown reason--and for a time enjoyed the relief from +the toil of walking. He became quite cheerful, and was disposed to +congratulate himself upon his success, when an unfortunate fit of +obstinacy came over Solomon. It dawned upon the sagacious animal that it +would be much easier to travel without a load, and, turning his head, he +looked thoughtfully at his rider. + +"Get up, Solomon!" exclaimed Peabody, striking the animal on the haunch. + +Solomon felt that this was taking a personal liberty and he stood +stock-still, his face expressive of obstinacy. + +"Why don't he go on?" asked Peabody, perplexed. + +"He's stopping to rest," said Tom. "I am afraid he is lazy." + +"Go along!" exclaimed Peabody, again using his whip. But the animal did +not budge. + +"This is really very provoking," murmured the rider. "What shall I do?" + +"Don't give up to him," advised one of the company. "Here, let me whip +him." + +"Thank you; I wish you would." + +It was an unlucky speech. The other complied with the request, and +delivered his blow with such emphasis that Solomon's equanimity was +seriously disturbed. He dashed forward with what speed he could command, +Mr. Peabody holding on, in a sort of panic, till he was a hundred yards +away. Then he stopped suddenly, lowering his head, and his hapless rider +was thrown over it, landing some distance in advance. Solomon looked at +him with grim humor, if a donkey is capable of such a feeling, and, +apparently satisfied, turned and walked complacently back to the +wagon-train. + +Several of the company, witnessing the accident, hurried forward to Mr. +Peabody's assistance. They picked him up, groaning and bewildered, but +not much hurt. + +"None of your limbs broken," said Miles. "I guess you'll do." + +"I'm badly shaken up," moaned Peabody. + +"It will do you good," said Miles bluntly. + +"You had better try it yourself, then," retorted Peabody, with unwonted +spirit. + +"Good for you!" laughed Miles. "I suspect you are not dead yet." + +"What made you put me on such a vicious beast?" asked Peabody of the +owner. + +"Solomon isn't vicious; he's only lazy," said Chapman. "We can't blame +him much." + +"I think he ought to be shot," said Peabody, painfully rising, and +stretching out one limb after another to make sure that none was broken. + +"You seem to be unlucky, Mr. Peabody," said Tom. + +"I'm always unlucky," moaned Peabody. + +"Will you ride again, Mr. Peabody?" asked Chapman. "I'll catch Solomon +for you, if you like." + +"Not for fifty dollars!" exclaimed Peabody energetically. "It is as much +as anybody's life is worth." + +"If you will make me the same offer, I won't refuse, Mr. Chapman," said +Tom. + +"You can mount him, if you like." + +Tom waited for no second invitation. He approached Solomon cautiously, +vaulted upon his back, and the animal, disagreeably surprised, had +recourse to the same tactics which had proved so successful in the case +of the young man from Boston. But he had a different kind of a rider to +deal with. Tom had been accustomed to ride from the time he was six +years of age, and he stuck to his seat in spite of all attempts to +dislodge him. So far from feeling alarmed, he enjoyed the struggle. + +"It's no go, Solomon!" he said gaily. "You've tackled the wrong customer +this time. Better make up your mind to go as I want you to." + +Solomon came to the same conclusion after a time. He had tried his +ordinary tactics, and they had proved unavailing. The struggle had been +witnessed with some interest by the other members of the company. + +"You can ride, youngster; that's a fact," said the owner of the donkey. +"I didn't say anything, but I rather expected to see you follow +Peabody." + +"I'm used to riding," said Tom modestly. "Mr. Peabody is not." + +"Every lad ought to know how to ride," said Ferguson. "It's a deal +manlier than smoking a cigar, to my thinking." + +"I can smoke a cigar," said Peabody, desirous probably of appearing to +possess one manly accomplishment. + +"You will hardly find it as useful as riding in the new country you are +going to, Mr. Peabody," said Ferguson dryly. + +"I'd give something for a good cigar myself," said John Miles. + +"I prefer riding," said Tom. "I never smoked a cigar in my life." + +"You are just as well off without it, my lad," said the Scotchman. "It +don't do men any good, and always harms boys." + +Peabody never again mounted Solomon. One trial was sufficient, and, +footsore and lame as he was, he decidedly preferred to walk. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +THE LOST HORSE. + + +Day followed day, and every sunset found the party from eighteen to +twenty miles nearer the land of gold. They had not yet been molested by +Indians, though on more than one occasion they had encountered the +remains of those whom the savages had ruthlessly slaughtered. When they +witnessed such a spectacle they were moved less by fear than +indignation. + +"I didn't think I should ever thirst for a fellow creature's blood," +said John Miles; "but if I could meet the savages that did this bloody +work, I would shoot them down like dogs, and sleep all the more soundly +for it. How is it with you, friend Ferguson?" + +"I am inclined to agree with you," said the Scotchman. "When an Indian +makes himself a beast of prey he should be treated accordingly." + +"Are there any Indians in California?" asked Peabody nervously. + +"I don't think we shall have any trouble with them there, Mr. Peabody," +said Ferguson. + +"Then I wish I was there now. It must be terrible to be scalped;" and +the young man from Boston shuddered. + +"I don't think it would be an agreeable surgical operation," said +Fletcher, who had just come up. "Let us hope that we shall not be +called upon to undergo it." + +The next morning, when breakfast was over, and the party was preparing +to start, an unpleasant discovery was made. One of the most valuable +horses was missing. He must have slipped his tether during the night, +and strayed away; as they were situated, the loss of such an animal +would be felt. + +"He can't be far away," said Fletcher. "Some of us must go after him." + +"Let Peabody mount the mustang, and undertake to find him," suggested +John Miles, winking at the captain. + +"Mr. Peabody," said Captain Fletcher gravely, "will you undertake to +recover the horse? We shall all feel under great obligations to you." + +"I--I hope you will excuse me, Captain Fletcher," stammered Peabody, in +great alarm. "I know I couldn't find the horse. I shouldn't know where +to look." + +"This is where he got away. You can see his trail in the grass," said +Scott, a young man from Indiana. "All you will have to do will be to +follow the trail, Mr. Peabody." + +"I'm very near-sighted," pleaded Peabody. "I should lose my way, and +never come back." + +"Carrying the mustang with you? That would be a loss indeed," said John +Miles pointedly. "On the whole, Captain Fletcher, we had better excuse +Mr. Peabody." + +"Mr. Peabody is excused," said the leader. + +"Thank you," said Peabody, looking relieved. "I would go, I am sure, if +I could do any good; but I know I couldn't." + +"Who will volunteer?" asked Fletcher. + +"Let me go," said Tom eagerly. + +"You are not afraid of losing your way, Tom?" said Miles. + +"No; or if I do, I will find it again." + +"That boy is more of a man now than Peabody will ever be," said Miles, +in a low voice to Ferguson. + +"That he is," said the Scotchman, who was a firm friend of our young +hero. "There is the making of a noble man in him." + +"I believe you." + +"I have no objection to your going, Tom," said Fletcher; "but it is +better that you should have company. Who will go with the boy?" + +"I," said several, among them John Miles and Henry Scott. + +"You may go, Scott," said the leader. "I have work for Miles at camp. +The sooner you get started the better." + +"All right, captain. Come along, Tom." + +The two were in the saddle before two minutes had passed, and, guided by +the trail, struck out upon the prairie. + +Scott was a tall, broad-shouldered young farmer, not over twenty-five, +strong and athletic, and reported, the best runner, wrestler, and +vaulter in the party. Tom was very well pleased to have his company. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +INDIAN CASUISTRY. + + +"I should like to know when the horse got away," said Scott, as he and +Tom rode on side by side; "then we could calculate how far we should +have to go before overtaking him." + +"He wouldn't be likely to travel all the time, would he?" asked Tom. + +"Probably not. He may have gone only a mile or two. Are your eyes good?" + +"Pretty good." + +"Look about, then, and see if you can anywhere see anything of the +rover." + +Scott and Tom, drawing rein, looked searchingly in all directions; but +nowhere was the lost animal visible. + +"Somebody may have found him," suggested Tom. + +"That may be. If so, we have a harder job before us." + +The prairie was not quite level, but was what is called a rolling +prairie, and this limited the view. Otherwise it would have been easy +for a person, whose sight was keen, to have distinguished an object as +large as a horse at a distance of many miles. + +"Are you sure we are on the right track, Mr. Scott?" asked Tom. + +"Yes, I can see by the trail." + +"I can see no hoof-marks." + +"Not just here; but look closely, and you will see slight marks of +disturbance in the grass. As long as these signs last we need have no +doubts as to our being on the right track." + +"The same trail will lead us back to our party," said Tom. + +"Yes, I shouldn't like to part from them in this country. It would be +rather a bad place to be lost without provisions." + +They had ridden about five miles, when the trail became clearer and +better defined. In fact, the marks in the prairie grass appeared more +numerous than a single horse would be likely to make. + +Scott looked grave. + +"We will halt here a moment, Tom," he said. "I want to examine the +trail." + +"Shall I get off my horse?" + +"No; it is not necessary." + +Scott dismounted and walked about, closely examining the marks in the +grass. + +Finally he looked up. + +"I begin to think it doubtful whether we shall recover Dan," he said. + +"Why?" + +"He has been found and carried off," was the reply. "Do you see the +double trail?" + +"Yes," said Tom, after a brief examination. + +"It means that a horseman has found Dan, and led him away. This rather +complicates matters." + +"What do you think we had better do?" inquired Tom. + +"That requires consideration. I could tell better if I knew by whom the +horse had been found. The finder may be honest, and would, in that case, +surrender it on our appearing, and claiming him. But, again, he may be +dishonest, and resist our claims." + +"We are two to one," said Tom stoutly. + +"We don't know that. The man may belong to a party." + +"The members of his party would know that the horse was not his." + +"Quite true, if the party was composed of decent persons, like our own; +but that is not certain." + +"Then will you go back without Dan?" asked Tom. + +"I don't want to do that. In fact I should be ashamed to. Captain +Fletcher would conclude that he might as well have sent Peabody; and I +am not anxious to be classed with him." + +"Nor I," said Tom, smiling. + +"So the only thing is to push on, and make what discoveries we may." + +"All right," said Tom cheerfully. + +They rode on for a couple of miles, having no difficulty in following +the trail, until they reached the brow of a small eminence. Here they +were greeted with a sight that startled them. A group of a dozen Indians +were reclining on the grass, with their horses fastened near them. +Startled as they were, they detected the animal of which they were in +search among the Indian horses. + +"We've walked into a trap with our eyes open, Tom," said Scott, halting +his horse mechanically. His bronzed face was a little pale, for he knew +well the character of the savages before him, the hopelessness of +escape, and the terrible fate that probably awaited them. + +"Shall we turn and fly, Mr. Scott?" asked Tom hurriedly. + +"It would be of no use, Tom. We must stay and face the music." + +Upon the appearance of the two friends the Indians had sprung to their +feet, and the colloquy was scarcely over before there was an Indian at +each bridle-rein. They made signs, easily understood, for Tom and Scott +to dismount. + +"Stop a minute," said Scott, with creditable coolness, considering the +great peril in which he knew himself to be. "Is there any one here who +speaks English?" + +An elderly Indian stepped forward quickly, and said, "Speak, white man. +I speak English a little." + +"Good," said Scott; "then I want you to tell your friends here that I +came after a horse that left our camp last night. Do you understand?" + +The Indian inclined his head. + +"There he is," continued Scott, pointing with his finger to Dan. "Give +him to me, and I will go away." + +The interpreter turned to his companions, and repeated what Scott had +said. Evidently it was not favorably received, as Scott could see by the +menacing looks that were turned upon him. He waited, with some anxiety, +for the answer to his claim. He had to wait for some minutes, during +which the Indians appeared to be consulting. It came at last. + +"The white man has lied," said the Indian sententiously. "The horse is +ours." + +"That's pretty cool, eh, Tom?" said Scott, provoked; not only by the +denial of his claim, but by the charge of falsehood. + +Tom did not answer, thinking silence more prudent. + +The Indian interpreter looked suspiciously from one to the other. He +understood what "cool" meant, but was not familiar with the special +sense in which Scott used it. + +"I will prove that the horse is ours," said Scott. "Here, Dan!" + +The horse whinnied, and tried to reach Scott, upon hearing his name +pronounced. + +"There," said Scott triumphantly, "you see the horse knows me. I have +not lied." + +The speech was an imprudent one. Indians are not lawyers, but they +understand the familiar saying, that "possession is nine points of the +law." That the horse was a valuable one they understood; and they had no +intention of parting with him. Still more, they looked with covetous +eyes at the horses ridden by Scott and the boy, and they had already +made up their minds to seize them also. + +"The white man is a magician," said the interpreter. "He has bewitched +the horse. The horse is ours. He has always belonged to us." + +"It's no use, Tom," said Scott. "They are bound to keep Dan, and I don't +see how we can help it. We had better give him up, and get away if we +can. All the same, the fellow is an outrageous liar." + +He spoke in a low voice, and the interpreter, though listening +attentively, did not quite catch what was said. + +"I guess you are right," said Tom. + +Scott turned to the interpreter. + +"Well, if you think it is yours, squire, I reckon you will keep it. So +we'll say good morning, and go." + +He pulled the rein, but the Indian at his bridle did not let go. + +"Good morning, gentlemen," said Scott. "We are going." + +"White man must stay," said the Indian interpreter decisively. + +"Why?" demanded Scott impatiently. + +"He has tried to steal Indian's horse," said the wily savage. + +"Well, by gosh; that's turning the tables with a vengeance," ejaculated +Scott. "They're rather ahead of white rogues, Tom. Will you let the boy +go?" he asked. + +"White boy stay, too," answered the interpreter, after a brief reference +to the leader of the Indian party. + +"Tom," said Scott rapidly, and not appearing to be excited, lest his +excitement should lead to suspicion, "none of them are mounted. Lash +your horse, and tear from the grasp of the man that holds him; then +follow me. It is our only chance." + +Tom's heart beat rapidly. He knew that all his nerve was called for; but +he did not falter. + +"Give the signal," he said. + +"One, two, three!" said Scott rapidly. Simultaneously both lashed their +horses. The startled animals sprang forward. The grips of the Indians, +who were not suspecting any attempts at escape, were already relaxed, +and before they were fully aware of what was intended our two friends +were galloping away. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +A RACE FOR LIFE. + + +The Indians were taken by surprise. They so outnumbered their intended +captives that they had not anticipated an attempt at escape. But they +had no intention of losing their prey. There was a howl of surprise and +disappointment; then they sprang for their horses, and, with little +delay, were on the track of our two friends. + +The delay was small, but it was improved by Scott and Tom. Pressing +their animals to their highest speed they gained a lead of several +hundred feet before their savage pursuers had fairly started. It was +well that Tom was a good rider, or he might not have been able to keep +his seat. In fact, he had never ridden so rapidly before: but he felt +that he was riding for his life, and was only anxious to ride faster. +Scott had felt a little anxious on this point; but his anxiety vanished +when he saw how easily and fearlessly his boy companion kept at his +side. + +"Well done, Tom!" he said, as they flew over the prairie. "Keep up this +pace, and we will escape yet." + +"I can do it, if my horse holds out," returned Tom briefly. + +Scott looked over his shoulder, and, brave man as he was, it almost made +him shudder. The whole party of Indians was on his track. He could see +their dusky faces, distorted by wrath, and the longing for a savage +revenge. He knew that Tom and he had little to hope for if they were +caught. Fortunately their horses were strong and fleet, and not likely +to break down. + +"Ride for your life, Tom!" he shouted. "They will show us no mercy if +they catch us." + +"All right, Mr. Scott!" said Tom, his face flushed, and panting with +excitement. If he had not felt that so much depended upon it; if he +could have thrust out from his mind the sense of the awful peril in +which he stood--he would have enjoyed the furious pace at which his +horse was carrying him. + +The horses ridden by the Indians were not equal in speed or endurance to +those which the two friends bestrode. They were fresher indeed, but +they did not make up for the difference between them. There was one +exception, however: Dan, the stolen horse, was not only equal to either +of their horses, but had the advantage of being fresher. This, after a +while, began to tell. It was ridden by a young Indian brave, a brother +of the leader. Soon he drew away from his companions, and, yard by yard, +lessened the distance between himself and the pursued. At the end of +three miles he was close upon them, and at least fifty rods in advance +of his comrades. Scott saw this in one of his backward glances. + +"Tom," said he, "the redskin on Dan is overhauling us." + +"Will he catch us?" + +"I mean to catch him," said Scott coolly. + +Tom did not need to ask for an explanation. Scott wheeled round, took +hasty but accurate aim at the Indian, and fired. The hapless warrior +reeled in his saddle, loosed his hold of the reins, and fell to the +ground, while his horse, continuing in his course, his pace accelerated +by fright, soon galloped alongside of Scott. There was a howl of rage +from the main body of Indians, who saw the fate of their comrade, +without being able to help him. + +"Now, Tom, ride as you never rode before!" shouted Scott. "We will +circumvent those Indian devils yet, and bring Dan safe into camp. Come +along, Dan, old fellow; you're doing nobly." + +Dan recognized the familiar voice. He entered into the spirit of the +race, and, relieved from the weight of his rider, dashed forward with +increased speed, till he led, and Scott and Tom were forced to follow. + +The Indians were mad with rage. Their comrade had received a fatal +wound. They saw the round hole in his breast, from which the life-blood +was gushing, and they thirsted for vengeance. + +Should two palefaces, one of them a boy, escape from them? That would be +a disgrace, indeed; the blood of their brother called for blood in +return. + +Could they have inspired their horses with the same spirit which +animated themselves, they might, perhaps, have overtaken their intended +captives; but, happily for our two friends, the horses were less +interested than their riders. + +The danger was well-nigh over. It was scarcely two miles to the camp. +There they would be so re-enforced that the Indians would not venture an +attack. That was the goal they had in view. Already they could see in +the distance the wagon-train, ready for a start. They were surely safe +now. But at this unlucky moment Tom's horse stumbled. The motion was so +rapid that he could not retain his seat. He was thrown over the horse's +head, and lay stunned and insensible upon the ground. His horse kept on +his way to the camp. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +TOM BECOMES AN INDIAN. + + +Scott did not immediately notice Tom's mishap. The boy had shown himself +so good a rider that such an accident had not occurred to him as likely +to happen. When he did look back there was already a considerable +distance between them. In fact, Tom lay midway between the Indians and +himself. + +What was he to do? + +If he returned there was no hope of rescuing Tom; and he would +infallibly fall into the hands of the Indian pursuers. In that case his +fate was sealed. He had killed an Indian warrior, and his life would pay +the forfeit. By going on he could head a rescuing party from the camp. +His heart ached for Tom. It was hard to leave him in the hands of the +savage foe; but Tom was a boy, and there was hope that he would be +spared; so he felt that it was better to continue his flight. + +There was a shout of fierce joy when the Indians saw Tom's fall. They +would have preferred to capture Scott, for he it was who had killed +their comrade; but they were glad to have one prisoner. They reined up +their horses, and halted beside the still insensible boy. They held a +brief consultation, and decided not to continue the pursuit. They could +see the encampment, which Scott was sure to reach before he could be +overtaken. They could not tell the number of the party to which he +belonged; but, being few in numbers themselves, the risk would be a +hazardous one. They decided to retire with their prisoner. Tom was +lifted to a seat in front of one of the party, and they rode leisurely +back. + +This was the position in which our hero found himself when he roused +from his stupor. One glance revealed to him the whole. His heart sank +within him. They might kill him. Remembering the ghastly sights he had +seen on his trip across the plains, he thought it likely that they +would. Life was sweet to Tom. To what boy of sixteen is it not? It +seemed hard to be cut off in the threshold of an active career, and by +savage hands. But there was an additional pang in the thought that now +he would be unable to help his father. The result of his plan would only +be to impose an additional burden upon the modest home which his father +found it so hard to keep up. Tom sighed; and, for the first time in his +life, he felt discouraged. + +He looked about him, scanning the dark, grave faces, and read no hope or +encouragement in any. Finally the Indians came to a halt at their old +camping-ground, and Tom was lifted from the horse. He was placed upon +the ground, in the center of the group. Then followed a consultation. +From the glances directed toward him Tom understood that he was the +subject of deliberation. In fact, his fate was being decided. + +It was certainly a trying ordeal for our young hero. He was not sure of +half an hour's life. An unfavorable decision might be followed by +immediate execution. Tom felt that his best course was to remain +perfectly passive. He could not understand what was said; but we are +able to acquaint the reader with the general purport of the conference. + +Several of the Indians favored immediate death. + +"Our brother's blood calls for vengeance," they said. "The white boy +must die." + +"The boy did not kill him," said others. "It was the white warrior who +spilled our brother's blood. He must be pursued and slain." + +"What, then, shall be done with the boy? Shall he go?" + +"No; we will keep him. He has strong limbs. We will adopt him into our +tribe. He will make a brave warrior." + +"He shall be my brother," said the chief. "I will take him in place of +my brother who is dead." + +There was a low murmur of approval. Even those who had first recommended +the infliction of death seemed to have changed their minds. They looked +at the boy as he lay stretched out upon the ground. He was stout, +comely, and strongly made. He had proved that he was an admirable rider. +If he should join them he would grow up into a warrior who would do +credit to their tribe. + +So the matter was settled. The only thing that remained was to acquaint +the prisoner with the decision. + +The interpreter approached Tom, and said, "White boy, you are our +captive. Why should we not kill you?" + +"You can if you wish," answered Tom; "but why should you kill me? I have +done you no harm." + +"Our brother is killed. He lies dead upon the plain." + +"I did not kill him," said Tom. + +"The white boy speaks truth. He did not kill our brother, but his white +friend took his life." + +"You ought not to kill me for that," said Tom, gathering courage, for he +inferred he was to live. + +"The white boy speaks truth, and therefore he shall live, but he must +join us. He must live with us, hunt with us, and fight for us." + +"You want me to become an Indian!" ejaculated Tom. + +"We will take you in place of the warrior that is gone," said the +interpreter. + +Tom looked thoughtful. He did not enjoy the prospect before him, but it +was, at all events, better than death. While there was life there was +hope of escape. He concluded to make one appeal for freedom, and, if +that was denied, to accept the proposal. + +"I have a father and mother far away," he said; "I have brothers and a +sister, who will mourn for me. My father is poor; he needs my help. Let +me go back to them." + +The interpreter communicated Tom's words to his companions, but it was +easy to see that they were not favorably received. The original +advocates of the death penalty looked at our hero with hostile eyes, and +he saw that he had made a mistake. + +"The white boy must become one of us; he must take our brother's place, +or he must die," said the interpreter. + +Tom very sensibly concluded that it would be better to live with the +Indians than to be killed, and signified his acceptance of the offer. +Upon this the Indians formed a circle about him, and broke into a +monotonous chant, accompanied with sundry movements of the limbs, which +appeared to be their way of welcoming him into their tribe. + +It seemed like a dream to Tom. He found it very hard to realize his +position, so unexpectedly had he been placed in it. He could not help +wondering what the family at home would say when they should learn that +he had joined an Indian tribe far beyond the Mississippi. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +TOM GIVES A MAGICAL SOIREE. + + +Tom had no intention of passing his life with the Indians. In joining +them he submitted to necessity. It gave him a respite, and a chance to +devise plans of escape. He understood very well that, if he made the +attempt and failed, his life would be the forfeit. But Tom determined to +take the risk, though his life was sweet to him; but, of course, he must +wait for a favorable opportunity. + +There was a chance of his being rescued by his party, but this chance +was diminished by the decision of his Indian captors to break camp, and +proceed in a northerly direction, while the course of the emigrant train +was, of course, westward. Little time was wasted. The Indians mounted +their horses, Tom being put on the horse of the fallen brave. The leader +put himself at the head, and Tom was placed in the center, surrounded by +Indians. It was evident that they were not willing to trust him yet. +They meant to afford him no chance of escape. + +As the only one of the band with whom Tom could converse was the +interpreter, who rode at the head with the chief, he rode in silence. +The Indians on either side of him never turned their heads toward him, +but, grave and impassive, rode on, looking straight before them. + +"This is easier than walking," thought Tom; "but I would a hundred times +rather walk with Scott, or Miles, than ride in my present company." + +They rode for three hours, and then dismounted for the midday rest. + +Nothing had been seen or heard of his old friends, and that made Tom +anxious and thoughtful. + +"They have gone on without me, leaving me to my fate," he said to +himself, and the reflection gave him a pang. He had been on such +pleasant and friendly terms with the whole party, that this cold +desertion--as it appeared--wounded him. The young are more sensitive in +such cases than their elders. As we grow older we cease to expect too +much of those whose interests differ from our own. + +Tom felt that his fate was more and more bound up with the Indians. If +some days should pass before he could escape, he would find himself in +an embarrassing condition. Suppose he got away safely, he would find +himself in a pathless plain, without provisions, and with no other guide +than the sun. If he should meet with no party, he would die of +starvation. The prospect seemed by no means bright. + +I am bound to say that, for a time, Tom, in spite of his bright, +sanguine temperament, was greatly depressed; but his spirits were +elastic. + +"I won't give up to despair," he said to himself. "Something tells me +that I shall come out right. I must wait and watch my chances." + +Upon this his face brightened, and his air, which had been listless, +became more animated. The Indians glanced at him, with grave approval. +They concluded that he was becoming reconciled to living among them. + +When the simple midday meal was placed upon the ground, and the Indians +gathered around it in a sitting posture, Tom followed their example, and +did full justice to the dinner. In fact, he had taken so much exercise +that he felt hungry. Besides, he knew that he must keep up his strength, +if he wished to escape; so, instead of keeping aloof in sullen +dissatisfaction, he displayed a "healthy appetite." + +After resting several hours the Indians resumed their journey, but did +not travel far. They were in no hurry. They had no long journey to make +across the continent. They only wished to go far enough to be safe from +attack by a rescuing party of Tom's friends. Again they encamped, and +this time, from the preparations made, he understood that it was for the +night. + +One thing Tom could not help noticing--the silence of these red children +of the plains. They seemed to make no conversation with each other, +except on necessary matters, and then their words were few in number, +replies being often made in a monosyllable. + +"They don't seem very social," thought Tom. "I suppose they have nothing +to talk about. I wonder if the squaws ever have sewing-circles. If they +have, they can't be much like Yankee women if they don't find plenty to +talk about." + +The silence became oppressive. Tom would have liked to take a walk, but +he knew that this would not be allowed. It would be thought that he +wanted to escape. Yet to sit mute hour after hour seemed to Tom +intolerably stupid. A bold idea came to him. He would try to afford them +some amusement. + +Accordingly, he said to the interpreter: "Shall I show you a trick?" + +The interpreter communicated the proposal to his comrades, and +permission was granted. + +Tom took from his pocket a penny. He explained to the interpreter that +he would swallow the penny, and make it come out at his nose--a common +boy's trick. The Indians, to whom this also was communicated, looked +curious and incredulous, and Tom proceeded. + +Now, I am not going to explain how Tom accomplished the illusion. That I +leave to the ingenuity of my boy readers to discover. It is enough to +say that he succeeded, to the great amazement of his copper-colored +spectators. There was a chorus of ughs! and Tom was requested to repeat +the trick. + +He did so, the Indians being as puzzled as before. + +Now, Indians are, in many respects, like children. They displayed, on +this occasion, a childish curiosity and wonder that amused Tom. They +insisted on his opening his month, to ascertain whether there was any +hidden avenue from his mouth to his nose, and found, to their surprise, +that his mouth was like their own. Then one of the Indians volunteered +to try the experiment, and nearly choked himself with the penny, which, +it must be remembered, was one of the large, old-fashioned, copper +coins, in circulation before the war. It cannot be said that he turned +black in the face, but he certainly gasped, and rolled his eyes in a +manner that alarmed his friends, and they instinctively looked to Tom +for help. Tom was equal to the emergency. He rose hastily, slapped the +Indian forcibly on the back, and the cent was ejected from his mouth. + +There was another chorus of ughs! and it was evident that Tom had risen +vastly in their opinion. They looked upon him as a white magician, and +even were a little afraid that he might work them injury in some way. +But Tom's frank, good-humored manner reassured them. They asked him, +through the interpreter, if he could perform any other tricks. Tom knew +a few, that he had learned out of an old tattered book which had fallen +in his way at home; and such as he had facilities for he attempted, to +the great delight of his new friends. Tom was becoming popular; and even +those who had at first recommended death were glad that his life had +been spared. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +TOM'S ESCAPE. + + +Night came, and the Indian camp was hushed and still. It was long before +Tom went to sleep. Generally he was a good sleeper, but his mind at +present was too active for slumber. "How long is this strange life going +to last?" he asked himself. "How long am I to be exiled from +civilization?" This was more easily asked than answered. + +When he slept, his sleep was troubled. He dreamed that Lawrence Peabody +was a captive, and that the chief was about to scalp him, when suddenly +he awoke. He could not at first tell where he was, but a glance revealed +the disheartening truth. + +He must have slept several hours, for the gray dawn was creeping up the +sky, heralding sunrise. He leaned on his elbow, and bent a searching +glance upon his companions. They were stretched motionless upon the +ground, hushed in the insensibility of sleep. "Are they asleep?" Tom +asked himself. He satisfied himself that the slumber was genuine, and +there sprang up in his heart the wild hope of escape. A few rods distant +the horses were fastened. Could he unfasten and mount one before any of +them a wakened? + +Tom's heart beat quick with excitement. He knew that he ran a fearful +risk; but he made up his mind that now was his time. + +Slowly, and without noise, he raised himself to his feet. As he stood +erect, he closely scanned the sleepers. There was not a motion. With +stealthy steps he crept to the horses. He selected the one he had ridden +the day before, and unloosed him. The animal gave a slight whinny, and +Tom's heart was in his throat. But no one stirred. He quickly mounted +the animal, and walked him for a few rods, then gave him a loose rein, +and was soon speeding away. Just then the sun rose, and this guided him +in the direction he was to take. + +He had got a mile away, when, looking back through the clear air, he +saw, to his dismay, that his flight had been discovered. The Indians +were mounting their horses. + +"I must gallop for life," thought Tom. "They will kill me if they catch +me." + +He urged on his horse by all the means in his power. Luckily it was one +of the two fleetest horses the Indians possessed, the other being ridden +by their leader. + +Tom's hope was sustained by this fact, which he had proof of the day +before. + +Rather to his surprise, he did not feel as much frightened as he +anticipated. He felt excited, and this was his prominent feeling. +Probably he felt like a soldier in the heat of battle. + +But the odds against Tom were terrible, and his chance of escape seemed +very slender. Behind him was a band of savages, accustomed to the +plains, strong, wily, enduring, and persistent. He was new to the +plains, and a mere boy. Moreover, he did not know where to find his +party. There were no sign-boards upon the prairies, but a vast, uniform +expanse stretching farther than the eye could reach. + +Inch by inch, foot by foot, the Indians gained upon him, the leader +considerably in advance. + +Even if he alone were to overtake Tom, our hero would of course be no +match for a strong, full-grown warrior, more especially as he had no +weapon with him. By some mischance he had left it in the camp. + +Tom's heart began to fail him. His horse could not always, perhaps not +long, keep up his headlong speed. Then would follow capture, and a +painful death. + +"It's hard," thought Tom sadly; "hard for me and for my dear parents and +brothers and sisters. Why did I ever leave home?" + +He turned in the saddle, and saw the Indian leader, evidently nearer. +But he saw something else. He saw a herd of buffaloes, thousands in +number, impetuously rushing across the plain from the west. Their speed +was great. They seemed to be blindly following their leader. + +"Good heavens!" ejaculated Tom, in great excitement; "the Indians are in +their path. If the herd does not stop, they will be destroyed." + +The Indians were fully aware of their great danger. They knew the plains +well, and the terrible, resistless power of these wild herds when once +on the march. They no longer thought of Tom, but of their own safety. +But the buffaloes were close at hand. They were sweeping on like a +whirlwind. The Indians could only ride on, and trust to clear them. But +their pathway was wide. It reached to within a furlong of where Tom was +riding. They never paused; some of the animals in the advance might have +veered to the right or left on seeing the Indians, but the pressure from +behind prevented. The savages saw their fate, and it inspired them with +more dread than an encounter with white foes. Finally, they halted in +despair, and their fate overtook them. Riders and steeds were overthrown +as by a flash of lightning. The dark, shaggy herd did not stop, but +dashed on. Tom, in awe and excitement, halted his horse, and watched the +terrible sight. He could not but sympathize with his late companions, +though he knew they would have taken his life. + +The buffaloes passed on, but left no life behind them. The Indians and +their horses were all trampled to death. Tom was alone upon the plains. + +He thanked God in his heart for his self-deliverance; though he +shuddered at the manner in which it was wrought. He, too, had been near +being overwhelmed, but, through God's mercy, had escaped. + +But for what had he escaped? Unless he found his own party, or some +other, he would starve to death, or might fall into the power of some +other tribe of Indians. He must ride on. + +An hour later he thought he saw in the distance a solitary horseman. It +might be an Indian; but that was not likely, for they generally traveled +in numbers. It was more likely to be a white man. Any white man would be +a friend, and could guide him to safety, unless he were himself lost. At +any rate, there seemed but one course to follow, and that to ride toward +the stranger. + +When Tom drew near his heart was filled with sudden joy, for, in the new +arrival, he recognized John Miles. Miles was no less delighted. + +"Tom, old boy," he said, "is it you? How did you get away? I was afraid +we should never see you again." + +"I feared so myself," said Tom; "but I have been saved in a wonderful +manner. Has the train moved on?" + +"Do you think we would go on without you? Not a man was willing to stir +till you were found. Even Peabody, though afraid of falling into the +hands of the Indians, and losing his scalp, was in favor of our waiting. +The boys are very anxious about you." + +Tom heard this with satisfaction. The esteem of our friends and +associates is dear to us all; and it is always sad to think that we may +be forgotten in absence. + +"But you have not told me of your escape, Tom," said Miles. "Where are +the Indians who captured you?" + +"All dead!" answered Tom solemnly. + +"Good heavens! You don't mean to say----" + +"That I killed them? Oh, no! Look over there! Can you see anything?" + +Miles looked earnestly. + +"I think I see upon the ground some men and horses." + +"It is the Indians. They were pursuing me when they were trampled to +death by a herd of buffaloes." + +"Wonderful!" ejaculated Miles. "I have heard of such things, but hardly +believed in them." + +"It was a terrible sight," said Tom soberly. "I wish I could have been +saved in some other way." + +"It was you or they," said Miles sententiously. "It is well as it is." + + * * * * * + +They were warmly welcomed at the camp. Tom was looked upon as one raised +from the dead; and the particulars of his wonderful escape were called +for again and again. + +"You are sure they didn't scalp you, Tom?" asked Mr. Peabody. + +"Feel and see, Mr. Peabody," said Tom, smiling. "I believe my hair is +pretty firm." + +"I wouldn't have been in your shoes for all the gold in California," +said Peabody fervently. + +"I believe you, Mr. Peabody. Indeed, I think I may say that I wouldn't +be placed in the same situation again for all the gold in the world." + +"Tom," said Scott, "you are bound to succeed." + +"What makes you think so?" + +"You have shown so much pluck and coolness that you are sure to get +along." + +"I hope so, I am sure, for my father's sake." + + * * * * * + +Some weeks later a wagon-train was seen slowly climbing a mountain pass +on the crest of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. They reached the summit, +and, looking eagerly to the westward, saw the land of gold at their +feet. They had been months in reaching it. Now it lay spread before +them, glorious in the sunlight. + +"Yonder lies the promised land, my lad," said Ferguson. "It remains to +be seen whether we shall be rewarded for our long and toilsome journey." + +"If hard work will win success, I mean to succeed," said Tom stoutly. + +"I don't see any gold," said Lawrence Peabody, with a disappointed air. + +"Did you think it grew on trees, Mr. Peabody?" asked Scott +sarcastically. + +"I should like to stop a week at a first-class hotel before getting to +work," remarked Peabody. "I don't like roughing it." + +"We will leave you at the first hotel of that sort we meet. Now, boys, +gather about me, and give three rousing cheers for California." + +Thus spoke Miles, and swung his hat. The cheers were given with a will, +and the wagon-train commenced the descent. + + +THE END. + + * * * * * + +Transcriber's Notes: + +The original text did not include a table of contents. One was added to +assist the reader. + +Obvious punctuation errors repaired. + +Page 61, word "don't" added to text. (I don't doubt) + +Page 66, "dosen't" changed to "doesn't" (it doesn't look to) + +Page 105, a repeated sentence was removed. ("I'm out of luck, and out of +cash, Vincent.") + +Page 207, "twelev" changed to "twelve" (pointed to twelve) + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Young Adventurer, by Horatio Alger + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG ADVENTURER *** + +***** This file should be named 27300.txt or 27300.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/3/0/27300/ + +Produced by Fox in the Stars, Brenda Lewis, Emmy and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +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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