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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a342208 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #50651 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50651) diff --git a/old/50651-8.txt b/old/50651-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a167a9d..0000000 --- a/old/50651-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5464 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Young Vigilantes, by Samuel Adams Drake - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Young Vigilantes - A Story of California Life in the Fifties - -Author: Samuel Adams Drake - -Illustrator: L. J. Bridgman - -Release Date: December 8, 2015 [EBook #50651] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG VIGILANTES *** - - - - -Produced by Richard J. Shiffer and the Distributed -Proofreading volunteers at http://www.pgdp.net for Project -Gutenberg. (This file was produced from images generously -made available by The Internet Archive.) - - - - - -[Transcriber's Note: Every effort has been made to replicate this -text as faithfully as possible, including obsolete and variant -spellings and other inconsistencies. Text that has been changed is -noted at the end of this ebook.] - - - - -THE YOUNG VIGILANTES - - - - -[Illustration: Walter and Bill tramping across the Isthmus.--_Page -132._] - - - - - THE YOUNG VIGILANTES - - A STORY OF CALIFORNIA - LIFE IN THE FIFTIES - - BY - - SAMUEL ADAMS DRAKE - - Author of "Watch Fires of '76," "On Plymouth Rock," "Decisive - Events in American History Series," etc. - - _ILLUSTRATED BY L. J. BRIDGMAN_ - - - [Illustration] - - - BOSTON - LEE AND SHEPARD - 1904 - - - - - Published August, 1904 - - - COPYRIGHT, 1904, BY LEE AND SHEPARD - - _All rights reserved_ - - THE YOUNG VIGILANTES - - - Norwood Press - BERWICK & SMITH CO. - Norwood, Mass. - U. S. A. - - - - - CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. A NARROW ESCAPE 9 - II. WALTER TELLS HIS STORY 18 - III. AND CHARLEY TELLS HIS 30 - IV. WHAT HAPPENED ON BOARD THE "ARGONAUT" 37 - V. ONE WAY OF GOING TO CALIFORNIA 45 - VI. A BLACK SHEEP IN THE FOLD 66 - VII. THE FLIGHT 82 - VIII. OUTWARD BOUND 100 - IX. ACROSS NICARAGUA 117 - X. THE LUCK OF YANKEE JIM 141 - XI. SEEING THE SIGHTS IN 'FRISCO 154 - XII. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING 165 - XIII. IN WHICH A MAN BREAKS INTO HIS OWN - STORE, AND STEALS HIS OWN SAFE 182 - XIV. CHARLEY AND WALTER GO A-GUNNING 203 - XV. THE YOUNG VIGILANTES 215 - XVI. RAMON FINDS HIS MATCH 231 - XVII. A SHARP RISE IN LUMBER 241 - XVIII. A CORNER IN LUMBER 250 - XIX. HEARTS OF GOLD 262 - XX. BRIGHT, SEABURY & COMPANY 274 - - - - - ILLUSTRATIONS - - - PAGE - - Walter and Bill tramping across the Isthmus - (_Frontispiece._) 132 - Walter rescuing Dora Bright 42 - Waiting for the opening of the mail 160 - The hunters hunted by a grizzly bear 208 - Ramon made to give up his stealings 236 - Arrival of the _Southern Cross_ at Sacramento 254 - - - - -THE YOUNG VIGILANTES - - - - -I - -A NARROW ESCAPE - - -From the _Morning Post-Horn_: - - "As passenger train Number Four was rounding a curve at full - speed, ten miles out of this city, on the morning of October 4, - and at a point where a deep cut shut out the view ahead, the - engineer saw some one, man or boy, he could not well make out - which, running down the track toward the train, frantically - swinging both arms and waving his cap in the air as if to attract - attention. The engine-man instantly shut off steam, whistled for - brakes, and quickly brought the train to a standstill. - - "The engine-man put his head out of the cab window. The conductor - jumped off, followed by fifty frightened passengers, all talking - and gesticulating at once; while the person who had just given the - warning signal slackened his breakneck pace, somewhat, upon seeing - that he had succeeded in stopping the train. - - "'What's the matter?' shouted the impatient engine-man when this - person had come within hearing. - - "'What do you stop us for?' called out the little conductor - sharply, in his turn, at the same time anxiously consulting the - face of the watch he held in his hand. - - "To both questions the young man seemed too much out of breath to - reply, offhand; but turning and pointing in the direction whence - he came, he shook his head warningly, threw himself down on the - roadbed, as limp as a rag, and began fanning himself with his cap. - After getting his breath a little, he made out to say, 'Bridge - afire--quarter mile back. Tried put it out--couldn't. Heard train - coming--afraid be too late. Couldn't run another step.' - - "'Get aboard,' said the conductor to him. 'Jake,' to the grinning - engine-man, 'we'll run down and take a look at it. Get out your - flag!' to a brakeman. 'Like as not Thirteen'll be along before we - can make Brenton switch. All aboard!' The delayed train then moved - on. - - "As it neared the burning bridge it was clear to every one - that the young man's warning had prevented a disastrous wreck, - probably much loss of life, because the bridge could not be seen - until the train was close upon it. All hands immediately set to - work with pails extinguishing the flames, which was finally done - after a hard fight. To risk a heavy train upon the half-burned - stringers was, however, out of the question. Leaving a man to see - that the fire did not break out again, the train was run back to - the next station, there to await further orders. We were unable - to learn the name of the young man to whose presence of mind - the passengers on Number Four owed their escape from a serious, - perhaps fatal disaster. But we are informed that a collection - was taken up for him on the train, which he, however, refused to - accept, stoutly insisting that he had only done what it was his - duty to do under the circumstances." - -Thus far, the _Morning Post-Horn_. We now take up the narrative where -the enterprising journal left off. - -While the delayed train was being held for orders, the young man whose -ready wit had averted a calamity stood on the platform with his hands -in his trousers pockets, apparently an unconcerned spectator of what -was going on around him. The little pug-nosed conductor stepped up to -him. - -"I say, young feller, what may I call your name?" - -"Seabury." - -"Zebra, Zebra," repeated the conductor, in a puzzled tone, "then I -s'pose your ancestors came over in the Ark?" - -"I didn't say Zebra; I said Seabury plain enough," snapped back the -young man, getting red in the face at seeing the broad grins on the -faces around him. - -"Don't fire up so. Got any first name?" - -"Walter." - -"Walter Seabury," the conductor repeated slowly, while scratching it -down. "Got to report this job, you know. Say, where you goin'?" - -"I'm walkin' to Boston." - -"Shanks' mare, hey. No, you ain't. Get aboard and save your muscle. -You own this train to-day, and everything in it. Lively now." The -conductor then waved his hand, and the train started on. At the bridge -a transfer was effected to a second train, and this one again was soon -reeling off the miles toward Boston, as if to make up for lost time. - -Being left to himself, young Seabury, whom we may as well hereafter -call by his Christian name of Walter, could think of nothing else than -his wonderful luck. Instead of having a long, weary tramp before him, -here he was, riding in a railroad train, and without its costing him a -cent. This was a saving of both time and money. - -Pretty soon the friendly conductor came down the aisle to where Walter -sat, looking out of the car window. After giving him a sharp look, the -conductor made up his mind that here was no vagabond tramp. "It's none -of my business, but all the same I'd like to know what you're walkin' -to Boston for, young feller?" he asked. - -"Going to look for work." - -"What's your job?" - -"I'm a rigger." And his hands, tarry and cracked, bore out his story -perfectly. - -"Ever in Boston?" - -"Never." - -"Know anybody there?" - -"Nobody." - -"Got any of this--you know?" slapping his pocket. - -At this question Walter flushed up. He drew himself up stiffly, smiled -a pitying smile, and said nothing. His manner conveyed the idea that -he really didn't know exactly how much he was worth. - -"That's first-rate," the conductor went on. "Now, look here. You'll -get lost in Boston. I'll tell you what. When we get in, I'll show you -how to go to get down among the riggers' lofts. You're a rigger, you -say?" Walter nodded. "They're all in a bunch, down at the North End, -riggers, sailmakers, pump- and block-makers, and all the rest. Full -of work, too, I guess, all on account of this Californy business. -Everybody's goin' crazy over it. You will be, too, in a week." - -By this time, the train was rumbling over the long waste of salt-marsh -stretching out between the mainland and the dome-capped city, and in -five minutes more it drew up with a jerk in the station, with the -locomotive puffing out steam like a tired racehorse after a hard push -at the finish. - -The conductor was as good as his word. He told Walter to go straight -up Tremont Street until he came to Hanover, then straight down Hanover -to the water, and then to follow his nose. "Oh, you can't miss it," -was the cheerful, parting assurance. "Smell it a mile." But going -straight up this street, and straight down that, was a direction not -so easy to follow, as Walter soon found. The crowds bewildered him, -and in trying to get out of everybody's way, he got in everybody's -way, and was jostled, shoved about, and stared at, as he slowly made -his way through the throng, until his roving eyes caught sight of the -tall masts and fluttering pennants, where the long street suddenly -came to an end. Walter put down his bundle, took off his cap, and -wiped the perspiration from his forehead. Whichever way he looked, -the wharves were crowded with ships, the ships with workmen, and the -street with loaded trucks and wagons. Casting an eye upward he could -see riggers at work among the maze of ropes and spars, like so many -spiders weaving their webs. Here, at least, he could feel at home. - - - - -II - -WALTER TELLS HIS STORY - - -Walter's first want was to find a boarding house suited to his means. -Turning into a side street, walled in by a row of two-story brick -houses, all as like as peas in a pod, he found that the difficulty -would be to pick and choose, as all showed the same little tin sign -announcing "Board and Lodging, by the Day or Week," tacked upon the -door. After walking irresolutely up and down the street two or three -times, he finally mustered up courage to give a timid pull at the -bell of one of them. The door opened so suddenly that Walter fell -back a step. He began stammering out something, but before he could -finish, the untidy-looking girl sang out at the top of her voice: -"Miss Hashall, Miss Hashall, there's somebody wants to see you!" She -then bolted off through the back door singing "I want to be an angel," -in a voice that set Walter's teeth on an edge. To make a long story -short, Walter soon struck a bargain with the landlady,--a fat, pudgy -person in a greasy black poplin, wearing a false front, false teeth, -and false stones in her breastpin. True, Walter silently resented her -demanding a week's board in advance, it seemed so like a reflection -upon his honesty, but was easily mollified by the motherly interest -she seemed to take in him--or his cash. - -Bright and early the next morning Walter sallied out in search of -work. His landlady had told him to apply at the first loft he came to. -"Why, you can't make no mistake," the woman declared. "They're all -drove to death, and hands is scurse as hens' teeth, all on account of -this Kalerforny fever what carries so many of 'em off. Don't I wish -I was a man! I'd jest like to dig gold enough to buy me a house on -Beacon Street and ride in my kerridge. You just go and spunk right up -to 'em, like I do. That's the way to get along in this world, my son." - -Walter's landlady had told him truly. The demand for vessels for the -California trade was so urgent that even worm-eaten old whaleships -were being overhauled and refitted with all haste, and as Walter -walked along he noticed that about every craft he saw showed the same -sign in her rigging, "For San Francisco with dispatch." "Well, I'll -be hanged if there ain't the old _Argonaut_ that father was mate of!" -Walter exclaimed quite aloud, clearly taken by surprise at seeing an -old acquaintance quite unexpectedly in a strange place, and quickly -recognizing her, in spite of a new coat of paint alow and aloft. - -The riggers were busy setting up the standing rigging, reeving new -halliards, and giving the old barky a general overhauling. Walter -climbed on board and began a critical survey of the ship's rigging, -high and low. - -"What yer lookin' at, greeny?" one of the riggers asked him, at -seeing Walter's eyes fixed on some object aloft. - -"I'm looking at that Irish pennant[1] on that stay up there," was the -quick reply. This caused a broad smile to spread over the faces of the -workmen. - - [1] A strand of marline carelessly left flying by a rigger. - -"You a rigger?" - -"I've helped rig this ship." - -"Want a job?" - -"Yes." - -"Well, here," tossing Walter a marline-spike, "let's see you make this -splice." It was neatly and quickly done. "I'll give you ten dollars -a week." Walter held out for twelve, and after some demurring on the -part of the boss, a bargain was struck. Walter's overalls were rolled -up in a paper, under his arm, so that he was immediately ready to -begin work. - -Being, as it were, in the midst of the stream of visitors to the ship, -hearing no end of talk about the wonderful fortunes to be made in -the Land of Gold, Walter did not wholly escape the prevailing frenzy, -for such it was. But knowing that he had not the means of paying for -his passage, Walter resolutely kept at work, and let the troubled -stream pass by. There was still another obstacle. He would have to -leave behind him a widowed aunt, whose means of support were strictly -limited to her actual wants. He had at once written to her of his good -fortune in obtaining work, though the receipt of that same letter had -proved a great shock to the "poor lone creetur," as she described -herself, because she had freely given out among her neighbors that -a boy who would run away from such a good home as Walter had, would -surely come to no good end. - -Walter had struck up a rather sudden friendship with a young fellow -workman of about his own age, named Charley Wormwood. On account of -his name he was nicknamed "Bitters." Charley was a happy-go-lucky sort -of chap, valuing the world chiefly for the amusement it afforded, -and finding that amusement in about everything and everybody. Though -mercilessly chaffed by the older hands, Charley took it all so -good-naturedly that he made himself a general favorite. The two young -men soon arranged to room together, and had come to be sworn friends. - -One pleasant evening, as the two sat in their room, with chairs -tilted back against the wall, the following conversation was begun by -Charley: "I say, Walt, we've been together here two months now, to -a dot, and never a word have you said about your folks. Mind now, I -don't want to pry into your secrets, but I'd like to know who you are, -if it's all the same to you. Have you killed a man, or broke a bank, -or set a fire, or what? Folks think it funny, when I have to tell them -I don't know anything about you, except by guess, and you know that's -a mighty poor course to steer by. Pooh! you're as close as an oyster!" - -Walter colored to his temples. For a short space he sat eyeing -Charley without speaking. Then he spoke up with an evident effort -at self-control, as if the question, so suddenly put, had awakened -painful memories. "There's no mystery about it," he said. "You want to -hear the story? So be it, then. I'll tell mine if you'll tell yours. - -"I b'long to an old whaling port down on the Cape. I was left an -orphan when I was a little shaver, knee-high to a toadstool. Uncle -Dick, he took me home. Aunt Marthy didn't like it, I guess. All she -said was, 'Massy me! another mouth to feed?' 'Pooh, pooh, Marthy,' -uncle laughed, 'where there's enough for two, there's enough for -three.' She shut up, but she never liked me one mite." - -"An orphan?" interjected Charley. "No father nor mother?" - -"I'll tell you about it. You see, my father went out mate on a whaling -voyage in the Pacific, in this very same old _Argonaut_ we've been -patchin' and pluggin' up. It may have been a year we got a letter -telling he was dead. Boat he was in swamped, while fast to a whale--a -big one. They picked up his hat. Sharks took him, I guess. Mother was -poorly. She fell into a decline, they called it, and didn't live long. -We had nothin' but father's wages. They was only a drop in the bucket. -Then there was only me left." - -"That was the time your uncle took you home?" - -"Yes; Uncle Dick was a rigger by trade. He used to show me how to -make all sorts of knots and splices evenings; and bimeby he got me a -chance, when I was big enough, doin' odd jobs like, for a dollar a -week, in the loft or on the ships. Aunt Marthy said a dollar a week -didn't begin to pay for what I et. Guess she knew. Pretty soon, I got -a raise to a dollar-half." - -"But what made you quit? Didn't you like the work?" - -"Liked it first-rate. Like it now. But I couldn't stand Aunt Marthy's -sour looks and sharp tongue. Nothing suited her. She was either as -cold as ice, or as hot as fire coals. When she wasn't scolding, she -was groaning. Said she couldn't see what some folks was born into this -world just to slave for other folks for." A frown passed over Walter's -face at the recollection. - -"Nice woman that," observed the sententious Charley. "But how about -the uncle?" he added. "Couldn't he make her hold her yawp?" - -"Oh, no better man ever stood. He was like a father to me--bless him!" -(Walter's voice grew a little shaky here.) "But he showed the white -feather to Aunt Marthy. Whenever she went into one of her tantrums, he -would take his pipe and clear out, leaving me to bear the brunt of it. - -"A good while after mother died, father's sea-chest was brought home -in the _Argonaut_. There was nothing in it but old clothes, this watch -[showing it], and some torn and greasy sea-charts, with the courses -father had sailed pricked out on 'em. Those charts made me sort o' -hanker to see the world, which I then saw men traveled with the aid of -a roll of paper, and a little knowledge, as certainly, and as safely, -as we do the streets of Boston. You better believe I studied over -those charts some! Anyhow, I know my geography." And Walter's blue -eyes lighted up with a look of triumph. - -"Bully for you! Then that was what started you out on your travels, -was it?" - -"No: I had often thought of slipping away some dark night, but -couldn't make up my mind to it. It did seem so kind o' mean after all -Uncle Dick had done for me. But one day (one bad day for me, Charley) -a man came running up to the loft, all out of breath, to tell me that -Uncle Dick had fallen down the ship's hatchway, and that they were now -bringing him home on a stretcher. I tell you I felt sick and faint -when I saw him lying there lifeless. He never spoke again. - -"Shortly after the funeral, upon going to the loft the foreman told me -that work being slack they would have to lay off a lot of hands, me -with the rest. Before I went to sleep that night I made up my mind to -strike out for myself; for now that Uncle Dick was gone, I couldn't -endure my life any longer. I set about packing up my duds without -saying anything to my aunt, for I knew what a rumpus she would make -over it, and if there's anything I hate it's a scene." - -"Me too," Charley vigorously assented. "Rather take a lickin'." - -"Well," Walter resumed, "I counted up my money first. There was -just forty-nine dollars. Lucky number: it was the year '49 too. I -put ten of it in an envelope directed to my aunt, and put it on the -chimney-piece where she couldn't help seeing it when she came into -my room. Then I took a piece of chalk and wrote on the table top: -'I'm going away to hunt for work. When I get some, I'll let you know. -Please take care of my chest. Look on the mantelpiece. Good-bye. From -Walter.' - -"Then, like a thief, I slipped out of the house by a back way, in my -stocking feet, and never stopped running till I was 'way out of town. -There I struck the railroad. I knew if I followed it it would take me -to Boston. And it did. That's all." - - - - -III - -AND CHARLEY TELLS HIS - - -There was silence for a minute or two, each of the lads being busy -with his own thoughts. Apparently they were not pleasant thoughts. -What a tantalizing thing memory sometimes is! - -But it was not in the nature of things for either to remain long -speechless. Walter first broke silence by reminding Charley of his -promise. "Come now, you've wormed all that out of me about my folks, -pay your debts. I should like to know what made you leave home. Did -you run away, too?" - -At this question, Charley's mouth puckered up queerly, and then -quickly broke out into a broad grin, while his eyes almost shut tight -at the recollection Walter's question had summoned up. "It was all -along of 'Rough on Rats,'" he managed to say at last. - -"'Rough on Rats?'" - -"Yes, 'Rough on Rats.' Rat poison. You just wait, and hear me through. - -"I've got a father somewhere, I b'leeve. Boys gen'ally have, I s'pose, -though whether mine's dead or alive, not knowin', can't say. We were -poor as Job's turkey, if you know how poor that was. I don't. Anyway, -he put me out to work on a milk and chicken farm back here in the -country, twenty miles or so, to a man by the name of Bennett, and then -took himself off out West somewhere." - -"And you've never seen him since?" - -"No; I ha'n't never missed him, or the lickin's he give me. Well, -my boss he raised lots of young chickens for market. We was awfully -pestered with rats, big, fat, sassy ones, getting into the coops -nights, and killing off the little chicks as soon's ever they was -hatched out. You see, they was tender. Besides eating the chicks they -et up most of the grain we throw'd into the hens. The boss he tried -everything to drive those rats away. He tried cats an' he tried traps. -'Twan't no use. The cats wouldn't tech the rats nor the rats go near -the traps. You can't fool an old rat much, anyhow," he added with a -knowing shake of his head. - -"Well, the boss was a-countin' the chicks one mornin', while ladling -out the dough to 'em. 'Confound those rats,' he sputtered out; -'there's eight more chicks gone sence I fed last night. I'd gin -something to red the place on 'em, I would.' - -"'Uncle,' says I (he let me call him uncle, seein' he'd kind of -adopted me like)--'uncle,' says I, 'why don't you try Rough on Rats? -They say that'll fetch 'em every time.' - -"'What's that? Never heer'd on't. How do you know? Who says so?' he -axed all in one breath." - -"'Anyhow, I seen a big poster down at the Four Corners that says -so,' says I. 'The boys was a-talkin' about what it had done up to -Skillings' place. Skillings allowed he'd red his place of rats with -it. Hadn't seen hide nor hair of one sence he fust tried it. Everybody -says it's a big thing.' - -"The old man said nothin' more just then. He didn't let on that my -advice was worth a cent; but I noticed that he went off and bought -some Rough on Rats that same afternoon, and when the old hens had gone -to roost and the mother hens had gathered their broods under 'em for -the night, uncle he slyly stirred up a big dose of the p'isen stuff -into a pan of meal, which he set down inside the henhouse. - -"Uncle's idea was to get up early in the mornin', so's to count up the -dead rats, I s'pose. - -"But he did not get up early enough. When he went out into the -henhouse to investigate, he found fifteen or twenty of his best hens -lying dead around the floor after eatin' of the p'isen'd meal. - -"When I come outdoors he was stoopin' down, with his back to me -pickin' 'em up." - -Walter laughed until the tears rolled down his cheeks, sobered down, -and then broke out again. Charley found the laugh infectious and -joined in it, though more moderately. - -"Go ahead. Let's have the rest, do," Walter entreated. "What next?" - -"I asked Uncle Bennett what he was goin' to do with all those dead -hens. He flung one at my head. Oh! but he was mad. 'Just stop where -you be, my little joker,' says he, startin' off for the stable; 'I've -got somethin' that's Rough on Brats, an' you shall have a taste on't -right off. Don't you stir a step,' shakin' his fist at me, 'or I'll -give you the worst dressin' down you ever had in all your life.' - -"While he was gone for a horsewhip, I lit out for the Corners. You -couldn't have seen me for dust. - -"I darsen't go back to the house and I had only a silver ninepence in -my pocket and a few coppers, but I managed to beg my way to Boston. -Oh! Walt, it was a long time between meals, I can tell you. I slept -one night in a barn, on the haymow. Nobody saw me slip in after dark. -I took off my neckerchief and laid it down within reach, for it was -hot weather on that haymow, and I was 'most choked with the dust I -swallowed. I overslept. In the morning I heard a noise down where the -hosses were tied up. Some one was rakin' down hay for 'em. I reached -for my neckerchief, thinkin' how I should get away without being seen, -when a boy's voice gave a shout, 'Towser! Towser!' and then I knew it -was all up, for that boy had raked down my neckerchief with the hay, -and he knew there was a tramp somewhere about. - -"The long and short of it is, that the dog chased me till I was ready -to drop or until another and a bigger one came out of a yard and -tackled him. Then it was dog eat dog. - -"When I got to Boston it was night. I had no money. I didn't know -where to go. Tired's no name for it. I was dead-beat. So I threw -myself down on a doorstep and was asleep in a minnit. There was an -alarm of fire. An ingine came jolting along. I forgot all about being -tired and took holt of the rope, and ran, and hollered, with the rest. -The fire was all out when we got there, so I went back to the ingine -house, and the steward let me sleep in the cellar a couple of hours -and wash up in the mornin'. But I'm ahead of my story. They had hot -coffee and crackers and cheese when they got back from the fire. No -cheese ever tasted like that before. Give me a fireman for a friend -at need. I hung round that ingine house till I picked up a job. The -company was all calkers, gravers, riggers, and the like. Tough lot! -How they could wallop that old tub over the cobblestones, to be sure!" - -And here Charley fell into a fit of musing from which Walter did not -attempt to rouse him. In their past experiences the two boys had found -a common bond. - - - - -IV - -WHAT HAPPENED ON BOARD THE "ARGONAUT" - - -Seeing that Walter also had fallen into a brown study, Charley quickly -changed the subject. "See here, Walt!" he exclaimed, "the _Argonaut's_ -going to sail for Californy first fair wind. To-morrow's Sunday, and -Father Taylor's goin' to preach aboard of her. He's immense! Let's go -and hear him. What do you say?" - -Walter jumped at the proposal. "I want to hear Father Taylor ever so -much, and I shouldn't mind taking a look at the passengers, too." - -Sunday came. Walter put on his best suit, and the two friends strolled -down to the wharf where the _Argonaut_ lay moored with topsails -loosened, and flags and streamers fluttering gayly aloft. The ship -was thronged not only with those about to sail for the Land of Gold, -but also with the friends who had come to bid them good-bye; besides -many attracted by mere curiosity, or, perhaps, by the fame of Father -Taylor's preaching. There was a perfect Babel of voices. As Walter was -passing one group he overheard the remark, "She'll never get round the -Horn. Too deep. Too many passengers by half. Look at that bow! Have to -walk round her to tell stem from starn." - -"Oh, she'll get there fast enough," his companion replied. "She knows -the way. Besides, you can't sink her. She's got lumber enough in her -hold to keep her afloat if she should get waterlogged." - -"That ain't the whole story by a long shot," a third speaker broke in. -"Don't you remember the crack ship that spoke an old whaler at sea, -both bound out for California? The passengers on the crack ship called -out to the passengers on the old whaler to know if they wanted to be -reported. When the crack ship got into San Francisco, lo and behold! -there lay the 'old tub' quietly at anchor. Been in a week." - -Strange sight, indeed, it was to see men who, but the day before, were -clerks in sober tweeds, farmers in homespun, or mechanics in greasy -overalls, now so dressed up as to look far more like brigands than -peaceful citizens; for it would seem that, to their notion, they could -be no true Californians unless they started off armed to the teeth. So -the poor stay-at-homes were given to understand how wanting they were -in the bold spirit of adventure by a lavish display of pistols and -bowie-knives, rifles and carbines. Poor creatures! they little knew -how soon they were to meet an enemy not to be overcome with powder and -lead. - -Between decks, if the truth must be told, many of the passengers -were engaged in sparring or wrestling bouts, playing cards, or -shuffleboard, or hop-scotch, as regardless of the day as if going -to California meant a cutting loose from all the restraints of -civilized life. The two friends made haste to get on deck. As they -mingled with the crowd again, Walter exchanged quick glances with a -middle-aged gentleman on whose arm a remarkably pretty young lady was -leaning. Walter was saying to himself, "I wonder where I have seen -that man before," when the full and sonorous voice of Father Taylor, -the seaman's friend, hushed the confused murmur of voices around him -into a reverential silence. With none of the arts and graces of the -pulpit orator, that short, thick-set, hard-featured man spoke like one -inspired for a full hour, and during that hour nobody stirred from -the spot where he had taken his stand. Father Taylor's every word had -struck home. - -The last hymn had been sung, the last prayer said. At its ending the -crowd slowly began filing down the one long, narrow plank reaching -from the ship's gangway to the wharf. Nobody seemed to have noticed -that the rising tide had lifted this plank to an incline that would -make the descent trying to weak nerves, especially as there were five -or six feet of clear water to be passed over between ship and shore. -It was just as one young lady was in the act of stepping upon this -plank that two young scapegraces ahead of her ran down it with such -violence as to make it rebound like a springboard, causing the young -lady first to lose her balance, then to make a false step, and then to -fall screaming into the water, twenty feet below. - -Everybody ran to that side, and everybody began shouting at once: -"Man overboard!" "A boat: get a boat!" "Throw over a rope!--a plank!" -"She's going down!" "Help! help!" but nobody seemed to have their wits -about them. With the hundreds looking on, it really seemed as if the -girl might drown before help could reach her. - -Both Charley and Walter had witnessed the accident: coats and hats -were off in a jiffy. Snatching up a coil of rope, it was the work of -a moment for Walter to make a running noose, slip that under his arms, -sign to Charley to take a turn round a bitt, then to swing himself -over into the chains and be lowered down into the water on the run by -the quick-witted Charley. - -Meantime, the young lady's father was almost beside himself. In one -breath he called to his daughter, by the name of Dora, to catch at -a rope that was too short to reach her; in the next he was offering -fifty, a hundred dollars to Walter if he saved her. - -[Illustration: Walter rescuing Dora Bright.--_Page 42._] - -Giving himself a vigorous shove with his foot, in two or three strokes -Walter was at the girl's side and with his arms around her. It was -high time, too, as her clothes, which had buoyed her up so far, were -now water-soaked and dragging her down. Only her head was to be seen -above water. At Walter's cheery "Haul away!" fifty nervous arms -dragged them dripping up the ship's side. The young lady fell, sobbing -hysterically, into her father's arms, and was forthwith hurried off -into the cabin, while Walter, after picking up his coat and hat, -slipped off through the crowd, gained the wharf unnoticed, and with -the faithful, but astonished, Charley at his heels, made a bee-line -for his lodgings. Moreover, Walter exacted a solemn promise from -Charley not to lisp one word of what had happened, on pain of a good -drubbing. - -"My best suit, too!" he ruefully exclaimed, while divesting himself -of his wet clothes. "No matter: let him keep his old fifty dollars. -Pretty girl, though. I'm paid ten times over. A coil of rope's a handy -thing sometimes. So's a rigger--eh, Charley?" - -Charley merely gave a dissatisfied grunt. He was very far from -understanding such refined sentiments. Besides, half the money, he -reflected, would have been his, or ought to have been, which was much -the same thing to his way of thinking. And when he thought of the many -things he could have done with his share, the loss of it made him feel -very miserable, and more than half angry with Walter. "Fifty dollars -don't grow on every bush," he muttered. "Then, what lions we'd 'a' -been in the papers!" he lamented. - -"You look here. Can't you do anything without being paid for it? I'd -taken thanks from the old duffer, but not money. Can't you understand? -Now you keep still about this, I tell you." - -Though still grumbling, Charley concluded to hold his tongue, knowing -that Walter would be as good as his word; but he inwardly promised -himself to keep his eyes open, and if ever he should see a chance to -let the cat out of the bag without Walter's knowing it, well, the -mischief was in it if he, Charley, didn't improve it, that was all. - - - - -V - -ONE WAY OF GOING TO CALIFORNIA - - -The _Argonaut_ affair got into the newspapers, where it was correctly -reported, in the main, except that the rescuer was supposed to be one -of the _Argonaut's_ passengers, and as she was now many miles at sea, -Mr. Bright, the father of Dora, as a last resort, put an advertisement -in the daily papers asking the unknown to furnish his address without -delay to his grateful debtors. But as this failed to elicit a reply, -there was nothing more to be done. - -Walter, however, had seen the advertisement, and he had found out -from it that Mr. Bright was one of the _Argonaut's_ principal owners. -He therefore felt quite safe from discovery when he found himself -reported as having sailed in that vessel. - -Time moved along quietly enough with Walter until the Fourth of July -was near at hand, when it began to be noised about that the brand-new -clipper ship then receiving her finishing touches in a neighboring -yard would be launched at high water on that eventful day. What was -unusual, the nameless ship was to be launched fully rigged, so that -the riggers' gang was to take a hand in getting her off the ways. -Everybody was consequently on the tiptoe of expectation. - -The eventful morning came at last. It being a holiday, thousands -had repaired to the spot, attracted by the novelty of seeing a ship -launched fully rigged. At a given signal, a hundred sledges, wielded -by as many brawny arms, began a furious hammering away at the blocks, -which held the gallant ship bound and helpless to the land. The men -worked like tigers, as if each and every one had a personal interest -in the success of the launch. At last the clatter of busy hammers -ceased, the grimy workmen crept out, in twos and threes, from -underneath the huge black hull, and a hush fell upon all that vast -throng, so deep and breathless that the streamers at the mast-head -could be heard snapping like so many whiplashes in the light breeze -aloft. - -"All clear for'ard?" sang out the master workman. "All clear, sir," -came back the quick response. "All clear aft?" the voice repeated. -"Aye, aye, all clear." Still the towering mass did not budge. It -really seemed as if she was a living creature hesitating on the brink -of her own fate, whether to make the plunge or not. There was an -anxious moment. A hush fell upon all that vast throng. Then, as the -stately ship was seen to move majestically off, first slowly, and then -with a rush and a leap, one deafening shout went up from a thousand -throats: "There she goes! there she goes! hurrah! hurrah!" Every one -declared it the prettiest launch ever seen. - -Just as the nameless vessel glided off the ways a young lady, who -stood upon a tall scaffold at the bow, quickly dashed a bottle of -wine against the stem, pronouncing as she did so the name that the -good ship was to bear henceforth, so proudly, on the seas--the _Flying -Arrow_. Three rousing cheers greeted the act, and the name. The crowd -then began to disperse. - -As Walter was standing quite near the platform erected for this -ceremony, his face all aglow with the vigorous use he had made of -the sledge he still held in his hand, the young lady who had just -christened the _Flying Arrow_ came down the stairs. In doing so, she -looked Master Walter squarely in the face. Lo and behold! it was the -girl of the _Argonaut_. The recognition was instant and mutual. - -Walter turned all colors at once. Giving one glance at his greasy duck -trousers and checked shirt, his first impulse was to sneak off without -a word; but before he could do so he was confronted by Mr. Bright -himself. Walter was thus caught, as it were, between two fires. Oh, -brave youth of the stalwart arm and manly brow, thus to show the white -feather to that weak and timid little maiden! - -Noticing the young man's embarrassment, Mr. Bright drew him aside, -out of earshot of those who still lingered about. "So, so, my young -friend," he began with a quizzical look at Walter, "we've had some -trouble finding you. Pray what were your reasons for avoiding us? -Neither of us [turning toward his daughter] is a very dangerous -person, as you may see for yourself." - -"Now, don't, papa," pleaded Dora. Then, after giving a sidelong and -reproachful look at Walter, she added, "Why, he wouldn't even let us -thank him!" - -Walter tried to stammer out something about not deserving thanks. The -words seemed to stick in his throat; but he did manage to say: "Fifty -stood ready to do what I did. I only got a little wetting, sir." - -"Just so. But they didn't, all the same. Come, we are not ungrateful. -Can I depend on you to call at my office, 76 State Street, to-morrow -morning about ten?" - -"You can, sir," bowing respectfully. - -"Very good. I shall expect you. Come, Dora, we must be going." Father -and daughter then left the yard, but not until Dora had given Walter -another reproachful look, out of the corner of her eye. - -"Poor, proud, and sheepish," was the merchant's only comment upon this -interview, as they walked homeward. Mentally, he was asking himself -where he had seen that face before. - -Dora said nothing. Her stolen glances had told her, however, that -Walter was good-looking; and that was much in his favor. To be sure, -he was plainly a common workman, and he had appeared very stiff and -awkward when her father spoke to him. Still she felt that there was -nothing low or vulgar about him. - -Punctual to the minute, Walter entered the merchant's counting room, -though, to say truth, he found himself ill at ease in the presence of -half a dozen spruce-looking clerks, who first shot sly glances at him, -then at each other, as he carefully shut the door behind him. Walter, -however, bore their scrutiny without flinching. He was only afraid of -girls, from sixteen to eighteen years old. - -Mr. Bright immediately rose from his desk, and beckoned Walter to -follow him out into the warehouse. "You are prompt. That's well," -said he approvingly. "Now then, to business. We want an outdoor clerk -on our wharf. You have no objection, I take it, to entering our -employment?" - -Walter shook his head. "Oh, no, sir." - -"Very good, then. I'll tell you more of your duties presently. I hear -a good account of you. The salary will be six hundred the first year, -and a new suit of clothes, in return for the one you spoiled. Here's -a tailor's address [handing Walter a card with the order written upon -it]. Go and get measured when you like, and mind you get a good fit." - -Walter took a moment to think, but couldn't think at all. All he could -say was: "If you think, sir, I can fill the place, I'll try my best to -suit you." - -"That's right. Try never was beat. You may begin to-morrow." Walter -went off feeling more happy than he remembered ever to have felt -before. In truth, he could hardy realize his good fortune. - -This change in Walter's life brought with it other changes. For -one thing it broke off his intimacy with Charley, although Walter -continued to receive occasional visits from his old chum. He also -began attending an evening school, kept by a retired schoolmaster, in -order to improve his knowledge of writing, spelling, and arithmetic, -or rather to repair the neglect of years; for he now began to feel his -deficiencies keenly with increasing responsibilities. He was, however, -an apt scholar, and was soon making good progress. The work on the -wharf was far more to his liking than the confinement of the warehouse -could have been; and Walter was every day storing up information which -some time, he believed, would be of great use to him. - -Time wore on, one day's round being much like another's. But once -Walter was given such a fright that he did not get over it for weeks. -He was sometimes sent to the bank to make a deposit or cash a check. -On this particular occasion he had drawn out quite a large sum, in -small bills, to be used in paying off the help. Not knowing what else -to do with it, Walter thrust the roll of bills into his trousers -pocket. It was raining gently out of doors, and the sidewalks were -thickly spread with a coating of greasy mud. There was another call -or two to be made before Walter returned to the store. At the head of -the street Walter stopped to think which call he should make first. -Mechanically he thrust his hand in his pocket, then turned as pale as -a sheet, and a mist passed before his eyes. The roll of bills was not -there. A hole in the pocket told the whole story. The roll had slipped -out somewhere. It was gone, and through his own carelessness. - -After a moment's indecision Walter started back to the bank, carefully -looking for the lost roll at every step of the way. The street was -full of people, for this was the busiest hour of the day. In vain he -looked, and looked, at every one he met. No one had a roll of bills -for which he was trying to find an owner. Almost beside himself, he -rushed into the bank. Yes, the paying teller remembered him, but was -quite sure the lost roll had not been picked up there, or he would -have known it. So Walter's last and faintest hope now vanished. Go -back to the office with his strange story, he dared not. The bank -teller advised his reporting his loss to the police, and advertising -it in the evening editions. Slowly and sadly Walter retraced his -steps towards the spot where he had first missed his employer's -money, inwardly scolding and accusing himself by turns. Vexed beyond -measure, calling himself all the fools he could think of, Walter -angrily stamped his foot on the sidewalk. Presto! out tumbled the -missing roll of bills from the bottom of his trousers-leg when he -brought his foot down with such force. It had been caught and held -there by the stiffening material then fashionable. - -Walter went home that night thanking his lucky stars that he had come -out of a bad scrape so easily. He was thinking over the matter, when -Charley burst into the room. "I say, Walt, old fel, don't you want to -buy a piece of me?" he blurted out, tossing his cap on the table, and -falling into a chair quite out of breath. - -Walter simply stared, and for a minute the two friends stared at each -other without speaking. Walter at length demanded: "Are you crazy, -Charles Wormwood? What in the name of common sense do you mean?" - -"Oh, I'm not fooling. You needn't be scared. Haven't you ever heard of -folks buying pieces of ships? Say?" - -"S'pose I have; what's that got to do with men?" - -"I'll tell you. Look here. When a feller wants to go to Californy -awful bad, like me, and hasn't got the chink, like me, he gets some -other fellers who can't go, like you, to chip in to pay his passage -for him." - -"Pooh! That's all plain sailing. When he earns the money he pays it -back," Walter rejoined. - -"No, you're all out. Just you hold your hosses. It's like this. The -chap who gets the send-off binds himself, good and strong, mind you, -to divide what he makes out there among his owners, 'cordin' to what -they put into him--same's owning pieces of a ship, ain't it? See? How -big a piece'll you take?" finished Charley, cracking his knuckles in -his impatience. - -Walter leaned back in his chair, and burst out in a fit of -uncontrollable laughter. Charley grew red in the face. "Look here, -Walt, you needn't have any if you don't want it." He took up his cap -to go. Walter stopped him. - -"There, you needn't get your back up, old chap. It's the funniest -thing I ever heard of. Why, it beats all!" - -"It's done every day," Charley broke in. "You won't lose anything by -me, Walt," he added, anxiously scanning Walter's face. "See if you do." - -Walter had saved a little money. He therefore agreed to become a -shareholder in Charles Wormwood, Esquire, to the tune of fifty -dollars, said Wormwood duly agreeing and covenanting, on his part, to -pay over dividends as fast as earned. So the ingenious Charley sailed -with as good a kit as could be picked up in Boston, not omitting a -beautiful Colt's revolver (Walter's gift), on which was engraved, -"Use me; don't abuse me." Charles was to work his passage out in the -new clipper, which arrangement would land him in San Francisco with -his capital unimpaired. "God bless you, Charley, my boy," stammered -Walter, as the two friends wrung each other's hands. He could not -have spoken another word without breaking down, which would have been -positive degradation in a boy's eyes. - -"I'll make your fortune, see if I don't," was Charley's cheerful -farewell. "On the square I will," he brokenly added. - -The house of Bright, Wantage & Company had a confidential clerk for -whom Walter felt a secret antipathy from the first day they met. We -cannot explain these things; we only know that they exist. It may be -a senseless prejudice; no matter, we cannot help it. This clerk's -name was Ramon Ingersoll. His manner toward his fellow clerks was so -top-lofty and so condescending that one and all thoroughly disliked -him. Some slight claim Ramon was supposed to have upon the senior -partner, Mr. Bright, kept the junior clerks somewhat in awe of him. -But there was always friction in the counting-room when the clerks -were left alone together. - -The truth is that Ramon's father had at one time acted as agent for -the house at Matanzas, in Cuba. When he died, leaving nothing but -debts and this one orphan child, for he had buried his wife some -years before, Mr. Bright had taken the little Ramon home, sent him to -school, paid all his expenses out of his own pocket and finally given -him a place of trust in his counting-house. In a word, this orphaned, -penniless boy owed everything to his benefactor. - -As has been already mentioned, without being able to give a reason for -his belief, Walter had an instinctive feeling that Ramon would some -day get him into trouble. Fortunately Walter's duties kept him mostly -outside the warehouse, so that the two seldom met. - -One day Ramon, with more than ordinary cordiality, asked Walter to -visit him at his room that same evening In order to meet, as he -said, one or two particular friends of his. At the appointed time -Walter went, without mistrust, to Ingersoll's lodgings. Upon entering -the room he found there two very flashy-looking men, one of whom was -short, fat, and smooth-shaven, with an oily good-natured leer lurking -about the corners of his mouth; the other dark-browed, bearded, and -scowling, with, as Walter thought, as desperately villainous a face as -he had ever looked upon. - -"Ah, here you are, at last!" cried Ramon, as he let Walter in. "This -is Mr. Goodman," here the fat man bowed, and smiled blandly; "and -this, Mr. Lambkin." The dark man looked up, scowled, and nodded. "And -now," Ramon went on, "as we have been waiting for you, what say you to -a little game of whist, or high-low-jack, or euchre, just to pass away -the time?" - -"I'm agreeable," said Mr. Goodman, "though, upon my word and honor, -I hardly know one card from another. However, just to make up your -party, I will take a hand." - -The knight of the gloomy brow silently drew his chair up to the table, -which was, at least, significant of his intentions. - -Walter had no scruples about playing an innocent game of whist. So he -sat down with the others. - -The game went on rather languidly until, all at once, the fat man -broke out, without taking his eyes off his cards, "Bless me!--why, the -strangest thing!--if I were a betting man, I declare I wouldn't mind -risking a trifle on this hand." - -Ramon laughed good-naturedly, as he replied in an offhand sort of way: -"Oh, we're all friends here. There's no objection to a little social -game, I suppose, among friends." Here he stole an inquiring look at -Walter. "Besides," he continued, while carelessly glancing at his own -hand, "I've a good mind to bet a trifle myself." - -Though still quite unsuspicious, Walter looked upon this interruption -of the harmless game with misgiving. - -"All right," Goodman resumed, "here goes a dollar, just for the fun of -the thing." - -The taciturn Lambkin said not a word, but taking out a well-stuffed -wallet, quietly laid down two dollars on the one that Goodman had just -put up. - -"I know I can beat them," Ramon whispered in Walter's ear. "By Jove, -I'll risk it just this once!" - -"No, don't," Walter whispered back, pleadingly, "it's gambling." - -"Pshaw, man, it's only for sport," Ramon impatiently rejoined, -immediately adding five dollars of his own money to the three before -him. - -Walter laid down his cards, leaned back in his chair, and folded his -arms resolutely across his chest. "And the fat man said he hardly knew -one card from another. How quick some folks do learn," he said to -himself. - -"Isn't our young friend going to try his luck?" smiled, rather than -asked, the unctuous Goodman. - -"No; I never play for money," was the quiet response. - -Once the ice was broken the game went on for higher, and still higher, -stakes, until Walter, getting actually frightened at the recklessness -with which Ramon played and lost, rose to go. - -After vainly urging him to remain, annoyed at his failure to make -Walter play, enraged by his own losses, Ramon followed Walter outside -the door, shut it behind them, and said in a menacing sort of way, -"Not a word of this at the store." - -"Promise you won't play any more." - -"I won't do no such thing. Who set you up for my guardian? If you're -mean enough to play the sneak, tell if you dare!" - -Walter felt his anger rising, but controlled himself. "Oh, very well, -only remember that I warned you," he replied, turning away. - -"Don't preach, Master Innocence!" sneered Ramon. - -"Don't threaten, Master Hypocrite!" was the angry retort. - -Quick as a flash, Ramon sprang before Walter, and barred his way. All -the tiger in his nature gleamed in his eyes. "One word of this to Mr. -Bright, and I'll--I'll fix you!" he almost shrieked out. - -With that the two young men clinched, and for a few minutes nothing -could be heard but their heavy breathing. This did not last. Walter -soon showed himself much the stronger of the two, and Master Ramon, in -spite of his struggles, found himself lying flat on his back, with his -adversary's knee on his chest. Ramon instantly gave in. Choking down -his wrath, he jerked out, "There, I promise. Let me up." - -"Oh, if you promise, so do I," said Walter, releasing his hold on -Ramon. He then left the house without another word. He did not see -Ramon shaking his fist behind his back, or hear him muttering threats -of vengeance to himself, as he went back to his vicious companions. -Walter did wish, however, that he had given Ramon just one more punch -for keeps. - -So they parted. Satisfied that Walter would not break his promise, -Ramon made all haste back to his companions, laughing in his sleeve to -think how easily he had fooled that milksop Seabury. His companions -were two as notorious sharpers as Boston contained. He continued to -lose heavily, they luring him on by letting him win now and then, -until they were satisfied he had nothing more to lose. At two in the -morning their victim rose up from the table, hardly realizing, so far -gone was he in liquor, that he was five hundred dollars in debt to -Lambkin, or that he had signed a note for that sum with the name of -his employers, Bright, Wantage & Company. He had found the road from -gambling to forgery a natural and easy one. - - - - -VI - -A BLACK SHEEP IN THE FOLD - - -Leaving Ingersoll to follow his crooked ways, we must now introduce a -character, with whom Walter had formed an acquaintance, destined to -have no small influence upon his own future life. - -Bill Portlock was probably as good a specimen of an old, battered -man-o'-war's man as could be scared up between Montauk and Quoddy -Head. While a powder-monkey, on board the _President_ frigate, he had -been taken prisoner and confined in Dartmoor Prison, from which he -had made his escape, with some companions in captivity, by digging a -hole under the foundation wall with an old iron spoon. Shipping on -board a British merchantman, he had deserted at the first neutral -port she touched at. He was now doing odd jobs about the wharves, as -'longshoreman; and as Walter had thrown many such in the old salt's -way a kind of intimacy had grown up between them. Bill loved dearly to -spin a yarn, and some of his adventures, told in his own vernacular, -would have made the late Baron Munchausen turn green with envy. "Why," -he would say, after spinning one of his wonderful yarns, "ef I sh'd -tell ye my adventers, man and boy, you'd think 'twas Roberson Crushoe -a-talkin' to ye. No need o' lyin'. Sober airnest beats all they make -up." - -Bill's castle was a condemned caboose, left on the wharf by some ship -that was now plowing some distant sea. Her name, the _Orpheus_, could -still be read in faded paint on the caboose; so that Bill always -claimed to belong to the _Orpheus_, or she to him, he couldn't exactly -say which. When he was at work on the wharf, after securing his castle -with a stout padlock, he announced the fact to an inquiring public by -chalking up the legend, "Aboard the brig," or "Aboard the skoner," as -the case might be. If called to take a passenger off to some vessel -in his wherry, the notice would then read, "Back at eight bells." A -sailor he was, and a sailor he said he would live and die. - -No one but a sailor, and an old sailor at that, could have squeezed -himself into the narrow limits of the caboose, where it was not -possible, even for a short man like Bill, to stand upright, though -Bill himself considered it quite luxurious living. There was a rusty -old cooking stove at one end, with two legs of its own, and two -replaced by half-bricks; the other end being taken up by a bench, from -which Bill deftly manipulated saucepan or skillet. - -"Why, Lor' bless ye!" said Bill to Walter one evening, "I seed ye -fish that ar' young 'ooman out o' the dock that time. 'Bill,' sez I -to myself, 'thar's a chap, now, as knows a backstay from a bullock's -tail.'" - -"Pshaw!" Then after a moment's silence, while Bill was busy lighting -his pipe, Walter absently asked, "Bill, were you ever in California?" - -"Kalerforny? Was I ever in Kalerforny? Didn't I go out to Sandy Ager, -in thirty-eight, in a hide drogher? And d'ye know why they call it -Sandy Ager? I does. Why, blow me if it ain't sandy 'nuff for old Cape -Cod herself; and as for the ager, if you'll b'leeve me, our ship's -crew shook so with it, that all hands had to turn to a-settin' up -riggin' twict a month, it got so slack with the shakin' up like." - -"What an unhealthy place that must be," laughed Walter. Then suddenly -changing the subject, he said: "Bill, you know the _Racehorse_ is a -good two months overdue." Bill nodded. "I know our folks are getting -uneasy about her. No wonder. Valuable cargo, and no insurance. What's -your idea?" - -Bill gave a few whiffs at his pipe before replying. "I know that ar' -_Racehorse_. She's a clipper, and has a good sailor aboard of her: -but heavy sparred, an' not the kind to be carryin' sail on in the -typhoon season, jest to make a quick passage." Bill shook his head. -"Like as not she's dismasted, or sprung a leak, an' the Lord knows -what all." - -The next day happened to be Saturday. As Walter was going into the -warehouse he met Ramon coming out. Since the night at his lodgings, -his manner toward Walter, outwardly at least, had undergone a marked -change. If anything it was too cordial. "Hello! Seabury, that you?" he -said, in his offhand way. "Lucky thing you happened in. It's steamer -day, and I'm awfully hard pushed for time. Would you mind getting -this check on the Suffolk cashed for me? No? That's a good fellow. Do -as much for you some time. And, stay, on your way back call at the -California steamship agency--you know?--all right. Well, see if there -are any berths left in the _Georgia_. You won't forget the name? The -_Georgia_. And, oh! be sure to get gold for that check. It's to pay -duties with, you know," Ramon hurriedly explained in an undertone. - -"All right; I understand," said Walter, walking briskly away on his -errand. He quite forgot all about the gold, though, until after he -had left the bank; when, suddenly remembering it, he hurried back to -get the coin, quite flurried and provoked at his own forgetfulness. -The cashier, however, counted out the double-eagles, for the notes, -without remark. Such little instances of forgetfulness were too common -to excite his particular notice. - -On that same evening, finding time hanging rather heavily on his -hands, Walter strolled uptown in the direction of Mr. Bright's house, -which was in the fashionable Mt. Vernon Street. The truth is that -the silly boy thought he might possibly catch a glimpse of a certain -young lady, or her shadow, at least, in passing the brilliantly -lighted residence. It was, he admitted to himself, a fool's errand, -after walking slowly backwards and forwards two or three times, with -his eyes fastened upon the lighted windows; and with a feeling of -disappointment he turned away from the spot, heartily ashamed of -himself, as well, for having given way to a sudden impulse. Glad he -was that no one had noticed him. - -Walter's queer actions, however, did not escape the attention of a -certain lynx-eyed policeman, who, snugly ensconced in the shadow of -a doorway, had watched his every step. The young man had gone but a -short distance on his homeward way, when, as he was about crossing -the street, he came within an ace of being knocked down and run over -by a passing hack, which turned the corner at such a break-neck pace -that there was barely time to get out of the way. There was a gaslight -on this corner. At Walter's warning shout to the driver, the person -inside the hack quickly put his head out of the window, and as quickly -drew it in again; but in that instant the light had shone full upon -the face of Ramon Ingersoll. - -The driver lashed his horses into a run. Walter stood stupidly staring -after the carriage. Then, without knowing why, he ran after it, -confident that if he had recognized Ramon in that brief moment, Ramon -must also have recognized him. The best he could do, however, was to -keep the carriage in sight, but he soon saw that it was heading for -the railway station at the South End. - -Out of breath, and nearly out of his head, too, Walter dashed through -the arched doorway of the station, just in time to see a train going -out at the other end in a cloud of smoke. In his eagerness, Walter ran -headlong into the arms of the night-watchman, who, seeing the blank -look on Walter's face, said, as he had said a hundred times before to -belated travelers, "Too late, eh?" - -"Yes, yes, too late," repeated Walter, in a tone of deep vexation. -While walking home he began to think he had been making a fool of -himself again. After all, what business was it of his if Ramon had -gone to New York? He might have gone on business of the firm. Of -course that was it. And what right had he, Walter, to be chasing -Ramon through the streets, anyhow? Still, he was sure that Ramon had -recognized him, and just as sure that Ramon had wished to avoid being -recognized, else why had he not spoken or even waved his hand? Walter -gave it up, and went home to dream of chasing carriages all night long. - -Walter went to the wharf as usual the next morning. In the course -of the forenoon a porter brought word that he was wanted at the -counting-room. When Walter went into the office, Mr. Bright was -walking the floor, back and forth, with hasty steps, while a very -dark, clean-shaven, alert-looking man sat leaning back in a chair -before the door. This person immediately arose, locked the office -door, put the key in his pocket, and then quietly sat down again. - -Walter's heart was in his mouth. He grew red and pale by turns. Before -he could collect his ideas Mr. Bright stopped in his walk, looked him -squarely in the eye, and, in an altered voice, demanded sharply and -sternly: "Ingersoll--where is he? No prevarication. I want the truth -and nothing but the truth. You understand?" - -Walter tried hard to make a composed answer, but the words would not -seem to come; and the merchant's cold gray eyes seemed searching him -through and through. However, he managed to stammer out: "I don't -know, sir, where he is--gone away, hasn't he?" - -"Don't know. Gone away," repeated the merchant. "Now answer me -directly, without any ifs or buts; where, and when, did you see him -last?" - -"Last night; at least, I thought it was Ramon." The dark man gave his -head a little toss. - -"Well, go on? What then?" - -"It was about nine o'clock, in a close carriage, not far from the -Common." That, by the way, was as near to Mr. Bright's house as Walter -thought proper to locate the affair. - -Mr. Bright exchanged glances with the dark man, who merely nodded, but -said never a word. - -Thinking his examination was over, Walter plucked up the courage to -say of his own accord, "I ran after the carriage as tight as I could; -but you see, sir, the driver was lashing his horses all the way, so I -couldn't keep up with it; and when I got to the depot the train was -just starting." - -"Pray, what took _you_ to that neighborhood at that hour?" the silent -man demanded so suddenly that the sound of his voice startled Walter. - -If ever conscious guilt showed itself in a face, it now did in -Walter's. He turned as red as a peony. Mr. Bright frowned, while the -dark-skinned man smiled a knowing little smile. - -"Why, nothing in particular, sir. I was only taking a little stroll -about town, before going home," Walter replied, a word at a time. - -"Yet your boarding place is at the other end of the city, is it not?" -pursued Mr. Bright. - -"Yes, sir, it is." - -"Walter Seabury, up to this time I have always had a good opinion of -you. This is no time for concealments. The house has been robbed of a -large sum of money--so large that should it not be recovered within -twenty-four hours we must fail. Do you hear--fail?" he repeated as if -the word stuck in his throat and choked him. - -"Robbed; fail!" Walter faltered out, hardly believing his own ears. - -"Yes, robbed, and as I must believe by a scoundrel warmed at my own -fireside. And you: why did you not report Ingersoll's flight before it -was too late to stop him?" - -Though shocked beyond measure by this revelation, Walter made haste -to reply: "Because, sir, I was not sure it was Ramon. It was just a -look, and he was gone like a flash. Besides----" - -"Besides what?" - -"How could I know Ramon was running away?" - -"Why, then, did you run after him? Are you in the habit of chasing -every carriage you may chance upon in the street?" again interrupted -the silent man. - -Stung by the bantering tone of the stranger, Walter made no reply. -Mr. Bright was his employer and had a perfect right to question him; -but who was this man, and by what right did he mix himself up in the -matter? - -"Quite right of you, young man, to say nothing to criminate yourself; -but perhaps you will condescend to tell us, unless it would be -betraying confidence [again that cunning smile], if you knew that this -Ingersoll was a gambler?" - -The tell-tale blood again rushed to Walter's temples, but instantly -left them as it dimly dawned upon him that he was suspected of knowing -more than he was willing to tell. - -"Gently, marshal, gently," interposed Mr. Bright. "He will tell all, -if we give him time." - -"One moment," rejoined the chief, with a meaning look at the merchant. -"You hear, young man, this firm has been robbed of twenty thousand -dollars--quite a haul. The thief has absconded. You tell a pretty -straight story, I allow, but before you are many hours older you will -have to explain why you, who have nothing to do with that department, -should draw two thousand dollars at the bank yesterday; why, after -getting banknotes you went back after gold," the marshal continued, -warming up as he piled accusation on accusation; "why, again, you went -from there to secure a berth in the _Georgia_, which sailed early this -morning; and why you are seen, for seen you were, first watching Mr. -Bright's house, and then arriving at the station just too late for -the New York express. Take my advice. Make a clean breast of the whole -affair. If you can clear yourself, now is the time; if you can't, -possibly you may be of some use in recovering the money." - -Walter felt his legs giving way under him. At last it was all out. -Now it was as clear as day how Ingersoll had so craftily managed -everything as to make Walter appear in the light of a confederate. -Now he knew why Ingersoll had wished to avoid being recognized. In -a broken voice he told what he knew of Ingersoll's wrong-doings, -excusing his own silence by the pledge he had given and received. - -When he had finished, the two men held a whispered conference -together. "Clear case," observed the marshal; "one watched your house -while the other was making his escape." - -"I'll not believe it. Why, this young man saved my daughter's life." - -"Think as you like. At any rate, I mean to keep an eye on him." So -saying, the marshal went on his way, humming a tune to himself with as -much unconcern as if he had just got up from a game of checkers which -he had won handily. At the street corner he hailed an officer, to whom -he gave an order in an undertone, and then walked on, smiling and -nodding right and left as he went. - -Left alone with Mr. Bright, Walter stood nervously twisting his cap -in both hands, like a culprit awaiting his sentence. It came at last. -"Until this matter is cleared up," Mr. Bright said, "we cannot retain -you in our employ. Get what is due you. You can go now." He then -turned his back on Walter, and began busying himself over the papers -on his desk. - -Walter went out of the office without another word. He was simply -stunned. - - - - -VII - -THE FLIGHT - - -Walter walked slowly down the wharf, feeling as if the world had -suddenly come to an end. Nothing looked to him exactly as it looked -one short hour ago. He did not even notice that a policeman was -keeping a few rods behind him. As he walked along with eyes fixed on -the ground, a familiar voice hailed him with, "Why, what ails ye, lad? -Seen a ghost or what?" - -"Bill," said Walter, "would you believe it, that skunk of a Ramon has -run off with a lot of the firm's money--to California, they say? And, -oh, Bill! Bill! they suspect me, _me_, of having helped him do it. And -I'm discharged. That's all." It was no use trying to keep up longer. -Walter broke down completely at the sound of a friendly voice at last. - -Bill silently led the way into the caboose. He first lighted his pipe, -for, like the Indians, Bill seemed to believe that a good smoke tended -to clear the intellect. He then, save for an occasional angry snort or -grunt, heard Walter through without interruption. When the wretched -story was all told Bill struck his open palm upon his knee, jerking -out between whiffs: "My eye, here's a pretty kettle o' fish! Ruin, -failure, crash, and smash. Ship ashore, and you all taken aback. Ssh!" -suddenly checking himself, as a shadow darkened the one little pane of -glass that served for a window. A policeman was looking in at them. -Giving the two friends a careless nod, he walked slowly away. - -It slowly dawned upon Walter that the man with the black rosette in -his hat, whom he had seen at the office, had set a watch upon him. -"Bill, you mustn't be seen talking to me," said Walter, rising to -leave. "They'll think you are in the plot, too. Oh! oh! they dog me -about everywhere." - -The old fellow laughed scornfully. "That," he exclaimed, snapping his -fingers, "for the hull b'ilin' on 'em. I've licked many a perleeceman -in my time, and can do it again, old as I am. But we can be foxy, -too, I guess. Listen. When I sees you comin', I'll go acrost the -wharf to where that 'ar brig lays, over there. You foller me." Walter -nodded. "I go up aloft. You follers. We has our little talk out in the -maintop, free and easy like, and the perleeceman, he has his watch -below." - -When Walter reached his boarding house his landlady met him in the -entry. She seemed quite flustered and embarrassed. "Oh, Mr. Seabury," -she began, "I'm so glad you've come! Such a time! There has been an -officer here tossing everything topsy-turvy in your room. He would -do it, in spite of all I could say. I told him you were the best -boarder of the lot; never out late nights, or coming home the worse -for liquor, and always prompt pay. Do you think, he told me to shut -up, and mind my own business. Oh, sir, what _is_ the matter? That ever -a nasty policeman should came ransacking in my house. Goodness alive! -why, if it gets out, I'm a ruined woman. Please, sir, couldn't you -find another boarding place?" - -This was the last straw for poor Walter. Without a word he crept -upstairs to his little bedroom, threw himself down on the bed, and -cried as if his heart would break. - -Walter was young. Conscious innocence helped him to throw off the -fit of despondency; but in so far as feeling goes, he was ten years -older when he came out of it. It was quite dark. Lighting a lamp, he -hastily threw a few things into a bag, scribbled a short note to his -aunt, inclosing the check received when he was discharged, settled -with the landlady, who was in tears, always on tap; took his bag under -his arm, and after satisfying himself that the coast was clear, struck -out a roundabout course, through crooked ways and blind alleys, to the -wharf. For the life of him, he could not keep back a little bitter -laugh when he called to mind that this was the second time in his -short life that he had run away. - -The wharf was deserted. There was no light in the caboose; but upon -Walter's giving three cautious raps, the door was slid back, and as -quickly closed after him. "Well," he said, wearily throwing himself -down on a bench, "here I am again. I've been turned out of doors now. -You are my only friend left. What would you do, if you were in my -place? I can't bear it, and I won't," he broke out impulsively. - -"I see," said Bill, meditatively shutting both eyes, to give emphasis -to the assertion. - -"Nobody will give me a place now, with a cloud like that hanging over -me." - -Bill nodded assent. - -"I can't go back to the loft where I worked before, to be pointed at -and jeered at by every duffer who may take it into his head to throw -this scrape in my face. Would you?" - -As Bill made no reply, but smoked on in silence, Walter exclaimed, -almost fiercely, "Confound it, man, say something! can't you? You -drive me crazy with all the rest." - -This time Bill shook the ashes from his pipe. "What would I do? Why, -if it was me I'd track the rascal to the eends of the airth, and jump -off arter him, but I'd have him. And arter I'd cotched him, I'd twist -his neck just as quick as I would a pullet's," was Bill's quiet but -determined reply. - -Walter simply stared, though every nerve in his body thrilled at the -bare idea. "Pshaw, you don't mean it. What put that silly notion into -your head? Why, what could I do single-handed and alone, against such -a consummate villain as that? Where's the money to come from, in the -first place?" - -Bill watched Walter's sudden change from hot to cold. "Jest you take -down that 'ar coffee-pot over your head." Walter handed it to him, as -requested. First giving it a vigorous shake, which made the contents -rattle again with a metallic sound, Bill then raised the lid, showing -to Walter's astonished eyes a mixture of copper, silver, and even a -few gold, coins, half filling the battered utensil. - -"Thar's a bank as never busts, my son," chuckled the old man, at -the same time turning the coffee-pot this way and that, just for -the pleasure of hearing it rattle. "What do you think of them 'ar -coffee-grounds, heh? Single-handed, is it?" he continued, with a sniff -of disdain. "I'll jest order my kerridge, and go 'long with ye, my -boy." - -It took some minutes for Walter to realize that Bill was in real, -downright, sober earnest. But Bill was already shoving some odds and -ends into a canvas bag to emphasize his decision. "Strike while the -iron's hot" was his motto. Walter started to his feet with something -of his old animation. "That settles it!" he exclaimed. "Since I've -been turned out of doors, I feel as if I wanted to put millions of -miles between me and every one I've ever known. Do you know, I think -every one I meet is saying to himself, 'There's that Walter Seabury, -suspected of robbing his employers'? Go away I must, but I've found -out from the papers that no steamer sails before Saturday, and to-day -is Wednesday, you know. Where shall I hide my face for a day or two? -How do I know they won't arrest me, if they catch me trying to leave -the city? Oh, Bill, I can never stand that disgrace, never!" - -Having finished with his packing, Bill blew out the light, pushed back -the slide, and gave a rapid look up and down the wharf. As he drew in -his head, he said just as indifferently as if he had proposed taking a -short walk about town, "'Pears to me as if the correck thing for folks -in our sitivation like was to cut and run." - -"True enough for me. But how about you? They'll say that you were as -deep in the mud as I am in the mire. Give it up, Bill. No, dear old -friend, I mustn't drag you down with me. I can't." - -"Bah! Talk won't hurt old Bill nohow. Bill's about squar' with the -world. He owes just as much as he don't owe." - -Walter was deeply touched. He saw plainly that it was no use trying to -shake the old fellow's purpose, so forbore urging him further. - -The old man waited a moment for Walter to speak, and finding that -he did not, laid his big rough hand on the lad's shoulder and asked -impressively, "Did you send off your chist to your aunt as I told ye -to?" - -"I did, an hour ago." - -"An' did you kind o' explanify things to the old gal?" - -"How could I tell her, Bill? Didn't she always say I would come to no -good end? I wrote her that I was going away--a long way off--and for -a long time. I couldn't say just how long. A year or two perhaps. My -head was all topsy-turvy, anyhow." - -"You didn't forgit she took keer on ye when ye war a kid?" - -"I sent her the check I got from the store, right away." - -"Then I don't see nothin' to--hender us from takin' that 'ar little -cruise we was a-talkin' about." - -It was pitch-dark when our two adventurers stepped out of the caboose. -After securing the door with a stout padlock, Bill silently led the -way to the stairs where he kept his wherry. Noiselessly the boat was -rowed out of the dock, toward a light that glimmered in the rigging -of an outward-bound brig that lay out in the stream waiting for the -turning of the tide. Bill did not speak again until they were clear of -the dock. "Yon brig's bound for York. I know the old man first-rate, -'cause I helped load her. He'll give us a berth if we take holt with -the crew. Here we are." As he climbed the brig's side he set the -wherry adrift with a vigorous shove of his foot. - -A day or two after the events just described, Mr. Bright and the -marshal met on the street, the former looking sober and downcast, the -latter smiling and elate. "What did I tell you?" cried the marshal, -evidently well pleased with the tenor of the news he had to relate; -"your _protégé_ has gone off with an old wharf rat that I've had my -eye on for some time." - -"To tell you the whole truth, marshal, my mind is not quite easy about -that boy," the merchant replied. - -"Opportunity makes the thief," the officer observed carelessly. - -"I'm afraid we've been too hasty." - -"Perhaps so; but it's my opinion that when Ramon is found, the other -won't be far off. I honor your feelings in this matter, sir, but my -experience tells me that every rascal asserts his innocence until his -guilt is proved. I've notified the police of San Francisco to be on -the lookout for that precious clerk of yours. Good-day, sir." - -When Mr. Bright returned to the store, on entering the office he -saw an elderly woman, in a faded black bonnet and shawl, sitting -bolt-upright on the edge of a chair facing the door, with two bony -hands tightly clenched in her lap. There was fire in her eye. - -"That is Mr. Bright, madam," one of the clerks hastened to say. - -"What can I do for you, madam?" the merchant asked. - -The woman fixed two keen gray eyes upon the speaker's face, as she -spoke up, quite unabashed by the quiet dignity of the merchant's -manner of speaking. - -"Well," she began breathlessly, "I'm real glad to see you if you have -kept me waiting. Here I've sot, an' sot, a good half-hour. 'Pears to -me you Boston folks don't get up none too airly fer yer he'lth. I was -down here before your shop was open this mornin'. Better late than -never, though." - -The merchant bent his head politely. His visitor caught her breath and -went on: - -"I'm Miss Marthy Seabury. What's all this coil about my nevvy? He's -wrote me that he was goin' away. Where's he gone? What's he done? -That's what I'd like to know, right up an' down." She paused for a -reply, never taking her eyes off the merchant's troubled face for an -instant. - -"My good woman," Mr. Bright began in a mollifying tone, when she broke -in upon him abruptly: - -"No palaverin', mister. No beatin' the bush, if ye please. Come to the -p'int. I left my dirty dishes in the sink to home, an' must go back in -the afternoon keers." - -"Then don't let me detain you," resumed Mr. Bright gravely. "There -has been a defalcation. I'm sorry to say your nephew is suspected of -knowing more than he was willing to tell about it. So we had to let -him go. Where he is now, is more than I can say." - -"What's a defalcation?" - -"A betrayal of trust, madam." - -"Do you mean my boy took anything that didn't belong to him?" - -"Not quite that. No, indeed. At least, I hope not. But, you see, -Walter is badly mixed up with the precious rascal who did." - -"Well, you'd better not. I'd like to see the man who'd say my boy was -a thief, that's all. Why, I'd trust him long before the President of -the United States!" The woman actually glared at every one in the -office, as if in search of some one willing to take up her challenge. - -"If you'll try to listen calmly, madam," interposed the merchant, -"I'll try to tell you what we know." He then went on to relate the -circumstances already known to us. - -Aunt Martha gave an indignant sniff when the merchant had finished. -"You call yourself smart, eh? Why, an old woman sees through it with -one eye. Walter was just humbugged. So was you, warn't ye? An' goin' -on right under your own nose ever so long, an' ye none the wiser -for't. Well, I declare to goodness, if I was you I sh'ld feel real -downright small potatoes!" - -"I think, madam, perhaps we had better bring this interview to a -close. It is a very painful subject, I do assure you." - -"Very well, sir. I sh'ld think you'd want to. But mark my words. -You'll be sorry for this some day, as I am now that Walter ever laid -eyes on you or--your darter." With this parting shot she bounced out -of the office, shutting the door with a vicious bang behind her. - -But Mr. Bright's worries that day were not to be so easily set at -rest. Upon reaching his home for a late dinner, looking pale and -careworn, it was Dora who met him in the hallway, who put her arms -round her father's neck, and who kissed him lovingly on both cheeks. - -"Dear papa, I know all," she said with a little sob. - -"Ah!" he ejaculated. "Then you have heard----" - -"Yes, papa; our next-door neighbor, Mrs. Pryor, has told me all about -it. Hateful old thing!" - -The merchant made a gesture of resignation. - -"She said you would have to discharge most of your clerks." - -Mr. Bright made a gesture of assent. - -"Then I want to do something. I can give music lessons. I'll work my -fingers off to help. I know I shall be a perfect treasure. But why -_did_ you send Mr. Seabury away, papa?" - -"Because he was unfaithful." - -"I don't believe a word of it." - -"Appearances are strongly against him." - -"I don't care. I say it's a wicked shame. Why, what has he done?" - -"What has he done? Why, he knew Ramon gambled, and wouldn't tell. He -knew Ramon had gone, and never lisped a syllable." - -"Yes, but that's what he didn't do." - -"He was caught hanging around our house the night that Ramon ran away. -There, child, don't bother me with any more questions. Guilty or not, -both have gone beyond reach." - -Dora came near letting slip a little cry of surprise. She knew that -she was blushing furiously, but fortunately the hall was dark. A new -light had flashed upon her. And she thought she could guess why Walter -had been lurking round their house on that, to him, most eventful -night. Although she had never exchanged a dozen words with him, he had -won her gratitude and admiration fairly, and now she began to feel -great pity and sorrow for the friendless clerk. - -Hearing Dora crying softly, her father put his arm around her waist -and said soothingly: "There, child, don't cry; we must try to bear up -under misfortune. But 'tis a thousand pities----" - -"Well," anxiously. - -"Well, if I had known all that in season, the worst might have been -prevented." - -"And now?" - -"And now, child, your father is a ruined man." So saying, the -merchant hung up his hat and walked gloomily away. - -Dora ran upstairs to her own room and locked herself in, leaving the -despondent merchant to eat his dinner solitary and alone. - - - - -VIII - -OUTWARD BOUND - - -"Beats Boston, don't it?" said Bill to Walter, as the _Susan J._ was -slowly working her way up the East River past the miles of wharves and -warehouses with which the shores are lined. - -"Maybe it's bigger, but I don't believe it's any better," was Walter's -guarded reply. - -As soon as the anchor was down, the two friends hailed a passing -boatman, who quickly put them on shore at the Battery, whence -they lost no time in making their way to the steamship company's -office--Bill to see if he could get a chance to ship for the run to -the Isthmus, Walter to get a berth in the steerage just as soon as -Bill's case should be decided. So eager were they to have the matter -settled that they would not stop even to look at the wonders of the -town. - -While waiting their turn among the crowd in the office, Bill's roving -eye happened to fall on a big, square-shouldered, thick-set man who -sat comfortably warming his hands over a coal fire in the fireplace, -which he wholly monopolized, apparently absorbed in his own thoughts. -It was now the month of December, and the air was chilly. Bill hailed -him without ceremony. "Mawnin', mister. Fire feels kind o' good this -cold mawnin', don't it?" - -The person thus addressed did not even turn his head. - -Unabashed by this cool reception, Bill added in a lower tone, "Lookin' -out for a chance to ship, heh, matey?" - -At this question, so squarely put, a suppressed titter ran round -the room. The silent man gave Bill a sidelong look, shrugged his -shoulders, and absently asked, "What makes you think so?" - -"D'ye think I don't know a sailorman when I see one? Mighty stuck -up, some folks is. Better get that Ingy-ink out o' yer hands ef yer -'shamed on it." - -The silent man rose up, buttoned his shaggy buffalo-skin coat up to -his chin, pulled his fur cap down over his bushy eyebrows, and strode -out of the office without looking either to the right or the left. - -"I say, you!" a clerk called out to Bill. "Do you know who you were -talking to? That's the old man." - -"I don't keer ef it's the old boy. Ef that chap ha'n't hauled on a -tarred rope afore now, I'm a nigger; that's all." - -"That was Commodore Vanderbilt, the owner of this line," the clerk -retorted very pompously, quite as if he expected Bill to drop. - -The general laugh now went against Bill. "Whew! was it, though? Then I -s'pose my cake's all dough," he grumbled to himself, but was greatly -relieved when the shipping clerk, after a few questions, told him to -sign the articles. Walter was duly engaged, in his turn, as a cabin -waiter. This being settled, the two friends sallied forth in high -spirits to report on board the _Prometheus_, bound for San Juan del -Norte. - -Nowhere, probably, since the days of Noah was there ever seen such -utter and seemingly helpless confusion as on one of those great -floating arks engaged in the California trade by way of the Isthmus, -in the early fifties, just before sailing. Bullocks were dismally -lowing, sheep plaintively bleating, hogs squealing. Men were wildly -running to and fro, shouting, pushing, and elbowing each other -about, as if they had only a few minutes longer to live and must -therefore make the most of their time. Women were quietly crying, or -laughing hysterically, by turns, as the fit happened to take them. -Of human beings, upwards of a thousand were thus occupied on board -the _Prometheus_; while on the already crowded slip the shouting -of belated hack drivers, who stormed and swore, the loud cries of -peddlers and newsboys, who darted hither and thither among the surging -throng, served to keep up an indescribable uproar. Add to this, that -the sky was dark and lowering, the black river swimming with floating -ice, crushing and grinding against the slip, as it moved out to sea -with the ebb; and possibly some idea may be formed of what was taking -place on that bleak December afternoon. - -But all things must come to an end. All this confusion was hushed -when the word was passed to cast off, the paddle wheels began slowly -to turn, and the big ship, careening heavily to port under its human -freight, who swarmed like bees upon her decks, forged slowly out into -the stream, carrying with her, if the truth must be told, many a sorry -and homesick one already. - -Walter, however, drew a long breath of relief as the ship moved away -from the shores. It was the first moment in which he had been able to -shake off the fear of being followed. He therefore went about his -duties cheerfully, if not very skillfully. - -Oh, the unspeakable misery of that first night at sea! A stiff -southeaster was blowing when the steamer thrust her black nose outside -of Sandy Hook. And as the hours wore on, and the gale rose higher and -higher, with every lurch the straining ship would moan and tremble -like a human being in distress. Now and then a big sea would strike -the ship fairly, sending crockery and glassware flying about the -cabin with a crash, then as she settled down into the trough, for one -breathless moment it would seem as if she would never come up again. -Twenty times that night the affrighted passengers gave themselves -up for lost. Most of them lay in their berths prostrated by fear or -seasickness. A few even put on life preservers. Perhaps a score or -more, too much terrified even to seek their berths, crouched with -pallid faces on the cabin stairs, foolishly imagining that if the -ship did go down they would thus have the better chance of saving -themselves. Some half-crazed women had even put on their bonnets, in -order, as they sobbed out, to die decently. - -It was hardly light, if a blurred gray streak in the east could be -called light, when Walter crept up the slippery companionway. His head -felt like a balloon, his eyes like two lumps of lead, his legs like -mismatched legs. The ship was working her engines just enough to keep -her head to the sea. The deck was all awash, and littered with the -rubbish of a row of temporary, or "standee," bunks abandoned by their -occupants, and broken up by the force of the gale. The paddle-boxes -were stove, and tons of water were pouring in upon the decks with -every revolution of the wheels. By watching his chance, when the ship -steadied herself for another plunge, Walter managed to work his way -out to the forepart of the vessel. Here he found Bill, with half a -dozen more, all wringing-wet, hastily swallowing, between lurches of -the ship, a cupful of hot coffee, which the cook was passing out to -them from the galley. If ever men looked completely worn out, then -those men did. - -Bill no sooner caught sight of Walter, than he offered him his dipper. -Walter put it away from him with a grimace of disgust. - -"Dirty night," said Bill, cooling his coffee between swallows; "blowed -fresh; nary watch below sence we left the dock; no life in her; -steered like a wild bull broke loose in Broadway. She's some easier -now. Better have some [again holding out his cup]; 't will do you -good. No? Well, here goes," tilting his head back and draining the cup -to the last drop. - -Just then the first officer came bustling along in oilskins and -sou'wester. "Here, you!" he called out, "lay for'ard there, and get -the jib on her; come, bear a hand!" Walter went forward with the men. -Hoisting the sail was no easy matter, with the ship plunging bows -under every minute, but no sooner did the gale fill It fairly, than -away it went with a report like a cannon, blown clean out of the -bolt-rope, as if it had been a boy's kite held by a string. While the -men were watching it disappear in the mist, crash came a ton or more -of salt water pouring over the bow, throwing them violently against -the deck-house. Shaking himself like a spaniel, the mate darted off to -give the steersman a dressing-down for letting the ship "broach to." - -Two sailors had been lost overboard during the night. On a hint -dropped by Bill, Walter was taken from the cabin, where there was -little to do, and put to work with the carpenter's gang, repairing -damages. The change being much to his liking, Walter applied himself -to his new duties with a zeal that soon won for him the good will of -his mates. And when it came to doing a job on the rigging, though -out of practice, Walter was always the one called upon to do it. -The captain, a quiet, gentlemanly man, who looked more like a -schoolmaster than a shipmaster, told the purser to put Walter in the -ship's books. - -Thoroughly tired out with his day's work, Walter was going below -when the mate called out to him: "I say, youngster, you're not going -down into that dog-hole again. There's a spare bunk in my stateroom. -Get your traps and sail in. You can h'ist in as much sleep as you've -storage room for." - -By noon of the second day out, the _Prometheus_ had run into the Gulf -Stream. The gale had sensibly abated, though it still blew hard. When -the captain came on deck, after taking a long look at the clouds, he -said to the mate, "Mr. Gray, I think you may give her the jib and -mainsail, to steady her a bit." - -At break of day on the morning of the fourth day out, as Walter was -leaning over the weather rail, his eye caught sight of a dark spot -rising out of the water nearly abeam. The mate was taking a long -look at it through his glass. In reply to Walter's inquiring look, -the mate told him it was a low-lying reef called Mariguana, one of -the easternmost of the Bahamas. It was not long before most of the -passengers were crowding up to get sight of that little speck of dry -land, the first they had laid eyes on since the voyage began. "Now, -my lad, you can judge something of how Columbus felt when he made his -first landfall hereabouts so long ago!" exclaimed the mate. "Good for -sore eyes, ain't it? We never try to pass it except in the daytime," -he added; "if we did, ten to one we'd fetch up all standing." - -"San Domingo to-morrow!" cried the mate, rubbing his hands as he came -out of the chart room on the fifth day. As the word passed through the -ship it produced a magical effect among the passengers, whose chief -desire was once more to set foot on dry land, and next to see it. - -Sure enough, when the sun rose out of the ocean next morning there -was the lovely tropic island looming up, darkly blue, before them. -There, too, were the hazy mountain peaks of Cuba rising in the west. -All day long the ship was sailing between these islands, on a sea as -smooth as a millpond. Every day she was getting in better trim, and -going faster; and the spirits of all on board rose accordingly at the -prospect of an early ending of the voyage. - -"This beats all!" was Walter's delighted comment to Bill, who was -swabbing down the decks in his bare feet. - -"'Tis kind o' pooty," Bill assented, wiping his sweaty face with his -bare arm. "That un," nodding toward Cuba, "Uncle Sam ought to hev, -by good rights; but this 'ere," turning on San Domingo a look of -contempt, "'z nothin' but niggers, airthquakes, an' harricanes. Let -'em keep it, says Bill;" then continuing, after a short pause, "Porter -Prince is up in the bight of yon deep bay. I seen the old king-pin -himself onct. Coal-tar ain't a patchin' to him; no, nor Day & Martin -nuther. Hot? If you was ashore there, you'd think it was hot. Why, -they cook eggs without fire right out in the sun." - -A two-days' run across the Caribbean Sea brought the _Prometheus_ on -soundings, and a few hours more to her destined port. Every one was -now making hurried preparations to leave the ship, bag and baggage; -every eye beamed with delight at the prospect of escaping from the -confinement of what had seemed more like a prison than anything else. -While the _Prometheus_ was heading toward her anchorage there was time -allowed for a brief survey of the town and harbor of San Juan del -Norte, or, as it was then commonly called, Greytown. - -These were really nothing more than an open roadstead, bounded by -a low, curving, and sandy shore, along which half a hundred poor -cabins lay half hid among tall cocoanut palms. From the one two-story -building in sight the British flag was flying. The harbor, however, -presented a very animated and warlike appearance, in consequence of -the warm dispute then in progress between England and the United -States as to who should control the transit from ocean to ocean. Two -American and two British warships lay within easy gunshot of each -other, flying the flags of their respective nations, and no sooner -were the colors of the starry banner caught sight of than a tremendous -cheer burst from the thousand throats on board the _Prometheus_. Her -anchor had hardly touched bottom when a boat from the _Saranac_ came -alongside, the officer in charge eagerly hailing the deck for the -latest news from the States. As for the jackies, to judge from their -looks they seemed literally spoiling for a fight. - -Walter had no very clear idea upon the subject of this international -dispute, still less of the importance it might assume in the future, -but the evident anxiety shown on the faces around him led him to -suppose that the matter was serious. He stood holding onto the lee -rigging, watching the American tars in the boat alongside, and -thinking what fine, manly fellows they looked, when two passengers -near him began an animated discussion which set him to thinking. - -"Sare," said one, with a strong French accent, "it was, _ma foi_, I -shall recollect--_ah oui_--it was my countryman, one Samuel Champlain, -who first gave ze idea of cutting--what you call him?--one sheep canal -across ze Eesmus. I shall not be wrong to-day." - -"Excuse me, monsieur," the other returned, "I think Cortez did that -very thing long before him." - -"Nevair mind, _mon ami_. I _gage_ you 'ave ze _histoire_ correct. Eet -only prove zat great minds 'ave always sometime ze same ideas. _Mais_, -your Oncle Sam, wiz hees sillee Monroe Doctreen, he eez like ze dog -wiz his paw on ze bone: he not eat himself; he not let any oder dog: -he just growl, growl, growl." - -"But, monsieur, wouldn't Uncle Sam, as you call him, be a big fool to -let any foreign nation get control of his road to California?" - -The Frenchman only replied by a shrug. - -Even before the _Prometheus_ dropped anchor she was surrounded by a -swarm of native boatmen, of all shades of color from sour cream to -jet-black, some holding up bunches of bananas, some screaming out -praises of their boats to such as were disposed to go ashore, others -begging the passengers to throw a dime into the water, for which they -instantly plunged, head first, regardless of the sharks which could be -seen lazily swimming about the harbor, attracted by the offal thrown -over from the ships. - -"I don't know how 'tis," said Bill in Walter's ear, "but them -sharks'll never tech a nigger. But come, time to wake up! Anchor's -down. All's snug aboard. Now keep your weather eye peeled for a long -pull across the Isthmus." - -"Good luck to ye," said the jolly mate, shaking Walter heartily by the -hand as he was about leaving the ship. "I'm right glad to see you've -been trying to improve your mind a bit, instead of moonin' about like -a catfish in a mudhole, as most of 'em do on board here. Use your -eyes. Keep your ears open and don't be afraid to ask questions. That's -the way to travel, my hearty!" And with a parting wave of the hand he -strode forward. - - - - -IX - -ACROSS NICARAGUA - - -In the course of an hour or so three light-draught stern-wheel -steamboats ("wheelbarrows," Bill derisively called them) came puffing -up alongside. Into them the passengers were now unceremoniously -bundled, like so many sheep, and in such numbers as hardly to allow -room to move about, yet all in high glee at escaping from the -confinement of the ship, at which many angrily shook their fists as -the fasts were cast off. In another quarter of an hour the boats were -steaming slowly up the San Juan River, thus commencing the second -stage of the long journey. - -For the first hour or two the travelers were fully occupied in looking -about them with charmed eyes, as with mile after mile, and turn after -turn, the wonders of a tropical forest, all hung about with rare and -beautiful flowers, and all as still as death, passed before them. But -Bill, to whom the sight was not new or strange, declared that for his -part he would rather have a sniff of good old Boston's east wind than -all the cloying perfumes of that wilderness of woods and blossoms. -It was not long, however, before attention was drawn to the living -inhabitants of this fairyland. - -First a strange object, something between a huge lizard and a bloated -bullfrog, was spied clinging to a bush on the bank. No sooner seen -than crack! crack! went a dozen pistol shots, and down dropped the -dirty green-and-yellow creature with a loud splash into the river. - -"There's a tidbit gone," observed Bill, in Walter's ear. - -"What! eat that thing?" demanded Walter with a disgusted look. - -"Sartin. They eat um; eat anything. And what you can't eat, 'll eat -you. If you don't b'leeve it, look at that 'ar reptyle on the bank -yonder," said Bill, pointing out the object in question with the stem -of his pipe. - -Walter followed the direction of Bill's pipe. - -Looking quite as much like a stranded log as anything else, a -full-grown alligator lay stretched out along the muddy margin of the -river at the water's edge. No sooner was he seen, than the ungainly -monster became the target for a perfect storm of bullets, all of which -glanced as harmlessly off his scaly back as hailstones from a slate -roof. Disturbed by the noise and the shouts, the hideous animal slid -slowly into the water and disappeared from sight, churning up the -muddy bottom as he went. - -Bill put on a quizzical look as he asked Walter if he knew why some -barbarians worshiped the alligator. Walter was obliged to admit that -he did not. "'Cause the alligator can swaller the man, but the man -can't swaller the alligator," chuckled Bill. - -Now and then a native bongo would be overhauled, bound for San -Carlos, Grenada, or Leon, with a cargo of European goods. They were -uncouth-looking boats, rigged with mast and sail, and sometimes thirty -to forty feet long. Many a hearty laugh greeted the grotesque motions -of the jet-black rowers, who half rose from their seats every time -they dipped their oars, and then sank back with a grunt to give their -strokes more power. The _patrón_, or master, prefaced all his orders -with a persuasive "Now, gentlemen, a little faster, if you please!" - -"And so that's the way, is it, that all inland transportation has been -carried on here for so many hundred years?" thought Walter. "Well, I -never!" - -Incidents such as these served, now and then, to cause a ripple of -excitement, or until even alligators became quite too numerous to -waste powder upon. As darkness was coming on fast, there being no -twilight to speak of in this part of the world, a ship's yawl was seen -tied up under the bank for the night. Its occupants were nowhere in -sight, but the dim light of a fire among the bushes showed that they -were not far off. "Runaway sailors," Bill explained; "stole the boat, -an' 'fraid to show themselves. Poor devils! they've a long pull afore -'em ef they get away, an' a rope's-end behind 'em if they're caught." - -"Why, how far is it across?" - -"It's more'n a hundred miles to the lake, and another hundred or so -beyond." - -"Whew! you don't say. Well, I pity them." - -When darkness had shut down, the steamers also were tied up to trees -on the bank, scope enough being given to the line to let the boats -swing clear of the shores, on account of the mosquitoes, with which -the woods were fairly alive. In this solitude the travelers passed -their first night, without other shelter than the heavens above, -and long before it was over there was good reason to repent of the -abuse heaped upon the _Prometheus_, since very few got a wink of -sleep; while all were more or less soaked by the rain that fell in -torrents, as it can rain only in the tropics, during the night. As -cold, wet, and gloomy as it dawned, the return of day was hailed with -delight by the shivering and disconsolate travelers. In truth, much -of the gilding had already been washed off, or worn off, of their El -Dorado. And, as Bill bluntly put it, they all looked "like a passel of -drownded rats." - -Bill made this remark while he and Walter were washing their hands -and faces in the roily river water, an easy matter, as they had only -to stoop over the side to do so, the boat's deck being hardly a foot -out of water. Suddenly Walter caught Bill's arm and gave it a warning -squeeze. Bill followed the direction in which Walter was looking, and -gave a low whistle. A beautifully mottled black-and-white snake had -coiled itself around the line by which the boat was tied to the shore, -and was quietly working its way, in corkscrew fashion, toward the now -motionless craft. Seizing a boat-hook, Bill aimed a savage blow at the -reptile, but the rope only being struck, the snake dropped unharmed -into the river. - -"Do they raise anything here besides alligators, snakes, lizards, and -monkeys?" Walter asked the captain, who was looking on, while sipping -his morning cup of black coffee. - -Glancing up, the captain good-humoredly replied, "Oh, yes; they -raise plantains, bananas, oranges, limes, lemons, chocolate-nuts, -cocoanuts----" - -"Pardon me," Walter interrupted; "those things are luxuries. I meant -things of real value, sir." - -"A very proper distinction," the captain replied, looking a little -surprised. "Well, then, before you get across you will probably see -hundreds of mahogany trees, logwood trees, fustic and Brazil-wood -trees, to say nothing of other dye-woods, more or less valuable, -growing all about you." - -"Oh, yes, sir, I've seen all those woods you tell of coming out of -vessels at home, but never growing. Somehow I never thought of them -before as trees." - -"Then there is cochineal, indigo, sugar, Indian corn, coffee, tobacco, -cotton, hides, vanilla, some India rubber----" - -Walter looked sheepish. "I see now how silly my question was. Please -excuse my ignorance." - -"That's all right," said the captain pleasantly. "Don't ever be afraid -to ask about what you want to know. I suppose I've carried twenty -thousand passengers across, and you are positively the first one to -ask about anything except eating, sleeping, or when we are going to -get there." - -The two succeeding days were like the first, except that the river -grew more and more shallow in proportion as it was ascended, and -the country more and more hilly and broken. This furnished a new -experience, as every now and then the boats would ground on some -sand-bar, when all hands would have to tumble out into the water to -lighten them over the rift, or wade ashore to be picked up again at -some point higher up, after a fatiguing scramble through the dense -jungle. "Whew! This is what I calls working your passage," was Bill's -quiet comment, as he and Walter stood together on the bank, breathing -hard, after making one of these forced excursions for half a mile. - -"Is here where they talk of building a canal?" Walter asked in -amazement, casting an oblique glance into the pestilential swamps -around him. "Surely, they can't be in earnest." - -"They'll need more grave-diggers than mud-diggers, if they try it on," -was Bill's emphatic reply. "White men can't stand the climate nohow. -And as for niggers--well, all you can git out o' 'em's clear gain, -like lickin' a mule," he added, biting off a chew of tobacco as he -spoke. - -On the afternoon of the third day the passengers were landed at the -foot of the Castillio Rapids, so named from an old Spanish fort -commanding the passage of the river at this point, though many years -gone to ruin and decay. Walter and Bill climbed the steep path leading -up to it. The castle was of great age, they were told, going back to -the time of the mighty Philip II of Spain perhaps, who spent such -vast sums in fortifying his American colonies against the dreaded -buccaneers. Walter could not help feeling awe-struck at the thought -that what he saw was already old when the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth -Rock. Some one asked if this was not the place where England's naval -hero, Lord Nelson, first distinguished himself, when the castle was -taken in 1780. - -Leaving these crumbling ruins to the snakes, lizards, and other -reptiles which glided away at their approach, the two went back to -the clump of rough shanties by the river, and it was here that Walter -made his first acquaintance with that class of adventurers who, if not -buccaneers in name, had replaced them, to all intents, not only here -but on all routes leading to the land of gold. - -There was a short portage around the rapids. A much larger and -more comfortable boat had just landed some hundreds of returning -Californians at the upper end of this portage, and a rough-and-ready -looking lot they were, betraying by their talk and actions that they -had long been strangers to the restraints of civilized life. Of course -every word they dropped was greedily devoured by the newcomers, by -whom the Californians were looked upon as superior beings. - -The two sets of passengers were soon exchanging newspapers or scraps -of news, while their baggage was being transferred around the portage. -Giving Walter a knowing wink, Bill accosted one of the Californians -with the question, "I say, mister, is it a fact, now, that you can -pick up gold in the streets in San Francisco?" - -"Stranger," this individual replied, "you may bet your bottom dollar -you can. It's done every day in the week. You see a lump in the -street, pick it up, and put it in your pocket until you come across a -bigger one, then you heave the first one away, same's you do pickin' -up pebbles on the beach, _sabe_?" Giving a nod to the half-dozen -listeners, who were eagerly devouring every word, the fellow turned on -his heel and walked off to join his companions. - -The run across Lake Nicaragua was made in the night. When the -passengers awoke the next morning the steamer was riding at anchor at -a cable's length from the shore, on which a lively surf was breaking. -Behind this was a motley collection of thatched hovels known as -Virgin Bay. The passengers were put ashore in lighters, into which as -many were huddled as there was standing-room for, were then hauled -to the beach by means of a hawser run between boat and shore, and, -with their hearts in their mouths while pitching and tossing among -the breakers, at last scrambled upon the sands as best they might, -thanking their lucky stars for their escape from drowning.[2] - - [2] The picture is by no means overdrawn, as on a subsequent - occasion, by the capsizing of a lighter in the surf, many - passengers were drowned. - -Walter and Bill found themselves standing among groups of chattering -half-breeds, half-nude children, dried-up old crones, and hairless, -dejected-looking mules, whose shrill hee-haws struck into the general -uproar with horribly discordant note. It was here bargains were made -for the transportation of one's self or baggage across the intervening -range of mountains to the Pacific. Secure in their monopoly of all the -animals to be had for hire, the avaricious owners did not hesitate -to demand as much for carrying a trunk sixteen miles as its whole -contents were worth--more indeed than a mule would sell for. - -Walter was gazing on the novel scene with wide-open eyes. Already -their little store of cash was running low. - -"You talk to them, Bill; you say you know their lingo," Walter -suggested, impatient at seeing so many of the party mounting their -balky steeds and riding away. - -Bill walked up to a sleepy-looking mule driver who stood nearby idly -smoking his cigarette, and laying his hand upon the animal's flank, -cleared his throat, and demanded carelessly, in broken Spanish, "Qui -cary, hombre, por este mula?" - -The animal slowly turned his head toward the speaker, and viciously -let go both hind feet, narrowly missing Bill's shins. - -"Wow! he's an infamous rhinoceros, este mula!" cried Bill, drawing -back to a safe distance from the animal's heels. - -"Si, señor," replied the unmoved muleteer. "Viente pesos, no mas," he -added in response to Bill's first question. - -"Twenty devils!" exclaimed Bill in amazement, dropping into forcible -English; "we don't want to buy him." Then resorting to gestures, to -assist his limited vocabulary, he pointed to his own and Walter's -bags, again demanding, "Quantos por este carga, vamos the ranch, over -yonder?" - -"Cinco pesos," articulated the impassive owner, between puffs. - -"Robber," muttered Bill under his breath. Rather than submit to be so -outrageously fleeced, Bill hit upon the following method of traveling -quite independently. He had seen it done in China, he explained, -and why not here? Getting a stout bamboo, the two friends slung -their traps to the middle, lifted it to their shoulders, and in this -economical fashion trudged off for the mountains, quite elated at -having so cleverly outwitted the Greasers, as Bill contemptuously -termed them. In fact, the old fellow was immensely tickled over the -ready transformation of two live men into a quadruped. Walter should -be fore legs and he hind legs. When tired, they could take turn and -turn about. If the load galled one shoulder, it could be shifted over -to the other, without halting. "Hooray!" he shouted, when they were -clear of the village; "to-morrow we'll see the place where old Bill -Boar watered his hoss in the Pacific." - -"Balboa, Bill," Walter corrected. "No horse will drink salt water, -silly. You know better. Besides, it wasn't a horse at all. 'Twas a -mule." - -Night overtook the travelers before reaching the foothills, but after -munching a biscuit and swallowing a few mouthfuls of water they -stretched themselves out upon the bare ground, and were soon traveling -in the land of dreams. - -The pair were bright and early on the road again, which was only a -mule-track, deeply worn and gullied by the passing to and fro of many -a caravan. It soon plunged into the thick woods, dropped down into -slippery gorges, or scrambled up steep hillsides, where the pair would -have to make a short halt to mop their brows and get their breath. -Then they would listen to the screaming of countless parroquets, and -watch the gambols of troops of chattering monkeys, among the branches -overhead. Bill spoke up: "I don't believe men ever had no tails like -them 'ar monkeys; some say they did: but I seen many a time I'd like -to had one myself when layin' out on a topsail yard, in a dark night, -with nothin' much to stan' on. A tail to kinder quirl around suthin', -so's to let you use your hands and feet, is kind o' handy. Just look -at that chap swingin' to that 'ar branch up there by his tail, like a -trapeze performer, an' no rush o' blood to the brain nuther." Walter -could hardly drag Bill away from the contemplation of this interesting -problem. - -For six mortal hours the travelers were shut up in the gloomy tropical -forest; but just at the close of day it seemed as if they had suddenly -stepped out of darkness into light, for far and wide before them lay -the mighty Pacific Ocean, crimsoned by the setting sun. Once seen, it -was a sight never to be forgotten. - -Walter and Bill soon pushed on down the mountain into the village -of San Juan del Sur, of which the less said the better. Thoroughly -tired out by their day's tramp, the wayfarers succeeded in obtaining -a night's lodging in an old tent, at the rate of four bits each. -It consisted in the privilege of throwing themselves down upon the -loose sand, already occupied by millions of fleas, chigoes, and other -blood-letting bedfellows. Glad enough were they at the return of day. -Bill's eyes were almost closed, and poor Walter's face looked as if he -had just broken out with smallpox. - -San Juan del Sur was crowded with people anxiously awaiting the -arrival of the steamship that was to take them on up the coast. The -only craft in the little haven was a rusty-looking brigantine, which -had put in here for a supply of fresh water. Her passengers declared -that she worked like a basket in a gale of wind. Learning that the -captain was on shore, our two friends lost no time in hunting him up, -when the following colloquy took place: - -"Mawnin', cap," said Bill. "How much do you ax fur a cabin passage to -'Frisco?" - -"A hundred dollars, cash in advance. But I can't take you; all full in -the cabin." - -"Well, s'pos'n I go in the hold; how much?" - -"Eighty dollars; but I can't take you. Hold's full, too." - -"Jerusalem! Why can't I go in the fore-peak? What's the price thar?" - -"Eighty dollars; but I can't take you. Full fore and aft." - -"'Z that so? Well, say, cap, can't I go aloft somewhere? What 'll you -charge then?" - -"We charge eighty dollars to go anywhere; but can't carry you aloft. -Got to carry our provisions there." - -Bill mused a minute. "Hard case, ain't it?" appealing first to Walter, -then to the captain. "But as I want to go mighty bad, what 'll you -tax to tow me?" - -The captain turned away, with a horselaugh and a shake of the head, -to attend to his own affairs, leaving our two friends in no happy -frame of mind at the prospect before them. With the utmost economy -their little stock of money would last but little longer. The heat was -oppressive and the place alive with vermin. Hours were spent on the -harbor headland watching for the friendly smoke of the overdue steamer. - -Several days now went by before the delayed steamer put in an -appearance. It was none too soon, for with so many mouths to feed, -the place began to be threatened with famine. It was by the merest -chance that Walter secured a passage for himself in the steerage, -and for Bill as a coal-passer, on this ship. Luckily for them, the -captain's name happened to be the same as Walter's. He also hailed -from New Bedford. He even admitted, though cautiously, that there -might be some distant relationship. So Walter won the day, with the -understanding that he was to spread his blanket on deck, for other -accommodations there were none; while before the ship was two days at -sea, men actually fought for what were considered choice spots to lie -down upon at night. - -The event of the voyage up the coast was a stay of several days at -Acapulco, for making repairs in the engine room and for coaling -ship. What a glorious harbor it is! land-locked and so sheltered by -high mountains, that once within it is difficult to discover where a -ship has found her way in, or how she is going to get out. Here, in -bygone times, the great Manila galleons came with their rich cargoes, -which were then transported across Mexico by pack-trains to be again -reshipped to Old Spain. The arrival of a Yankee ship was now the only -event that stirred the sleepy old place into life. At the sound of -her cannon it rubbed its eyes, so to speak, and woke up. Bill even -asserted that the people looked too "tarnation" lazy to draw their -own breath. - -Ample time was allowed here for a welcome run on shore; and the -arrival of another steamer, homeward bound, made Acapulco for the time -populous. Bill could not get shore leave, so Walter went alone. There -were a custom-house without custom, a plaza, in which the inhabitants -had hurriedly set up a tempting display of fruits, shells, lemonade, -and home-made nicknacks to catch the passengers' loose change, -besides a moldy-looking cathedral, whose cracked bells now and again -set a whole colony of watchful buzzards lazily flapping about the -house-tops. And under the very shadow of the cathedral walls a group -of native Mexicanos were busily engaged in their favorite amusement of -gambling with cards or in cock-fighting. - -After sauntering about the town to his heart's content, Walter joined -a knot of passengers who were making their way toward the dilapidated -fort that commands the basin. On their way they passed a squad -of barefooted soldiers, guarding three or four villainous-looking -prisoners, who were at work on the road, and who shot evil glances at -the light-hearted Americanos. Walter thought if this was a fair sample -of the Mexican army, there was no use in crowing over the victories -won by Scott and Taylor not many years before. - -At the end of a hot and dusty walk in the glare of a noonday sun, the -visitors seated themselves on the crumbling ramparts of the old fort, -and fell to swapping news, as the saying is. One of the Californians -was being teased by his companions to tell the story of a man lost -overboard on the trip down the coast; and while the others stretched -themselves out in various attitudes to listen, he, after lighting a -cheroot, began the story: - -"You know I can't tell a story worth a cent, but I reckon I can give -you the facts if you want 'em. There was a queer sort of chap aboard -of us who was workin' his passage home to the States. We know'd him -by the name of Yankee Jim, 'cause he answered to the name of Jim, and -said as how he come from 'way down East where they pry the sun up -every morning with a crowbar. He did his turn, but never spoke unless -spoken to. We all reckoned he was just a little mite cracked in the -upper story. Hows'ever, his story came out at last." - - - - -X - -THE LUCK OF YANKEE JIM - - -One scorching afternoon in July, 185--, the Hangtown stage rumbled -slowly over the plank road forming the principal street of Sacramento -City, finally coming to a full stop in front of the El Dorado Hotel. -This particular stage usually made connection with the day boat -for "The Bay"; but on this occasion it came in an hour too late, -consequently the boat was at that moment miles away, down the river. -Upon learning this disagreeable piece of news, the belated passengers -scattered, grumbling much at a detention which, each took good care to -explain, could never have been worse-timed or more inconvenient than -on this particular afternoon. - -One traveler, however, stood a moment or two longer, apparently -nonplused by the situation, until his eye caught the word "Bank" -in big golden letters staring at him from the opposite side of the -street. He crossed over, read it again from the curbstone, and then -shambled in at the open door. He knew not why, but once within, he -felt a strange desire to get out again as quickly as possible. But -this secret admonition passed unheeded. - -Before him was a counter extending across the room, at the back of -which rose a solid wall of brick. Within this was built the bank -vault, the half-open iron door disclosing bags of coin piled upon the -floor and shelves from which the dull glitter of gold-dust caught the -visitor's eye directly. The middle of the counter was occupied by -a pair of tall scales, of beautiful workmanship, in which dust was -weighed, while on a table behind it were trays containing gold and -silver coins. A young man, who was writing and smoking at the same -time, looked up as the stranger walked in. To look at the two men, -one would have said that it was the bank clerk who might be expected -to feel a presentiment of evil. Really, the other was half bandit in -appearance. - -Although he was alone and unnoticed, yet the stranger's manner was -undeniably nervous and suspicious. Addressing the cashier, he said: -"I say, mister, this yer boat's left; can't get to 'Frisco afore -to-morrow" (inquiringly). - -"That's so," the cashier assented. - -"Well," continued the miner, "here's my fix: bound home for the States -[dropping his voice]; got two thousand stowed away; don't know a live -_hombre_ in this yer burg, and might get knifed in some fandango. See?" - -"That's so," repeated the unmoved official. Then, seeing that his -customer had come to an end, he said, "I reckon you want to deposit -your money with us?" - -"That's the how of it, stranger. Lock it up tight whar I kin come fer -it to-morrow." - -"Down with the dust then," observed the cashier, taking the pen from -behind his ear and preparing to write; but seeing his customer cast -a wary glance to right and left, he beckoned him to a more retired -part of the bank, where the miner very coolly proceeded to strip to -his shirt, in each corner of which five fifty-dollar "slugs" were -knotted. An equal sum in dust was then produced from a buckskin belt, -all of which was received without a word of comment upon the ingenuity -with which it had been concealed. A certificate of deposit was then -made out, specifying that James Wildes had that day deposited with -the Mutual Confidence and Trust Company, subject to his order, two -thousand dollars. Glancing at the scrap of crisp paper as if hardly -comprehending how that could be an equivalent for his precious coin -and dust, lying on the counter before him, Jim heaved a deep sigh of -relief, then crumpling the certificate tightly within his big brown -fist, he exclaimed: "Thar, I kin eat and sleep now, I reckon. Blamed -if I ever knew afore what a coward a rich man is!" - -Our man, it seems, had been a sailor before the mast. When the anchor -touched bottom, he with his shipmates started for the "diggings," -where he had toiled with varying luck, but finding himself at last in -possession of what would be considered a little fortune in his native -town. He was now returning, filled with the hope of a happy meeting -with the wife and children he had left behind. - -But while Yankee Jim slept soundly, and blissfully dreamed of pouring -golden eagles into Jane's lap, his destiny was being fulfilled. The -great financial storm of 185-- burst upon the State unheralded and -unforeseen. Like a thief in the night the one fatal word flashed over -the wires that shut the door of every bank, and made the boldest turn -pale. Suspension was followed by universal panic and dismay. Yankee -Jim was only an atom swallowed up in the general and overwhelming -disaster of that dark day. - -In the morning he went early to the bank, only to find it shut fast, -and an excited and threatening crowd surging to and fro before the -doors. Men with haggard faces were talking and gesticulating wildly. -Women were crying and wringing their hands. A sudden faintness came -over him. What did it all mean? Mustering courage to put the question -to a bystander, he was told to look and read for himself. Two ominous -words, "Bank Closed," told the whole story. - -For a moment or two the poor fellow could not seem to take in the full -meaning of the calamity that had befallen him. But as it dawned upon -him that his little fortune was swept away, and with it the hopes that -had opened to his delighted fancy, the blood rushed to his head, his -brain reeled, and he fell backward in a fit. - -The first word he spoke when he came to himself was "Home." Some -kind souls paid his passage to 'Frisco, where the sight of blue -water seemed to revive him a little. Wholly possessed by the one -idea of getting home, he shipped on board the first steamer, which -happened to be ours, going about his duty like a man who sees without -understanding what is passing around him. - -My own knowledge of the chief actor in this history began at four -o'clock in the morning of the third day out. The _California's_ -engines suddenly stopped. There was a hurried trampling of feet, a -sudden rattling of blocks on deck, succeeded by a dead silence--a -silence that could be felt. I jumped out of my berth and ran on deck. -How well I can recall that scene! - -The night was an utterly dismal one--cold, damp, and foggy. A pale -light struggled through the heavy mist, but it was too thick to see a -cable's length from the ship, although we distinctly heard the rattle -of oars at some distance, with now and then a quick shout that sent -our hearts up into our mouths. We listened intently. No one spoke. No -one needed to be told what those shouts meant. - -How long it was I cannot tell, for minutes seemed hours then; but at -last we heard the dip of oars, and presently the boat shot out of the -fog within a biscuit's toss of the ship. I remember that, as they came -alongside, the upturned faces of the men were white and pinched. One -glance showed that the search had been in vain. - -The boat was swung up, the huge paddles struck the black water -like clods, the huge hulk swung slowly round to her helm. But at -the instant when we were turning away, awed by the mystery of this -death-scene, a cry came out of the black darkness--a yell of agony and -despair--that nailed us to the deck. May I never hear the like again! -"Save me! for God's sake, save me!" pierced through that awful silence -till a hundred voices seemed repeating it. The cry seemed so near that -every eye instinctively turned to the spot whence it proceeded--so -near that it held all who heard it in breathless, in sickening -suspense. Had the sea really given up its dead? - -Before one could count ten, the boat was again manned and clear of the -ship. How well I recall the bent figure of the first officer as he -stood in the stern-sheets, with the tiller-ropes in his hand, peering -off into the fog! I can still see the men springing like tigers to -their work again, and the cutter tossing on the seething brine astern -like a chip. Then the fog shut them from our view. But nevermore was -that voice heard on land or sea. No doubt it was the last agonized -shriek of returning consciousness as the ocean closed over Yankee -Jim's head. - -At eight bells we assembled around the capstan at our captain's call, -when the few poor effects of the lost man were laid out to view. -His kit contained one or two soiled letters, a daguerreotype of two -blooming children hand in hand, a piece of crumpled paper, and a few -articles of clothing not worth a picayune. I took notice that while -smoothing out the creases in this scrap of paper, the captain suddenly -became deeply attentive, then thoughtful, then very red. Clearing his -throat he began as follows: - -"It's an old sea custom to sell by auction the kit of a shipmate who -dies on blue water. You all know it's a custom of the land to read the -will of a deceased person as soon as the funeral is over. The man we -lost this morning shipped by his fo'castle or sea name--a very common -thing among sailors; but I've just found out his true one since I -stood here; and what's more I've found out that the man had been in -trouble. An idea strikes me that he found it too heavy for him. God -only knows. But it's more to the point that he has left a wife and two -children dependent upon him for support. Gentlemen and mates, take off -your hats while I read you this letter." - -The letter, which bore evidence of having been read and read again, -ran as follows: - - "Oh, James! and are you really coming home, and with such a lot of - money too? Oh, I can't believe it all! How happy we shall be once - more! It makes me feel just like a young girl again, when you and - I used to roam in the berry pastures, and never coveted anything - in the wide world but to be together. You haven't forgot that, - have you, James? or the old cedar on the cliff where you asked me - for your own wife, and the sky over us and the sea at our feet, - all so beautiful and we so happy? Do come quick. Surely God has - helped me to wait all this long, weary time, but now it seems as - if I couldn't bear it another day. And the little boy, James, just - your image; it's all he can say, 'Papa, come home.' How can you - have the heart to stay in that wicked place?" - -When the reading was finished some of the women passengers were crying -softly. The men stood grimly pulling their long mustaches. After a -short pause the captain read aloud the fatal certificate of deposit, -holding it up so that all might see. - -"Now, ladies and gentlemen," he went on, "you've heard the story and -can put this and that together. When we get to Panama I'm going to -write a letter to the widow. It's for you to say what kind of a letter -it shall be. Now, purser, you may put up the certificate of deposit." - -"How much am I offered--how much?" said the purser, waving the -worthless bit of paper to right and left. - -Ten, twenty, forty, fifty dollars were bid before the words were -fairly out of the purser's mouth. Then a woman's voice said seventy, -another's one hundred, and the men, accepting the challenge, ran the -bidding up fifty more, at which price the certificate was knocked -down to a red-shirted miner who laid three fifty-dollar pieces on the -capstan, saying as he did so: "'Tain't a patchin', boys. Sell her -agin, cap--sell her agin." - -So the purser, at a nod from the captain, put it up again, and the -sale went on, each buyer in turn turning the certificate over to the -purser, until the noble emulation covered the capstan with gold. - -"Stop a bit, purser," interrupted Captain M----, counting the money. -"That will do," he continued. "The sale is over. Here are just two -thousand dollars. The certificate of deposit is redeemed." - - - - -XI - -SEEING THE SIGHTS IN 'FRISCO - - -It was a fine, sunny afternoon when the _Pacific_ turned her prow -landward, and stood straight on for a break in the rugged coast line, -like a hound with its nose to the ground. In an hour she was moving -swiftly through the far-famed Golden Gate. A fort loomed up at the -right, then a semaphore was seen working on a hilltop. In ten minutes -more the last point was rounded, the last gun fired, and the city, -sprung like magic from the bleak hillsides of its noble bay, welcomed -the weary travelers with open arms. The long voyage was ended. - -The wharf was already black with people when the steamer came in -sight. When within hailing distance a perfect storm of greetings, -questions, and answers was tossed from ship to shore. Our two friends -scanned the unquiet throng in vain for the sight of one familiar face. -No sooner did the gangplank touch the wharf than the crowd rushed -pell-mell on board. Women were being clasped in loving arms. Men were -frantically hugging each other. While this was passing on board, -Walter and Bill made their escape to the pier, hale and hearty, but as -hungry as bears. Forty days had passed since their long journey began. -What next? - -Our two adventurers presently found themselves being hurried along -with the crowd, without the most remote idea of where they were going. -As soon as possible, however, Bill drew Walter to one side, to get -their breath and to take their bearings, as he phrased it. "Well," -said he, clapping Walter on the back, "here we be at last!" - -Walter was staring every passer-by in the face. From the moment he had -set foot on shore his one controlling thought and motive had come back -to him with full force. - -"Come, come, that's no way to set about the job," observed the -practical-minded Bill. "One thing to a time. Let's get sumfin' t' eat -fust; then we can set about it with full stomachs. How much have you -got?" - -Walter drew from his pocket a solitary quarter-eagle, which looked -astonishingly small as it lay there in the palm of his hand. Bill -pulled out a handful of small change, amounting to half as much -more. "But coppers don't pass here, nor anything else under a dime, -I'm told," observed Walter. "No matter, they'll do for ballast," -was Bill's reply, whose attention was immediately diverted to a -tempting list of eatables chalked upon the door-post of a restaurant. -Beginning at the top of the list, Bill began reading in an undertone, -meditatively stroking his chin the while: - -"'Oxtail soup, one dollar.' H'm, that don't go down. 'Pigs' feet, one -dollar each.' Let 'em run. 'Fresh Californy eggs, one dollar each.' -Eggs is eggs out here. 'Corned beef, one dollar per plate.' No salt -horse for Bill. 'Roast lamb, one dollar.' Baa! do they think we want -a whole one? 'Cabbage, squash, or beans, fifty cents.' Will you look -at that! Move on, Walt, afore they tax us for smellin' the cookin'. My -grief!" he added with a long face, as they walked on, "I'm so sharp -set that if a fun'ral was passin' along, I b'leeve I could eat the -co'pse and chase the mo'ners." - -Fortunately, however, Bill was not driven to practice cannibalism, for -just that moment a Chinaman came shuffling along, balancing a trayful -of pies on his head. Bill was not slow in hailing the moon-eyed -Celestial in pigtail, to which the old fellow could not resist giving -a sly tweak, just for the fun of the thing: "Mawnin', John. Be you a -Whig or Know-Nothin'?" at the same time helping himself to a juicy -turn-over, and signing to Walter to do the same. - -"Me cakes. Melican man allee my fliend. Talkee true. You shabee, two -bitee?" This last remark referred to the pie which Bill had just -confiscated. - -Sauntering on, jostling and being jostled by people of almost every -nation on the face of the earth, they soon reached the plaza, or great -square of the city. Not many steps were taken here, when the strains -of delicious music floated out to them from the wide-open doors of a -building at their right hand. Attracted by the sweet sounds of "Home, -Sweet Home," our two wayfarers peered in, and to Walter's amazement at -least, brought up as he had been at home, for the first time in his -life he found himself gazing into the interior of a gambling-house, -in full swing and in broad daylight, like any legitimate business, -courting the custom of every passer-by. - -"Walk in, gentlemen," said a suave-looking individual who was standing -at the door. "Call for what you like. Everything's free here. Free -lunch, free drinks, free cigars; walk in and try your luck." - -"'Walk into my parlor, sez the spider to the fly,'" was Bill's -ironical comment upon this polite invitation. "Walt," he continued, a -moment later, "I'm 'feared we throw'd our money away on that Chinee. -Here's grub for nothin'." If they had only known it, the person they -were looking for was inside that gambling den at that very moment. -After rambling about until they were tired, the two companions looked -up a place in which to get a night's lodging--a luxury which cost them -seventy-five cents apiece for the temporary use of a straw mattress, a -consumptive pillow, and a greasy blanket. After making the most frugal -breakfast possible, it was found that their joint cash would provide, -at the farthest, for only one meal more. The case began to look -desperate. - -They were sitting on the sill of the wharf, silently ruminating on the -situation, when the booming of a cannon announced the arrival of a -steamer which had been signaled an hour earlier from Telegraph Hill. A -swarm of people was already setting toward the plaza. The movement of -a crowd is always magnetic, so Walter and Bill followed on in the same -direction. - -When within two blocks of the plaza they saw a long zigzag line of men -and boys strung out for that distance ahead of them, some standing, -some leaning against a friendly awning, some squatted on the edge of -the plank sidewalk, while newcomers were every moment lengthening out -the already long queue. - -"What a long tail our cat's got!" was Bill's pithy remark. "Be they -takin' the census, or what?" - -It was learned that all these people were impatiently waiting for the -opening of the post-office, but how soon that event was likely to -happen nobody could tell. So the men smoked, whistled, chaffed every -late arrival, and waited. - -[Illustration: Waiting for the opening of the mail.--_Page 160._] - -On the instant Walter was struck with a bright idea. Charley had -never written him one word, it is true; but as it was ten to one -everybody in the city would be at the post-office during the day, this -seemed as likely a place as any to meet with him. Shoving Bill into -a vacant place in the line, Walter started toward the head of it, -staring hard at every one, and being stared at in return, as he walked -slowly along. When nearing the head, without seeing a familiar face, a -man well placed in the line sang out, "I say, _hombre_, want a job?" - -"What job?" - -"Hold my place for me till I kin go git a bite to eat." - -"I would in a minute, only I can't stop. I'm looking for some one," -said Walter, starting on. - -"You can't make five dollars no easier." - -This startling proposition to a young fellow who did not know where -his next meal was coming from, hit Walter in his weak spot. - -"Talk fast. Is it a whack?" the hungry man demanded. "I've been here -two hours a'ready; be back before you can say Jack Robinson." - -This singular bargain being struck, Walter stepped into line, when his -file-leader turned to him with the remark, "Fool you hadn't stuck out -for ten. That man runs a bank." - -"Does he?" Walter innocently inquired. "What kind of a bank?" - -"Faro-bank." - -A loud guffaw from the bystanders followed this reply. - -As soon as the hungry man came back to claim his place, and had paid -over his five dollars, Walter hurried off to where he had left Bill, -who stopped him in his story with the whispered words, "I seed him." - -"Him? Who? Not Charley?" - -"No; t'other duffer." - -Walter gave a low whistle. "Where? Here? Don't you see I'm all on -fire?" - -"Right here. Breshed by me as large as life, and twice as sassy. Oh, -I know'd him in spite of his baird. Sez I to myself, 'Walk along, -sonny, and smoke your shugarette. Our turn's comin' right along.'" - -"Too bad, too bad you didn't follow him." Walter was starting off -again, with a sort of blind purpose to find Ramon, collar him, and -make him disgorge his ill-gotten gains on the spot, when Bill held -him back. "Tut, tut, Walt," he expostulated, "if the lubber sees you -before we're good and ready to nab him, won't he be off in a jiffy? -Now we know he's here, ain't that something? So much for so much. Lay -low and keep shady, is our best holt." - -To such sound reasoning Walter was fain to give in. Besides, Bill now -insisted upon staying in the line until he could sell out too. With -a jerk of the thumb, he pointed to where one or two patient waiters -were very comfortably seated on camp-stools, and in a husky undertone -proposed finding out where camp-stools could be had. Taking the hint, -Walter started off, instanter, in search of a dealer in camp-stools, -with whom he quickly struck a bargain for as many as he could carry, -by depositing his half-eagle as security. The stools went off like -hot cakes, and at a good profit. Bill, too, having got his price, by -patient waiting, the two lucky speculators walked away to the first -full meal they had eaten since landing, the richer by twenty dollars -from the morning's adventure. Bill called it finding money; "just like -pickin' it up in the street." - - - - -XII - -AN UNEXPECTED MEETING - - -It was getting along toward the middle of the afternoon when the two -newly fledged speculators turned their steps to the waterside, Bill to -have his after-dinner smoke in peace and quiet, while scanning with -critical eye the various craft afloat in that matchless bay. Something -he saw there arrested his attention wonderfully, by the way he grasped -Walter's arm and stretched out his long neck. - -"Will you look! Ef that arn't the old _Argonaut_ out there in the -stream, I'm a nigger. The old tub! She's made her last v'y'ge by the -looks--topmasts sent down, hole in her side big 'nuff to drive a yoke -of oxen through. Ain't she a beauty?" - -After taking a good look at the dismantled hulk, Walter agreed that -it could be no other than the ship on which he and Charley met with -their adventure just before she sailed. It did seem so like seeing an -old friend that Walter was seized with an eager desire to go on board. -Hailing a Whitehall boatman, they were quickly rowed off alongside, -and in another minute found themselves once more standing on the -_Argonaut's_ deck. A well-grown, broad-shouldered, round-faced young -fellow, in a guernsey jacket and skull-cap, met them at the gangway. -There were three shouts blended in one: - -"Walter!" - -"Charley!" - -"Well, I'm blessed!" - -Then there followed such a shaking of hands all round, such a volley -of questions without waiting for answers, and of answers without -waiting for questions, that it was some minutes before quiet was -restored. Charley then took up the word: "Why, Walt, old fel'," -holding him off at arm's length, "I declare I should hardly have -known you with that long hair and that brown face. Yes; this is the -_Argonaut_. She's a storeship now; and I'm ship-keeper." He then went -on to explain that most of the fleet of ships moored ahead and astern -were similarly used for storing merchandise, some merchants even -owning their own storeships. "You see, it's safer and cheaper than -keeping the stuff on shore to help make a bonfire of some dark night." - -"Don't you have no crew?" Bill asked. - -"No; we can hire lightermen, same's you hire truckmen in Boston. All -those stores you see built out over the water get in their goods -through a trap-door in the floor, with fall and tackle." - -It may well be imagined that these three reunited friends had a good -long talk together that evening. Charley pulled a skillet out of a -cupboard, on which he put some sliced bacon. Bill started a fire in -the cabin stove, while Walter made the coffee. Presently the bacon -began to sizzle and the coffee to bubble. Then followed a famous -clattering of knives and forks, as the joyous trio set to, with -appetites such as only California air can create. - -Walter told his story first. Charley looked as black as a -thundercloud, as Ramon's villainy was being exposed. Bill gave an -angry snort or grunt to punctuate the tale. Walter finished by saying -bitterly, "I suppose it's like looking for a needle in a haystack." - -"Not quite so bad as that," was Charley's quick reply. "It's a pity if -we three," throwing out his chest, "can't cook his goose for him. Bill -has seen him. Didn't you say he gambled? Thought so. Oh, he won't be -lonesome; there's plenty more here of that stripe. Gamblers, thieves, -and sharks own the town. They do. It ain't safe to be out late nights -alone, unless you've got a Colt or a Derringer handy, for fear of the -Hounds." - -"The Hounds!" echoed Walter and Bill. - -"Yes, the Hounds; that's what they call the ruff-scuff here. There's -a storm brewing," he added mysteriously, then suddenly changing the -subject, he asked, "Where do you _hombres_ ranch?" - -"Under the blue kannerpy, I guess," said Bill in a heavy tragedian's -voice. - -"Not by a jugful! You'll both stop aboard here with me. I'm cap'n, -chief cook, and bottle-washer. Bill's cut out for a lighterman, so -he's as good as fixed. Something 'll turn up for Walt." - -"What did you mean by ranching?" Walter asked. - -"This is it. This is my ranch. You hire a room or a shanty, do your -own cooking and washing, roll yourself up in your blanket at night and -go it alone, as independent as a hog on ice. Oh, you'll soon get used -to it, never fear, and like it too; bet your life. Women's as scarce -as hens' teeth out here. You can't think it. Why, man alive, a nice, -well-dressed lady is such a curiosity that I've seen all hands run -out o' doors to get a sight of one passin' by. Come, Bill, bear a -hand, and pull an armful of gunny-bags out of that bale for both your -beds. Look out for that candle! That's a keg of blastin' powder you're -settin' on, Walt! If I'd only known I was goin' to entertain company -I'd 'a' swep' up a bit. Are you all ready? Then one, two, three, and -out she goes." And with one vigorous puff out went the light. - -When Bill turned out in the morning he found Charley already up and -busying himself with the breakfast things. "What's this 'ere craft -loaded with?" was his first question. - -"Oh, a little of everything, assorted, you can think of, from -gunny-bags to lumber." - -Walter was sitting on a locker, with one boot on and the other in his -hand, listening. At hearing the word lumber he pricked up his ears. -"That reminds me," he broke in. "Bright & Company shipped a cargo out -here; dead loss; they said it was rotting in the ship that brought -it." - -Charley stopped peeling a potato to ask her name. - -"The _Southern Cross_." - -"Bark?" - -"Yes, a bark." - -"Well, p'r'aps now that ain't queer," Charley continued. "That's -her moored just astern of us. Never broke bulk; ship and cargo sold -at auction to pay freight and charges. Went dirt cheap. My boss, he -bought 'em in on a spec. And a mighty poor spec it's turned out. Why, -everybody's got lumber to burn." - -Charley seemed so glum over it that Walter was about to drop the -subject, when Charley resumed it. "You see, boys," he began, "here's -where the shoe pinches. I had scraped together a tidy little sum of -my own, workin' on ship work at big wages, sometimes for this man, -sometimes for that. I was thinkin' all the while of buying off those -folks at home who fitted me out (Walt here knows who I mean), when -along comes my boss and says to me, 'I say, young feller, you seem -a busy sort of chap. I've had my eye on you some time. Now, I tell -you what I'll do with you. No nonsense now. Got any dust?' 'A few -hundreds,' says I. 'Well, then,' says he, 'I don't mind givin' you a -lift. Here's this _Southern Cross_ goin' to be sold for the freight. -I'll buy it in on halves. You pay what you can down on the nail, the -rest when we sell out at a profit. _Sabe?_' Like a fool I jumped at -the chance." - -"Well, what ails you?" growled the irrepressible Bill; "that 'ar ship -can't git away, moored with five fathoms o' chain, can she? Pine -boards don't eat nor drink nothin', do they?" - -"Who said they did?" Charley tartly retorted. It was plain to see that -with him the _Southern Cross_ was a sore subject. - -"Waal, 'tain't ushil to cry much over bein' a lumber king, is it?" -persisted Bill, in his hectoring way. "Down East, whar I come from, -they laugh and grow fat." - -"You don't hear me through. Listen to this: My partner went off to -Australia seven or eight months ago, to settle up some old business -there, he said. I've not heard hide nor hair of him since. Every red -cent I'd raked and scraped is tied up hard and fast in that blamed old -lumber. Nobody wants it; and if they did, I couldn't give a clean bill -o' sale. Now, you know, Walt, why I never sent you nothin'!" - -Walter was struck with an odd idea. In a laughing sort of way, half -in jest, half in earnest, he said, "You needn't worry any more about -what you owe me, Charley; I don't; but if it will ease your mind any, -I'll take as much out in lumber as will make us square, and give you a -receipt in full in the bargain." - -"You will?" Charley exclaimed, with great animation. "By George!" -slapping his knee, "it's a bargain. Take my share for what I owe you -and welcome." - -"Pass the papers on't, boys. Put it in black an' white; have -everything fair and square," interjected the methodical Bill. - -Charley brought out pen and ink, tore a blank leaf out of an account -book, and prepared himself to write the bill of sale. - -"Hold on!" cried Walter, who seemed to be in a reckless mood this -morning. "Put in that I'm to have the refusal of the other half of the -cargo for ninety days at cost price. In for a penny, in for a pound," -he laughed, by way of reply to Charley's wondering look. - -For a minute or two nothing was heard except the scratching of -Charley's busy pen. Walter's face was a study. Bill seemed lost in -wonder. - -"There. Down it is," said Charley, signing the paper with a flourish. -"'Pears to me as if we was doin' a big business on a small capital -this morning. And now it's done, what on earth did you do it for, -Walt?" - -"Oh, I've an idea," said Walter, assuming an air of impenetrable -mystery. - -"Have your own way," rejoined Charley, whose mind seemed lightened of -its heavy load. "Here, Bill, you put these dirty dishes in that bread -pan, douse some hot water over them--there! Now look in that middle -locker and you'll find a bunch of oakum to wipe 'em with. Walter, you -get a bucket of water from the cask with the pump in it, on deck, and -fill up the b'iler." - -Under Charley's active directions the breakfast things were soon -cleared away. Walter then asked to be put on shore, giving as a reason -that he must find something to do without delay. "Whereabouts do they -dig gold here?" he innocently asked. - -At this question Charley laughed outright. He then told Walter how -the diggings were reached from there, pointing out the steamboats -plying to "up-country" points, and then to distant Monte Diablo as -the landmark of the route. "There ain't no actual diggin's here in -'Frisco," he went on to say, "but there's gold enough for them as is -willin' to work for it, and has sense enough not to gamble or drink -it all away. Mebbe you won't get rich quite so fast, and then again -mebbe you will. _Quien sabe?_" - -"Queer sitivation for a lumber king," grumbled Bill. - -"I didn't come out here to get rich; you know I didn't," said Walter -excitedly, rising and putting on his cap with an air of determination. - -"Easy now," urged Charley, putting an arm around Walter; "now don't -you go running all over town in broad daylight after that fellow. -Better send out the town crier, and done with it. That's not the way -to go to work. Do you s'pose a chap in his shoes won't be keepin' a -sharp lookout for himself? Bet your life. Yes, sir-ee! Now, look here. -My idee is not to disturb the nest until we ketch the bird. This is my -plan. We three 'll put in our nights ranging about town, lookin' into -the gambling dens, saloons, and hotels. If the skunk is hidin' that's -the time he'll come out of his hole, eh, Bill?" - -"Sartin sure," was the decided reply. - -"Well, then, Walt, hear to reason. Don't you see that if there's -anything to be done, the night's our best holt to do it in?" - -Walter was not more than half convinced. "Couldn't I have him arrested -on the strength of the handbill Marshal Tukey got out, offering a -reward, and describing Ramon to a hair? See, here it is," drawing it -out of an inside pocket and holding it up to view. "I could swear to -him, you know, and so could Bill." - -"On a stack of Bibles," Bill assented. - -"Let me see it," Charley demanded, rapidly running his eye over the -precious document. "'Five hundred dollars reward!' Five hundred -fiddlesticks! Why, he'd go five hundred better and be off in a jiffy, -with just a nod and a wink from the officers to keep out of the way a -while." Having expressed this opinion, Charley tossed the handbill on -the table with a disdainful sniff. - -Walter was dumb. He had actually thought for a whole month that the -mere sight of this accusing piece of paper would make the guilty -wretch fall on his knees and beg for mercy. And to be told now that it -was only so much waste paper struck him speechless. - -Charley again came to the rescue. "Come, come; don't stand there -looking as if you'd lost every friend you had on earth, but brace up. -If you'd wanted to have that robber arrested, you should have gone a -different way to work--'cordin' to law." - -"What's to be done, then?" - -"My idee is like this. Californy law is no good, anyhow. It's on the -side that has most dust. But here's three of us and only one of him. -We can lay for him, get him into some quiet corner, and then frighten -him into doing what we say. How's that?" - -"Capital! Just the thing. I always said you had the best head of the -three." - -"All right, then," cried Charley in his old, sprightly way; "I give -you both a holiday, so you can see the sights. Walter, you take care -that Bill don't get lost or stolen." - -"Me take care o' him, you mean," Bill retorted. - -Getting into the boat the two friends then pulled for the shore. -Walter's first remark, as they slowly sauntered along, was: "What a -wooden-looking town! Wooden houses, wooden sidewalks, plank streets. -It looks as if everything had sprung up in a night." - -And so it had. At this time the city was beginning to work its way out -from the natural beach toward deeper water; for as deep water would -not come to the city, the city had to go out to deep water. And as -many of the coming streets were as yet only narrow footways, thrust -out over the shallow waters of the bay, the entire ragged waterfront -seemed cautiously feeling its way toward its wished-for goal. Cheap -one-story frame buildings were following these extensions of new and -old streets, as fast as piles could be driven for them, so that a -famous clattering of hammers was going on on every side from morning -to night. - -The two friends soon had an exciting experience. Just ahead of them, a -dray was being driven down the wharf at a rapid rate, making the loose -planks rattle again. In turning out to let another dray pass him, the -driver of the first went too near the edge of the wharf, when the -weight of horse and dray suddenly tilted the loose planks in the air, -the driver gave a yell, and over into the dock went horse, dray, and -man with a tremendous splash. - -It was all done so quickly that Walter and Bill stood for a moment -without stirring. Fortunately their boat was only a few rods off, -so both ran back for her in a hurry. A few strokes brought them to -where the frightened animal was still helplessly floundering in the -water, dragged down by the weight of the dray. The man was first -pulled into the boat, dripping wet. Bill then cut the traces with -his sheath-knife, while the drayman held the struggling animal by -the bit. He was then towed to the beach safe and sound. By this time -a crowd had collected. Seeing his rescuers pushing off, the drayman -elbowed his way out of the crowd, and shouted after them, "I say, you, -_hombres_, this ain't no place to take a bath, is it? This ain't no -place to be bashful. Come up to my stand, Jackson and Sansome, and ask -for Jack Furbish." - -"Is your name Furbish?" asked Bill, resting on his oars. - -"Yes; why?" - -"Oh, nothin', only we lost a man overboard onct off Cape Horn. His -name was Furbish." - -"Well, 'twarn't me. I was lost overboard from Pacific Wharf. Jackson -and Sansome! Git up, Jim!" bringing his blacksnake smartly down on his -horse's steaming flanks. - - - - -XIII - -IN WHICH A MAN BREAKS INTO HIS OWN STORE, AND STEALS HIS OWN SAFE - - -Walter's idea, as far as he had thought it out, was to hold on to -this lumber cargo until Mr. Bright could be notified just how the -matter stood. Should the merchant then choose to take any steps toward -recovering the cargo of the _Southern Cross_, Walter thought this act -on his part might go far to remove the unjust suspicions directed -against himself. For this reason he had secured, as we have seen, a -refusal of the cargo long enough for a letter to go and return. - -Walter now set about writing his letter, but he now found that what -had seemed so simple at first was no easy matter. As he sat staring -vacantly at the blank paper before him, tears came into his eyes; -for again the trying scene in the merchant's counting-room rushed -vividly upon his memory. An evil voice within him said, "Why should -I trouble myself about those who have so ill-used me and robbed me -of my good name?" Yet another, and gentler, voice answered, "Do unto -others as you would that they should do unto you." Compressing his -lips resolutely, he succeeded in writing a very formal letter, not at -all like what he had intended. But the main thing was to make himself -clearly understood. So he carefully studied every word before putting -it down in black and white, as follows: - - "MR. BRIGHT, - - "_Sir_: This is to inform you of my being here. I could not bear - to be suspected of dishonesty when I knew I was innocent of - wrongdoing. So I left. This is to inform you that the _Southern - Cross_ is in charge of my friend Mr. Charles Wormwood. You may - recollect him. He is a fine young man. Between us, we've got hold - of half the cargo, and I have the refusal of the other half for - ninety days. The man who owns it has gone away. If you think it - worth while, send directions to somebody here what to do about it. - This is a great country, only I'm afraid it will burn up all the - time. - - "Your true friend, - "WALTER SEABURY." - -While on his way uptown to post his letter, Walter heard a familiar -voice call out, "Hi, _hombre_! lookin' for a job?" It was the drayman -of yesterday's adventure, placidly kicking his heels on the tail of -his dray. - -Walter candidly admitted that he would like something to do. The -drayman spoke up briskly: "Good enough. Not afraid of dirty hands? -No? Good again. Got some _plata_? No? Cleaned out, eh? So was I. Say, -there's a first-rate handcart stand, on the next corner above here, -I've had my eye on for some time. More people pass there in a day -than any other in 'Frisco. Talk biz. That comer has been waiting for -you, or it would 'a' been snapped up long ago. No job less than six -bits. You can make anywhere from five to ten dollars a day. Come, what -do you say? Do we hitch hosses or not?" - -Walter had a short struggle with his pride. It did seem rather low, -to be sure, to be pushing a handcart through the streets, like -the rag-men seen at home, but beggars should not be choosers, he -reflected. So, putting his pride in his pocket, the bargain was closed -without more words. - -Certainly Walter's best friends would hardly have known him when -he made his first appearance on the stand, bright and early next -morning, rigged out in a gray slouch hat, red woolen shirt, and blue -overalls tucked into a pair of stout cowhide boots. His face, too, was -beginning to show signs of quite a promising beard which Walter was -often seen caressing as if to make sure it was still there overnight -and which, indeed, so greatly altered his looks that he now felt -little fear of being recognized by Ramon, should they happen to meet -some day unexpectedly in the street. - -Walter ranched with his employer in a loft. With a hammer, a saw, -and some nails, he had soon knocked together a bunk out of some old -packing boxes. In this he slept on a straw mattress also of his own -make, with a pair of coarse blankets for bedclothes. Another packing -box, a water pail, a tin wash-basin, towel, and soap comprised all -necessary conveniences, with which the morning toilet was soon made. -The bed required no making. Rather primitive housekeeping, to be sure; -yet Walter soon learned, from actual observation, that a majority -of the merchants, some of whom were reputed worth their hundreds of -thousands, were no better lodged than himself. - -On the whole, Walter rather liked his new occupation, as soon as his -first awkwardness had worn off. Here, at any rate, he was his own -master, and Walter had always chafed at being ordered about by boys -no older than himself. Then, he liked the hearty, democratic way in -which everybody greeted everybody. It made things move along much more -cheerfully. Walter was attentive. Business was good. At the close of -each day he handed over his earnings to his employer, who kept his own -share, punctually returning Walter the rest. "You'll be buyin' out -Sam Brannan one of these days, if you keep on as you're goin'," was -Furbish's encouraging remark, as he figured up Walter's earnings at -twenty-five dollars, at the end of the first week. - -"Who's Sam Brannan?" - -"Not know who Sam Brannan is?" asked the drayman, lifting his eyebrows -in amazement. "He's reputed the richest man in 'Frisco. Owns a big -block on Montgomery Street. Income's two thousand a day, they tell -me." - -Walter could only gape, open-mouthed, in astonishment. The bare idea -of any one man possessing such unheard-of wealth was something that he -had never dreamed of. - -"Fact," repeated the drayman, observing Walter's look of incredulity. - -The restaurant at which Walter took his meals, until circumstances -suggested a change, was one of the institutions peculiar to the San -Francisco of that day. An old dismantled hulk had been hauled up -alongside the wharf, the spar-deck roofed over, and some loose boards, -laid upon wooden trestles, made to serve the purpose of a table, while -the ship's caboose performed its customary office of scullery and -kitchen. - -The restaurant keeper was evidently new to the business, for he -was in the habit of urging his customers to have a second helping -of everything, much to the annoyance of his wife, who did the -cooking. This woman was one of the class locally known as Sydney -Ducks, from the fact that she had come from Australia under the -sanction of a ticket-of-leave. She was fat, brawny, red-faced, -and quick-tempered,--in fact, fiery,--and when out of sorts gave -her tongue free license. The pair were continually quarreling at -meal-times, regardless of the presence of the boarders, some of whom -took a malicious pleasure in egging on the one or the other when words -failed them. But it happened more than once that, when words failed, -man and wife began shying plates, or cups and saucers, at each other's -head, which quickly cleared the table of boarders. - -Walter stood this sort of thing stoically until, one noon, when he -was just entering the dining room, a flat-iron came whizzing by him, -narrowly missing his head. The language that accompanied it showed -madam to be mistress of the choicest Billingsgate in profusion. By the -time a second flat-iron sailed through the door Walter was a block -away, and still running. It was shrewdly surmised that man and wife -had broken up housekeeping. - -Meanwhile the search for Ramon was faithfully kept up, yet so far with -no better success than if the ground had opened and swallowed him up. -Nobody knew a person of the name of Ingersoll. No doubt he had assumed -another less incriminating. A decoy letter dropped in the post-office -remained there unclaimed until sent to the dead-letter office. "Fool -if he hadn't changed his name," muttered Bill, as Walter and he stood -at a street corner, looking blankly into each other's face. - -They were taking their customary stroll uptown in the evening, when -the big bell on the plaza suddenly clanged out an alarm of fire. -There was no appearance of fire anywhere,--no shooting flames, no -smoke, no red glare in the sky,--yet every one seemed flocking, as if -by a common understanding, toward the Chinese quarter. Catching the -prevailing excitement, the three friends pressed forward with the -crowd, which at every step was visibly increasing. Upon reaching the -point where the fire-engines were already hard at work, the crowd grew -more and more dense, shouts and cries broke out here and there, lights -were glancing hither and thither, and still no sign of fire could be -detected. What could it all mean? - -It meant that by a secret understanding among the firemen, winked at -by the city authorities, the fire department was "cleaning out" the -Chinese quarter, which had become an intolerable nuisance, dangerous -to health on account of the filthy habits of the moon-eyed Celestials. -The fire lads were only too willing to undertake the job, which -promised to be such a fine lark, and at the first tap of the bells -they had rushed their machines to the indicated spot, run their hose -into the houses, and, regardless of the screams and howlings of the -frightened inmates, who were wildly running to and fro in frantic -efforts to escape, a veritable deluge of water was being poured upon -them from a dozen streams, fairly washing the poor devils out of house -and home, some by the doors, some by leaping out of the windows, and -some by the roofs. Whenever one made his appearance, the shouts of the -mob would direct the firemen where to point their powerful streams, -which quickly sent the unresisting victim rolling in the dirt, from -which he scrambled to his feet more dead than alive. - -Meantime the Chinese quarter had been thoroughly drenched, inside and -out, the terrified inhabitants scattered in every direction, their -belongings utterly ruined either by water or by being thrown into the -street pell-mell, and they themselves chased and hunted from pillar to -post like so many rats drowned out of their holes by an inundation, -until the last victim had fled beyond the reach of pursuit. - -When the whole district had been thus depopulated the vast throng -turned homeward in great good humor at having shown those miserable -barbarians how things were done in civilized America. - -Time slipped away in this manner, and gradually the edge was being -taken off from the keenness of the search, though never completely -lost sight of. Not a nook or corner of the town had been left -unvisited, and still no Ramon. It was, even as Walter had first -described it, quite like looking for a needle in a haystack. - -One morning Walter was called to help Furbish move some goods from -a downtown wharf to a certain warehouse uptown. The owner was found -standing among his belongings, which were piled and tossed about -helter-skelter, in a state of angry excitement, which every now -and then broke forth in muttered threats and snappy monosyllables, -directed to a small crowd of bystanders who had been attracted to the -spot. - -"There'll be some hanging done round here before long," he muttered, -scowling darkly at two or three rough-looking men, each armed with a -brace of pistols, who stood with their backs against the door of the -building from which the man's goods had been so hastily thrown out. - -This building stood on one of the new streets spoken of in a former -chapter as built out over the water, or on what was then known as a -water-lot. It seems that the title to this lot was claimed by two -parties. The late occupant had taken a lease from one claimant for a -term of years, and had built a store upon the lot, wholly ignorant -that another party claimed it. He had punctually paid his rent to -his landlord every month, and was therefore dumfounded when, late -one afternoon, the second claimant, armed with an order of a certain -judge and accompanied by a sheriff's posse, walked into his store, and -after demanding payment of all back rents, which was stoutly refused, -promptly ejected the unfortunate tenant, neck and heels, from his -place of business. His goods were then thrown out into the street -after him, and the door locked against him, with an armed guard -keeping possession. This was the state of things when Furbish and -Walter arrived on the ground. - -"It's a wicked shame," declared Walter indignantly. - -"Makes business good for us," was Furbish's careless reply. Then -lowering his voice, he added, "Talk low and keep shady. Mark my words. -There'll be hanging done before long," thus unconsciously echoing the -very words of the dispossessed tenant. - -Walter took the hint. He stared, it is true, but went to work without -further comment, though he could see that the sympathy of the crowd -was clearly with the unfortunate tenant. When the last load had -been carted away, the crowd slowly dispersed, leaving only the -surly-looking guards on the spot. - -"Is all out?" demanded Furbish of the merchant, nodding his head -toward the empty building. - -"All but my safe. I want that bad; but you see these robbers won't -let me in. It was too heavy for them to move, or they were too lazy, -and now they won't even let me take my papers out of it. Curse them!" - -"Got the key?" - -"Oh, yes! That's all safe in my pocket. But what's a man going to do -with a key?" - -"You want that safe bad?" - -"I'd give a hundred dollars for it this minute; yes, two hundred." - -Furbish now held a whispered colloquy with Walter. "Do you think your -friends would take a hand?" - -"Oh, I'll answer for them," was the ready reply. - -"Enough said." - -A place of meeting was then fixed upon, after which the three -conspirators went their several ways--Furbish to mature his plan of -action, the merchant to nurse his new-found hopes, Walter to enlist -his two friends in the coming adventure. Charley was in high spirits -at the prospect. Bill thought it a risky piece of business, but if -his boys were going to take a hand in it he would have to go too. -Charley put an end to further argument by declaring that it was a -burning shame if a man couldn't go into his own store after his own -property, law or no law. For his part, he was bound to see the thing -through. Walter stipulated that there should be no violence used, and -that he should not be asked to enter the building if it was found to -be still in the hands of the sheriff's men. - -Just at midnight a row-boat, with an empty lighter in tow, put off -from the _Argonaut's_ side, care being taken to keep in the deep -shadows as much as possible. Not a word was exchanged as the tow was -quietly brought to the place agreed upon, where it lay completely -hidden from curious eyes, if any such had been abroad at that hour. As -the lighter lightly grazed the wharf a dark figure stole cautiously -out from the shadow cast by a neighboring warehouse, and dropped into -the hands stretched out to receive it: still another followed, and the -party, now complete, held a short council in whispers. - -Furbish had reconnoitered the store, finding only one watchman on -guard outside. Yet he was positive that there were two or more -inside, as he had seen a light shining through a crevice in the -window-shutters, which suddenly disappeared while he was watching it. - -The evicted merchant then explained that this light must have come -from the little office, at the right hand of the street door, where -he usually slept. This information confirmed the belief that the men -inside had turned in until their turn should come to relieve the -guard outside. If this should prove true, the midnight intruders felt -that they would have a more easy task than they had supposed. This, -however, remained to be seen. After listening to a minute description -of the store, inside and out, Furbish gave the signal to proceed. - -Making the boat fast to the scow's stern, the latter was poled along -in the shadows of the wharves until, under Bill's skillful guidance, -she glided between the two piers which supported the building that the -party was in search of. - -All listened intently for any sound indicating that their approach -had been detected. As all seemed safe, the scow was quickly made -fast directly underneath the trap-door contrived for hoisting up -merchandise into the store by means of a block and tackle secured -to a stout rafter overhead--an operation at which Charley had often -assisted. It was, therefore, through this same trap-door that the -intruders now meant to effect an entrance. But a first attempt, very -cautiously made, to raise it, proved it to be bolted on the inside. -This contingency, however, had been provided against, for Charley now -produced a large auger, on which he rubbed some tallow to deaden the -sound, while the merchant held a dark lantern in such a way as to -show Charley where to use his tool to advantage. - -Very cautiously, and with frequent pauses to listen, a large hole was -bored next to the place where the bolt shot into the socket. Two or -three minutes were occupied in this work. Charley then succeeded in -drawing back the bolt with his fingers, a little at a time, when the -trap was carefully lifted far enough to let the merchant squeeze his -body through it, and so up into the store. As this was felt to be the -critical moment, those who were left below listened breathlessly for -any sound from above, as the trap was immediately lowered after the -merchant passed through it. - -It was, of course, pitch-dark in the store, but knowing the way as -well in the dark as in the daytime, and being in his stocking-feet, -the merchant stood only a moment to listen. Out of the darkness the -sleeping watchmen could be heard snoring heavily away in the little -corner office. Groping his way with cat-like tread, the merchant, -with two or three quick turns of the wrist, screwed a gimlet into the -woodwork of the office door, over the latch, thus securely fastening -the sleepers in. Observing the same precautions, he then felt for the -lock on the front door, and finding the key in the lock he turned it -softly, putting the key in his pocket. Even should they awake, the -watchmen inside the office could only get out by breaking down the -door; while their comrade outside would be kept from coming to their -assistance. The merchant had certainly shown himself not only to be a -man of nerve, but no mean strategist. - -The merchant having signaled that all was safe, all the rest of the -party, except Walter, immediately joined him. The safe was speedily -located, some loose gunny-bags were spread upon the floor to deaden -the sound, two stout slings were quickly passed around the safe, the -tackle hooked on, and in less than ten minutes the object of the -adventure was safely lowered into the lighter. No time was lost in -getting the scow clear of her dangerous berth, nor was it until they -had put a long stretch of water behind them that the adventurers -breathed freely. - -The daring midnight burglary was duly chronicled in the evening papers -as one of the boldest and most successful known to the criminal -annals of San Francisco. Would it be believed, it was asked, that -with three heavily armed guards on the watch inside and outside of -the building, the burglars had actually succeeded in carrying off so -bulky an article as an iron safe under the very noses of these alleged -guardians? Connivance on their part was strongly hinted at. The police -were on the track of the gang who did the job, and the public might -rest assured that when caught they would be given short shrift. The -burglars were supposed to have sunk the safe in the harbor after -rifling it of its contents. - - - - -XIV - -CHARLEY AND WALTER GO A-GUNNING - - -Charley frequently came ashore in the evening, leaving Bill in charge -of the ship. Walter ranched at Clark's Point, near the waterside, and -only a few steps from the landing place. The neighborhood, to tell -the truth, did not bear a very good reputation, it being a resort for -sailors of all nations, whose nightly carousals in the low dramshops -generally kept the place in an uproar till morning, and often ended in -bloodshed. - -Walter was busily engaged in sewing up a rip in his overalls, meantime -humming to himself snatches of "The Old Folks at Home," when Charley -came stamping into the room. Seating himself on an empty nail-keg, he -proceeded to free his mind in the following manner: - -"You've been working pretty steady now for--how long?" - -"Three months last Monday," assisted Walter, consulting a chalk mark -on the wall. - -"Long 'nuff to entitle you to a bit of a vacation, I'm a-thinkin'. -What say to takin' a little gunnin' trip up country? Bill knows the -ropes now pretty well. A friend of mine 'll lend me the shootin' -fixin's. Couldn't you get off for a few days, think? Come, get that -Ramon chap out of your head for a bit. It's wearin' on you." - -Walter jumped at the offer. Thus far he had never set foot out of the -city, and Charley, an enthusiast in anything that he had set his mind -upon, now portrayed the delights of a tramp among the foothills of -the Coast Range in glowing colors. Walter easily found a substitute -for the few days he expected to be away, while Charley had nobody's -permission to ask. So the very next afternoon saw the two sportsmen -crossing the ferry to Contra Costa, Charley carrying a rifle and -Walter a shotgun, the necessary traps for camping out being divided -equally between them. - -"I only hope we may set eyes on a grizzly," Charley remarked, slapping -the breech of his rifle affectionately, as they stepped on shore. -"That's why I chose this feller," he added. - -"Better let grizzlys alone. From all I hear they're pretty tough -customers," was Walter's cautious comment. - -"I don't care. Just you wait till I see one, that's all. I'm all fixed -for him--lock, stock, and barrel." - -They soon struck into the well-beaten road leading to the Coast Range, -and after steadily tramping until dark entered a small settlement -where travelers, coming and going over this route, usually put up for -the night. A night's lodging was soon arranged for at the only public -house that the place could afford, and after eating a hearty supper, -and leaving word with the landlord to call them up as soon as it was -light in the morning, the two amateur hunters were glad to tumble into -bed. - -The house was a two-story frame building, with the second-story -windows in front opening upon a veranda, after the Southern style -of public houses. The air being hot and close in their room, Walter -threw up a window the first thing upon going into it. He saw that one -might easily step out from the room onto the veranda, or in, for that -matter. Then, there was no lock on the door, but as neither he nor -Charley was afraid of being robbed, the want of a lock did not prevent -their going to sleep as soon as they struck their beds. It is probable -that they did not even turn over once during the night. - -Walter was awakened by the sound of a gentle scratching, or tapping, -at the door. Upon opening his eyes he perceived that it was beginning -to be quite light. He listened until the sound was repeated, sat up in -bed, and being satisfied that it must be some one calling them to get -up, slipped out of bed, yawning and stretching himself, went to the -door, half opened it, and, still only half awake, peered out. - -What he saw made him start back in affright, and his hair to rise up -on his head In an instant. - -Standing erect on his hind feet, clumsily beating the air with his -forepaws and lolling out a long red tongue, was an enormous, shaggy -grizzly bear at least a foot taller than Walter himself. - -One look was enough. Giving one yell, Walter made a dash for the open -window, leaped out upon the veranda, vaulted over it, and grasping -firm hold of the railing, let himself drop down into the street. -Imagining that the bear was close behind, he incontinently took to his -heels, not even turning to look back over his shoulder to see what had -become of Charley. - -Startled out of a sound sleep by Walter's cry of alarm, Charley threw -off the bedclothes, rubbed his eyes, and, with their aid, saw the -bear waddling with rolling gait into the room on all fours. He too -made a dash for the window, adopting without hesitation the only route -of escape open to him. - -The bear quickly followed suit, sliding with ease down an upright, -and, on touching the ground, immediately set off after the fugitives, -upon whom the discovery that the bear was after them acted like a spur -upon a mettled charger. They no longer ran, they flew. - -[Illustration: The hunters hunted by a grizzly bear.--_Page 208._] - -Up to this hour the village had not shaken off its slumbers, but the -frantic shouts of the fugitives, who saw that the faster they ran the -faster ran the bear, quickly aroused other sleepers from their morning -nap. Dogs began to bark and give chase to the bear. Windows began to -be thrown up, and heads to appear at them. Still the race for life -continued. Bruin was evidently gaining upon the fugitives, who could -not much longer keep up the pace at which they were going. Feeling his -breath failing him, Charley, who was a few rods behind Walter, had -even almost made up his mind to stop short in his tracks, face about, -and let the bear work its will upon him, so giving his bosom friend a -chance to escape. - -Fortunately, however, this heroic self-sacrifice was not to be made. -At the last house a street door was seen very cautiously to open, -while a head protruded from it. Ceremony here was quite out of the -question. Walter instantly dashed into this welcome haven of refuge, -with Charley, now quite spent, at his heels, overturning the man of -the house in their mad rush for safety. It took but a moment to shut -and bolt the door, and, as if that was not enough, Walter braced his -back against it, panting and breathless. Only when this was done, did -the two friends draw a free breath. Both were completely done up. - -Excited by the chase, enraged at seeing his victims escaping, the bear -snuffed the air, pawed at the door, swayed his huge bulk to and fro, -and gave vent to his rage in loud and unearthly roarings that could be -heard by every inhabitant of the village. - -Meantime the man into whose premises the two young men had so -unceremoniously entered, after taking a good look at the bear out of -the window, almost bent double in the effort to control his laughter. -"Why, boys," said he, between fits of choking, "that's Jem Stackpole's -tame grizzly." He had recognized the animal now holding them besieged -as one that had been taken when a cub, and brought up by the landlord -of the public house from which the boys had made their sudden exit, -as an object of curiosity to his guests. The iron collar which Bruin -still wore confirmed this account. It was all plain enough now. Having -contrived to free himself from his chain, the bear had easily gained -access to the house by climbing up the before-mentioned veranda -bear-fashion. He was considered quite harmless, the man explained, -but on seeing the young men run away the bear had run after them, at -first out of mere playfulness. So Walter and Charley had been running -a race with a tame grizzly, through the public street of the village, -in broad daylight, in their night clothes. - -By this time something of a crowd had collected, all tongues going at -once. The laugh of course went against the boys, though some were in -favor of shooting the bear, and so putting an end to his wild pranks. -His master, however, who now came forward with a pitchfork in one -hand and an earthenware dish containing a stiff mixture of whisky and -honey in the other, objected to having the bear killed, although the -creature was now so ferocious that no one dared to go near him. - -Setting the dish down upon the ground, and silently waving the crowd -back, the man began calling the bear by his pet name of "Rusty" in -a coaxing tone, and presently Bruin, having scented the seductive -mixture, marched toward it and began lapping it up, occasionally -emitting a fierce growl by way of notifying the bystanders to keep -their distance. - -By the time the dish was licked clean Bruin was dead-drunk and rolling -helplessly in the dirt. His chain was then securely fastened on, and -the brute ignominiously dragged off to the stable to sleep off his -potations. - -Walter and Charley were compelled to borrow a pair of trousers apiece -before they could venture back to the public house, the observed of -all observers. Needless to say, they made all haste to leave the -inhospitable spot. Upon calling for their bill, the landlord declared -there was nothing to pay, and, with a straight face, politely hoped -they would recommend his house to their friends. - -Walter insisted upon paying, but the landlord was firm. The fame of -the tame-bear hunt would attract customers to his house, he said. -Under the circumstances he could not think of making any charge -whatever. - -When they were well out of the village, Charley, who had maintained a -dogged silence, suddenly turned to Walter and exclaimed, "I won't tell -if you won't!" - -"Don't be a ninny," was the curt reply. - -"If I'd only had my rifle!" muttered Charley, who, all the same, could -not forbear looking backward every few minutes as they trudged on. - -The disconsolate pair made their way up among the foothills, but -neither seemed to be in the right mood for keen sportsmen, or else -game was not so plenty as they had expected to find it. After -Charley had blown the nipple out of his rifle in firing at a coyote, -and Walter had shot half a dozen rabbits, which, though wounded, -succeeded in reaching their holes and crawling into them, the twain -willingly turned their faces homeward. Footsore and weary, but with -appetites sharpened by their long tramp, they were only too glad -to set foot once again in the streets of the city. With a brief "So -long, Charley," "So long, Walt," "Mum, you know," "Hope to die," they -separated to go their respective ways. - - - - -XV - -THE YOUNG VIGILANTES - - -While on his way to work on Saturday morning, full of his own -thoughts, Walter could not help noticing the absence of the usual -bustle and movement in the streets. If the shops had not been open, he -would have thought it was Sunday, instead of the last day of the week. -All business seemed to be at a standstill. Merchants stood outside -their doors, glancing uneasily up and down the street and from time to -time holding whispered talks with their neighbors. Every one wore a -sober face; every one seemed expecting something to happen. But what -was it? What could it be? - -Yesterday Walter would have passed along the same streets hardly -noticed. To-day he wondered why everybody stared at him so. Furbish -was about starting off on his dray when Walter reached the stand. He, -too, hardly replied when Walter gave him the customary "Good-morning." -What could it all mean? - -Suddenly the big bell on the plaza thundered out three heavy -strokes--one, two, three, and no more--boom! boom! boom! - -To the last day of his life Walter never forgot the sight that -followed. At the first stroke of that deep-toned bell the strange -quiet burst its bounds. Those already in the streets started off on -the run for the plaza. Those who were indoors rushed out, buckling on -their weapons as they ran. Workmen threw down their tools to join in -the race. Furbish jumped off his dray, shouting to Walter as he ran, -"Come on! Don't you hear it?" There was no noise except the trampling -of feet. Nobody asked a question of his neighbor. But every eye wore a -look of grim determination, as if some matter of life and death dwelt -in the imperious summons of that loud alarm-bell. - -After gazing a moment in utter bewilderment, Walter started off on the -run with the rest. He, too, had caught the infection. The distance was -nothing. He found the plaza already black with people. Beyond him, -above the heads of the crowd, he saw a glittering line of bayonets; -nearer at hand men were pouring out of a building at the right, with -muskets in their hands. Walter stood on tiptoe. Some one was speaking -to the crowd from an open window fronting the plaza, but Walter was -too far off to catch a single word. The vast throng was as still as -death. Then as the speaker put some question to vote, one tremendous -"aye" went up from a thousand throats. It was the voice of an outraged -people pronouncing the doom of evil-doers. - -By the gleam of satisfaction on the faces around him, Walter knew that -something of unusual moment had just been decided upon. Burning with -curiosity he timidly asked his nearest neighbor what it all meant. -First giving him a blank look the man addressed curtly replied, "Get -a morning paper," then moved off with the crowd, which was already -dispersing, leaving the plaza in quiet possession of a body of -citizen soldiers, with sentinels posted, and the strong arm of a new -power uplifted in its might. That power was the dreaded Vigilantes, -organized, armed, and ready for the common protection. - -Though terribly in earnest, it was by far the most orderly multitude -Walter remembered ever having seen, and he had seen many. In the -newspaper he read what everybody else already knew, that one of the -most prominent citizens had been brutally murdered in cold blood by -a well-known gambler, in a crowded street and at an early hour of -the previous evening. The victim's only provocation consisted in -having spoken out like a man against the monstrous evils under which -the law-abiding citizens had so long and so silently been groaning. -This murder was the last straw. The murderer had been promptly taken -by members of the secret Committee of Vigilance; the trial had been -swift; and the hangman's noose was being made ready for its victim. -The account closed with a burning appeal to all law-abiding citizens, -at every cost, to rid the city of the whole gang of gamblers, thieves, -and outlaws infesting it like a plague. "When the sworn officers of -the law are so notoriously in league with such miscreants, nothing is -left for the people but to rise in their might. _Vox populi, vox Dei!_ -Down with the Hounds!" - -Charley and Bill were quietly eating their noonday meal, when Walter -burst into the _Argonaut's_ cabin in a state of wild excitement. -Without stopping to take breath, he rapidly related what he had seen -and heard that morning, while his listeners sat with wide-open eyes -until the tale was finished. - -For a few moments the three friends stared at each other in silence. -Ever prompt, Charley was the first to break it. Jumping to his feet, -he struck the haft of his knife on the table with such force as to -set the dishes rattling, then waving it in the air he cried out -exultingly, "Now we've got him!" As the others made no reply except to -look askance, he went on to say, "Don't you see that, foxy as he is, -Ramon will be smoked out of his hole? Didn't I tell you there would -be hanging before long? Why, there won't be one of his kidney left in -'Frisco inside of a week." - -"You're right," said Walter, "for as I came along I saw men putting up -posters ordering all criminals out of the city, on pain of being put -on board an outbound vessel and shipped off out of the country." - -"Good enough for 'em, too. The heft of 'em is Sydney Ducks an' -ticket-o'-leave men, anyhow," quoth Bill, with a shake of the head. - -"Hark!" commanded Walter, holding up his hand for silence. Even as -he spoke, the deep tones of a bell came booming across the water. At -that moment the bodies of two condemned murderers were swinging from -crossbeams from an upper window of the plaza. - -"If we're ever going to catch that chap, we'd better set about it -before it's too late. What's to hinder our working this Vigilante -business a little on our own hook? Nothing. Who's going to ask any -questions? Nobody. Do you catch my idee?" questioned Charley. - -Without more words the three friends hastened on shore, Walter leading -the way to his stand. They had agreed not to separate again, and were -busy talking over their plans when a Chinaman came up to Walter and -slipped a paper in his hand. Walter ran his eye over it, then crushed -it in his hand. Turning to the Chinaman he simply said, "All right, -John; I'll be there." - -"Allee light," repeated the Chinaman, making off into the crowd. - -Walter drew the heads of his two friends close to his own. Then he -whispered: "What do you think? This is an order to take some things -from a certain house on Dupont Street to a warehouse on Long Wharf, at -ten o'clock to-night. (Night work's double pay.) I can't be mistaken. -The order is in _his_ handwriting; I could swear to it." - -"I consait we orter follow the Chinee," Bill suggested tentatively. - -"No," objected Charley. "Prob'ly he'd lead us a wild-goose chase all -over town. If Walter's right, we're hot on the scent now. Don't muddy -the water, I say. The eel's a slippery cuss, and might wiggle away. -Bill, let's you and I go take a look at that warehouse. Walt, don't -you let on that you suspicion a thing. Why, you're all of a tremble, -man! Straighten out your face. Anybody could read it like a book. Pull -yourself together. Look at me! By jings, I feel like a fighting-cock -just now!" - -"What a bantam!" muttered Bill, following in Charley's springing -footsteps. - -At ten o'clock Walter was at the door of the house on Dupont Street -with his cart. His knock was answered by the same Chinaman who had -brought him the note in the morning. Several parcels were brought -out and placed in the cart, but still no sign of the owner. The -Chinaman then explained, in his pigeon English, that this person would -meet Walter at the warehouse on the wharf, for which place Walter -immediately started, revolving in his own mind whether this was not -some trick of Ramon's contriving to throw him, Walter, off the scent. - -Nobody appeared to answer Walter's knock at the warehouse door. -Evidently it was deserted, but a low whistle gave notice that Charley -and Bill were close at hand. Indeed, so well had they concealed -themselves that Walter had passed on without seeing them. - -"Have you got the rope all right, Bill?" Walter nervously whispered, -as the three crouched in the friendly shadow of a narrow passageway, -while waiting for their victim to show himself. - -"Sartin," that worthy calmly replied, "and all I wish is that -what's-his-name was on one end, and I on t'other." - -"I don't half like this way of doing things; looks too much like -kidnapping," Walter whispered, half to himself. - -"Come, Walt, you're not going to show the white feather now, after all -this trouble, I hope," Charley impatiently said. "Ssh! here he comes. -It's now or never." - -Sure enough, the sound of approaching footsteps was now plainly heard. -As Ramon came nearer, walking fast, Bill, stepping out of the shadows, -slowly lurched along ahead, cleverly imitating the zigzag walk of a -tipsy sailor--no unusual sight at that time of night. When Ramon had -passed a few rods beyond their hiding place, Charley quietly slipped -out behind him, taking care to tread as softly as one of Cooper's -Indians on the warpath. This plan had been carefully devised, for fear -that Ramon might give an alarm if they attempted, all at once, to rush -out upon him unawares. They now held their intended victim, as it -were, between two fires. - -At that hour the street was so lonely and deserted that there was -little fear of interruption, so Charley did not hurry. When Bill had -reached the place agreed upon, where the street narrowed to a lane -in which not more than two persons could walk abreast, he began to -slacken his pace, so as to let Ramon come up with him. As nothing -could be seen, at a few rods off, in that uncertain light, the signal -agreed upon was to be given by Bill's striking a match, when Walter -and Charley were to come up as rapidly as possible. - -As Ramon tried to push on by Bill, that worthy placed himself squarely -in the way, pulled out his pipe, and gruffly demanded a light. He -acted his part so well as completely to disarm Ramon's suspicions, -had he had any. - -At being thus suddenly brought to a stand, Ramon attempted to shoulder -Bill out of his path, but on finding himself stoutly opposed, he -instinctively drew back a step. - -"Refuse a gen'leman a light, does yer? Want a whole street to -yourself, does yer?" sputtered Bill, obstinately holding his ground. -Ramon made a threatening movement. "Shove! I dare ye, ye lubber," -continued the irate sailor, purposely raising his voice as his -companion came in sight. "I'm a match for you any day in the week," he -grumbled, striking a light as if to enforce the challenge. - -By the light of the match Bill instantly recognized Ramon. At the same -moment Ramon saw that the speaker was a total stranger. Charley barred -the way behind him. Ramon's first thought had been that he was being -waylaid by footpads and, instinctively his hand went to his pistol; -but as no demand was made for his valuables, he quickly concluded it -to be a chance encounter with a couple of tipsy sailors. A street row -was the very thing he most dreaded. He was in a fever to be off. Then -the thought struck him that perhaps he might turn these fellows to his -own advantage. So he altered his tone at once. "Oh, it's all right, -lads," he said apologetically, "but one must be careful in these -times, you know; and you certainly did give me a start. Never mind. If -you've got a boat handy, I'll make this the best night's work you ever -did in the whole course of your lives." - -Charley, who had edged up closer, now nudged Bill to hold his tongue. -Speaking thickly, Charley said: "If you wants a boat we've got the one -we was just goin' off in aboard ship. She lays right here, just ahead -of us. If you come down han'some, we're the lads you want. 'Nuff said." - -Ramon was completely deceived. "All right, then. I've got some traps -yonder. They're waiting for me, I see. We'll get them, and you can -set me aboard the _Flamingo_. Hurry up! I've no time to lose." - -Walter was nonplused when he saw the trio approaching in so friendly -a manner. He was about to say something, when Charley trod sharply -on his foot to enforce silence. All four then went down to the boat -with Ramon's luggage. After handing Walter a gold piece, Ramon -stepped lightly into the boat, Bill shipped the oars, and Charley -took the tiller. Walter first cast off the painter, gave the boat a -vigorous shove, and then leaped on board himself. He could not make -out what had happened to change their plans, but this was no time for -explanations. - -Seeing the supposed cartman get into the boat, it then first flashed -upon Ramon that he had been tricked. Half rising from his seat, he -made a movement as if to leap overboard, but a big, bony hand dragged -him backward. Maddened to desperation, Ramon then reached for his -revolver, but before he could draw it, Walter threw his arms around -him, and held him fast in spite of his struggles. Meantime Bill was -taking two or three turns round Ramon's body with a stout rope, -brought along for that very purpose, and in a twinkling that worthy -found himself bound and helpless. - -No word was spoken until the boat touched the _Argonaut's_ side. -Thoroughly cowed, shivering with cold and fright, Ramon's terror was -heightened by the thought that he was being carried off to sea. As the -black hull of the _Argonaut_ loomed up before him the dreadful truth -seemed to break upon him clearly. Yes, there was no doubt of it: he -was being shanghaied, as the forcible kidnaping of sailors was called. - -Charley went up the side first. In a minute he reappeared with a -lighted lantern. A dull numbness had seized Ramon. He did not even -attempt to cry out when Charley called to the others, in a guarded -undertone, to "pass him along." Four stout arms then lifted, or -rather boosted, Ramon on board the vessel, as limp and helpless as a -dead man. "I knew it," he groaned, with chattering teeth; "shanghaied, -by all that's horrible!" - - - - -XVI - -RAMON FINDS HIS MATCH - - -Charley at once led the way into the cabin. When all four had passed -in he shut the door, turned the key in the lock, and set down the -lantern on the table, when, by its dim light, Ramon saw, for the first -time, the faces of his abductors. Stealing a quick glance around him -he met Walter's set face and stern eye. The faces of the others gave -him as little encouragement. Greatly relieved to find his worst fears -unfounded, his courage began to rise again. He met Walter's look with -one of defiance, and inwardly resolved to brazen it out. His life, -he knew, was safe enough. To show that he was not afraid, he assumed -a careless tone, as if he looked upon the whole thing as a joke. -"You've got me, boys. But now you've got me, what do you want with -me?" he demanded, twisting a cigarette in his trembling fingers. - -"First," said Walter, a trifle unsteadily, for the sight of his -enemy was almost too much for him, "first we want you to sign this -paper," taking it out of his pocket. "It is--you can read it--a full -confession of your robbery of Bright & Company." In spite of his -effrontery, Ramon could not help wincing a little. Walter went on -without mercy, "And of your clever little scheme to throw suspicion -on me as your accomplice." Ramon merely gave a contemptuous little -shrug. "And lastly, of what you've done with all the property you--you -stole." Ramon scowled and gnawed his mustache. - -Now that he knew the worst, Ramon began to bluster. "Oh, you shall -smart for this when I get on shore--yes, all of you," he declared -hotly. "You've got the wrong pig by the ear this time; yes, you have. -As for you," this to Bill, "you hoary-headed old villain, I'll have -you skinned alive and hung up by the heels for a scarecrow." - -Bill could hold in no longer. "Who said anything about your goin' -ashore, I'd like to know?" he asked, in his bantering way. "You -never'd be missed, nohow. Here yer be, and here you stop till we've -done with you. So none of your black looks nor cheap talk. They won't -pass here." - -"Stop me if you dare! It's abduction, kidnaping, felony!" cried Ramon, -glancing fiercely from one face to the other. "I despise you and your -threats. Where are your proofs? Where is your authority?" - -"Ugly words those, big words. You want proofs, eh? What do you say to -this?" Walter asked, in his turn, unfolding a handbill before Ramon's -eyes with one hand, while with the other he held the lantern up so -that the accusing words, in staring print, might be the more easily -read: - - STOP THIEF!!! - - $500 REWARD! - - The above reward will be paid for the apprehension of one Ramon - Ingersoll, an absconding embezzler. - -This was followed by a detailed description of his personal appearance. - -"Now will you sign?" Walter again demanded of the branded thief and -fugitive from justice. - -Ramon smiled a sickly smile. "Oh! it's the reward you're after, is it? -Hope you may get it, that's all." - -At this fresh insult two red spots flamed up on Walter's cheeks. -Ramon's dark eyes sparkled at having so cleverly seen through the -motives of his captors. - -"Is that your last word?" - -"Before I'll sign that paper I'll rot right here!" - -"You had better sleep on it," replied Walter, turning away. - -"What! before s'archin' him for the stealin's?" Bill asked, with -well-feigned surprise, at the same time critically looking Ramon over -from head to foot. - -Ramon's hand went to his neckcloth, as if already he felt the -hangman's noose choking him, the observant Bill meanwhile watching -him as a cat does a mouse. "Come, my lad, turn out your pockets," he -commanded, in a most business-like way. - -Pale with anger, Ramon first pulled out a leather pocket-book, which -he threw upon the table, with something that sounded very much like a -muttered curse, after which he folded his arms defiantly across his -chest. "Now you've got it, much good may it do you," he sneered. - -The pocket-book contained only a few papers of little value to anybody. - -"What has become of all the money you took?" Walter demanded. - -"Gone," was the curt reply. - -"What! gone! You can't have spent it all so soon. Think again. There -must be a trifle left." - -Ramon shrugged his shoulders by way of reply. - -"Feel for his belt, Bill," Charley struck in. Charley had been growing -impatient for some time over so much waste of words. Bill hastened to -take the hint. - -"Hands off! I tell you, I'll not be searched," shouted Ramon, carrying -his hands to the threatened spot like a flash. In spite of his -struggles, however, the belt, which every one wore in that day, was -secured, and in it ten new fifty-dollar gold pieces were found, and -turned out upon the table. Again Ramon's hand went to his neckcloth, -nervously, tremblingly. In a twinkling Bill had twitched that article -off and tossed it to Walter. "Good's a belt, hain't it?" asked Bill in -answer to Walter's look. "I seed him grabbin' at it twicet. S'arch it! -s'arch it!" - -[Illustration: Ramon made to give up his stealing's.--_Page 236._] - -Rolled up in a little wad, in the folds of the neckerchief, they found -two certificates of deposit of a thousand dollars each, and in -another similar roll several notes of hand for quite large sums, made -payable to Bright & Company, but with forged indorsements to a third -party, who, it is needless to say, was no other than Ramon himself, -who had thus added forgery to his catalogue of crime. Fortunately, his -hurried departure had prevented the negotiating of these notes, which -now furnished the most damning evidence of his misdeeds. - -"Now, then," said Walter, sweeping the money and papers together in a -heap, "we've drawn his teeth, let him bite if he can." - -At this cutting taunt, Ramon summoned to his aid the remains of his -fast-waning assurance. "Oho! my fine gentlemen, suppose I'm all you -say I am, if you take my money you're as deep in the mud as I am in -the mire; eh, my gallant highwaymen?" he hissed out. - -"Enough of this. We shall take good care of you to-night; but -to-morrow we mean to hand you over to the Vigilantes. You can then -plead your own cause, Master Embezzler." So saying, Walter pointed to -a stateroom opposite, to signify that the last word had been said. - -Ramon's face instantly turned of a sickly pallor. As Bill afterwards -said, "Walter's threat took all the starch out of him." In a broken -voice he now pleaded for mercy. "I give it up. I'll confess. I'll sign -all you say--anything--if you'll promise not to give me up to those -bloodhounds," he almost whimpered. Truly, his craven spirit had at -last got the mastery. - -Walter pretended to hesitate, but in truth he was only turning over -in his own mind how best to dispose of Ramon. Hitherto the wish for -revenge had been strong within him, had really gone hand-in-hand with -that to see wrong made right. But Ramon was now only an object of -pity, of contempt. The confession was again placed before him with the -addition of a clause stating that the money surrendered was the same -he had taken from his employers. He himself added the words, "This is -my free act and deed," after which he signed his full name as if in a -hurry to have it over with. The two friends then witnessed it. - -Walter put this precious document in his pocket with a feeling of real -triumph. At last his good name would be vindicated before all the -world. Once again he could look any man in the face without a blush. -It seemed almost too good to be true, yet there sat Ramon cowering in -a corner, while he, Walter, held the damning proofs of the robbery in -his possession. No, it was not a dream. Right was might, after all. - -Instead of asking to be set at liberty, Ramon now begged to be kept -hid from the dreaded Vigilantes. "Give me just money enough to get -away with, set me on shore after dark, and I'll take my chances," -he pleaded. Only too glad to be well rid of him, the three friends -willingly agreed to this proposal. After darkness had set in, Bill -pulled Ramon to a distant spot above the town, among the sand dunes. -Handing the discomfited wretch his own pocket-book, with the contents -untouched, Bill gave him this parting shot: "Take it, and go to -Guinea! If this is the last on ye, well an' good, but it's my 'pinion -there's more rascality stowed away in that cowardly carkiss o' yourn." -Without replying, Ramon stole away in the darkness, and was soon lost -to sight. - - - - -XVII - -A SHARP RISE IN LUMBER - - -"Isn't that the Sacramento boat?" asked Charley, looking off in the -direction of a rapidly approaching bank of lights. "How plainly we can -hear the drumming of her big paddles. Listen!" - -"If it is, she's all of two hours ahead of time," was Walter's reply. - -"Yes, it's the old _Senator's_ day. She's a traveler all the time, and -to-night she has the tide with her. Do you know, they say she's made -more money for her owners than she could carry on one trip?" - -"Sho! You don't mean it." - -"True as you stand there." - -They stood watching the _Senator_ work her way into her dock, when -Charley suddenly asked, "What are you so glum about to-night, Walt?" - -"I was thinking what I would do if I had a boatload of money." - -"Hope you may get it, that's all. Hark! Ah, here's Bill back again." - -By the way that Bill was rowing, he seemed in a great hurry. Greatly -to the surprise of the two friends, he was closely followed up the -side by a stranger, to whom Bill lent a helping hand as this person -stumbled awkwardly to the deck. At first both Walter and Charley -thought it must be Ramon returning. - -"Hello! what's up now?" both exclaimed in one breath. - -"What's up? Lumber's up. Got any?" answered a quick, sharp voice not -at all like Ramon's. - -As nobody spoke Bill made a hurried explanation. "Sacramento's all -burnt up, lock, stock, and barrel. Boat's goin' right back to-night. -I seen her comin' lickety-split, fit to bust her b'iler; so I kinder -waited round for the news. I heered this man askin' who had lumber, so -I jest mittened onto him, and here he is." - -"Whar's this yer lumber--afloat or on shore?" the newcomer impatiently -demanded. - -"Afloat," Charley replied. - -"Good enough! How's it stowed: so's it can be got at?" - -"It's a whole cargo. Never been broken out." - -"Good again! What sort is it? Can I see it?" - -"Come into the cabin and I'll get out the manifest. You can't see -anything till daylight." - -"Burn the manifest!" returned the stranger, still more impatiently. -"Daylight's wuth dollars now. Show me the man can tell what that thar -lumber is, or isn't." - -"I can," Walter put in, "'cause I saw it loaded." - -"Then you're the very man I want. Talk fast. I'm bound to go back on -that thar boat." - -Thus urged, Walter began the inventory on his fingers. "There's six -two-story dwelling houses, all framed, ready to go up." - -"Whoop-ee! how big?" - -"About 24x36, high-studded, pitched roof, luthern windows. The rest -is building stuff--all of it--sills, joists, rough and planed boards, -matched boards----" - -"Any shingles?" the impatient man broke in. - -"Yes, a big lot; and clapboards too." - -"Talk enough. Whar's the owner?" - -"You're talking to him now," said Charley quickly. - -"Well, then, I reck'n we'd better have a little light on the subject, -hadn't we?" the stranger suggested. - -Upon this hint Charley led the way to the cabin, where the parties -took a good look at each other. The stranger glanced over the -manifest, laid a big, brawny hand upon it, then, turning to Walter, -but without betraying surprise at his youthful appearance, said -pointedly, "Name your price, cash down, stranger, for the lot. I'm -here for a dicker." - -Walter began a rapid mental calculation. "Those houses are worth all -of twenty-five hundred apiece," he declared, glancing at Charley. - -"More," Charley assented positively. - -"Wuth more for firewood," added Bill. - -"Houses and all; all or none. How much for the hull blamed cargo?" the -stranger again demanded, getting up to expectorate in a corner. - -"Lumber is lumber," observed Charley, wrinkling his forehead in deep -thought. - -"Do I ask you to give it away? Name your figure," the would-be -purchaser insisted. "Come up to the scratch. I've no time to waste -here palavering. What do you take me for?" he added angrily. - -Walter again had recourse to his mental arithmetic. "Six times two -fifty, fifteen; lump the rest at ten; freight money five, storage -five more, insurance five. Forty thousand dollars!" he exclaimed -desperately at a venture, feeling the cold sweat oozing out all over -him. - -"It's mine. I'll take it," said the stranger, coolly suiting the -action to the word by dragging out of his coat pockets first one -chuggy bag of gold dust and then another, which he placed before -Walter on the table. "Here's something to bind the bargain." Then, -seeing Bill critically examining a pinch of the dull yellow grains -in the palm of his hand, he added: "Oh! never fear! That's the real -stuff. You get the rest when that lumber's delivered alongside -Sacramento levee at my expense. Talk fast. Is it a whack?" - -"Hold on, stranger," cried the acute Charley, pushing back the gold. -"We don't agree to no such thing, mister. We deliver it right here -from the ship." - -The stranger smote the table with his clenched fist. "Can't waste no -time loading and unloading," he declared; "that's half the battle. I -must have this cargo ahead of everybody, up river. You say it's all -loaded. That's why I pay high for it. I don't care shucks how you get -it there; so fix it somehow; for it's make or break with me this time. -_Sabe?_" - -"Why not tow her up and back, if he pays for it?" Bill suggested. - -The buyer caught as eagerly at the idea as a drowning man does at a -straw. "Sartin. Tow her up!" he exclaimed. "I hire the boat and pay -all expenses. How many hands of you? Three. All right. You get ten -dollars apiece a day till the ship's unloaded." - -The man's eagerness to buy his way through all obstacles rather -confused Walter, who now turned inquiringly toward Bill. - -"She draws nigh onto twenty feet this blessed minute," Bill said in a -doubtful undertone. - -"Why, the river is booming!" cried the stranger, looking from one to -the other, with eager, restless eyes, as this unforeseen difficulty -presented itself to his mind. - -Again Bill came to the rescue. "I'll tell ye, mates, what we can do. -Lash an empty lighter on each side of her; that'll lift her some; then -if she takes the ground, we might break out cargo into the lighters, -till she floats agin." - -The lumber speculator listened like one who hears some one speaking in -a strange tongue. He, however, caught at Bill's idea. "Yes, that's the -how, shoah," he joyfully assented. "I'll hire a towboat to-night, if -one's to be had in 'Frisco for money. I don't know shucks 'bout these -yer ships, but when it comes to steamboats I reck'n I kin tell a snag -from a catfish." - -"I think we may risk it, then," observed Charley, who, as ship-keeper, -felt all his responsibility for her safety. - -Walter then drew up the contract in proper form, after which it was -duly signed, sealed, and witnessed. - -"Now, then," resumed the stranger, "you boys get everything good and -ready for a quick start. Thar's your dust. You play fa'r with me, an' -I'll play fa'r with you. Shake." - -He then put off with Bill for the shore. - -"Dirt cheap," said Charley, eying Walter sidewise. - -"Thrown away," groaned Walter peevishly, by way of reply. - -And to think that only the day before the lumber would not have paid -for the unloading! - - - - -XVIII - -A CORNER IN LUMBER - - -By dint of hard work the _Southern Cross_ was got ready to cast off -her moorings by the time the tug came puffing up alongside, early in -the morning. They were soon under weigh, but the ship's bottom was so -foul that she towed like a log. - -Bill steered, while Charley and Walter went forward to pass the word -from the tug or tend the hawser, as might be necessary. It being -smooth water here, in an hour or so the tow passed out into San Pablo -Bay, where it met not only a stiff head wind, but a nasty little -choppy sea. That made towing slow work, but by noon they were abreast -of Benicia and entering the Straits of Carquinez, with old Monte -Diablo peering down upon them on the starboard hand. - -Beyond this point the tow steamed across still another bay, for some -fifteen miles more, without mishap. They had now left the coast -mountains far behind, and were heading straight for what seemed an -endless waste of tall reeds, through which both the Sacramento and San -Joaquin wind their way out to the sea. - -So far plenty of water and plenty of sea room had been found. The -worst was yet to come. The young navigators, however, pushed boldly -on between the low mud-banks without delay, feeling much encouraged -by their success thus far, and wishing to make the most of the short -two hours of daylight remaining, after which the captain of the tug -declared it would be unsafe to proceed. - -After seeing the ship tied up to the bank for the night, the tug -pushed on in search of a wood-yard some miles farther on. It was quite -ten o'clock the next morning before the boys saw her come puffing back -around the next bend of the river above. She had run so far after -wood, that the captain said he would not risk putting back before -daylight again. - -All went smoothly until the middle of the afternoon, when, to their -great annoyance, the ship suddenly brought up on a mud-bank, where she -stuck hard and fast. A hawser was quickly carried out astern, at which -the tug pulled and hauled for some time to no purpose. The _Southern -Cross_ would not budge an inch. - -It being evident that the ship would not come off by that means, -hatches were taken off, the boys threw off their coats, and, spurred -on by Bill's report that he believed the river was falling, all hands -went to work breaking out cargo into the lighters, as if their very -lives depended upon their haste. It was now that Bill's foresight came -in for the warmest commendations, as without the lighters the voyage -must have ended then and there. - -They worked on like beavers all the rest of that afternoon, the tug -giving an occasional pull at the hawser, without starting the ship -from her snug berth. They, therefore, made themselves some coffee, -and were talking the situation over in no very happy frame of mind, -when a large, high-pressure steamboat was seen heading down the river, -half of which she seemed pushing in front of her, and dragging the -other half behind. "Stand by to haul away!" shouted Bill, with quick -presence of mind, to the men on the tug, running aft to take another -turn in the hawser. As the steamer passed by, churning the muddy water -into big waves, the tug put on all steam, the hawser straightened out -as tense as iron, the big ship gave a lazy lurch as a wave struck her, -and to the unspeakable delight of all hands they found themselves once -more afloat and in deep water. - -Although the ship was aground several times after this, they were so -lucky in getting her off, that by noon of the third day the _Southern -Cross_ lay snugly moored, stem and stern, to a couple of live oaks -at the Sacramento levee. The first person to jump on board was the -purchaser himself, followed by a gang of laborers, who had been -waiting only for the ship's arrival to set to work at unloading her -cargo. Meantime the boys set about making all snug aboard, and then -after seeing the balance of the purchase money weighed out, on a -common counter-scale in the cabin, they took turns in mounting guard -over what had been so fairly earned. In plain truth, all three were -fairly dazed by the possession of so much wealth. - -[Illustration: Arrival of the _Southern Cross_ at Sacramento.--_Page -254._] - -This duty of standing watch and watch kept the friends from leaving -the ship even for a single moment, if indeed they had felt the least -desire to do so. In fact all that there was left of the late bustling -city was spread out stark and grim before their wondering eyes from -the deck of the ship, and a dismal sight it was. Acres of ground, -so lately covered with buildings so full of busy life, were now -nothing but a blackened waste of smoldering rubbish. Here and there -some solitary tree, scorched and leafless, lifted up its skeleton -branches as if in silent horror at the surrounding desolation. Men, -singly, or in little groups, were moving about in the gray-white smoke -like so many uneasy specters. Others were carefully poking among the -rubbish for whatever of value might have escaped the flames. But more -strange than all, even while the ruins were ablaze about them, it was -to see a gang of workmen busy laying down the foundations for a new -building. There was to be no sitting down in sackcloth and ashes here. -That was California spirit. - -All this time the lumber dealer was by great odds the busiest man -there. He was fairly up to his ears in business, selling lumber, in -small parcels or great, from the head of a barrel, to a perfect mob -of buyers, who pushed and jostled each other in their eagerness to -be first served. All were clamoring as loudly for notice as so many -Congressmen on a field-day to the Speaker of the House. To this horde -of hungry applicants the lumberman kept on repeating, "First come, -first served. Down with your dust." The man was making a fortune hand -over fist. - -Scarcely had our boys the time to look about them, when they were -beset with offers to lease or even to buy the ship outright. One -wanted her for a store, another for a hotel, another for a restaurant, -a saloon, and so on. Men even shook pouches of gold-dust in their -faces, as an incentive to close the bargain on the spot. As such a -transaction had never entered their heads, the three friends held a -hurried consultation over it. Charley firmly held to the opinion that -he had no right to dispose of the ship without the owner's consent, -and that was something which could not be obtained at this time. -Walter was non-committal. Bill was nothing if not practical. Bill was -no fool. - -"Ef she goes back, what does she do?" he asked, squinting first at one -and then at the other. "Why, she lays there to her anchors rottin', -doin' nobody no good," he added. - -"She won't eat or drink anything if she does," Charley said rather -ambiguously. - -"Seems as though we ought to put her back where we found her," Walter -suggested, in a doubtful sort of way. - -"Settle it to suit yourselves," was Bill's ready rejoinder. "But how -does the case stand? Here's a lot of crazy _hombres_ e'en a'most ready -to fight for her. 'Twould cost a fortin to get her ready for sea. Her -bottom's foul as a cow-yard; some of her copper's torn off; upper -works rotten; she needs calkin', paintin', new riggin', new----" - -"There, hold on!" cried Charley, laughing heartily at Bill's truly -formidable catalogue of wants; "I give in. I vote to lease the old -barky by the month--that is, if Walt here thinks as I do." - -"In for a penny, in for a pound," Walter assented decisively. - -So the bargain was concluded before the cargo was half out of the -ship, so eager was the lessee to get possession. Walter drew up the -lease, a month's rent was paid in advance, and the thing was done. - -"Well, now, boys, that's off our minds," said Charley gleefully; "my -head's been turning round like a buzz-saw ever since this thing's been -talked about." - -"And a good job, too, seein' as how we skipped without a clearance," -Bill put in quietly. - -The two friends looked at him blankly, then at each other. It was -plain that no such matter had ever entered their minds. Charley gave a -long, low whistle. "By George, I never thought of that!" he exclaimed, -in great ill humor with Bill. "What'll they do to us?" - -"No use cryin' over spilt milk," said that worthy. "Keep dark's our -lay. Didn't Noah's Ark sail without a clearance, without papers or -flag, and for no port?" he added. - -"We 'cleared out,' as the sayin' is, with a vengeance," Charley -remarked, trying to turn the matter off with a joke. - -"There's only one thing for us to do," said Walter, "and that is to -go right up to the custom-house and explain matters to the collector, -when we get back to the Bay. Perhaps he'll let us off with a fine, -when he finds we didn't mean to run away with the ship and turn -pirates." - -The idea of turning the old, water-logged _Southern Cross_ into a -pirate was so comical that all three joined in a hearty laugh. - -What to do with all their money was the most perplexing question. -They could neither eat nor sleep for thinking of it. In every face -they saw a thief, every footstep startled them. In their dilemma it -was determined that the safer way would be to divide it up between -them. Three miner's belts were therefore procured, and after locking -themselves up in the cabin the three friends stuffed these belts -as full as they would hold with the precious metal. But there was -still a good-sized pile left to be disposed of when this was done, -so Bill suggested sewing the remainder in their shirts. At it they -went, without more words, sitting meantime in their trousers and -undershirts; and a truly comical sight was this original sewing -circle, stitching away for dear life under lock and key. - -But even when this operation was finished, a heap of the shining metal -still lay on the table before them. All were so weighed down with -what they had about them that they waddled rather than walked. Bill -declared that if anything happened to the boat at their returning they -would all sink to the bottom like so much lead. While thus at their -wits' end, Charley's eagle eye chanced to fall upon an old fowling -piece hung up by some hooks in the cabin. This was quickly torn from -its resting place, the charges drawn, and while the others looked on -in silent wonder Charley filled both barrels with gold dust, after -which the muzzles were tightly fitted with corks. "She's loaded for -big game. We take turns carryin' her, don't you see?" he remarked -with a broad grin. - -Towards dusk the trio took passage on board the first boat bound for -the Bay, nor did they feel themselves wholly safe with their treasure -until they once more trod the deck of the old _Argonaut_, fairly worn -out with a week of such rapidly shifting fortunes as no one but an old -Californian has ever experienced. - -The three inseparables were snugly rolled up in their blankets, Bill -loudly snoring in his bunk, when the distant booming of a gun caused -Walter to raise his head and say drowsily, "Hello! a steamer's in." - -"I don't care if there's twenty steamers," Charley yawned, at the same -time burying his nose still deeper under his blanket; "I was almost -gone and now you've made me begin all over again. All ashore that's -goin' ashore." - - - - -XIX - -HEARTS OF GOLD - - -Mr. Bright came in that steamer. As Walter's letter seemed to hold -out fair hopes of recovering some part of the _Southern Cross_ and -her cargo, the merchant had decided to look into the matter himself, -though in truth both he and his partners had long regarded the venture -as a dead loss. - -Had he suddenly dropped from the clouds, the _Argonaut's_ little -company could not have been more astonished than when the merchant -stepped on deck, smiling benignantly at the evident consternation he -thus created. - -After a hearty greeting all round, though poor Walter turned all -colors at the remembrance of how and where they had last met, Mr. -Bright began by explaining that he had found them out through the -consignee of the _Southern Cross_. "But where in the world is the -_Southern Cross_?" he asked. "Here has the boatman been rowing me -around for the last hour, trying to find her. Nothing has happened to -her, I hope," he hastily added, observing the friends exchanging sly -glances. - -This question, of course, led to an explanation from Walter, during -which the old merchant's face was a study. His first look of annoyance -soon changed to one of blank amazement, finally settling down into -a broad smile of complete satisfaction when the story was all told. -Then he shook his gray head as if the problem was quite too knotty for -him to solve, how these boys, hardly out of their teens, should have -dared, first to engage in such a brilliant transaction, and then have -succeeded in carrying it through to the end without a hitch. - -"Pretty well for beginners, I must say," he finally declared. "Taken -altogether that's about the boldest operation I ever heard of, and -I've known a few in my experience as a business man. But," looking at -Walter, "where's all this money? Quite safe, I hope." - -By way of answer, the young men brought out their treasure from -various ingenious hiding-places, the fowling piece included. When all -the belts and parcels of dust were piled in a heap on the table, Mr. -Bright sat for some time with his hand over his eyes without speaking. -What the merchant's thoughts were it were vain to guess. Finally he -said, "You seem to have done everything for the best. Bill here was -quite right about the ship. She is earning something where she is, at -least. Now about the cargo?" turning to Walter; "I think you said in -your letter that Charley here bought half of that in?" - -Walter gave a nod of assent. - -"Why, then," resumed Mr. Bright, "as the other half belongs to his -partner, I don't see that we've anything to do with this money. -Perhaps we may compromise as to the ship," he added, looking at -Charley. - -Charley then explained his agreement with his partner, who had so -mysteriously disappeared. "I sold out to Walter. Settle it with him," -he finished, jamming his hands in his pockets and turning away. - -"Well, then, Walter, what do you say?" - -"I say that Charley ought to have half the profits. Why, when I wrote -you, the lumber was worthless. Besides, Charley did all the business. -Settle it with him." - -"I see. The situation was changed from a matter of a few hundreds to -thousands shortly after your letter was written." Walter nodded. "And -you don't care to take advantage of it?" Walter simply folded his -arms defiantly. "But between you you saved the cargo," the merchant -rejoined. "We've no claim. You must come to terms. Was there no -writing?" - -Walter scowled fiercely at Charley, who, notwithstanding, immediately -produced his copy of the agreement. The merchant glanced over it with -a smile hovering on his lips. - -"Why, this is perfectly good," he declared. "Well, then, as neither of -you has a proposition to make, I'll make you one. Perhaps Walter here -felt under a moral obligation to look after our interests in spite of -the unjust treatment he had received. That I can now understand, and I -ask his pardon. But you, Charles, had no such inducement." - -"No inducement!" Charley broke out, with a quivering lip; "no -inducement, heh, to see that boy righted?" he repeated, struggling -hard to keep down the lump in his throat. - -"Axin' pardons don't mend no broken crockery," observed Bill gruffly. - -Mr. Bright showed no resentment at this plain speech. He sat wiping -his glasses in deep thought. Perhaps there was just a little moisture -in his own eyes, over this evidence of two hearts linked together as -in bands of steel. - -The silence was growing oppressive, when Walter nerved himself to say: -"You see, sir, Charley and me, we are of one mind. As for me, I'm -perfectly satisfied to take what I put in to fit Charley out, provided -you pay him back his investment, and what's right for his and Bill's -time and trouble." - -Charley coughed a little at this liberal proposal, but Walter signed -to him to keep quiet. Bill grunted out something that might pass for -consent. - -But Mr. Bright was not the man to take advantage of so much -generosity. In truth, he had already formed in his own mind a plan by -which to come to an agreement. Changing the subject for the moment, he -suddenly asked, "By the way, have you never heard anything of Ramon?" - -At this unexpected question a broad grin stole over the faces of the -three kidnapers. "I was coming to that," Walter replied, bringing out -from his chest the money and papers which Ramon had been so lately -compelled to disgorge. The merchant took them in his hands, ran his -eye rapidly over them, and exclaimed in astonishment, "What! did he -make this restitution of his own accord? Wonders will never cease, I -declare." - -"Well, no, sir, not exactly that; the truth is, he was a trifle -obstinate about it at first, but we found a way to persuade him. That -confession was signed in the very same chair you are now sitting in." - -Mr. Bright again said, with a sigh of deep satisfaction, "Marvelous! -We shall now pay everything we owe, except our debt to you, Walter; -that we can never pay." - -"If my good name is cleared, I'm perfectly satisfied," Walter -rejoined, a little nervously, yet with a feeling that this was the -happiest day of his life. - -"And his good name, too, why don't you say?' interrupted the -matter-of-fact Bill, from his corner. "Seems to me that's about the -size of it," he finished, casting a meaning look at the dignified old -merchant, who sat there twiddling his glasses, clearly oppressed by -the feeling that, as between himself and Walter, Walter had acted the -nobler part. He could hardly control a slight tremor in his voice when -he began to speak again. - -"I see how it is," he said. "You return good for evil. It was nobly -done, I grant you--nobly done. But you must not wonder at my surprise, -for I own I expected nothing of the sort. Still, all the generosity -must not be on one side. By no means. Since I've sat here I've been -thinking that now we are embarked in the California trade, we couldn't -do better than to start a branch of the concern in this city. Now, -don't interrupt," raising an admonitory hand, "until you hear me -through. If you, Walter, and you, Charles, in whom I have every -confidence--if you two will accept an equal partnership, your actual -expenses to be paid at any rate, we will put all the profits of this -lumber trade of yours into the new house to start with. Suppose we -call it Bright, Seabury & Company. Fix that to suit yourselves, only -my name ought to stand first, I think, because it will set Walter here -right before the world." - -Neither Walter nor Charley could have said one word for the life of -him, so much were they taken by surprise. Bill's eyes fairly bulged -out of his shaggy head. Mr. Bright went on to say, "With our credit -restored, we can send you all the goods you may want. Suppose we now -go and deposit this money--one-half to the new firm's credit, one half -in trust for Charles' former partner. I myself will put a notice of -the copartnership in to-morrow's papers, and as soon as I get home in -the Boston papers, and I should greatly like to see the new sign up -before I go." - -It was a long speech, but never was one listened to with more rapt -attention. Charley turned as red as a beet, Walter hung his head, Bill -blew his nose for a full half-minute. - -"Where does Bill come in?" he demanded, with a comical side glance at -the merchant. - -His question, with the long face he put on, relieved the strain at -once. - -"Oh, never fear, old chap; you shall have my place and pay on the old -ship," Charley hastened to assure him. - -"Then you accept," said Mr. Bright, shaking hands with each of the new -partners in turn. "Something tells me that this is the best investment -of my life. The papers shall be made out to-day, while we are looking -up a store together. Really, now, I feel as if I ought to give a -little dinner in honor of the new firm--long life and prosperity to -it! Where shall it be?" - -"What ails this 'ere old ship where the old house came to life agin, -an' the new babby wuz fust born inter the world?" was Bill's ready -suggestion. - -"Capital! couldn't be better," exclaimed the merchant. "And now," -taking out his notebook, "tell me what I can do for each of you -personally when I get back to the States?" - -Walter spoke first. "Please look up my old aunty, and see her made -comfortable." Mr. Bright jotted down the address with an approving -nod, then looked up at Charley. - -"Send out a couple of donkey engines; horses are too slow." - -Mr. Bright then turned to Bill. - -"Me? Oh, well, I've got no aunt, I've no use for donkeys. You might -lick that sneakin' perleeceman on the wharf an' send me his resate." - -When the two young men took leave of Mr. Bright, on board the _John L. -Stephens_, after a hearty hand-shaking all round, that gentleman gave -them this parting advice: "Make all the friends you can, and keep them -if you can. Remember, nothing is easier than to make enemies." - -At a meaning look from Walter, Charley withdrew himself out of -earshot. Walter fidgeted a little, blushed, and then managed to ask, -"Have I your permission to write to Miss Dora, sir?" - -Mr. Bright looked surprised, then serious, then amused. "Oho! now I -begin to catch on. That's how the land lies, is it? So that was the -reason why you were prowling around our house one night after dark, -was it? Well, well! Certainly you may write to Dora. And by the way, -when next you pass through our street you may ring the doorbell." - - - - -XX - -BRIGHT, SEABURY & COMPANY - - -Thus the new firm entered upon its future career with bright -prospects. A suitable warehouse on the waterfront was leased for a -term of years. True to their determination to stick together, the two -junior partners fitted up a room in the second story, and on the day -that the doors were first opened for business they moved in. The next -thing was to get some business to do. - -Charley had a considerable acquaintance among the ranchmen across -the Bay, which he now improved by making frequent trips to solicit -consignments of country produce. The sight of an empty store and bare -walls was at first depressing, but their first shipments from the East -could not be expected for several months. There was a sort of tacit -understanding that Walter should attend to the financial end of the -business, while Charley took care of the outdoor concerns. They were -no longer boys. The sense of assumed responsibilities had made them -men. - -The two partners were busy receiving a sloop-load of potatoes, -with their shirt sleeves rolled up, when a big, burly, bewhiskered -individual dropped in upon them. Scenting a customer, Charley, always -forward, briskly asked what they could do for him. - -"I want to see the senior partner." - -Charley nodded toward Walter, who was checking off the weights. - -The man gave a quick look at the tall, straight young fellow before -him, then said, "Can I speak to you in private for five minutes?" - -"Come this way," Walter replied, showing the stranger into the little -office. - -The newcomer sat down, crossed one leg over the other, stroked his -long beard reflectively a little, and said, "I've come on a very -confidential matter. Can I depend upon the strictest privacy?" - -"You may," said Walter, quite astonished at this rather unexpected -opening. "Nobody will interrupt us here." - -The man cast an inquisitive look around, as if to make sure there were -no eavesdroppers near, then, lowering his voice almost to a whisper, -said pointedly, "You may have heard something about a plan to aid the -poor, oppressed natives of Nicaragua to throw off the tyrannical yoke -of their present rulers?" - -"I've seen something to that effect in the papers," said Walter -evasively. - -"So much the better. That clears the way of cobwebs. I want your -solemn promise that what passes between us shall not be divulged to a -human being." - -"I have no business secrets from my partners," Walter objected. - -"Your partners! Oh! of course not." - -"I've already promised," Walter assented, more and more mystified by -the stranger's manner. "Nobody asked you for your secrets. You can do -as you like about telling them," he continued rather sharply. - -"I'll trust you. You are a young concern. Well connected. Bang-up -references. Likely to get on top of the heap, and nat'rally want to -make a strike. Nothing like seizing upon a golden opportunity. 'There -is a tide'--you know the rest. Now, I'm just the man to put you in the -way of doing it, as easy as rolling off a log." - -As Walter made no reply, the visitor, after waiting a moment for his -words to take effect, went on: "Now, listen. I don't mind telling -you, in the strictest confidence, then, that I'm fiscal agent for -this here enterprise. I'm in it for glory and the _dinero_. We want -some enterprising young firm like yours to furnish supplies for the -emigrants we're sending down there," jerking his head toward the -south. "There's a big pile in it for you, if you will take hold with -us and see the thing through." - -Walter kept his eyes upon the speaker, but said nothing. - -"You see, it's a perfectly legitimate transaction, don't you?" resumed -the fiscal agent a little anxiously. - -"Then why so much secrecy?" - -"Oh! there's always a lot of people prying round into what don't -concern them. Busybodies! If it gets out that our people aren't -peaceable emigrants before we're good and ready, the whole thing might -get knocked into a cocked hat. They'd say--well, they even might call -us filibusters," the man admitted with an injured air. - -Walter smiled a knowing smile. "What do you want us to do?" he asked. - -"In the first place, we want cornmeal, hard bread, bacon, potatoes, -an' sich, for a hundred and fifty men for two months. I can give you -the figures to a dot," the agent rejoined, on whom Walter's smile had -not been lost. "See here." He drew out of his pocket a package of -freshly printed bonds, purporting to be issued by authority of the -Republic of Nicaragua, and passed them over for Walter's inspection. -"Now, the fact is, we want all our ready funds for the people's -outfit, advance money, vessel's charter, and so on. Now, I'm going to -be liberal with you. I'll put up this bunch of twenty thousand dollars -in bonds, payable on the day Nicaragua is free, for five thousand -dollars' worth of provisions at market price. Think of that! Twenty -thousand dollars for five thousand dollars. You can't lose. We've got -things all fixed down there. Why, man, there's silver and gold and -jewels enough in the churches alone to pay those bonds ten times over!" - -"What! rob the churches!" Walter exclaimed, knitting his brows. - -"Why, no; I believe they call that merely a forced loan nowadays," -objected the fiscal agent in some embarrassment. - -Seeing that he paused for a reply, Walter observed that he would -consult his partner. Charley was called in and the proposal gone over -again with him. As soon as advised of its purport he turned on his -heel. - -"Not any in mine," was his prompt decision. - -"Mine either," assented Walter. - -The stranger seemed much disappointed, but not yet at the end of his -resources. "Well, then," he began again, "you take the bonds, sell -them for a fair discount for cash, and use the proceeds towards those -provisions?" - -"Hadn't you better do that yourself? We're not brokers. We're -commission merchants. If you come to us with cash in hand we'll sell -you anything money will buy, and no questions asked; but Nicaragua -bonds, payable any time and no time, are not in our line." So said -Walter. - -"Not much," echoed Charley. - -"Your line seems to be small potatoes," muttered the stranger -testily. Then quickly checking himself, he carelessly asked, "I -suppose you'd have no objection to keeping these bonds in your -safe for a day or two for me, giving me a receipt for them, or the -equivalent? I don't feel half easy about carrying them about with me." - -"Why, no," said Charley, looking at Walter, to see how he would take -it. - -"Yes," objected Walter, "most decidedly." - -"'No;' 'yes;' who's boss here, anyhow?" sneered the agent, dismissing -his wheedling tone, now that he had played his last card. Even Charley -seemed a trifle nettled at being snubbed by Walter in the presence of -a stranger. After all, it seemed a trifling favor to ask of them. - -"My partner and I can settle that matter between ourselves. Once for -all, we don't choose to be mixed up in your filibustering schemes in -any way. Your five minutes have grown to three-quarters of an hour -already. This is our busy day," he concluded, as a broad hint to the -stranger to take leave, and at once. - -"Very well," said the unmoved fiscal agent, buttoning up his coat. -"But you'll repent, all the same, having thrown away the finest -opportunity of making a fortune ever offered----" - -"This way out, sir," Charley interrupted, throwing wide the office -door. - -When the strange visitor had gone Charley asked Walter why he refused -to let the bonds be put in the safe. "Now we've made an enemy," he -said resignedly. - -"To let him raise money on that receipt for twenty thousand dollars, -_or equivalent_--on Mr. Bright's name? No, sir-ee. Where were your -wits, Charles Wormwood? That fellow's a sharper!" - -"Guess I'd better attend to those potatoes," was all the junior -partner could find to say, suiting the action to the word. - -As was quite natural, much curiosity was felt as to what had become -of Ramon, by his former business associates. In some way he had found -out that Mr. Bright was in San Francisco, and taking counsel of his -fears of being sent back to Boston as a confessed felon, he cast his -lot among the most lawless adventurers of the day. Learning that a -filibustering expedition was being fitted out at San Francisco against -Lower California, under command of Walker, the "Gray-eyed Man of -Destiny," Ramon joined it, keeping in hiding meanwhile, until the -vessel was ready to sail. As is well known, the affair was a complete -failure, Walker's famished band being compelled to surrender to the -United States officers at San Diego. From this time Ramon disappeared. - - * * * * * - -Some five years later a young man, ruddy-cheeked, robust, and well -though not foppishly dressed, drove up to the door of a pretty cottage -in one of the most fashionable suburbs of Boston. Alighting from his -buggy and hitching his horse, he walked quickly up the driveway to the -house. The front door flew open by the time he had put his hand on the -knob; and a young woman, with the matchless New England pink and white -in her cheeks, called out, "Why, Walter, what brings you home so early -to-day? Has anything happened?" - -"Yes, Dora; Charles Wormwood is coming out to dine with us to-day. He -only arrived to-day overland. I want to show him my wife." - - -THE END - - -The transcriber made these changes to the text: - - 1. p. 152, "the the certificate" changed to "the certificate" - 2. p. 224, "eend" changed to "end" - 3. p. 246, "Charlay" changed to "Charley" - 4. p. 281, "dimissing" changed to "dismissing" - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Young Vigilantes, by Samuel Adams Drake - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG VIGILANTES *** - -***** This file should be named 50651-8.txt or 50651-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/6/5/50651/ - -Produced by Richard J. Shiffer and the Distributed -Proofreading volunteers at http://www.pgdp.net for Project -Gutenberg. 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- padding-top: 0;} - .figleft { - float: none; - text-align: center; - margin-right: 0;} - .figright { - float: none; - text-align: center; - margin-left: 0;} - div.covernote { /* Make cover TN visible for epub */ - visibility: visible; - display: block;} - } - </style> -</head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Young Vigilantes, by Samuel Adams Drake - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Young Vigilantes - A Story of California Life in the Fifties - -Author: Samuel Adams Drake - -Illustrator: L. J. Bridgman - -Release Date: December 8, 2015 [EBook #50651] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG VIGILANTES *** - - - - -Produced by Richard J. Shiffer and the Distributed -Proofreading volunteers at http://www.pgdp.net for Project -Gutenberg. (This file was produced from images generously -made available by The Internet Archive.) - - - - - - -</pre> - -<div class="trans-note"> -<p class="heading">Transcriber's Note</p> -<p>Every effort has been made to replicate this text as -faithfully as possible, including obsolete and variant spellings and other -inconsistencies. Text that has been changed is noted at -the <a href="#END">end</a> of this ebook.</p> - -<div class="covernote"> -<p>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p> -</div> -</div> - - -<p class="text120 center spacious"><b>THE YOUNG VIGILANTES</b></p> - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 331px;"> -<a name="frontispiece" id="frontispiece"> -<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="331" height="500" alt="" /></a> -<div class="caption"><p>Walter and Bill tramping across the Isthmus.—<i>Page -132.</i></p></div> -</div> - -<div id="title-page"> -<h1>THE YOUNG VIGILANTES</h1> - -<p>A STORY OF CALIFORNIA<br /> -LIFE IN THE FIFTIES<br /><br /> - -<span class="text80">BY</span><br /> - -<span class="text110">SAMUEL ADAMS DRAKE</span><br /> - -<span class="text90">Author of "Watch Fires of '76," "On Plymouth Rock," "Decisive -Events in American History Series," etc.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><i>ILLUSTRATED BY L. J. BRIDGMAN</i></p> - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 94px;"> -<img src="images/i005.jpg" width="94" height="150" alt="" /> -</div> - - -<p class="center spacious">BOSTON<br /> -LEE AND SHEPARD<br /> -1904</p> - - -<p><span class="text90">Published August, 1904</span></p> - -<div class="copyright"> -<p><span class="sc text90">Copyright, 1904, by Lee and Shepard</span></p> - -<hr class="tiny tight" /> -<p><span class="text90"><i>All rights reserved</i></span></p> -<hr class="tiny tight" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="text90 sc spacious">The Young Vigilantes</span></p> - -<div class="publisher"> -<p>Norwood Press<br /> -<span class="sc">Berwick & Smith Co.</span><br /> -Norwood, Mass.<br /> -U. S. A.</p> -</div> - -</div> - - -<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</a></h2> - - -<div class="center"> -<table summary="TOC"> -<tr><td class="right">CHAPTER</td><td class="left"> </td><td class="right">PAGE</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">I.</td><td class="left sc">A Narrow Escape</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">II.</td><td class="left sc">Walter Tells His Story</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_18">18</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">III.</td><td class="left sc">And Charley Tells His</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">IV.</td><td class="left sc">What Happened on Board the "Argonaut"</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_37">37</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">V.</td><td class="left sc">One Way of Going to California</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">VI.</td><td class="left sc">A Black Sheep in the Fold</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_66">66</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">VII.</td><td class="left sc">The Flight</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_82">82</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">VIII.</td><td class="left sc">Outward Bound</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_100">100</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">IX.</td><td class="left sc">Across Nicaragua</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_117">117</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">X.</td><td class="left sc">The Luck of Yankee Jim</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_141">141</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XI.</td><td class="left sc">Seeing the Sights in 'Frisco</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_154">154</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XII.</td><td class="left sc">An Unexpected Meeting</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_165">165</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XIII.</td><td class="left sc">In Which a Man Breaks into His Own Store, and Steals His Own Safe</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_182">182</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XIV.</td><td class="left sc">Charley and Walter go a-Gunning</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_203">203</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XV.</td><td class="left sc">The Young Vigilantes</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_215">215</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XVI.</td><td class="left sc">Ramon Finds His Match</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_231">231</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XVII.</td><td class="left sc">A Sharp Rise in Lumber</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_241">241</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XVIII.</td><td class="left sc">A Corner in Lumber</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_250">250</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XIX.</td><td class="left sc">Hearts of Gold</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_262">262</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XX.</td><td class="left sc">Bright, Seabury & Company</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_274">274</a></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<h2><a name="ILLUSTRATIONS" id="ILLUSTRATIONS">ILLUSTRATIONS</a></h2> - -<div class="center"> -<table summary="Illustrations"> -<tr><td class="left"> </td><td class="right">Page</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Walter and Bill tramping across the Isthmus (<i>Frontispiece.</i>)</td><td class="right"><a href="#frontispiece">132</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Walter rescuing Dora Bright</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Waiting for the opening of the mail</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_160">160</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">The hunters hunted by a grizzly bear</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_208">208</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Ramon made to give up his stealings</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_236">236</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Arrival of the <i>Southern Cross</i> at Sacramento</td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_254">254</a></td></tr> -</table></div> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="text120 center spacious"><b>THE YOUNG VIGILANTES</b></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="I" id="I">I</a><br /> -<small>A NARROW ESCAPE</small></h2> - - -<p><span class="sc">From</span> the <i>Morning Post-Horn</i>:</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"As passenger train Number Four was rounding a curve at full -speed, ten miles out of this city, on the morning of October 4, -and at a point where a deep cut shut out the view ahead, the -engineer saw some one, man or boy, he could not well make out -which, running down the track toward the train, frantically -swinging both arms and waving his cap in the air as if to attract -attention. The engine-man instantly shut off steam, whistled for -brakes, and quickly brought the train to a standstill.</p> - -<p>"The engine-man put his head out of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> cab window. The conductor -jumped off, followed by fifty frightened passengers, all talking -and gesticulating at once; while the person who had just given the -warning signal slackened his breakneck pace, somewhat, upon seeing -that he had succeeded in stopping the train.</p> - -<p>"'What's the matter?' shouted the impatient engine-man when this -person had come within hearing.</p> - -<p>"'What do you stop us for?' called out the little conductor -sharply, in his turn, at the same time anxiously consulting the -face of the watch he held in his hand.</p> - -<p>"To both questions the young man seemed too much out of breath to -reply, offhand; but turning and pointing in the direction whence -he came, he shook his head warningly, threw himself down on the -roadbed, as limp as a rag, and began fanning himself with his cap. -After getting his breath a little, he made out to say, 'Bridge -afire—quarter mile back. Tried put it out—couldn't. Heard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> train -coming—afraid be too late. Couldn't run another step.'</p> - -<p>"'Get aboard,' said the conductor to him. 'Jake,' to the grinning -engine-man, 'we'll run down and take a look at it. Get out your -flag!' to a brakeman. 'Like as not Thirteen'll be along before we -can make Brenton switch. All aboard!' The delayed train then moved -on.</p> - -<p>"As it neared the burning bridge it was clear to every one -that the young man's warning had prevented a disastrous wreck, -probably much loss of life, because the bridge could not be seen -until the train was close upon it. All hands immediately set to -work with pails extinguishing the flames, which was finally done -after a hard fight. To risk a heavy train upon the half-burned -stringers was, however, out of the question. Leaving a man to see -that the fire did not break out again, the train was run back to -the next station, there to await further orders. We were unable -to learn the name of the young man to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> whose presence of mind -the passengers on Number Four owed their escape from a serious, -perhaps fatal disaster. But we are informed that a collection -was taken up for him on the train, which he, however, refused to -accept, stoutly insisting that he had only done what it was his -duty to do under the circumstances."</p> -</blockquote> - -<p>Thus far, the <i>Morning Post-Horn</i>. We now take up the narrative where -the enterprising journal left off.</p> - -<p>While the delayed train was being held for orders, the young man whose -ready wit had averted a calamity stood on the platform with his hands -in his trousers pockets, apparently an unconcerned spectator of what -was going on around him. The little pug-nosed conductor stepped up to -him.</p> - -<p>"I say, young feller, what may I call your name?"</p> - -<p>"Seabury."</p> - -<p>"Zebra, Zebra," repeated the conductor,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> in a puzzled tone, "then I -s'pose your ancestors came over in the Ark?"</p> - -<p>"I didn't say Zebra; I said Seabury plain enough," snapped back the -young man, getting red in the face at seeing the broad grins on the -faces around him.</p> - -<p>"Don't fire up so. Got any first name?"</p> - -<p>"Walter."</p> - -<p>"Walter Seabury," the conductor repeated slowly, while scratching it -down. "Got to report this job, you know. Say, where you goin'?"</p> - -<p>"I'm walkin' to Boston."</p> - -<p>"Shanks' mare, hey. No, you ain't. Get aboard and save your muscle. -You own this train to-day, and everything in it. Lively now." The -conductor then waved his hand, and the train started on. At the bridge -a transfer was effected to a second train, and this one again was soon -reeling off the miles toward Boston, as if to make up for lost time.</p> - -<p>Being left to himself, young Seabury,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> whom we may as well hereafter -call by his Christian name of Walter, could think of nothing else than -his wonderful luck. Instead of having a long, weary tramp before him, -here he was, riding in a railroad train, and without its costing him a -cent. This was a saving of both time and money.</p> - -<p>Pretty soon the friendly conductor came down the aisle to where Walter -sat, looking out of the car window. After giving him a sharp look, the -conductor made up his mind that here was no vagabond tramp. "It's none -of my business, but all the same I'd like to know what you're walkin' -to Boston for, young feller?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Going to look for work."</p> - -<p>"What's your job?"</p> - -<p>"I'm a rigger." And his hands, tarry and cracked, bore out his story -perfectly.</p> - -<p>"Ever in Boston?"</p> - -<p>"Never."</p> - -<p>"Know anybody there?"</p> - -<p>"Nobody."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Got any of this—you know?" slapping his pocket.</p> - -<p>At this question Walter flushed up. He drew himself up stiffly, smiled -a pitying smile, and said nothing. His manner conveyed the idea that -he really didn't know exactly how much he was worth.</p> - -<p>"That's first-rate," the conductor went on. "Now, look here. You'll -get lost in Boston. I'll tell you what. When we get in, I'll show you -how to go to get down among the riggers' lofts. You're a rigger, you -say?" Walter nodded. "They're all in a bunch, down at the North End, -riggers, sailmakers, pump- and block-makers, and all the rest. Full -of work, too, I guess, all on account of this Californy business. -Everybody's goin' crazy over it. You will be, too, in a week."</p> - -<p>By this time, the train was rumbling over the long waste of salt-marsh -stretching out between the mainland and the dome-capped city, and in -five minutes more it drew up with a jerk in the station, with the -locomotive puffing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> out steam like a tired racehorse after a hard push -at the finish.</p> - -<p>The conductor was as good as his word. He told Walter to go straight -up Tremont Street until he came to Hanover, then straight down Hanover -to the water, and then to follow his nose. "Oh, you can't miss it," -was the cheerful, parting assurance. "Smell it a mile." But going -straight up this street, and straight down that, was a direction not -so easy to follow, as Walter soon found. The crowds bewildered him, -and in trying to get out of everybody's way, he got in everybody's -way, and was jostled, shoved about, and stared at, as he slowly made -his way through the throng, until his roving eyes caught sight of the -tall masts and fluttering pennants, where the long street suddenly -came to an end. Walter put down his bundle, took off his cap, and -wiped the perspiration from his forehead. Whichever way he looked, -the wharves were crowded with ships, the ships with workmen, and the -street with loaded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> trucks and wagons. Casting an eye upward he could -see riggers at work among the maze of ropes and spars, like so many -spiders weaving their webs. Here, at least, he could feel at home.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> - - -<h2><a name="II" id="II">II</a><br /> -<small>WALTER TELLS HIS STORY</small></h2> - - -<p><span class="sc">Walter's</span> first want was to find a boarding house suited to his means. -Turning into a side street, walled in by a row of two-story brick -houses, all as like as peas in a pod, he found that the difficulty -would be to pick and choose, as all showed the same little tin sign -announcing "Board and Lodging, by the Day or Week," tacked upon the -door. After walking irresolutely up and down the street two or three -times, he finally mustered up courage to give a timid pull at the -bell of one of them. The door opened so suddenly that Walter fell -back a step. He began stammering out something, but before he could -finish, the untidy-looking girl sang out at the top of her voice: -"Miss Hashall, Miss Hashall, there's somebody wants to see you!" She<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> -then bolted off through the back door singing "I want to be an angel," -in a voice that set Walter's teeth on an edge. To make a long story -short, Walter soon struck a bargain with the landlady,—a fat, pudgy -person in a greasy black poplin, wearing a false front, false teeth, -and false stones in her breastpin. True, Walter silently resented her -demanding a week's board in advance, it seemed so like a reflection -upon his honesty, but was easily mollified by the motherly interest -she seemed to take in him—or his cash.</p> - -<p>Bright and early the next morning Walter sallied out in search of -work. His landlady had told him to apply at the first loft he came to. -"Why, you can't make no mistake," the woman declared. "They're all -drove to death, and hands is scurse as hens' teeth, all on account of -this Kalerforny fever what carries so many of 'em off. Don't I wish -I was a man! I'd jest like to dig gold enough to buy me a house on -Beacon Street and ride in my kerridge. You just go and spunk right<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> up -to 'em, like I do. That's the way to get along in this world, my son."</p> - -<p>Walter's landlady had told him truly. The demand for vessels for the -California trade was so urgent that even worm-eaten old whaleships -were being overhauled and refitted with all haste, and as Walter -walked along he noticed that about every craft he saw showed the same -sign in her rigging, "For San Francisco with dispatch." "Well, I'll -be hanged if there ain't the old <i>Argonaut</i> that father was mate of!" -Walter exclaimed quite aloud, clearly taken by surprise at seeing an -old acquaintance quite unexpectedly in a strange place, and quickly -recognizing her, in spite of a new coat of paint alow and aloft.</p> - -<p>The riggers were busy setting up the standing rigging, reeving new -halliards, and giving the old barky a general overhauling. Walter -climbed on board and began a critical survey of the ship's rigging, -high and low.</p> - -<p>"What yer lookin' at, greeny?" one of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> the riggers asked him, at -seeing Walter's eyes fixed on some object aloft.</p> - -<p>"I'm looking at that Irish pennant<a name="FNanchor_1" id="FNanchor_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> on that stay up there," was the -quick reply. This caused a broad smile to spread over the faces of the -workmen.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1" id="Footnote_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> A strand of marline carelessly left flying by a rigger.</p></div> - -<p>"You a rigger?"</p> - -<p>"I've helped rig this ship."</p> - -<p>"Want a job?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Well, here," tossing Walter a marline-spike, "let's see you make this -splice." It was neatly and quickly done. "I'll give you ten dollars -a week." Walter held out for twelve, and after some demurring on the -part of the boss, a bargain was struck. Walter's overalls were rolled -up in a paper, under his arm, so that he was immediately ready to -begin work.</p> - -<p>Being, as it were, in the midst of the stream of visitors to the ship, -hearing no end of talk about the wonderful fortunes to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> made in -the Land of Gold, Walter did not wholly escape the prevailing frenzy, -for such it was. But knowing that he had not the means of paying for -his passage, Walter resolutely kept at work, and let the troubled -stream pass by. There was still another obstacle. He would have to -leave behind him a widowed aunt, whose means of support were strictly -limited to her actual wants. He had at once written to her of his good -fortune in obtaining work, though the receipt of that same letter had -proved a great shock to the "poor lone creetur," as she described -herself, because she had freely given out among her neighbors that -a boy who would run away from such a good home as Walter had, would -surely come to no good end.</p> - -<p>Walter had struck up a rather sudden friendship with a young fellow -workman of about his own age, named Charley Wormwood. On account of -his name he was nicknamed "Bitters." Charley was a happy-go-lucky sort -of chap, valuing the world chiefly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> for the amusement it afforded, -and finding that amusement in about everything and everybody. Though -mercilessly chaffed by the older hands, Charley took it all so -good-naturedly that he made himself a general favorite. The two young -men soon arranged to room together, and had come to be sworn friends.</p> - -<p>One pleasant evening, as the two sat in their room, with chairs -tilted back against the wall, the following conversation was begun by -Charley: "I say, Walt, we've been together here two months now, to -a dot, and never a word have you said about your folks. Mind now, I -don't want to pry into your secrets, but I'd like to know who you are, -if it's all the same to you. Have you killed a man, or broke a bank, -or set a fire, or what? Folks think it funny, when I have to tell them -I don't know anything about you, except by guess, and you know that's -a mighty poor course to steer by. Pooh! you're as close as an oyster!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> - -<p>Walter colored to his temples. For a short space he sat eyeing -Charley without speaking. Then he spoke up with an evident effort -at self-control, as if the question, so suddenly put, had awakened -painful memories. "There's no mystery about it," he said. "You want to -hear the story? So be it, then. I'll tell mine if you'll tell yours.</p> - -<p>"I b'long to an old whaling port down on the Cape. I was left an -orphan when I was a little shaver, knee-high to a toadstool. Uncle -Dick, he took me home. Aunt Marthy didn't like it, I guess. All she -said was, 'Massy me! another mouth to feed?' 'Pooh, pooh, Marthy,' -uncle laughed, 'where there's enough for two, there's enough for -three.' She shut up, but she never liked me one mite."</p> - -<p>"An orphan?" interjected Charley. "No father nor mother?"</p> - -<p>"I'll tell you about it. You see, my father went out mate on a whaling -voyage in the Pacific, in this very same old <i>Argonaut</i> we've<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> been -patchin' and pluggin' up. It may have been a year we got a letter -telling he was dead. Boat he was in swamped, while fast to a whale—a -big one. They picked up his hat. Sharks took him, I guess. Mother was -poorly. She fell into a decline, they called it, and didn't live long. -We had nothin' but father's wages. They was only a drop in the bucket. -Then there was only me left."</p> - -<p>"That was the time your uncle took you home?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; Uncle Dick was a rigger by trade. He used to show me how to -make all sorts of knots and splices evenings; and bimeby he got me a -chance, when I was big enough, doin' odd jobs like, for a dollar a -week, in the loft or on the ships. Aunt Marthy said a dollar a week -didn't begin to pay for what I et. Guess she knew. Pretty soon, I got -a raise to a dollar-half."</p> - -<p>"But what made you quit? Didn't you like the work?"</p> - -<p>"Liked it first-rate. Like it now. But I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> couldn't stand Aunt Marthy's -sour looks and sharp tongue. Nothing suited her. She was either as -cold as ice, or as hot as fire coals. When she wasn't scolding, she -was groaning. Said she couldn't see what some folks was born into this -world just to slave for other folks for." A frown passed over Walter's -face at the recollection.</p> - -<p>"Nice woman that," observed the sententious Charley. "But how about -the uncle?" he added. "Couldn't he make her hold her yawp?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no better man ever stood. He was like a father to me—bless him!" -(Walter's voice grew a little shaky here.) "But he showed the white -feather to Aunt Marthy. Whenever she went into one of her tantrums, he -would take his pipe and clear out, leaving me to bear the brunt of it.</p> - -<p>"A good while after mother died, father's sea-chest was brought home -in the <i>Argonaut</i>. There was nothing in it but old clothes, this watch -[showing it], and some torn and greasy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> sea-charts, with the courses -father had sailed pricked out on 'em. Those charts made me sort o' -hanker to see the world, which I then saw men traveled with the aid of -a roll of paper, and a little knowledge, as certainly, and as safely, -as we do the streets of Boston. You better believe I studied over -those charts some! Anyhow, I know my geography." And Walter's blue -eyes lighted up with a look of triumph.</p> - -<p>"Bully for you! Then that was what started you out on your travels, -was it?"</p> - -<p>"No: I had often thought of slipping away some dark night, but -couldn't make up my mind to it. It did seem so kind o' mean after all -Uncle Dick had done for me. But one day (one bad day for me, Charley) -a man came running up to the loft, all out of breath, to tell me that -Uncle Dick had fallen down the ship's hatchway, and that they were now -bringing him home on a stretcher. I tell you I felt sick and faint -when I saw him lying there lifeless. He never spoke again.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Shortly after the funeral, upon going to the loft the foreman told me -that work being slack they would have to lay off a lot of hands, me -with the rest. Before I went to sleep that night I made up my mind to -strike out for myself; for now that Uncle Dick was gone, I couldn't -endure my life any longer. I set about packing up my duds without -saying anything to my aunt, for I knew what a rumpus she would make -over it, and if there's anything I hate it's a scene."</p> - -<p>"Me too," Charley vigorously assented. "Rather take a lickin'."</p> - -<p>"Well," Walter resumed, "I counted up my money first. There was -just forty-nine dollars. Lucky number: it was the year '49 too. I -put ten of it in an envelope directed to my aunt, and put it on the -chimney-piece where she couldn't help seeing it when she came into -my room. Then I took a piece of chalk and wrote on the table top: -'I'm going away to hunt for work. When I get some, I'll let you know. -Please take care of my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> chest. Look on the mantelpiece. Good-bye. From -Walter.'</p> - -<p>"Then, like a thief, I slipped out of the house by a back way, in my -stocking feet, and never stopped running till I was 'way out of town. -There I struck the railroad. I knew if I followed it it would take me -to Boston. And it did. That's all."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="III" id="III">III</a><br /> -<small>AND CHARLEY TELLS HIS</small></h2> - -<p><span class="sc">There</span> was silence for a minute or two, each of the lads being busy -with his own thoughts. Apparently they were not pleasant thoughts. -What a tantalizing thing memory sometimes is!</p> - -<p>But it was not in the nature of things for either to remain long -speechless. Walter first broke silence by reminding Charley of his -promise. "Come now, you've wormed all that out of me about my folks, -pay your debts. I should like to know what made you leave home. Did -you run away, too?"</p> - -<p>At this question, Charley's mouth puckered up queerly, and then -quickly broke out into a broad grin, while his eyes almost shut tight -at the recollection Walter's question had summoned up. "It was all -along of 'Rough on Rats,'" he managed to say at last.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> - -<p>"'Rough on Rats?'"</p> - -<p>"Yes, 'Rough on Rats.' Rat poison. You just wait, and hear me through.</p> - -<p>"I've got a father somewhere, I b'leeve. Boys gen'ally have, I s'pose, -though whether mine's dead or alive, not knowin', can't say. We were -poor as Job's turkey, if you know how poor that was. I don't. Anyway, -he put me out to work on a milk and chicken farm back here in the -country, twenty miles or so, to a man by the name of Bennett, and then -took himself off out West somewhere."</p> - -<p>"And you've never seen him since?"</p> - -<p>"No; I ha'n't never missed him, or the lickin's he give me. Well, -my boss he raised lots of young chickens for market. We was awfully -pestered with rats, big, fat, sassy ones, getting into the coops -nights, and killing off the little chicks as soon's ever they was -hatched out. You see, they was tender. Besides eating the chicks they -et up most of the grain we throw'd into the hens. The boss he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> tried -everything to drive those rats away. He tried cats an' he tried traps. -'Twan't no use. The cats wouldn't tech the rats nor the rats go near -the traps. You can't fool an old rat much, anyhow," he added with a -knowing shake of his head.</p> - -<p>"Well, the boss was a-countin' the chicks one mornin', while ladling -out the dough to 'em. 'Confound those rats,' he sputtered out; -'there's eight more chicks gone sence I fed last night. I'd gin -something to red the place on 'em, I would.'</p> - -<p>"'Uncle,' says I (he let me call him uncle, seein' he'd kind of -adopted me like)—'uncle,' says I, 'why don't you try Rough on Rats? -They say that'll fetch 'em every time.'</p> - -<p>"'What's that? Never heer'd on't. How do you know? Who says so?' he -axed all in one breath."</p> - -<p>"'Anyhow, I seen a big poster down at the Four Corners that says -so,' says I. 'The boys was a-talkin' about what it had done up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> to -Skillings' place. Skillings allowed he'd red his place of rats with -it. Hadn't seen hide nor hair of one sence he fust tried it. Everybody -says it's a big thing.'</p> - -<p>"The old man said nothin' more just then. He didn't let on that my -advice was worth a cent; but I noticed that he went off and bought -some Rough on Rats that same afternoon, and when the old hens had gone -to roost and the mother hens had gathered their broods under 'em for -the night, uncle he slyly stirred up a big dose of the p'isen stuff -into a pan of meal, which he set down inside the henhouse.</p> - -<p>"Uncle's idea was to get up early in the mornin', so's to count up the -dead rats, I s'pose.</p> - -<p>"But he did not get up early enough. When he went out into the -henhouse to investigate, he found fifteen or twenty of his best hens -lying dead around the floor after eatin' of the p'isen'd meal.</p> - -<p>"When I come outdoors he was stoopin'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> down, with his back to me -pickin' 'em up."</p> - -<p>Walter laughed until the tears rolled down his cheeks, sobered down, -and then broke out again. Charley found the laugh infectious and -joined in it, though more moderately.</p> - -<p>"Go ahead. Let's have the rest, do," Walter entreated. "What next?"</p> - -<p>"I asked Uncle Bennett what he was goin' to do with all those dead -hens. He flung one at my head. Oh! but he was mad. 'Just stop where -you be, my little joker,' says he, startin' off for the stable; 'I've -got somethin' that's Rough on Brats, an' you shall have a taste on't -right off. Don't you stir a step,' shakin' his fist at me, 'or I'll -give you the worst dressin' down you ever had in all your life.'</p> - -<p>"While he was gone for a horsewhip, I lit out for the Corners. You -couldn't have seen me for dust.</p> - -<p>"I darsen't go back to the house and I had only a silver ninepence in -my pocket and a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> few coppers, but I managed to beg my way to Boston. -Oh! Walt, it was a long time between meals, I can tell you. I slept -one night in a barn, on the haymow. Nobody saw me slip in after dark. -I took off my neckerchief and laid it down within reach, for it was -hot weather on that haymow, and I was 'most choked with the dust I -swallowed. I overslept. In the morning I heard a noise down where the -hosses were tied up. Some one was rakin' down hay for 'em. I reached -for my neckerchief, thinkin' how I should get away without being seen, -when a boy's voice gave a shout, 'Towser! Towser!' and then I knew it -was all up, for that boy had raked down my neckerchief with the hay, -and he knew there was a tramp somewhere about.</p> - -<p>"The long and short of it is, that the dog chased me till I was ready -to drop or until another and a bigger one came out of a yard and -tackled him. Then it was dog eat dog.</p> - -<p>"When I got to Boston it was night. I had no money. I didn't know -where to go.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> Tired's no name for it. I was dead-beat. So I threw -myself down on a doorstep and was asleep in a minnit. There was an -alarm of fire. An ingine came jolting along. I forgot all about being -tired and took holt of the rope, and ran, and hollered, with the rest. -The fire was all out when we got there, so I went back to the ingine -house, and the steward let me sleep in the cellar a couple of hours -and wash up in the mornin'. But I'm ahead of my story. They had hot -coffee and crackers and cheese when they got back from the fire. No -cheese ever tasted like that before. Give me a fireman for a friend -at need. I hung round that ingine house till I picked up a job. The -company was all calkers, gravers, riggers, and the like. Tough lot! -How they could wallop that old tub over the cobblestones, to be sure!"</p> - -<p>And here Charley fell into a fit of musing from which Walter did not -attempt to rouse him. In their past experiences the two boys had found -a common bond.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="IV" id="IV">IV</a><br /> -<small>WHAT HAPPENED ON BOARD THE "ARGONAUT"</small></h2> - -<p><span class="sc">Seeing</span> that Walter also had fallen into a brown study, Charley quickly -changed the subject. "See here, Walt!" he exclaimed, "the <i>Argonaut's</i> -going to sail for Californy first fair wind. To-morrow's Sunday, and -Father Taylor's goin' to preach aboard of her. He's immense! Let's go -and hear him. What do you say?"</p> - -<p>Walter jumped at the proposal. "I want to hear Father Taylor ever so -much, and I shouldn't mind taking a look at the passengers, too."</p> - -<p>Sunday came. Walter put on his best suit, and the two friends strolled -down to the wharf where the <i>Argonaut</i> lay moored with topsails -loosened, and flags and streamers fluttering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> gayly aloft. The ship -was thronged not only with those about to sail for the Land of Gold, -but also with the friends who had come to bid them good-bye; besides -many attracted by mere curiosity, or, perhaps, by the fame of Father -Taylor's preaching. There was a perfect Babel of voices. As Walter was -passing one group he overheard the remark, "She'll never get round the -Horn. Too deep. Too many passengers by half. Look at that bow! Have to -walk round her to tell stem from starn."</p> - -<p>"Oh, she'll get there fast enough," his companion replied. "She knows -the way. Besides, you can't sink her. She's got lumber enough in her -hold to keep her afloat if she should get waterlogged."</p> - -<p>"That ain't the whole story by a long shot," a third speaker broke in. -"Don't you remember the crack ship that spoke an old whaler at sea, -both bound out for California? The passengers on the crack ship called -out to the passengers on the old whaler to know if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> they wanted to be -reported. When the crack ship got into San Francisco, lo and behold! -there lay the 'old tub' quietly at anchor. Been in a week."</p> - -<p>Strange sight, indeed, it was to see men who, but the day before, were -clerks in sober tweeds, farmers in homespun, or mechanics in greasy -overalls, now so dressed up as to look far more like brigands than -peaceful citizens; for it would seem that, to their notion, they could -be no true Californians unless they started off armed to the teeth. So -the poor stay-at-homes were given to understand how wanting they were -in the bold spirit of adventure by a lavish display of pistols and -bowie-knives, rifles and carbines. Poor creatures! they little knew -how soon they were to meet an enemy not to be overcome with powder and -lead.</p> - -<p>Between decks, if the truth must be told, many of the passengers -were engaged in sparring or wrestling bouts, playing cards, or -shuffleboard, or hop-scotch, as regardless of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> the day as if going -to California meant a cutting loose from all the restraints of -civilized life. The two friends made haste to get on deck. As they -mingled with the crowd again, Walter exchanged quick glances with a -middle-aged gentleman on whose arm a remarkably pretty young lady was -leaning. Walter was saying to himself, "I wonder where I have seen -that man before," when the full and sonorous voice of Father Taylor, -the seaman's friend, hushed the confused murmur of voices around him -into a reverential silence. With none of the arts and graces of the -pulpit orator, that short, thick-set, hard-featured man spoke like one -inspired for a full hour, and during that hour nobody stirred from -the spot where he had taken his stand. Father Taylor's every word had -struck home.</p> - -<p>The last hymn had been sung, the last prayer said. At its ending the -crowd slowly began filing down the one long, narrow plank reaching -from the ship's gangway to the wharf. Nobody seemed to have noticed -that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> the rising tide had lifted this plank to an incline that would -make the descent trying to weak nerves, especially as there were five -or six feet of clear water to be passed over between ship and shore. -It was just as one young lady was in the act of stepping upon this -plank that two young scapegraces ahead of her ran down it with such -violence as to make it rebound like a springboard, causing the young -lady first to lose her balance, then to make a false step, and then to -fall screaming into the water, twenty feet below.</p> - -<p>Everybody ran to that side, and everybody began shouting at once: -"Man overboard!" "A boat: get a boat!" "Throw over a rope!—a plank!" -"She's going down!" "Help! help!" but nobody seemed to have their wits -about them. With the hundreds looking on, it really seemed as if the -girl might drown before help could reach her.</p> - -<p>Both Charley and Walter had witnessed the accident: coats and hats -were off in a jiffy. Snatching up a coil of rope, it was the work<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> of -a moment for Walter to make a running noose, slip that under his arms, -sign to Charley to take a turn round a bitt, then to swing himself -over into the chains and be lowered down into the water on the run by -the quick-witted Charley.</p> - -<p>Meantime, the young lady's father was almost beside himself. In one -breath he called to his daughter, by the name of Dora, to catch at -a rope that was too short to reach her; in the next he was offering -fifty, a hundred dollars to Walter if he saved her.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 325px;"> -<img src="images/i045.jpg" width="325" height="500" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>Walter rescuing Dora Bright.—<i>Page 42.</i></p></div> -</div> - -<p>Giving himself a vigorous shove with his foot, in two or three strokes -Walter was at the girl's side and with his arms around her. It was -high time, too, as her clothes, which had buoyed her up so far, were -now water-soaked and dragging her down. Only her head was to be seen -above water. At Walter's cheery "Haul away!" fifty nervous arms -dragged them dripping up the ship's side. The young lady fell, sobbing -hysterically, into her father's arms, and was forthwith hurried off -into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> cabin, while Walter, after picking up his coat and hat, -slipped off through the crowd, gained the wharf unnoticed, and with -the faithful, but astonished, Charley at his heels, made a bee-line -for his lodgings. Moreover, Walter exacted a solemn promise from -Charley not to lisp one word of what had happened, on pain of a good -drubbing.</p> - -<p>"My best suit, too!" he ruefully exclaimed, while divesting himself -of his wet clothes. "No matter: let him keep his old fifty dollars. -Pretty girl, though. I'm paid ten times over. A coil of rope's a handy -thing sometimes. So's a rigger—eh, Charley?"</p> - -<p>Charley merely gave a dissatisfied grunt. He was very far from -understanding such refined sentiments. Besides, half the money, he -reflected, would have been his, or ought to have been, which was much -the same thing to his way of thinking. And when he thought of the many -things he could have done with his share, the loss of it made him feel -very miserable, and more than half angry with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> Walter. "Fifty dollars -don't grow on every bush," he muttered. "Then, what lions we'd 'a' -been in the papers!" he lamented.</p> - -<p>"You look here. Can't you do anything without being paid for it? I'd -taken thanks from the old duffer, but not money. Can't you understand? -Now you keep still about this, I tell you."</p> - -<p>Though still grumbling, Charley concluded to hold his tongue, knowing -that Walter would be as good as his word; but he inwardly promised -himself to keep his eyes open, and if ever he should see a chance to -let the cat out of the bag without Walter's knowing it, well, the -mischief was in it if he, Charley, didn't improve it, that was all.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="V" id="V">V</a><br /> -<small>ONE WAY OF GOING TO CALIFORNIA</small></h2> - -<p><span class="sc">The</span> <i>Argonaut</i> affair got into the newspapers, where it was correctly -reported, in the main, except that the rescuer was supposed to be one -of the <i>Argonaut's</i> passengers, and as she was now many miles at sea, -Mr. Bright, the father of Dora, as a last resort, put an advertisement -in the daily papers asking the unknown to furnish his address without -delay to his grateful debtors. But as this failed to elicit a reply, -there was nothing more to be done.</p> - -<p>Walter, however, had seen the advertisement, and he had found out -from it that Mr. Bright was one of the <i>Argonaut's</i> principal owners. -He therefore felt quite safe from discovery when he found himself -reported as having sailed in that vessel.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> - -<p>Time moved along quietly enough with Walter until the Fourth of July -was near at hand, when it began to be noised about that the brand-new -clipper ship then receiving her finishing touches in a neighboring -yard would be launched at high water on that eventful day. What was -unusual, the nameless ship was to be launched fully rigged, so that -the riggers' gang was to take a hand in getting her off the ways. -Everybody was consequently on the tiptoe of expectation.</p> - -<p>The eventful morning came at last. It being a holiday, thousands -had repaired to the spot, attracted by the novelty of seeing a ship -launched fully rigged. At a given signal, a hundred sledges, wielded -by as many brawny arms, began a furious hammering away at the blocks, -which held the gallant ship bound and helpless to the land. The men -worked like tigers, as if each and every one had a personal interest -in the success of the launch. At last the clatter of busy hammers -ceased, the grimy workmen crept out, in twos and threes, from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> -underneath the huge black hull, and a hush fell upon all that vast -throng, so deep and breathless that the streamers at the mast-head -could be heard snapping like so many whiplashes in the light breeze -aloft.</p> - -<p>"All clear for'ard?" sang out the master workman. "All clear, sir," -came back the quick response. "All clear aft?" the voice repeated. -"Aye, aye, all clear." Still the towering mass did not budge. It -really seemed as if she was a living creature hesitating on the brink -of her own fate, whether to make the plunge or not. There was an -anxious moment. A hush fell upon all that vast throng. Then, as the -stately ship was seen to move majestically off, first slowly, and then -with a rush and a leap, one deafening shout went up from a thousand -throats: "There she goes! there she goes! hurrah! hurrah!" Every one -declared it the prettiest launch ever seen.</p> - -<p>Just as the nameless vessel glided off the ways a young lady, who -stood upon a tall scaffold<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> at the bow, quickly dashed a bottle of -wine against the stem, pronouncing as she did so the name that the -good ship was to bear henceforth, so proudly, on the seas—the <i>Flying -Arrow</i>. Three rousing cheers greeted the act, and the name. The crowd -then began to disperse.</p> - -<p>As Walter was standing quite near the platform erected for this -ceremony, his face all aglow with the vigorous use he had made of -the sledge he still held in his hand, the young lady who had just -christened the <i>Flying Arrow</i> came down the stairs. In doing so, she -looked Master Walter squarely in the face. Lo and behold! it was the -girl of the <i>Argonaut</i>. The recognition was instant and mutual.</p> - -<p>Walter turned all colors at once. Giving one glance at his greasy duck -trousers and checked shirt, his first impulse was to sneak off without -a word; but before he could do so he was confronted by Mr. Bright -himself. Walter was thus caught, as it were, between<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> two fires. Oh, -brave youth of the stalwart arm and manly brow, thus to show the white -feather to that weak and timid little maiden!</p> - -<p>Noticing the young man's embarrassment, Mr. Bright drew him aside, -out of earshot of those who still lingered about. "So, so, my young -friend," he began with a quizzical look at Walter, "we've had some -trouble finding you. Pray what were your reasons for avoiding us? -Neither of us [turning toward his daughter] is a very dangerous -person, as you may see for yourself."</p> - -<p>"Now, don't, papa," pleaded Dora. Then, after giving a sidelong and -reproachful look at Walter, she added, "Why, he wouldn't even let us -thank him!"</p> - -<p>Walter tried to stammer out something about not deserving thanks. The -words seemed to stick in his throat; but he did manage to say: "Fifty -stood ready to do what I did. I only got a little wetting, sir."</p> - -<p>"Just so. But they didn't, all the same.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> Come, we are not ungrateful. -Can I depend on you to call at my office, 76 State Street, to-morrow -morning about ten?"</p> - -<p>"You can, sir," bowing respectfully.</p> - -<p>"Very good. I shall expect you. Come, Dora, we must be going." Father -and daughter then left the yard, but not until Dora had given Walter -another reproachful look, out of the corner of her eye.</p> - -<p>"Poor, proud, and sheepish," was the merchant's only comment upon this -interview, as they walked homeward. Mentally, he was asking himself -where he had seen that face before.</p> - -<p>Dora said nothing. Her stolen glances had told her, however, that -Walter was good-looking; and that was much in his favor. To be sure, -he was plainly a common workman, and he had appeared very stiff and -awkward when her father spoke to him. Still she felt that there was -nothing low or vulgar about him.</p> - -<p>Punctual to the minute, Walter entered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> the merchant's counting room, -though, to say truth, he found himself ill at ease in the presence of -half a dozen spruce-looking clerks, who first shot sly glances at him, -then at each other, as he carefully shut the door behind him. Walter, -however, bore their scrutiny without flinching. He was only afraid of -girls, from sixteen to eighteen years old.</p> - -<p>Mr. Bright immediately rose from his desk, and beckoned Walter to -follow him out into the warehouse. "You are prompt. That's well," -said he approvingly. "Now then, to business. We want an outdoor clerk -on our wharf. You have no objection, I take it, to entering our -employment?"</p> - -<p>Walter shook his head. "Oh, no, sir."</p> - -<p>"Very good, then. I'll tell you more of your duties presently. I hear -a good account of you. The salary will be six hundred the first year, -and a new suit of clothes, in return for the one you spoiled. Here's -a tailor's address [handing Walter a card with the order written upon -it]. Go and get measured<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> when you like, and mind you get a good fit."</p> - -<p>Walter took a moment to think, but couldn't think at all. All he could -say was: "If you think, sir, I can fill the place, I'll try my best to -suit you."</p> - -<p>"That's right. Try never was beat. You may begin to-morrow." Walter -went off feeling more happy than he remembered ever to have felt -before. In truth, he could hardy realize his good fortune.</p> - -<p>This change in Walter's life brought with it other changes. For -one thing it broke off his intimacy with Charley, although Walter -continued to receive occasional visits from his old chum. He also -began attending an evening school, kept by a retired schoolmaster, in -order to improve his knowledge of writing, spelling, and arithmetic, -or rather to repair the neglect of years; for he now began to feel his -deficiencies keenly with increasing responsibilities. He was, however, -an apt scholar, and was soon making good progress. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> work on the -wharf was far more to his liking than the confinement of the warehouse -could have been; and Walter was every day storing up information which -some time, he believed, would be of great use to him.</p> - -<p>Time wore on, one day's round being much like another's. But once -Walter was given such a fright that he did not get over it for weeks. -He was sometimes sent to the bank to make a deposit or cash a check. -On this particular occasion he had drawn out quite a large sum, in -small bills, to be used in paying off the help. Not knowing what else -to do with it, Walter thrust the roll of bills into his trousers -pocket. It was raining gently out of doors, and the sidewalks were -thickly spread with a coating of greasy mud. There was another call -or two to be made before Walter returned to the store. At the head of -the street Walter stopped to think which call he should make first. -Mechanically he thrust his hand in his pocket, then turned as pale as -a sheet, and a mist passed before his eyes.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> The roll of bills was not -there. A hole in the pocket told the whole story. The roll had slipped -out somewhere. It was gone, and through his own carelessness.</p> - -<p>After a moment's indecision Walter started back to the bank, carefully -looking for the lost roll at every step of the way. The street was -full of people, for this was the busiest hour of the day. In vain he -looked, and looked, at every one he met. No one had a roll of bills -for which he was trying to find an owner. Almost beside himself, he -rushed into the bank. Yes, the paying teller remembered him, but was -quite sure the lost roll had not been picked up there, or he would -have known it. So Walter's last and faintest hope now vanished. Go -back to the office with his strange story, he dared not. The bank -teller advised his reporting his loss to the police, and advertising -it in the evening editions. Slowly and sadly Walter retraced his -steps towards the spot where he had first missed his employer's -money, inwardly scolding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> and accusing himself by turns. Vexed beyond -measure, calling himself all the fools he could think of, Walter -angrily stamped his foot on the sidewalk. Presto! out tumbled the -missing roll of bills from the bottom of his trousers-leg when he -brought his foot down with such force. It had been caught and held -there by the stiffening material then fashionable.</p> - -<p>Walter went home that night thanking his lucky stars that he had come -out of a bad scrape so easily. He was thinking over the matter, when -Charley burst into the room. "I say, Walt, old fel, don't you want to -buy a piece of me?" he blurted out, tossing his cap on the table, and -falling into a chair quite out of breath.</p> - -<p>Walter simply stared, and for a minute the two friends stared at each -other without speaking. Walter at length demanded: "Are you crazy, -Charles Wormwood? What in the name of common sense do you mean?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, I'm not fooling. You needn't be scared. Haven't you ever heard of -folks buying pieces of ships? Say?"</p> - -<p>"S'pose I have; what's that got to do with men?"</p> - -<p>"I'll tell you. Look here. When a feller wants to go to Californy -awful bad, like me, and hasn't got the chink, like me, he gets some -other fellers who can't go, like you, to chip in to pay his passage -for him."</p> - -<p>"Pooh! That's all plain sailing. When he earns the money he pays it -back," Walter rejoined.</p> - -<p>"No, you're all out. Just you hold your hosses. It's like this. The -chap who gets the send-off binds himself, good and strong, mind you, -to divide what he makes out there among his owners, 'cordin' to what -they put into him—same's owning pieces of a ship, ain't it? See? How -big a piece'll you take?" finished Charley, cracking his knuckles in -his impatience.</p> - -<p>Walter leaned back in his chair, and burst<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> out in a fit of -uncontrollable laughter. Charley grew red in the face. "Look here, -Walt, you needn't have any if you don't want it." He took up his cap -to go. Walter stopped him.</p> - -<p>"There, you needn't get your back up, old chap. It's the funniest -thing I ever heard of. Why, it beats all!"</p> - -<p>"It's done every day," Charley broke in. "You won't lose anything by -me, Walt," he added, anxiously scanning Walter's face. "See if you do."</p> - -<p>Walter had saved a little money. He therefore agreed to become a -shareholder in Charles Wormwood, Esquire, to the tune of fifty -dollars, said Wormwood duly agreeing and covenanting, on his part, to -pay over dividends as fast as earned. So the ingenious Charley sailed -with as good a kit as could be picked up in Boston, not omitting a -beautiful Colt's revolver (Walter's gift), on which was engraved, -"Use me; don't abuse me." Charles was to work his passage out in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> -new clipper, which arrangement would land him in San Francisco with -his capital unimpaired. "God bless you, Charley, my boy," stammered -Walter, as the two friends wrung each other's hands. He could not -have spoken another word without breaking down, which would have been -positive degradation in a boy's eyes.</p> - -<p>"I'll make your fortune, see if I don't," was Charley's cheerful -farewell. "On the square I will," he brokenly added.</p> - -<p>The house of Bright, Wantage & Company had a confidential clerk for -whom Walter felt a secret antipathy from the first day they met. We -cannot explain these things; we only know that they exist. It may be -a senseless prejudice; no matter, we cannot help it. This clerk's -name was Ramon Ingersoll. His manner toward his fellow clerks was so -top-lofty and so condescending that one and all thoroughly disliked -him. Some slight claim Ramon was supposed to have upon the senior -partner, Mr. Bright, kept the junior clerks<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> somewhat in awe of him. -But there was always friction in the counting-room when the clerks -were left alone together.</p> - -<p>The truth is that Ramon's father had at one time acted as agent for -the house at Matanzas, in Cuba. When he died, leaving nothing but -debts and this one orphan child, for he had buried his wife some -years before, Mr. Bright had taken the little Ramon home, sent him to -school, paid all his expenses out of his own pocket and finally given -him a place of trust in his counting-house. In a word, this orphaned, -penniless boy owed everything to his benefactor.</p> - -<p>As has been already mentioned, without being able to give a reason for -his belief, Walter had an instinctive feeling that Ramon would some -day get him into trouble. Fortunately Walter's duties kept him mostly -outside the warehouse, so that the two seldom met.</p> - -<p>One day Ramon, with more than ordinary cordiality, asked Walter to -visit him at his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> room that same evening In order to meet, as he -said, one or two particular friends of his. At the appointed time -Walter went, without mistrust, to Ingersoll's lodgings. Upon entering -the room he found there two very flashy-looking men, one of whom was -short, fat, and smooth-shaven, with an oily good-natured leer lurking -about the corners of his mouth; the other dark-browed, bearded, and -scowling, with, as Walter thought, as desperately villainous a face as -he had ever looked upon.</p> - -<p>"Ah, here you are, at last!" cried Ramon, as he let Walter in. "This -is Mr. Goodman," here the fat man bowed, and smiled blandly; "and -this, Mr. Lambkin." The dark man looked up, scowled, and nodded. "And -now," Ramon went on, "as we have been waiting for you, what say you to -a little game of whist, or high-low-jack, or euchre, just to pass away -the time?"</p> - -<p>"I'm agreeable," said Mr. Goodman, "though, upon my word and honor, -I hardly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> know one card from another. However, just to make up your -party, I will take a hand."</p> - -<p>The knight of the gloomy brow silently drew his chair up to the table, -which was, at least, significant of his intentions.</p> - -<p>Walter had no scruples about playing an innocent game of whist. So he -sat down with the others.</p> - -<p>The game went on rather languidly until, all at once, the fat man -broke out, without taking his eyes off his cards, "Bless me!—why, the -strangest thing!—if I were a betting man, I declare I wouldn't mind -risking a trifle on this hand."</p> - -<p>Ramon laughed good-naturedly, as he replied in an offhand sort of way: -"Oh, we're all friends here. There's no objection to a little social -game, I suppose, among friends." Here he stole an inquiring look at -Walter. "Besides," he continued, while carelessly glancing at his own -hand, "I've a good mind to bet a trifle myself."</p> - -<p>Though still quite unsuspicious, Walter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> looked upon this interruption -of the harmless game with misgiving.</p> - -<p>"All right," Goodman resumed, "here goes a dollar, just for the fun of -the thing."</p> - -<p>The taciturn Lambkin said not a word, but taking out a well-stuffed -wallet, quietly laid down two dollars on the one that Goodman had just -put up.</p> - -<p>"I know I can beat them," Ramon whispered in Walter's ear. "By Jove, -I'll risk it just this once!"</p> - -<p>"No, don't," Walter whispered back, pleadingly, "it's gambling."</p> - -<p>"Pshaw, man, it's only for sport," Ramon impatiently rejoined, -immediately adding five dollars of his own money to the three before -him.</p> - -<p>Walter laid down his cards, leaned back in his chair, and folded his -arms resolutely across his chest. "And the fat man said he hardly knew -one card from another. How quick some folks do learn," he said to -himself.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Isn't our young friend going to try his luck?" smiled, rather than -asked, the unctuous Goodman.</p> - -<p>"No; I never play for money," was the quiet response.</p> - -<p>Once the ice was broken the game went on for higher, and still higher, -stakes, until Walter, getting actually frightened at the recklessness -with which Ramon played and lost, rose to go.</p> - -<p>After vainly urging him to remain, annoyed at his failure to make -Walter play, enraged by his own losses, Ramon followed Walter outside -the door, shut it behind them, and said in a menacing sort of way, -"Not a word of this at the store."</p> - -<p>"Promise you won't play any more."</p> - -<p>"I won't do no such thing. Who set you up for my guardian? If you're -mean enough to play the sneak, tell if you dare!"</p> - -<p>Walter felt his anger rising, but controlled himself. "Oh, very well, -only remember that I warned you," he replied, turning away.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Don't preach, Master Innocence!" sneered Ramon.</p> - -<p>"Don't threaten, Master Hypocrite!" was the angry retort.</p> - -<p>Quick as a flash, Ramon sprang before Walter, and barred his way. All -the tiger in his nature gleamed in his eyes. "One word of this to Mr. -Bright, and I'll—I'll fix you!" he almost shrieked out.</p> - -<p>With that the two young men clinched, and for a few minutes nothing -could be heard but their heavy breathing. This did not last. Walter -soon showed himself much the stronger of the two, and Master Ramon, in -spite of his struggles, found himself lying flat on his back, with his -adversary's knee on his chest. Ramon instantly gave in. Choking down -his wrath, he jerked out, "There, I promise. Let me up."</p> - -<p>"Oh, if you promise, so do I," said Walter, releasing his hold on -Ramon. He then left the house without another word. He did not see -Ramon shaking his fist behind<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> his back, or hear him muttering threats -of vengeance to himself, as he went back to his vicious companions. -Walter did wish, however, that he had given Ramon just one more punch -for keeps.</p> - -<p>So they parted. Satisfied that Walter would not break his promise, -Ramon made all haste back to his companions, laughing in his sleeve to -think how easily he had fooled that milksop Seabury. His companions -were two as notorious sharpers as Boston contained. He continued to -lose heavily, they luring him on by letting him win now and then, -until they were satisfied he had nothing more to lose. At two in the -morning their victim rose up from the table, hardly realizing, so far -gone was he in liquor, that he was five hundred dollars in debt to -Lambkin, or that he had signed a note for that sum with the name of -his employers, Bright, Wantage & Company. He had found the road from -gambling to forgery a natural and easy one.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="VI" id="VI">VI</a><br /> -<small>A BLACK SHEEP IN THE FOLD</small></h2> - -<p><span class="sc">Leaving</span> Ingersoll to follow his crooked ways, we must now introduce a -character, with whom Walter had formed an acquaintance, destined to -have no small influence upon his own future life.</p> - -<p>Bill Portlock was probably as good a specimen of an old, battered -man-o'-war's man as could be scared up between Montauk and Quoddy -Head. While a powder-monkey, on board the <i>President</i> frigate, he had -been taken prisoner and confined in Dartmoor Prison, from which he -had made his escape, with some companions in captivity, by digging a -hole under the foundation wall with an old iron spoon. Shipping on -board a British merchantman, he had deserted at the first neutral -port she touched at. He was now doing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> odd jobs about the wharves, as -'longshoreman; and as Walter had thrown many such in the old salt's -way a kind of intimacy had grown up between them. Bill loved dearly to -spin a yarn, and some of his adventures, told in his own vernacular, -would have made the late Baron Munchausen turn green with envy. "Why," -he would say, after spinning one of his wonderful yarns, "ef I sh'd -tell ye my adventers, man and boy, you'd think 'twas Roberson Crushoe -a-talkin' to ye. No need o' lyin'. Sober airnest beats all they make -up."</p> - -<p>Bill's castle was a condemned caboose, left on the wharf by some ship -that was now plowing some distant sea. Her name, the <i>Orpheus</i>, could -still be read in faded paint on the caboose; so that Bill always -claimed to belong to the <i>Orpheus</i>, or she to him, he couldn't exactly -say which. When he was at work on the wharf, after securing his castle -with a stout padlock, he announced the fact to an inquiring public by -chalking up the legend,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> "Aboard the brig," or "Aboard the skoner," as -the case might be. If called to take a passenger off to some vessel -in his wherry, the notice would then read, "Back at eight bells." A -sailor he was, and a sailor he said he would live and die.</p> - -<p>No one but a sailor, and an old sailor at that, could have squeezed -himself into the narrow limits of the caboose, where it was not -possible, even for a short man like Bill, to stand upright, though -Bill himself considered it quite luxurious living. There was a rusty -old cooking stove at one end, with two legs of its own, and two -replaced by half-bricks; the other end being taken up by a bench, from -which Bill deftly manipulated saucepan or skillet.</p> - -<p>"Why, Lor' bless ye!" said Bill to Walter one evening, "I seed ye -fish that ar' young 'ooman out o' the dock that time. 'Bill,' sez I -to myself, 'thar's a chap, now, as knows a backstay from a bullock's -tail.'"</p> - -<p>"Pshaw!" Then after a moment's silence,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> while Bill was busy lighting -his pipe, Walter absently asked, "Bill, were you ever in California?"</p> - -<p>"Kalerforny? Was I ever in Kalerforny? Didn't I go out to Sandy Ager, -in thirty-eight, in a hide drogher? And d'ye know why they call it -Sandy Ager? I does. Why, blow me if it ain't sandy 'nuff for old Cape -Cod herself; and as for the ager, if you'll b'leeve me, our ship's -crew shook so with it, that all hands had to turn to a-settin' up -riggin' twict a month, it got so slack with the shakin' up like."</p> - -<p>"What an unhealthy place that must be," laughed Walter. Then suddenly -changing the subject, he said: "Bill, you know the <i>Racehorse</i> is a -good two months overdue." Bill nodded. "I know our folks are getting -uneasy about her. No wonder. Valuable cargo, and no insurance. What's -your idea?"</p> - -<p>Bill gave a few whiffs at his pipe before replying. "I know that ar' -<i>Racehorse</i>.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> She's a clipper, and has a good sailor aboard of her: -but heavy sparred, an' not the kind to be carryin' sail on in the -typhoon season, jest to make a quick passage." Bill shook his head. -"Like as not she's dismasted, or sprung a leak, an' the Lord knows -what all."</p> - -<p>The next day happened to be Saturday. As Walter was going into the -warehouse he met Ramon coming out. Since the night at his lodgings, -his manner toward Walter, outwardly at least, had undergone a marked -change. If anything it was too cordial. "Hello! Seabury, that you?" he -said, in his offhand way. "Lucky thing you happened in. It's steamer -day, and I'm awfully hard pushed for time. Would you mind getting -this check on the Suffolk cashed for me? No? That's a good fellow. Do -as much for you some time. And, stay, on your way back call at the -California steamship agency—you know?—all right. Well, see if there -are any berths left in the <i>Georgia</i>. You<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> won't forget the name? The -<i>Georgia</i>. And, oh! be sure to get gold for that check. It's to pay -duties with, you know," Ramon hurriedly explained in an undertone.</p> - -<p>"All right; I understand," said Walter, walking briskly away on his -errand. He quite forgot all about the gold, though, until after he -had left the bank; when, suddenly remembering it, he hurried back to -get the coin, quite flurried and provoked at his own forgetfulness. -The cashier, however, counted out the double-eagles, for the notes, -without remark. Such little instances of forgetfulness were too common -to excite his particular notice.</p> - -<p>On that same evening, finding time hanging rather heavily on his -hands, Walter strolled uptown in the direction of Mr. Bright's house, -which was in the fashionable Mt. Vernon Street. The truth is that -the silly boy thought he might possibly catch a glimpse of a certain -young lady, or her shadow, at least, in passing the brilliantly -lighted residence. It was, he admitted to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> himself, a fool's errand, -after walking slowly backwards and forwards two or three times, with -his eyes fastened upon the lighted windows; and with a feeling of -disappointment he turned away from the spot, heartily ashamed of -himself, as well, for having given way to a sudden impulse. Glad he -was that no one had noticed him.</p> - -<p>Walter's queer actions, however, did not escape the attention of a -certain lynx-eyed policeman, who, snugly ensconced in the shadow of -a doorway, had watched his every step. The young man had gone but a -short distance on his homeward way, when, as he was about crossing -the street, he came within an ace of being knocked down and run over -by a passing hack, which turned the corner at such a break-neck pace -that there was barely time to get out of the way. There was a gaslight -on this corner. At Walter's warning shout to the driver, the person -inside the hack quickly put his head out of the window, and as quickly -drew it in again; but in that instant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> the light had shone full upon -the face of Ramon Ingersoll.</p> - -<p>The driver lashed his horses into a run. Walter stood stupidly staring -after the carriage. Then, without knowing why, he ran after it, -confident that if he had recognized Ramon in that brief moment, Ramon -must also have recognized him. The best he could do, however, was to -keep the carriage in sight, but he soon saw that it was heading for -the railway station at the South End.</p> - -<p>Out of breath, and nearly out of his head, too, Walter dashed through -the arched doorway of the station, just in time to see a train going -out at the other end in a cloud of smoke. In his eagerness, Walter ran -headlong into the arms of the night-watchman, who, seeing the blank -look on Walter's face, said, as he had said a hundred times before to -belated travelers, "Too late, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, too late," repeated Walter, in a tone of deep vexation. -While walking home he began to think he had been making<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> a fool of -himself again. After all, what business was it of his if Ramon had -gone to New York? He might have gone on business of the firm. Of -course that was it. And what right had he, Walter, to be chasing -Ramon through the streets, anyhow? Still, he was sure that Ramon had -recognized him, and just as sure that Ramon had wished to avoid being -recognized, else why had he not spoken or even waved his hand? Walter -gave it up, and went home to dream of chasing carriages all night long.</p> - -<p>Walter went to the wharf as usual the next morning. In the course -of the forenoon a porter brought word that he was wanted at the -counting-room. When Walter went into the office, Mr. Bright was -walking the floor, back and forth, with hasty steps, while a very -dark, clean-shaven, alert-looking man sat leaning back in a chair -before the door. This person immediately arose, locked the office -door, put the key in his pocket, and then quietly sat down again.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> - -<p>Walter's heart was in his mouth. He grew red and pale by turns. Before -he could collect his ideas Mr. Bright stopped in his walk, looked him -squarely in the eye, and, in an altered voice, demanded sharply and -sternly: "Ingersoll—where is he? No prevarication. I want the truth -and nothing but the truth. You understand?"</p> - -<p>Walter tried hard to make a composed answer, but the words would not -seem to come; and the merchant's cold gray eyes seemed searching him -through and through. However, he managed to stammer out: "I don't -know, sir, where he is—gone away, hasn't he?"</p> - -<p>"Don't know. Gone away," repeated the merchant. "Now answer me -directly, without any ifs or buts; where, and when, did you see him -last?"</p> - -<p>"Last night; at least, I thought it was Ramon." The dark man gave his -head a little toss.</p> - -<p>"Well, go on? What then?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It was about nine o'clock, in a close carriage, not far from the -Common." That, by the way, was as near to Mr. Bright's house as Walter -thought proper to locate the affair.</p> - -<p>Mr. Bright exchanged glances with the dark man, who merely nodded, but -said never a word.</p> - -<p>Thinking his examination was over, Walter plucked up the courage to -say of his own accord, "I ran after the carriage as tight as I could; -but you see, sir, the driver was lashing his horses all the way, so I -couldn't keep up with it; and when I got to the depot the train was -just starting."</p> - -<p>"Pray, what took <i>you</i> to that neighborhood at that hour?" the silent -man demanded so suddenly that the sound of his voice startled Walter.</p> - -<p>If ever conscious guilt showed itself in a face, it now did in -Walter's. He turned as red as a peony. Mr. Bright frowned, while the -dark-skinned man smiled a knowing little smile.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Why, nothing in particular, sir. I was only taking a little stroll -about town, before going home," Walter replied, a word at a time.</p> - -<p>"Yet your boarding place is at the other end of the city, is it not?" -pursued Mr. Bright.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir, it is."</p> - -<p>"Walter Seabury, up to this time I have always had a good opinion of -you. This is no time for concealments. The house has been robbed of a -large sum of money—so large that should it not be recovered within -twenty-four hours we must fail. Do you hear—fail?" he repeated as if -the word stuck in his throat and choked him.</p> - -<p>"Robbed; fail!" Walter faltered out, hardly believing his own ears.</p> - -<p>"Yes, robbed, and as I must believe by a scoundrel warmed at my own -fireside. And you: why did you not report Ingersoll's flight before it -was too late to stop him?"</p> - -<p>Though shocked beyond measure by this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> revelation, Walter made haste -to reply: "Because, sir, I was not sure it was Ramon. It was just a -look, and he was gone like a flash. Besides——"</p> - -<p>"Besides what?"</p> - -<p>"How could I know Ramon was running away?"</p> - -<p>"Why, then, did you run after him? Are you in the habit of chasing -every carriage you may chance upon in the street?" again interrupted -the silent man.</p> - -<p>Stung by the bantering tone of the stranger, Walter made no reply. -Mr. Bright was his employer and had a perfect right to question him; -but who was this man, and by what right did he mix himself up in the -matter?</p> - -<p>"Quite right of you, young man, to say nothing to criminate yourself; -but perhaps you will condescend to tell us, unless it would be -betraying confidence [again that cunning smile], if you knew that this -Ingersoll was a gambler?"</p> - -<p>The tell-tale blood again rushed to Walter's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> temples, but instantly -left them as it dimly dawned upon him that he was suspected of knowing -more than he was willing to tell.</p> - -<p>"Gently, marshal, gently," interposed Mr. Bright. "He will tell all, -if we give him time."</p> - -<p>"One moment," rejoined the chief, with a meaning look at the merchant. -"You hear, young man, this firm has been robbed of twenty thousand -dollars—quite a haul. The thief has absconded. You tell a pretty -straight story, I allow, but before you are many hours older you will -have to explain why you, who have nothing to do with that department, -should draw two thousand dollars at the bank yesterday; why, after -getting banknotes you went back after gold," the marshal continued, -warming up as he piled accusation on accusation; "why, again, you went -from there to secure a berth in the <i>Georgia</i>, which sailed early this -morning; and why you are seen, for seen you were, first watching Mr. -Bright's house, and then arriving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> at the station just too late for -the New York express. Take my advice. Make a clean breast of the whole -affair. If you can clear yourself, now is the time; if you can't, -possibly you may be of some use in recovering the money."</p> - -<p>Walter felt his legs giving way under him. At last it was all out. -Now it was as clear as day how Ingersoll had so craftily managed -everything as to make Walter appear in the light of a confederate. -Now he knew why Ingersoll had wished to avoid being recognized. In -a broken voice he told what he knew of Ingersoll's wrong-doings, -excusing his own silence by the pledge he had given and received.</p> - -<p>When he had finished, the two men held a whispered conference -together. "Clear case," observed the marshal; "one watched your house -while the other was making his escape."</p> - -<p>"I'll not believe it. Why, this young man saved my daughter's life."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Think as you like. At any rate, I mean to keep an eye on him." So -saying, the marshal went on his way, humming a tune to himself with as -much unconcern as if he had just got up from a game of checkers which -he had won handily. At the street corner he hailed an officer, to whom -he gave an order in an undertone, and then walked on, smiling and -nodding right and left as he went.</p> - -<p>Left alone with Mr. Bright, Walter stood nervously twisting his cap -in both hands, like a culprit awaiting his sentence. It came at last. -"Until this matter is cleared up," Mr. Bright said, "we cannot retain -you in our employ. Get what is due you. You can go now." He then -turned his back on Walter, and began busying himself over the papers -on his desk.</p> - -<p>Walter went out of the office without another word. He was simply -stunned.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="VII" id="VII">VII</a><br /> -<small>THE FLIGHT</small></h2> - -<p><span class="sc">Walter</span> walked slowly down the wharf, feeling as if the world had -suddenly come to an end. Nothing looked to him exactly as it looked -one short hour ago. He did not even notice that a policeman was -keeping a few rods behind him. As he walked along with eyes fixed on -the ground, a familiar voice hailed him with, "Why, what ails ye, lad? -Seen a ghost or what?"</p> - -<p>"Bill," said Walter, "would you believe it, that skunk of a Ramon has -run off with a lot of the firm's money—to California, they say? And, -oh, Bill! Bill! they suspect me, <i>me</i>, of having helped him do it. And -I'm discharged. That's all." It was no use trying to keep up longer. -Walter broke down completely at the sound of a friendly voice at last.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> - -<p>Bill silently led the way into the caboose. He first lighted his pipe, -for, like the Indians, Bill seemed to believe that a good smoke tended -to clear the intellect. He then, save for an occasional angry snort or -grunt, heard Walter through without interruption. When the wretched -story was all told Bill struck his open palm upon his knee, jerking -out between whiffs: "My eye, here's a pretty kettle o' fish! Ruin, -failure, crash, and smash. Ship ashore, and you all taken aback. Ssh!" -suddenly checking himself, as a shadow darkened the one little pane of -glass that served for a window. A policeman was looking in at them. -Giving the two friends a careless nod, he walked slowly away.</p> - -<p>It slowly dawned upon Walter that the man with the black rosette in -his hat, whom he had seen at the office, had set a watch upon him. -"Bill, you mustn't be seen talking to me," said Walter, rising to -leave. "They'll think you are in the plot, too. Oh! oh! they dog me -about everywhere."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> - -<p>The old fellow laughed scornfully. "That," he exclaimed, snapping his -fingers, "for the hull b'ilin' on 'em. I've licked many a perleeceman -in my time, and can do it again, old as I am. But we can be foxy, -too, I guess. Listen. When I sees you comin', I'll go acrost the -wharf to where that 'ar brig lays, over there. You foller me." Walter -nodded. "I go up aloft. You follers. We has our little talk out in the -maintop, free and easy like, and the perleeceman, he has his watch -below."</p> - -<p>When Walter reached his boarding house his landlady met him in the -entry. She seemed quite flustered and embarrassed. "Oh, Mr. Seabury," -she began, "I'm so glad you've come! Such a time! There has been an -officer here tossing everything topsy-turvy in your room. He would -do it, in spite of all I could say. I told him you were the best -boarder of the lot; never out late nights, or coming home the worse -for liquor, and always prompt pay. Do you think, he told me to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> shut -up, and mind my own business. Oh, sir, what <i>is</i> the matter? That ever -a nasty policeman should came ransacking in my house. Goodness alive! -why, if it gets out, I'm a ruined woman. Please, sir, couldn't you -find another boarding place?"</p> - -<p>This was the last straw for poor Walter. Without a word he crept -upstairs to his little bedroom, threw himself down on the bed, and -cried as if his heart would break.</p> - -<p>Walter was young. Conscious innocence helped him to throw off the -fit of despondency; but in so far as feeling goes, he was ten years -older when he came out of it. It was quite dark. Lighting a lamp, he -hastily threw a few things into a bag, scribbled a short note to his -aunt, inclosing the check received when he was discharged, settled -with the landlady, who was in tears, always on tap; took his bag under -his arm, and after satisfying himself that the coast was clear, struck -out a roundabout course, through crooked ways and blind alleys, to the -wharf. For the life of him, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> could not keep back a little bitter -laugh when he called to mind that this was the second time in his -short life that he had run away.</p> - -<p>The wharf was deserted. There was no light in the caboose; but upon -Walter's giving three cautious raps, the door was slid back, and as -quickly closed after him. "Well," he said, wearily throwing himself -down on a bench, "here I am again. I've been turned out of doors now. -You are my only friend left. What would you do, if you were in my -place? I can't bear it, and I won't," he broke out impulsively.</p> - -<p>"I see," said Bill, meditatively shutting both eyes, to give emphasis -to the assertion.</p> - -<p>"Nobody will give me a place now, with a cloud like that hanging over -me."</p> - -<p>Bill nodded assent.</p> - -<p>"I can't go back to the loft where I worked before, to be pointed at -and jeered at by every duffer who may take it into his head to throw -this scrape in my face. Would you?"</p> - -<p>As Bill made no reply, but smoked on in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> silence, Walter exclaimed, -almost fiercely, "Confound it, man, say something! can't you? You -drive me crazy with all the rest."</p> - -<p>This time Bill shook the ashes from his pipe. "What would I do? Why, -if it was me I'd track the rascal to the eends of the airth, and jump -off arter him, but I'd have him. And arter I'd cotched him, I'd twist -his neck just as quick as I would a pullet's," was Bill's quiet but -determined reply.</p> - -<p>Walter simply stared, though every nerve in his body thrilled at the -bare idea. "Pshaw, you don't mean it. What put that silly notion into -your head? Why, what could I do single-handed and alone, against such -a consummate villain as that? Where's the money to come from, in the -first place?"</p> - -<p>Bill watched Walter's sudden change from hot to cold. "Jest you take -down that 'ar coffee-pot over your head." Walter handed it to him, as -requested. First giving it a vigorous shake, which made the contents -rattle again with a metallic sound, Bill then raised<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> the lid, showing -to Walter's astonished eyes a mixture of copper, silver, and even a -few gold, coins, half filling the battered utensil.</p> - -<p>"Thar's a bank as never busts, my son," chuckled the old man, at -the same time turning the coffee-pot this way and that, just for -the pleasure of hearing it rattle. "What do you think of them 'ar -coffee-grounds, heh? Single-handed, is it?" he continued, with a sniff -of disdain. "I'll jest order my kerridge, and go 'long with ye, my -boy."</p> - -<p>It took some minutes for Walter to realize that Bill was in real, -downright, sober earnest. But Bill was already shoving some odds and -ends into a canvas bag to emphasize his decision. "Strike while the -iron's hot" was his motto. Walter started to his feet with something -of his old animation. "That settles it!" he exclaimed. "Since I've -been turned out of doors, I feel as if I wanted to put millions of -miles between me and every one I've ever known. Do you know, I think -every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> one I meet is saying to himself, 'There's that Walter Seabury, -suspected of robbing his employers'? Go away I must, but I've found -out from the papers that no steamer sails before Saturday, and to-day -is Wednesday, you know. Where shall I hide my face for a day or two? -How do I know they won't arrest me, if they catch me trying to leave -the city? Oh, Bill, I can never stand that disgrace, never!"</p> - -<p>Having finished with his packing, Bill blew out the light, pushed back -the slide, and gave a rapid look up and down the wharf. As he drew in -his head, he said just as indifferently as if he had proposed taking a -short walk about town, "'Pears to me as if the correck thing for folks -in our sitivation like was to cut and run."</p> - -<p>"True enough for me. But how about you? They'll say that you were as -deep in the mud as I am in the mire. Give it up, Bill. No, dear old -friend, I mustn't drag you down with me. I can't."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Bah! Talk won't hurt old Bill nohow. Bill's about squar' with the -world. He owes just as much as he don't owe."</p> - -<p>Walter was deeply touched. He saw plainly that it was no use trying to -shake the old fellow's purpose, so forbore urging him further.</p> - -<p>The old man waited a moment for Walter to speak, and finding that -he did not, laid his big rough hand on the lad's shoulder and asked -impressively, "Did you send off your chist to your aunt as I told ye -to?"</p> - -<p>"I did, an hour ago."</p> - -<p>"An' did you kind o' explanify things to the old gal?"</p> - -<p>"How could I tell her, Bill? Didn't she always say I would come to no -good end? I wrote her that I was going away—a long way off—and for -a long time. I couldn't say just how long. A year or two perhaps. My -head was all topsy-turvy, anyhow."</p> - -<p>"You didn't forgit she took keer on ye when ye war a kid?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I sent her the check I got from the store, right away."</p> - -<p>"Then I don't see nothin' to—hender us from takin' that 'ar little -cruise we was a-talkin' about."</p> - -<p>It was pitch-dark when our two adventurers stepped out of the caboose. -After securing the door with a stout padlock, Bill silently led the -way to the stairs where he kept his wherry. Noiselessly the boat was -rowed out of the dock, toward a light that glimmered in the rigging -of an outward-bound brig that lay out in the stream waiting for the -turning of the tide. Bill did not speak again until they were clear of -the dock. "Yon brig's bound for York. I know the old man first-rate, -'cause I helped load her. He'll give us a berth if we take holt with -the crew. Here we are." As he climbed the brig's side he set the -wherry adrift with a vigorous shove of his foot.</p> - -<p>A day or two after the events just described, Mr. Bright and the -marshal met on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> street, the former looking sober and downcast, the -latter smiling and elate. "What did I tell you?" cried the marshal, -evidently well pleased with the tenor of the news he had to relate; -"your <i>protégé</i> has gone off with an old wharf rat that I've had my -eye on for some time."</p> - -<p>"To tell you the whole truth, marshal, my mind is not quite easy about -that boy," the merchant replied.</p> - -<p>"Opportunity makes the thief," the officer observed carelessly.</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid we've been too hasty."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps so; but it's my opinion that when Ramon is found, the other -won't be far off. I honor your feelings in this matter, sir, but my -experience tells me that every rascal asserts his innocence until his -guilt is proved. I've notified the police of San Francisco to be on -the lookout for that precious clerk of yours. Good-day, sir."</p> - -<p>When Mr. Bright returned to the store, on entering the office he -saw an elderly woman,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> in a faded black bonnet and shawl, sitting -bolt-upright on the edge of a chair facing the door, with two bony -hands tightly clenched in her lap. There was fire in her eye.</p> - -<p>"That is Mr. Bright, madam," one of the clerks hastened to say.</p> - -<p>"What can I do for you, madam?" the merchant asked.</p> - -<p>The woman fixed two keen gray eyes upon the speaker's face, as she -spoke up, quite unabashed by the quiet dignity of the merchant's -manner of speaking.</p> - -<p>"Well," she began breathlessly, "I'm real glad to see you if you have -kept me waiting. Here I've sot, an' sot, a good half-hour. 'Pears to -me you Boston folks don't get up none too airly fer yer he'lth. I was -down here before your shop was open this mornin'. Better late than -never, though."</p> - -<p>The merchant bent his head politely. His visitor caught her breath and -went on:</p> - -<p>"I'm Miss Marthy Seabury. What's all this coil about my nevvy? He's -wrote me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> that he was goin' away. Where's he gone? What's he done? -That's what I'd like to know, right up an' down." She paused for a -reply, never taking her eyes off the merchant's troubled face for an -instant.</p> - -<p>"My good woman," Mr. Bright began in a mollifying tone, when she broke -in upon him abruptly:</p> - -<p>"No palaverin', mister. No beatin' the bush, if ye please. Come to the -p'int. I left my dirty dishes in the sink to home, an' must go back in -the afternoon keers."</p> - -<p>"Then don't let me detain you," resumed Mr. Bright gravely. "There -has been a defalcation. I'm sorry to say your nephew is suspected of -knowing more than he was willing to tell about it. So we had to let -him go. Where he is now, is more than I can say."</p> - -<p>"What's a defalcation?"</p> - -<p>"A betrayal of trust, madam."</p> - -<p>"Do you mean my boy took anything that didn't belong to him?"</p> - -<p>"Not quite that. No, indeed. At least, I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> hope not. But, you see, -Walter is badly mixed up with the precious rascal who did."</p> - -<p>"Well, you'd better not. I'd like to see the man who'd say my boy was -a thief, that's all. Why, I'd trust him long before the President of -the United States!" The woman actually glared at every one in the -office, as if in search of some one willing to take up her challenge.</p> - -<p>"If you'll try to listen calmly, madam," interposed the merchant, -"I'll try to tell you what we know." He then went on to relate the -circumstances already known to us.</p> - -<p>Aunt Martha gave an indignant sniff when the merchant had finished. -"You call yourself smart, eh? Why, an old woman sees through it with -one eye. Walter was just humbugged. So was you, warn't ye? An' goin' -on right under your own nose ever so long, an' ye none the wiser -for't. Well, I declare to goodness, if I was you I sh'ld feel real -downright small potatoes!"</p> - -<p>"I think, madam, perhaps we had better<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> bring this interview to a -close. It is a very painful subject, I do assure you."</p> - -<p>"Very well, sir. I sh'ld think you'd want to. But mark my words. -You'll be sorry for this some day, as I am now that Walter ever laid -eyes on you or—your darter." With this parting shot she bounced out -of the office, shutting the door with a vicious bang behind her.</p> - -<p>But Mr. Bright's worries that day were not to be so easily set at -rest. Upon reaching his home for a late dinner, looking pale and -careworn, it was Dora who met him in the hallway, who put her arms -round her father's neck, and who kissed him lovingly on both cheeks.</p> - -<p>"Dear papa, I know all," she said with a little sob.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" he ejaculated. "Then you have heard——"</p> - -<p>"Yes, papa; our next-door neighbor, Mrs. Pryor, has told me all about -it. Hateful old thing!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> - -<p>The merchant made a gesture of resignation.</p> - -<p>"She said you would have to discharge most of your clerks."</p> - -<p>Mr. Bright made a gesture of assent.</p> - -<p>"Then I want to do something. I can give music lessons. I'll work my -fingers off to help. I know I shall be a perfect treasure. But why -<i>did</i> you send Mr. Seabury away, papa?"</p> - -<p>"Because he was unfaithful."</p> - -<p>"I don't believe a word of it."</p> - -<p>"Appearances are strongly against him."</p> - -<p>"I don't care. I say it's a wicked shame. Why, what has he done?"</p> - -<p>"What has he done? Why, he knew Ramon gambled, and wouldn't tell. He -knew Ramon had gone, and never lisped a syllable."</p> - -<p>"Yes, but that's what he didn't do."</p> - -<p>"He was caught hanging around our house the night that Ramon ran away. -There, child, don't bother me with any more questions.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> Guilty or not, -both have gone beyond reach."</p> - -<p>Dora came near letting slip a little cry of surprise. She knew that -she was blushing furiously, but fortunately the hall was dark. A new -light had flashed upon her. And she thought she could guess why Walter -had been lurking round their house on that, to him, most eventful -night. Although she had never exchanged a dozen words with him, he had -won her gratitude and admiration fairly, and now she began to feel -great pity and sorrow for the friendless clerk.</p> - -<p>Hearing Dora crying softly, her father put his arm around her waist -and said soothingly: "There, child, don't cry; we must try to bear up -under misfortune. But 'tis a thousand pities——"</p> - -<p>"Well," anxiously.</p> - -<p>"Well, if I had known all that in season, the worst might have been -prevented."</p> - -<p>"And now?"</p> - -<p>"And now, child, your father is a ruined<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> man." So saying, the -merchant hung up his hat and walked gloomily away.</p> - -<p>Dora ran upstairs to her own room and locked herself in, leaving the -despondent merchant to eat his dinner solitary and alone.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="VIII" id="VIII">VIII</a><br /> -<small>OUTWARD BOUND</small></h2> - -<p>"<span class="sc">Beats</span> Boston, don't it?" said Bill to Walter, as the <i>Susan J.</i> was -slowly working her way up the East River past the miles of wharves and -warehouses with which the shores are lined.</p> - -<p>"Maybe it's bigger, but I don't believe it's any better," was Walter's -guarded reply.</p> - -<p>As soon as the anchor was down, the two friends hailed a passing -boatman, who quickly put them on shore at the Battery, whence -they lost no time in making their way to the steamship company's -office—Bill to see if he could get a chance to ship for the run to -the Isthmus, Walter to get a berth in the steerage just as soon as -Bill's case should be decided. So eager were they to have the matter -settled that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> they would not stop even to look at the wonders of the -town.</p> - -<p>While waiting their turn among the crowd in the office, Bill's roving -eye happened to fall on a big, square-shouldered, thick-set man who -sat comfortably warming his hands over a coal fire in the fireplace, -which he wholly monopolized, apparently absorbed in his own thoughts. -It was now the month of December, and the air was chilly. Bill hailed -him without ceremony. "Mawnin', mister. Fire feels kind o' good this -cold mawnin', don't it?"</p> - -<p>The person thus addressed did not even turn his head.</p> - -<p>Unabashed by this cool reception, Bill added in a lower tone, "Lookin' -out for a chance to ship, heh, matey?"</p> - -<p>At this question, so squarely put, a suppressed titter ran round -the room. The silent man gave Bill a sidelong look, shrugged his -shoulders, and absently asked, "What makes you think so?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> - -<p>"D'ye think I don't know a sailorman when I see one? Mighty stuck -up, some folks is. Better get that Ingy-ink out o' yer hands ef yer -'shamed on it."</p> - -<p>The silent man rose up, buttoned his shaggy buffalo-skin coat up to -his chin, pulled his fur cap down over his bushy eyebrows, and strode -out of the office without looking either to the right or the left.</p> - -<p>"I say, you!" a clerk called out to Bill. "Do you know who you were -talking to? That's the old man."</p> - -<p>"I don't keer ef it's the old boy. Ef that chap ha'n't hauled on a -tarred rope afore now, I'm a nigger; that's all."</p> - -<p>"That was Commodore Vanderbilt, the owner of this line," the clerk -retorted very pompously, quite as if he expected Bill to drop.</p> - -<p>The general laugh now went against Bill. "Whew! was it, though? Then I -s'pose my cake's all dough," he grumbled to himself, but was greatly -relieved when the shipping clerk,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> after a few questions, told him to -sign the articles. Walter was duly engaged, in his turn, as a cabin -waiter. This being settled, the two friends sallied forth in high -spirits to report on board the <i>Prometheus</i>, bound for San Juan del -Norte.</p> - -<p>Nowhere, probably, since the days of Noah was there ever seen such -utter and seemingly helpless confusion as on one of those great -floating arks engaged in the California trade by way of the Isthmus, -in the early fifties, just before sailing. Bullocks were dismally -lowing, sheep plaintively bleating, hogs squealing. Men were wildly -running to and fro, shouting, pushing, and elbowing each other -about, as if they had only a few minutes longer to live and must -therefore make the most of their time. Women were quietly crying, or -laughing hysterically, by turns, as the fit happened to take them. -Of human beings, upwards of a thousand were thus occupied on board -the <i>Prometheus</i>; while on the already crowded slip the shouting -of belated hack drivers, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> stormed and swore, the loud cries of -peddlers and newsboys, who darted hither and thither among the surging -throng, served to keep up an indescribable uproar. Add to this, that -the sky was dark and lowering, the black river swimming with floating -ice, crushing and grinding against the slip, as it moved out to sea -with the ebb; and possibly some idea may be formed of what was taking -place on that bleak December afternoon.</p> - -<p>But all things must come to an end. All this confusion was hushed -when the word was passed to cast off, the paddle wheels began slowly -to turn, and the big ship, careening heavily to port under its human -freight, who swarmed like bees upon her decks, forged slowly out into -the stream, carrying with her, if the truth must be told, many a sorry -and homesick one already.</p> - -<p>Walter, however, drew a long breath of relief as the ship moved away -from the shores. It was the first moment in which he had been able to -shake off the fear of being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> followed. He therefore went about his -duties cheerfully, if not very skillfully.</p> - -<p>Oh, the unspeakable misery of that first night at sea! A stiff -southeaster was blowing when the steamer thrust her black nose outside -of Sandy Hook. And as the hours wore on, and the gale rose higher and -higher, with every lurch the straining ship would moan and tremble -like a human being in distress. Now and then a big sea would strike -the ship fairly, sending crockery and glassware flying about the -cabin with a crash, then as she settled down into the trough, for one -breathless moment it would seem as if she would never come up again. -Twenty times that night the affrighted passengers gave themselves -up for lost. Most of them lay in their berths prostrated by fear or -seasickness. A few even put on life preservers. Perhaps a score or -more, too much terrified even to seek their berths, crouched with -pallid faces on the cabin stairs, foolishly imagining that if the -ship did go down they would thus have the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> better chance of saving -themselves. Some half-crazed women had even put on their bonnets, in -order, as they sobbed out, to die decently.</p> - -<p>It was hardly light, if a blurred gray streak in the east could be -called light, when Walter crept up the slippery companionway. His head -felt like a balloon, his eyes like two lumps of lead, his legs like -mismatched legs. The ship was working her engines just enough to keep -her head to the sea. The deck was all awash, and littered with the -rubbish of a row of temporary, or "standee," bunks abandoned by their -occupants, and broken up by the force of the gale. The paddle-boxes -were stove, and tons of water were pouring in upon the decks with -every revolution of the wheels. By watching his chance, when the ship -steadied herself for another plunge, Walter managed to work his way -out to the forepart of the vessel. Here he found Bill, with half a -dozen more, all wringing-wet, hastily swallowing, between<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> lurches of -the ship, a cupful of hot coffee, which the cook was passing out to -them from the galley. If ever men looked completely worn out, then -those men did.</p> - -<p>Bill no sooner caught sight of Walter, than he offered him his dipper. -Walter put it away from him with a grimace of disgust.</p> - -<p>"Dirty night," said Bill, cooling his coffee between swallows; "blowed -fresh; nary watch below sence we left the dock; no life in her; -steered like a wild bull broke loose in Broadway. She's some easier -now. Better have some [again holding out his cup]; 't will do you -good. No? Well, here goes," tilting his head back and draining the cup -to the last drop.</p> - -<p>Just then the first officer came bustling along in oilskins and -sou'wester. "Here, you!" he called out, "lay for'ard there, and get -the jib on her; come, bear a hand!" Walter went forward with the men. -Hoisting the sail was no easy matter, with the ship plunging bows -under every minute, but no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> sooner did the gale fill It fairly, than -away it went with a report like a cannon, blown clean out of the -bolt-rope, as if it had been a boy's kite held by a string. While the -men were watching it disappear in the mist, crash came a ton or more -of salt water pouring over the bow, throwing them violently against -the deck-house. Shaking himself like a spaniel, the mate darted off to -give the steersman a dressing-down for letting the ship "broach to."</p> - -<p>Two sailors had been lost overboard during the night. On a hint -dropped by Bill, Walter was taken from the cabin, where there was -little to do, and put to work with the carpenter's gang, repairing -damages. The change being much to his liking, Walter applied himself -to his new duties with a zeal that soon won for him the good will of -his mates. And when it came to doing a job on the rigging, though -out of practice, Walter was always the one called upon to do it. -The captain, a quiet, gentlemanly man, who looked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> more like a -schoolmaster than a shipmaster, told the purser to put Walter in the -ship's books.</p> - -<p>Thoroughly tired out with his day's work, Walter was going below -when the mate called out to him: "I say, youngster, you're not going -down into that dog-hole again. There's a spare bunk in my stateroom. -Get your traps and sail in. You can h'ist in as much sleep as you've -storage room for."</p> - -<p>By noon of the second day out, the <i>Prometheus</i> had run into the Gulf -Stream. The gale had sensibly abated, though it still blew hard. When -the captain came on deck, after taking a long look at the clouds, he -said to the mate, "Mr. Gray, I think you may give her the jib and -mainsail, to steady her a bit."</p> - -<p>At break of day on the morning of the fourth day out, as Walter was -leaning over the weather rail, his eye caught sight of a dark spot -rising out of the water nearly abeam. The mate was taking a long -look at it through his glass. In reply to Walter's inquiring<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> look, -the mate told him it was a low-lying reef called Mariguana, one of -the easternmost of the Bahamas. It was not long before most of the -passengers were crowding up to get sight of that little speck of dry -land, the first they had laid eyes on since the voyage began. "Now, -my lad, you can judge something of how Columbus felt when he made his -first landfall hereabouts so long ago!" exclaimed the mate. "Good for -sore eyes, ain't it? We never try to pass it except in the daytime," -he added; "if we did, ten to one we'd fetch up all standing."</p> - -<p>"San Domingo to-morrow!" cried the mate, rubbing his hands as he came -out of the chart room on the fifth day. As the word passed through the -ship it produced a magical effect among the passengers, whose chief -desire was once more to set foot on dry land, and next to see it.</p> - -<p>Sure enough, when the sun rose out of the ocean next morning there -was the lovely tropic island looming up, darkly blue, before<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> them. -There, too, were the hazy mountain peaks of Cuba rising in the west. -All day long the ship was sailing between these islands, on a sea as -smooth as a millpond. Every day she was getting in better trim, and -going faster; and the spirits of all on board rose accordingly at the -prospect of an early ending of the voyage.</p> - -<p>"This beats all!" was Walter's delighted comment to Bill, who was -swabbing down the decks in his bare feet.</p> - -<p>"'Tis kind o' pooty," Bill assented, wiping his sweaty face with his -bare arm. "That un," nodding toward Cuba, "Uncle Sam ought to hev, -by good rights; but this 'ere," turning on San Domingo a look of -contempt, "'z nothin' but niggers, airthquakes, an' harricanes. Let -'em keep it, says Bill;" then continuing, after a short pause, "Porter -Prince is up in the bight of yon deep bay. I seen the old king-pin -himself onct. Coal-tar ain't a patchin' to him; no, nor Day & Martin -nuther. Hot? If you was ashore<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> there, you'd think it was hot. Why, -they cook eggs without fire right out in the sun."</p> - -<p>A two-days' run across the Caribbean Sea brought the <i>Prometheus</i> on -soundings, and a few hours more to her destined port. Every one was -now making hurried preparations to leave the ship, bag and baggage; -every eye beamed with delight at the prospect of escaping from the -confinement of what had seemed more like a prison than anything else. -While the <i>Prometheus</i> was heading toward her anchorage there was time -allowed for a brief survey of the town and harbor of San Juan del -Norte, or, as it was then commonly called, Greytown.</p> - -<p>These were really nothing more than an open roadstead, bounded by -a low, curving, and sandy shore, along which half a hundred poor -cabins lay half hid among tall cocoanut palms. From the one two-story -building in sight the British flag was flying. The harbor, however, -presented a very animated and warlike appearance, in consequence of -the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> warm dispute then in progress between England and the United -States as to who should control the transit from ocean to ocean. Two -American and two British warships lay within easy gunshot of each -other, flying the flags of their respective nations, and no sooner -were the colors of the starry banner caught sight of than a tremendous -cheer burst from the thousand throats on board the <i>Prometheus</i>. Her -anchor had hardly touched bottom when a boat from the <i>Saranac</i> came -alongside, the officer in charge eagerly hailing the deck for the -latest news from the States. As for the jackies, to judge from their -looks they seemed literally spoiling for a fight.</p> - -<p>Walter had no very clear idea upon the subject of this international -dispute, still less of the importance it might assume in the future, -but the evident anxiety shown on the faces around him led him to -suppose that the matter was serious. He stood holding onto the lee -rigging, watching the American tars in the boat alongside, and -thinking what fine,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> manly fellows they looked, when two passengers -near him began an animated discussion which set him to thinking.</p> - -<p>"Sare," said one, with a strong French accent, "it was, <i>ma foi</i>, I -shall recollect—<i>ah oui</i>—it was my countryman, one Samuel Champlain, -who first gave ze idea of cutting—what you call him?—one sheep canal -across ze Eesmus. I shall not be wrong to-day."</p> - -<p>"Excuse me, monsieur," the other returned, "I think Cortez did that -very thing long before him."</p> - -<p>"Nevair mind, <i>mon ami</i>. I <i>gage</i> you 'ave ze <i>histoire</i> correct. Eet -only prove zat great minds 'ave always sometime ze same ideas. <i>Mais</i>, -your Oncle Sam, wiz hees sillee Monroe Doctreen, he eez like ze dog -wiz his paw on ze bone: he not eat himself; he not let any oder dog: -he just growl, growl, growl."</p> - -<p>"But, monsieur, wouldn't Uncle Sam, as you call him, be a big fool to -let any foreign nation get control of his road to California?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Frenchman only replied by a shrug.</p> - -<p>Even before the <i>Prometheus</i> dropped anchor she was surrounded by a -swarm of native boatmen, of all shades of color from sour cream to -jet-black, some holding up bunches of bananas, some screaming out -praises of their boats to such as were disposed to go ashore, others -begging the passengers to throw a dime into the water, for which they -instantly plunged, head first, regardless of the sharks which could be -seen lazily swimming about the harbor, attracted by the offal thrown -over from the ships.</p> - -<p>"I don't know how 'tis," said Bill in Walter's ear, "but them -sharks'll never tech a nigger. But come, time to wake up! Anchor's -down. All's snug aboard. Now keep your weather eye peeled for a long -pull across the Isthmus."</p> - -<p>"Good luck to ye," said the jolly mate, shaking Walter heartily by the -hand as he was about leaving the ship. "I'm right glad to see you've -been trying to improve your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> mind a bit, instead of moonin' about like -a catfish in a mudhole, as most of 'em do on board here. Use your -eyes. Keep your ears open and don't be afraid to ask questions. That's -the way to travel, my hearty!" And with a parting wave of the hand he -strode forward.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="IX" id="IX">IX</a><br /> -<small>ACROSS NICARAGUA</small></h2> - -<p><span class="sc">In</span> the course of an hour or so three light-draught stern-wheel -steamboats ("wheelbarrows," Bill derisively called them) came puffing -up alongside. Into them the passengers were now unceremoniously -bundled, like so many sheep, and in such numbers as hardly to allow -room to move about, yet all in high glee at escaping from the -confinement of the ship, at which many angrily shook their fists as -the fasts were cast off. In another quarter of an hour the boats were -steaming slowly up the San Juan River, thus commencing the second -stage of the long journey.</p> - -<p>For the first hour or two the travelers were fully occupied in looking -about them with charmed eyes, as with mile after mile, and turn after -turn, the wonders of a tropical<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> forest, all hung about with rare and -beautiful flowers, and all as still as death, passed before them. But -Bill, to whom the sight was not new or strange, declared that for his -part he would rather have a sniff of good old Boston's east wind than -all the cloying perfumes of that wilderness of woods and blossoms. -It was not long, however, before attention was drawn to the living -inhabitants of this fairyland.</p> - -<p>First a strange object, something between a huge lizard and a bloated -bullfrog, was spied clinging to a bush on the bank. No sooner seen -than crack! crack! went a dozen pistol shots, and down dropped the -dirty green-and-yellow creature with a loud splash into the river.</p> - -<p>"There's a tidbit gone," observed Bill, in Walter's ear.</p> - -<p>"What! eat that thing?" demanded Walter with a disgusted look.</p> - -<p>"Sartin. They eat um; eat anything. And what you can't eat, 'll eat -you. If you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> don't b'leeve it, look at that 'ar reptyle on the bank -yonder," said Bill, pointing out the object in question with the stem -of his pipe.</p> - -<p>Walter followed the direction of Bill's pipe.</p> - -<p>Looking quite as much like a stranded log as anything else, a -full-grown alligator lay stretched out along the muddy margin of the -river at the water's edge. No sooner was he seen, than the ungainly -monster became the target for a perfect storm of bullets, all of which -glanced as harmlessly off his scaly back as hailstones from a slate -roof. Disturbed by the noise and the shouts, the hideous animal slid -slowly into the water and disappeared from sight, churning up the -muddy bottom as he went.</p> - -<p>Bill put on a quizzical look as he asked Walter if he knew why some -barbarians worshiped the alligator. Walter was obliged to admit that -he did not. "'Cause the alligator can swaller the man, but the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> man -can't swaller the alligator," chuckled Bill.</p> - -<p>Now and then a native bongo would be overhauled, bound for San -Carlos, Grenada, or Leon, with a cargo of European goods. They were -uncouth-looking boats, rigged with mast and sail, and sometimes thirty -to forty feet long. Many a hearty laugh greeted the grotesque motions -of the jet-black rowers, who half rose from their seats every time -they dipped their oars, and then sank back with a grunt to give their -strokes more power. The <i>patrón</i>, or master, prefaced all his orders -with a persuasive "Now, gentlemen, a little faster, if you please!"</p> - -<p>"And so that's the way, is it, that all inland transportation has been -carried on here for so many hundred years?" thought Walter. "Well, I -never!"</p> - -<p>Incidents such as these served, now and then, to cause a ripple of -excitement, or until even alligators became quite too numerous to -waste powder upon. As darkness was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> coming on fast, there being no -twilight to speak of in this part of the world, a ship's yawl was seen -tied up under the bank for the night. Its occupants were nowhere in -sight, but the dim light of a fire among the bushes showed that they -were not far off. "Runaway sailors," Bill explained; "stole the boat, -an' 'fraid to show themselves. Poor devils! they've a long pull afore -'em ef they get away, an' a rope's-end behind 'em if they're caught."</p> - -<p>"Why, how far is it across?"</p> - -<p>"It's more'n a hundred miles to the lake, and another hundred or so -beyond."</p> - -<p>"Whew! you don't say. Well, I pity them."</p> - -<p>When darkness had shut down, the steamers also were tied up to trees -on the bank, scope enough being given to the line to let the boats -swing clear of the shores, on account of the mosquitoes, with which -the woods were fairly alive. In this solitude the travelers passed -their first night, without other shelter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> than the heavens above, -and long before it was over there was good reason to repent of the -abuse heaped upon the <i>Prometheus</i>, since very few got a wink of -sleep; while all were more or less soaked by the rain that fell in -torrents, as it can rain only in the tropics, during the night. As -cold, wet, and gloomy as it dawned, the return of day was hailed with -delight by the shivering and disconsolate travelers. In truth, much -of the gilding had already been washed off, or worn off, of their El -Dorado. And, as Bill bluntly put it, they all looked "like a passel of -drownded rats."</p> - -<p>Bill made this remark while he and Walter were washing their hands -and faces in the roily river water, an easy matter, as they had only -to stoop over the side to do so, the boat's deck being hardly a foot -out of water. Suddenly Walter caught Bill's arm and gave it a warning -squeeze. Bill followed the direction in which Walter was looking, and -gave a low whistle. A beautifully mottled black-and-white<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> snake had -coiled itself around the line by which the boat was tied to the shore, -and was quietly working its way, in corkscrew fashion, toward the now -motionless craft. Seizing a boat-hook, Bill aimed a savage blow at the -reptile, but the rope only being struck, the snake dropped unharmed -into the river.</p> - -<p>"Do they raise anything here besides alligators, snakes, lizards, and -monkeys?" Walter asked the captain, who was looking on, while sipping -his morning cup of black coffee.</p> - -<p>Glancing up, the captain good-humoredly replied, "Oh, yes; they -raise plantains, bananas, oranges, limes, lemons, chocolate-nuts, -cocoanuts——"</p> - -<p>"Pardon me," Walter interrupted; "those things are luxuries. I meant -things of real value, sir."</p> - -<p>"A very proper distinction," the captain replied, looking a little -surprised. "Well, then, before you get across you will probably see -hundreds of mahogany trees, logwood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> trees, fustic and Brazil-wood -trees, to say nothing of other dye-woods, more or less valuable, -growing all about you."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, sir, I've seen all those woods you tell of coming out of -vessels at home, but never growing. Somehow I never thought of them -before as trees."</p> - -<p>"Then there is cochineal, indigo, sugar, Indian corn, coffee, tobacco, -cotton, hides, vanilla, some India rubber——"</p> - -<p>Walter looked sheepish. "I see now how silly my question was. Please -excuse my ignorance."</p> - -<p>"That's all right," said the captain pleasantly. "Don't ever be afraid -to ask about what you want to know. I suppose I've carried twenty -thousand passengers across, and you are positively the first one to -ask about anything except eating, sleeping, or when we are going to -get there."</p> - -<p>The two succeeding days were like the first, except that the river -grew more and more shallow in proportion as it was ascended, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> -the country more and more hilly and broken. This furnished a new -experience, as every now and then the boats would ground on some -sand-bar, when all hands would have to tumble out into the water to -lighten them over the rift, or wade ashore to be picked up again at -some point higher up, after a fatiguing scramble through the dense -jungle. "Whew! This is what I calls working your passage," was Bill's -quiet comment, as he and Walter stood together on the bank, breathing -hard, after making one of these forced excursions for half a mile.</p> - -<p>"Is here where they talk of building a canal?" Walter asked in -amazement, casting an oblique glance into the pestilential swamps -around him. "Surely, they can't be in earnest."</p> - -<p>"They'll need more grave-diggers than mud-diggers, if they try it on," -was Bill's emphatic reply. "White men can't stand the climate nohow. -And as for niggers—well, all you can git out o' 'em's clear gain, -like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> lickin' a mule," he added, biting off a chew of tobacco as he -spoke.</p> - -<p>On the afternoon of the third day the passengers were landed at the -foot of the Castillio Rapids, so named from an old Spanish fort -commanding the passage of the river at this point, though many years -gone to ruin and decay. Walter and Bill climbed the steep path leading -up to it. The castle was of great age, they were told, going back to -the time of the mighty Philip II of Spain perhaps, who spent such -vast sums in fortifying his American colonies against the dreaded -buccaneers. Walter could not help feeling awe-struck at the thought -that what he saw was already old when the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth -Rock. Some one asked if this was not the place where England's naval -hero, Lord Nelson, first distinguished himself, when the castle was -taken in 1780.</p> - -<p>Leaving these crumbling ruins to the snakes, lizards, and other -reptiles which glided away at their approach, the two went<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> back to -the clump of rough shanties by the river, and it was here that Walter -made his first acquaintance with that class of adventurers who, if not -buccaneers in name, had replaced them, to all intents, not only here -but on all routes leading to the land of gold.</p> - -<p>There was a short portage around the rapids. A much larger and -more comfortable boat had just landed some hundreds of returning -Californians at the upper end of this portage, and a rough-and-ready -looking lot they were, betraying by their talk and actions that they -had long been strangers to the restraints of civilized life. Of course -every word they dropped was greedily devoured by the newcomers, by -whom the Californians were looked upon as superior beings.</p> - -<p>The two sets of passengers were soon exchanging newspapers or scraps -of news, while their baggage was being transferred around the portage. -Giving Walter a knowing wink, Bill accosted one of the Californians -with the question, "I say, mister, is it a fact,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> now, that you can -pick up gold in the streets in San Francisco?"</p> - -<p>"Stranger," this individual replied, "you may bet your bottom dollar -you can. It's done every day in the week. You see a lump in the -street, pick it up, and put it in your pocket until you come across a -bigger one, then you heave the first one away, same's you do pickin' -up pebbles on the beach, <i>sabe</i>?" Giving a nod to the half-dozen -listeners, who were eagerly devouring every word, the fellow turned on -his heel and walked off to join his companions.</p> - -<p>The run across Lake Nicaragua was made in the night. When the -passengers awoke the next morning the steamer was riding at anchor at -a cable's length from the shore, on which a lively surf was breaking. -Behind this was a motley collection of thatched hovels known as -Virgin Bay. The passengers were put ashore in lighters, into which as -many were huddled as there was standing-room for, were then hauled -to the beach by means of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> hawser run between boat and shore, and, -with their hearts in their mouths while pitching and tossing among -the breakers, at last scrambled upon the sands as best they might, -thanking their lucky stars for their escape from drowning.<a name="FNanchor_2" id="FNanchor_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2" id="Footnote_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> The picture is by no means overdrawn, as on a subsequent -occasion, by the capsizing of a lighter in the surf, many passengers -were drowned.</p></div> - -<p>Walter and Bill found themselves standing among groups of chattering -half-breeds, half-nude children, dried-up old crones, and hairless, -dejected-looking mules, whose shrill hee-haws struck into the general -uproar with horribly discordant note. It was here bargains were made -for the transportation of one's self or baggage across the intervening -range of mountains to the Pacific. Secure in their monopoly of all the -animals to be had for hire, the avaricious owners did not hesitate -to demand as much for carrying a trunk sixteen miles as its whole -contents were worth—more indeed than a mule would sell for.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> - -<p>Walter was gazing on the novel scene with wide-open eyes. Already -their little store of cash was running low.</p> - -<p>"You talk to them, Bill; you say you know their lingo," Walter -suggested, impatient at seeing so many of the party mounting their -balky steeds and riding away.</p> - -<p>Bill walked up to a sleepy-looking mule driver who stood nearby idly -smoking his cigarette, and laying his hand upon the animal's flank, -cleared his throat, and demanded carelessly, in broken Spanish, "Qui -cary, hombre, por este mula?"</p> - -<p>The animal slowly turned his head toward the speaker, and viciously -let go both hind feet, narrowly missing Bill's shins.</p> - -<p>"Wow! he's an infamous rhinoceros, este mula!" cried Bill, drawing -back to a safe distance from the animal's heels.</p> - -<p>"Si, señor," replied the unmoved muleteer. "Viente pesos, no mas," he -added in response to Bill's first question.</p> - -<p>"Twenty devils!" exclaimed Bill in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> amazement, dropping into forcible -English; "we don't want to buy him." Then resorting to gestures, to -assist his limited vocabulary, he pointed to his own and Walter's -bags, again demanding, "Quantos por este carga, vamos the ranch, over -yonder?"</p> - -<p>"Cinco pesos," articulated the impassive owner, between puffs.</p> - -<p>"Robber," muttered Bill under his breath. Rather than submit to be so -outrageously fleeced, Bill hit upon the following method of traveling -quite independently. He had seen it done in China, he explained, -and why not here? Getting a stout bamboo, the two friends slung -their traps to the middle, lifted it to their shoulders, and in this -economical fashion trudged off for the mountains, quite elated at -having so cleverly outwitted the Greasers, as Bill contemptuously -termed them. In fact, the old fellow was immensely tickled over the -ready transformation of two live men into a quadruped. Walter should -be fore legs and he hind legs. When tired,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> they could take turn and -turn about. If the load galled one shoulder, it could be shifted over -to the other, without halting. "Hooray!" he shouted, when they were -clear of the village; "to-morrow we'll see the place where old Bill -Boar watered his hoss in the Pacific."</p> - -<p>"Balboa, Bill," Walter corrected. "No horse will drink salt water, -silly. You know better. Besides, it wasn't a horse at all. 'Twas a -mule."</p> - -<p>Night overtook the travelers before reaching the foothills, but after -munching a biscuit and swallowing a few mouthfuls of water they -stretched themselves out upon the bare ground, and were soon traveling -in the land of dreams.</p> - -<p>The pair were bright and early on the road again, which was only a -mule-track, deeply worn and gullied by the passing to and fro of many -a caravan. It soon plunged into the thick woods, dropped down into -slippery gorges, or scrambled up steep hillsides, where the pair would -have to make a short halt to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> mop their brows and get their breath. -Then they would listen to the screaming of countless parroquets, and -watch the gambols of troops of chattering monkeys, among the branches -overhead. Bill spoke up: "I don't believe men ever had no tails like -them 'ar monkeys; some say they did: but I seen many a time I'd like -to had one myself when layin' out on a topsail yard, in a dark night, -with nothin' much to stan' on. A tail to kinder quirl around suthin', -so's to let you use your hands and feet, is kind o' handy. Just look -at that chap swingin' to that 'ar branch up there by his tail, like a -trapeze performer, an' no rush o' blood to the brain nuther." Walter -could hardly drag Bill away from the contemplation of this interesting -problem.</p> - -<p>For six mortal hours the travelers were shut up in the gloomy tropical -forest; but just at the close of day it seemed as if they had suddenly -stepped out of darkness into light, for far and wide before them lay -the mighty Pacific Ocean, crimsoned by the setting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> sun. Once seen, it -was a sight never to be forgotten.</p> - -<p>Walter and Bill soon pushed on down the mountain into the village -of San Juan del Sur, of which the less said the better. Thoroughly -tired out by their day's tramp, the wayfarers succeeded in obtaining -a night's lodging in an old tent, at the rate of four bits each. -It consisted in the privilege of throwing themselves down upon the -loose sand, already occupied by millions of fleas, chigoes, and other -blood-letting bedfellows. Glad enough were they at the return of day. -Bill's eyes were almost closed, and poor Walter's face looked as if he -had just broken out with smallpox.</p> - -<p>San Juan del Sur was crowded with people anxiously awaiting the -arrival of the steamship that was to take them on up the coast. The -only craft in the little haven was a rusty-looking brigantine, which -had put in here for a supply of fresh water. Her passengers declared -that she worked like a basket in a gale of wind. Learning that the -captain was on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> shore, our two friends lost no time in hunting him up, -when the following colloquy took place:</p> - -<p>"Mawnin', cap," said Bill. "How much do you ax fur a cabin passage to -'Frisco?"</p> - -<p>"A hundred dollars, cash in advance. But I can't take you; all full in -the cabin."</p> - -<p>"Well, s'pos'n I go in the hold; how much?"</p> - -<p>"Eighty dollars; but I can't take you. Hold's full, too."</p> - -<p>"Jerusalem! Why can't I go in the fore-peak? What's the price thar?"</p> - -<p>"Eighty dollars; but I can't take you. Full fore and aft."</p> - -<p>"'Z that so? Well, say, cap, can't I go aloft somewhere? What 'll you -charge then?"</p> - -<p>"We charge eighty dollars to go anywhere; but can't carry you aloft. -Got to carry our provisions there."</p> - -<p>Bill mused a minute. "Hard case, ain't it?" appealing first to Walter, -then to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> captain. "But as I want to go mighty bad, what 'll you -tax to tow me?"</p> - -<p>The captain turned away, with a horselaugh and a shake of the head, -to attend to his own affairs, leaving our two friends in no happy -frame of mind at the prospect before them. With the utmost economy -their little stock of money would last but little longer. The heat was -oppressive and the place alive with vermin. Hours were spent on the -harbor headland watching for the friendly smoke of the overdue steamer.</p> - -<p>Several days now went by before the delayed steamer put in an -appearance. It was none too soon, for with so many mouths to feed, -the place began to be threatened with famine. It was by the merest -chance that Walter secured a passage for himself in the steerage, -and for Bill as a coal-passer, on this ship. Luckily for them, the -captain's name happened to be the same as Walter's. He also hailed -from New Bedford. He even admitted, though cautiously, that there -might be some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> distant relationship. So Walter won the day, with the -understanding that he was to spread his blanket on deck, for other -accommodations there were none; while before the ship was two days at -sea, men actually fought for what were considered choice spots to lie -down upon at night.</p> - -<p>The event of the voyage up the coast was a stay of several days at -Acapulco, for making repairs in the engine room and for coaling -ship. What a glorious harbor it is! land-locked and so sheltered by -high mountains, that once within it is difficult to discover where a -ship has found her way in, or how she is going to get out. Here, in -bygone times, the great Manila galleons came with their rich cargoes, -which were then transported across Mexico by pack-trains to be again -reshipped to Old Spain. The arrival of a Yankee ship was now the only -event that stirred the sleepy old place into life. At the sound of -her cannon it rubbed its eyes, so to speak, and woke up. Bill even -asserted that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> the people looked too "tarnation" lazy to draw their -own breath.</p> - -<p>Ample time was allowed here for a welcome run on shore; and the -arrival of another steamer, homeward bound, made Acapulco for the time -populous. Bill could not get shore leave, so Walter went alone. There -were a custom-house without custom, a plaza, in which the inhabitants -had hurriedly set up a tempting display of fruits, shells, lemonade, -and home-made nicknacks to catch the passengers' loose change, -besides a moldy-looking cathedral, whose cracked bells now and again -set a whole colony of watchful buzzards lazily flapping about the -house-tops. And under the very shadow of the cathedral walls a group -of native Mexicanos were busily engaged in their favorite amusement of -gambling with cards or in cock-fighting.</p> - -<p>After sauntering about the town to his heart's content, Walter joined -a knot of passengers who were making their way toward the dilapidated -fort that commands the basin.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> On their way they passed a squad -of barefooted soldiers, guarding three or four villainous-looking -prisoners, who were at work on the road, and who shot evil glances at -the light-hearted Americanos. Walter thought if this was a fair sample -of the Mexican army, there was no use in crowing over the victories -won by Scott and Taylor not many years before.</p> - -<p>At the end of a hot and dusty walk in the glare of a noonday sun, the -visitors seated themselves on the crumbling ramparts of the old fort, -and fell to swapping news, as the saying is. One of the Californians -was being teased by his companions to tell the story of a man lost -overboard on the trip down the coast; and while the others stretched -themselves out in various attitudes to listen, he, after lighting a -cheroot, began the story:</p> - -<p>"You know I can't tell a story worth a cent, but I reckon I can give -you the facts if you want 'em. There was a queer sort of chap aboard -of us who was workin' his passage<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> home to the States. We know'd him -by the name of Yankee Jim, 'cause he answered to the name of Jim, and -said as how he come from 'way down East where they pry the sun up -every morning with a crowbar. He did his turn, but never spoke unless -spoken to. We all reckoned he was just a little mite cracked in the -upper story. Hows'ever, his story came out at last."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="X" id="X">X</a><br /> -<small>THE LUCK OF YANKEE JIM</small></h2> - -<p><span class="sc">One</span> scorching afternoon in July, 185—, the Hangtown stage rumbled -slowly over the plank road forming the principal street of Sacramento -City, finally coming to a full stop in front of the El Dorado Hotel. -This particular stage usually made connection with the day boat -for "The Bay"; but on this occasion it came in an hour too late, -consequently the boat was at that moment miles away, down the river. -Upon learning this disagreeable piece of news, the belated passengers -scattered, grumbling much at a detention which, each took good care to -explain, could never have been worse-timed or more inconvenient than -on this particular afternoon.</p> - -<p>One traveler, however, stood a moment or two longer, apparently -nonplused by the situation,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> until his eye caught the word "Bank" -in big golden letters staring at him from the opposite side of the -street. He crossed over, read it again from the curbstone, and then -shambled in at the open door. He knew not why, but once within, he -felt a strange desire to get out again as quickly as possible. But -this secret admonition passed unheeded.</p> - -<p>Before him was a counter extending across the room, at the back of -which rose a solid wall of brick. Within this was built the bank -vault, the half-open iron door disclosing bags of coin piled upon the -floor and shelves from which the dull glitter of gold-dust caught the -visitor's eye directly. The middle of the counter was occupied by -a pair of tall scales, of beautiful workmanship, in which dust was -weighed, while on a table behind it were trays containing gold and -silver coins. A young man, who was writing and smoking at the same -time, looked up as the stranger walked in. To look at the two men, -one would have said that it was the bank clerk<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> who might be expected -to feel a presentiment of evil. Really, the other was half bandit in -appearance.</p> - -<p>Although he was alone and unnoticed, yet the stranger's manner was -undeniably nervous and suspicious. Addressing the cashier, he said: -"I say, mister, this yer boat's left; can't get to 'Frisco afore -to-morrow" (inquiringly).</p> - -<p>"That's so," the cashier assented.</p> - -<p>"Well," continued the miner, "here's my fix: bound home for the States -[dropping his voice]; got two thousand stowed away; don't know a live -<i>hombre</i> in this yer burg, and might get knifed in some fandango. See?"</p> - -<p>"That's so," repeated the unmoved official. Then, seeing that his -customer had come to an end, he said, "I reckon you want to deposit -your money with us?"</p> - -<p>"That's the how of it, stranger. Lock it up tight whar I kin come fer -it to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"Down with the dust then," observed the cashier, taking the pen from -behind his ear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> and preparing to write; but seeing his customer cast -a wary glance to right and left, he beckoned him to a more retired -part of the bank, where the miner very coolly proceeded to strip to -his shirt, in each corner of which five fifty-dollar "slugs" were -knotted. An equal sum in dust was then produced from a buckskin belt, -all of which was received without a word of comment upon the ingenuity -with which it had been concealed. A certificate of deposit was then -made out, specifying that James Wildes had that day deposited with -the Mutual Confidence and Trust Company, subject to his order, two -thousand dollars. Glancing at the scrap of crisp paper as if hardly -comprehending how that could be an equivalent for his precious coin -and dust, lying on the counter before him, Jim heaved a deep sigh of -relief, then crumpling the certificate tightly within his big brown -fist, he exclaimed: "Thar, I kin eat and sleep now, I reckon. Blamed -if I ever knew afore what a coward a rich man is!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p> - -<p>Our man, it seems, had been a sailor before the mast. When the anchor -touched bottom, he with his shipmates started for the "diggings," -where he had toiled with varying luck, but finding himself at last in -possession of what would be considered a little fortune in his native -town. He was now returning, filled with the hope of a happy meeting -with the wife and children he had left behind.</p> - -<p>But while Yankee Jim slept soundly, and blissfully dreamed of pouring -golden eagles into Jane's lap, his destiny was being fulfilled. The -great financial storm of 185— burst upon the State unheralded and -unforeseen. Like a thief in the night the one fatal word flashed over -the wires that shut the door of every bank, and made the boldest turn -pale. Suspension was followed by universal panic and dismay. Yankee -Jim was only an atom swallowed up in the general and overwhelming -disaster of that dark day.</p> - -<p>In the morning he went early to the bank, only to find it shut fast, -and an excited and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> threatening crowd surging to and fro before the -doors. Men with haggard faces were talking and gesticulating wildly. -Women were crying and wringing their hands. A sudden faintness came -over him. What did it all mean? Mustering courage to put the question -to a bystander, he was told to look and read for himself. Two ominous -words, "Bank Closed," told the whole story.</p> - -<p>For a moment or two the poor fellow could not seem to take in the full -meaning of the calamity that had befallen him. But as it dawned upon -him that his little fortune was swept away, and with it the hopes that -had opened to his delighted fancy, the blood rushed to his head, his -brain reeled, and he fell backward in a fit.</p> - -<p>The first word he spoke when he came to himself was "Home." Some -kind souls paid his passage to 'Frisco, where the sight of blue -water seemed to revive him a little. Wholly possessed by the one -idea of getting home, he shipped on board the first steamer,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> which -happened to be ours, going about his duty like a man who sees without -understanding what is passing around him.</p> - -<p>My own knowledge of the chief actor in this history began at four -o'clock in the morning of the third day out. The <i>California's</i> -engines suddenly stopped. There was a hurried trampling of feet, a -sudden rattling of blocks on deck, succeeded by a dead silence—a -silence that could be felt. I jumped out of my berth and ran on deck. -How well I can recall that scene!</p> - -<p>The night was an utterly dismal one—cold, damp, and foggy. A pale -light struggled through the heavy mist, but it was too thick to see a -cable's length from the ship, although we distinctly heard the rattle -of oars at some distance, with now and then a quick shout that sent -our hearts up into our mouths. We listened intently. No one spoke. No -one needed to be told what those shouts meant.</p> - -<p>How long it was I cannot tell, for minutes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> seemed hours then; but at -last we heard the dip of oars, and presently the boat shot out of the -fog within a biscuit's toss of the ship. I remember that, as they came -alongside, the upturned faces of the men were white and pinched. One -glance showed that the search had been in vain.</p> - -<p>The boat was swung up, the huge paddles struck the black water -like clods, the huge hulk swung slowly round to her helm. But at -the instant when we were turning away, awed by the mystery of this -death-scene, a cry came out of the black darkness—a yell of agony and -despair—that nailed us to the deck. May I never hear the like again! -"Save me! for God's sake, save me!" pierced through that awful silence -till a hundred voices seemed repeating it. The cry seemed so near that -every eye instinctively turned to the spot whence it proceeded—so -near that it held all who heard it in breathless, in sickening -suspense. Had the sea really given up its dead?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p> - -<p>Before one could count ten, the boat was again manned and clear of the -ship. How well I recall the bent figure of the first officer as he -stood in the stern-sheets, with the tiller-ropes in his hand, peering -off into the fog! I can still see the men springing like tigers to -their work again, and the cutter tossing on the seething brine astern -like a chip. Then the fog shut them from our view. But nevermore was -that voice heard on land or sea. No doubt it was the last agonized -shriek of returning consciousness as the ocean closed over Yankee -Jim's head.</p> - -<p>At eight bells we assembled around the capstan at our captain's call, -when the few poor effects of the lost man were laid out to view. -His kit contained one or two soiled letters, a daguerreotype of two -blooming children hand in hand, a piece of crumpled paper, and a few -articles of clothing not worth a picayune. I took notice that while -smoothing out the creases in this scrap of paper, the captain suddenly -became deeply attentive,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> then thoughtful, then very red. Clearing his -throat he began as follows:</p> - -<p>"It's an old sea custom to sell by auction the kit of a shipmate who -dies on blue water. You all know it's a custom of the land to read the -will of a deceased person as soon as the funeral is over. The man we -lost this morning shipped by his fo'castle or sea name—a very common -thing among sailors; but I've just found out his true one since I -stood here; and what's more I've found out that the man had been in -trouble. An idea strikes me that he found it too heavy for him. God -only knows. But it's more to the point that he has left a wife and two -children dependent upon him for support. Gentlemen and mates, take off -your hats while I read you this letter."</p> - -<p>The letter, which bore evidence of having been read and read again, -ran as follows:</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"Oh, James! and are you really coming home, and with such a lot of -money too?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> Oh, I can't believe it all! How happy we shall be once -more! It makes me feel just like a young girl again, when you and -I used to roam in the berry pastures, and never coveted anything -in the wide world but to be together. You haven't forgot that, -have you, James? or the old cedar on the cliff where you asked me -for your own wife, and the sky over us and the sea at our feet, -all so beautiful and we so happy? Do come quick. Surely God has -helped me to wait all this long, weary time, but now it seems as -if I couldn't bear it another day. And the little boy, James, just -your image; it's all he can say, 'Papa, come home.' How can you -have the heart to stay in that wicked place?"</p> -</blockquote> - -<p>When the reading was finished some of the women passengers were crying -softly. The men stood grimly pulling their long mustaches. After a -short pause the captain read aloud the fatal certificate of deposit, -holding it up so that all might see.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Now, ladies and gentlemen," he went on, "you've heard the story and -can put this and that together. When we get to Panama I'm going to -write a letter to the widow. It's for you to say what kind of a letter -it shall be. Now, purser, you may put up the certificate of deposit."</p> - -<p>"How much am I offered—how much?" said the purser, waving the -worthless bit of paper to right and left.</p> - -<p>Ten, twenty, forty, fifty dollars were bid before the words were -fairly out of the purser's mouth. Then a woman's voice said seventy, -another's one hundred, and the men, accepting the challenge, ran the -bidding up fifty more, at which price the certificate was knocked -down to a red-shirted miner who laid three fifty-dollar pieces on the -capstan, saying as he did so: "'Tain't a patchin', boys. Sell her -agin, cap—sell her agin."</p> - -<p>So the purser, at a nod from the captain, put it up again, and the -sale went on, each buyer in turn turning the certificate over to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> the -purser, until the noble emulation covered the capstan with gold.</p> - -<p>"Stop a bit, purser," interrupted Captain M——, counting the money. -"That will do," he continued. "The sale is over. Here are just two -thousand dollars. The certificate of deposit is redeemed."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="XI" id="XI">XI</a><br /> -<small>SEEING THE SIGHTS IN 'FRISCO</small></h2> - -<p><span class="sc">It</span> was a fine, sunny afternoon when the <i>Pacific</i> turned her prow -landward, and stood straight on for a break in the rugged coast line, -like a hound with its nose to the ground. In an hour she was moving -swiftly through the far-famed Golden Gate. A fort loomed up at the -right, then a semaphore was seen working on a hilltop. In ten minutes -more the last point was rounded, the last gun fired, and the city, -sprung like magic from the bleak hillsides of its noble bay, welcomed -the weary travelers with open arms. The long voyage was ended.</p> - -<p>The wharf was already black with people when the steamer came in -sight. When within hailing distance a perfect storm of greetings, -questions, and answers was tossed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> from ship to shore. Our two friends -scanned the unquiet throng in vain for the sight of one familiar face. -No sooner did the gangplank touch the wharf than the crowd rushed -pell-mell on board. Women were being clasped in loving arms. Men were -frantically hugging each other. While this was passing on board, -Walter and Bill made their escape to the pier, hale and hearty, but as -hungry as bears. Forty days had passed since their long journey began. -What next?</p> - -<p>Our two adventurers presently found themselves being hurried along -with the crowd, without the most remote idea of where they were going. -As soon as possible, however, Bill drew Walter to one side, to get -their breath and to take their bearings, as he phrased it. "Well," -said he, clapping Walter on the back, "here we be at last!"</p> - -<p>Walter was staring every passer-by in the face. From the moment he had -set foot on shore his one controlling thought and motive had come back -to him with full force.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Come, come, that's no way to set about the job," observed the -practical-minded Bill. "One thing to a time. Let's get sumfin' t' eat -fust; then we can set about it with full stomachs. How much have you -got?"</p> - -<p>Walter drew from his pocket a solitary quarter-eagle, which looked -astonishingly small as it lay there in the palm of his hand. Bill -pulled out a handful of small change, amounting to half as much -more. "But coppers don't pass here, nor anything else under a dime, -I'm told," observed Walter. "No matter, they'll do for ballast," -was Bill's reply, whose attention was immediately diverted to a -tempting list of eatables chalked upon the door-post of a restaurant. -Beginning at the top of the list, Bill began reading in an undertone, -meditatively stroking his chin the while:</p> - -<p>"'Oxtail soup, one dollar.' H'm, that don't go down. 'Pigs' feet, one -dollar each.' Let 'em run. 'Fresh Californy eggs, one dollar each.' -Eggs is eggs out here. 'Corned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> beef, one dollar per plate.' No salt -horse for Bill. 'Roast lamb, one dollar.' Baa! do they think we want -a whole one? 'Cabbage, squash, or beans, fifty cents.' Will you look -at that! Move on, Walt, afore they tax us for smellin' the cookin'. My -grief!" he added with a long face, as they walked on, "I'm so sharp -set that if a fun'ral was passin' along, I b'leeve I could eat the -co'pse and chase the mo'ners."</p> - -<p>Fortunately, however, Bill was not driven to practice cannibalism, for -just that moment a Chinaman came shuffling along, balancing a trayful -of pies on his head. Bill was not slow in hailing the moon-eyed -Celestial in pigtail, to which the old fellow could not resist giving -a sly tweak, just for the fun of the thing: "Mawnin', John. Be you a -Whig or Know-Nothin'?" at the same time helping himself to a juicy -turn-over, and signing to Walter to do the same.</p> - -<p>"Me cakes. Melican man allee my fliend. Talkee true. You shabee, two -bitee?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> This last remark referred to the pie which Bill had just -confiscated.</p> - -<p>Sauntering on, jostling and being jostled by people of almost every -nation on the face of the earth, they soon reached the plaza, or great -square of the city. Not many steps were taken here, when the strains -of delicious music floated out to them from the wide-open doors of a -building at their right hand. Attracted by the sweet sounds of "Home, -Sweet Home," our two wayfarers peered in, and to Walter's amazement at -least, brought up as he had been at home, for the first time in his -life he found himself gazing into the interior of a gambling-house, -in full swing and in broad daylight, like any legitimate business, -courting the custom of every passer-by.</p> - -<p>"Walk in, gentlemen," said a suave-looking individual who was standing -at the door. "Call for what you like. Everything's free here. Free -lunch, free drinks, free cigars; walk in and try your luck."</p> - -<p>"'Walk into my parlor, sez the spider to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> the fly,'" was Bill's -ironical comment upon this polite invitation. "Walt," he continued, a -moment later, "I'm 'feared we throw'd our money away on that Chinee. -Here's grub for nothin'." If they had only known it, the person they -were looking for was inside that gambling den at that very moment. -After rambling about until they were tired, the two companions looked -up a place in which to get a night's lodging—a luxury which cost them -seventy-five cents apiece for the temporary use of a straw mattress, a -consumptive pillow, and a greasy blanket. After making the most frugal -breakfast possible, it was found that their joint cash would provide, -at the farthest, for only one meal more. The case began to look -desperate.</p> - -<p>They were sitting on the sill of the wharf, silently ruminating on the -situation, when the booming of a cannon announced the arrival of a -steamer which had been signaled an hour earlier from Telegraph Hill. A -swarm of people was already setting toward the plaza.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> The movement of -a crowd is always magnetic, so Walter and Bill followed on in the same -direction.</p> - -<p>When within two blocks of the plaza they saw a long zigzag line of men -and boys strung out for that distance ahead of them, some standing, -some leaning against a friendly awning, some squatted on the edge of -the plank sidewalk, while newcomers were every moment lengthening out -the already long queue.</p> - -<p>"What a long tail our cat's got!" was Bill's pithy remark. "Be they -takin' the census, or what?"</p> - -<p>It was learned that all these people were impatiently waiting for the -opening of the post-office, but how soon that event was likely to -happen nobody could tell. So the men smoked, whistled, chaffed every -late arrival, and waited.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 330px;"> -<img src="images/i165.jpg" width="330" height="500" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>Waiting for the opening of the mail.—<i>Page 160.</i></p></div> -</div> - -<p>On the instant Walter was struck with a bright idea. Charley had -never written him one word, it is true; but as it was ten to one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> -everybody in the city would be at the post-office during the day, this -seemed as likely a place as any to meet with him. Shoving Bill into -a vacant place in the line, Walter started toward the head of it, -staring hard at every one, and being stared at in return, as he walked -slowly along. When nearing the head, without seeing a familiar face, a -man well placed in the line sang out, "I say, <i>hombre</i>, want a job?"</p> - -<p>"What job?"</p> - -<p>"Hold my place for me till I kin go git a bite to eat."</p> - -<p>"I would in a minute, only I can't stop. I'm looking for some one," -said Walter, starting on.</p> - -<p>"You can't make five dollars no easier."</p> - -<p>This startling proposition to a young fellow who did not know where -his next meal was coming from, hit Walter in his weak spot.</p> - -<p>"Talk fast. Is it a whack?" the hungry man demanded. "I've been here -two hours<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> a'ready; be back before you can say Jack Robinson."</p> - -<p>This singular bargain being struck, Walter stepped into line, when his -file-leader turned to him with the remark, "Fool you hadn't stuck out -for ten. That man runs a bank."</p> - -<p>"Does he?" Walter innocently inquired. "What kind of a bank?"</p> - -<p>"Faro-bank."</p> - -<p>A loud guffaw from the bystanders followed this reply.</p> - -<p>As soon as the hungry man came back to claim his place, and had paid -over his five dollars, Walter hurried off to where he had left Bill, -who stopped him in his story with the whispered words, "I seed him."</p> - -<p>"Him? Who? Not Charley?"</p> - -<p>"No; t'other duffer."</p> - -<p>Walter gave a low whistle. "Where? Here? Don't you see I'm all on -fire?"</p> - -<p>"Right here. Breshed by me as large as life, and twice as sassy. Oh, -I know'd him in spite of his baird. Sez I to myself, 'Walk<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> along, -sonny, and smoke your shugarette. Our turn's comin' right along.'"</p> - -<p>"Too bad, too bad you didn't follow him." Walter was starting off -again, with a sort of blind purpose to find Ramon, collar him, and -make him disgorge his ill-gotten gains on the spot, when Bill held -him back. "Tut, tut, Walt," he expostulated, "if the lubber sees you -before we're good and ready to nab him, won't he be off in a jiffy? -Now we know he's here, ain't that something? So much for so much. Lay -low and keep shady, is our best holt."</p> - -<p>To such sound reasoning Walter was fain to give in. Besides, Bill now -insisted upon staying in the line until he could sell out too. With -a jerk of the thumb, he pointed to where one or two patient waiters -were very comfortably seated on camp-stools, and in a husky undertone -proposed finding out where camp-stools could be had. Taking the hint, -Walter started off, instanter, in search of a dealer in camp-stools, -with whom he quickly struck<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> a bargain for as many as he could carry, -by depositing his half-eagle as security. The stools went off like -hot cakes, and at a good profit. Bill, too, having got his price, by -patient waiting, the two lucky speculators walked away to the first -full meal they had eaten since landing, the richer by twenty dollars -from the morning's adventure. Bill called it finding money; "just like -pickin' it up in the street."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="XII" id="XII">XII</a><br /> -<small>AN UNEXPECTED MEETING</small></h2> - -<p><span class="sc">It</span> was getting along toward the middle of the afternoon when the two -newly fledged speculators turned their steps to the waterside, Bill to -have his after-dinner smoke in peace and quiet, while scanning with -critical eye the various craft afloat in that matchless bay. Something -he saw there arrested his attention wonderfully, by the way he grasped -Walter's arm and stretched out his long neck.</p> - -<p>"Will you look! Ef that arn't the old <i>Argonaut</i> out there in the -stream, I'm a nigger. The old tub! She's made her last v'y'ge by the -looks—topmasts sent down, hole in her side big 'nuff to drive a yoke -of oxen through. Ain't she a beauty?"</p> - -<p>After taking a good look at the dismantled hulk, Walter agreed that -it could be no other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> than the ship on which he and Charley met with -their adventure just before she sailed. It did seem so like seeing an -old friend that Walter was seized with an eager desire to go on board. -Hailing a Whitehall boatman, they were quickly rowed off alongside, -and in another minute found themselves once more standing on the -<i>Argonaut's</i> deck. A well-grown, broad-shouldered, round-faced young -fellow, in a guernsey jacket and skull-cap, met them at the gangway. -There were three shouts blended in one:</p> - -<p>"Walter!"</p> - -<p>"Charley!"</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm blessed!"</p> - -<p>Then there followed such a shaking of hands all round, such a volley -of questions without waiting for answers, and of answers without -waiting for questions, that it was some minutes before quiet was -restored. Charley then took up the word: "Why, Walt, old fel'," -holding him off at arm's length, "I declare I should hardly have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> -known you with that long hair and that brown face. Yes; this is the -<i>Argonaut</i>. She's a storeship now; and I'm ship-keeper." He then went -on to explain that most of the fleet of ships moored ahead and astern -were similarly used for storing merchandise, some merchants even -owning their own storeships. "You see, it's safer and cheaper than -keeping the stuff on shore to help make a bonfire of some dark night."</p> - -<p>"Don't you have no crew?" Bill asked.</p> - -<p>"No; we can hire lightermen, same's you hire truckmen in Boston. All -those stores you see built out over the water get in their goods -through a trap-door in the floor, with fall and tackle."</p> - -<p>It may well be imagined that these three reunited friends had a good -long talk together that evening. Charley pulled a skillet out of a -cupboard, on which he put some sliced bacon. Bill started a fire in -the cabin stove, while Walter made the coffee. Presently the bacon -began to sizzle and the coffee<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> to bubble. Then followed a famous -clattering of knives and forks, as the joyous trio set to, with -appetites such as only California air can create.</p> - -<p>Walter told his story first. Charley looked as black as a -thundercloud, as Ramon's villainy was being exposed. Bill gave an -angry snort or grunt to punctuate the tale. Walter finished by saying -bitterly, "I suppose it's like looking for a needle in a haystack."</p> - -<p>"Not quite so bad as that," was Charley's quick reply. "It's a pity if -we three," throwing out his chest, "can't cook his goose for him. Bill -has seen him. Didn't you say he gambled? Thought so. Oh, he won't be -lonesome; there's plenty more here of that stripe. Gamblers, thieves, -and sharks own the town. They do. It ain't safe to be out late nights -alone, unless you've got a Colt or a Derringer handy, for fear of the -Hounds."</p> - -<p>"The Hounds!" echoed Walter and Bill.</p> - -<p>"Yes, the Hounds; that's what they call<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> the ruff-scuff here. There's -a storm brewing," he added mysteriously, then suddenly changing the -subject, he asked, "Where do you <i>hombres</i> ranch?"</p> - -<p>"Under the blue kannerpy, I guess," said Bill in a heavy tragedian's -voice.</p> - -<p>"Not by a jugful! You'll both stop aboard here with me. I'm cap'n, -chief cook, and bottle-washer. Bill's cut out for a lighterman, so -he's as good as fixed. Something 'll turn up for Walt."</p> - -<p>"What did you mean by ranching?" Walter asked.</p> - -<p>"This is it. This is my ranch. You hire a room or a shanty, do your -own cooking and washing, roll yourself up in your blanket at night and -go it alone, as independent as a hog on ice. Oh, you'll soon get used -to it, never fear, and like it too; bet your life. Women's as scarce -as hens' teeth out here. You can't think it. Why, man alive, a nice, -well-dressed lady is such a curiosity that I've seen all hands run -out o' doors to get a sight of one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> passin' by. Come, Bill, bear a -hand, and pull an armful of gunny-bags out of that bale for both your -beds. Look out for that candle! That's a keg of blastin' powder you're -settin' on, Walt! If I'd only known I was goin' to entertain company -I'd 'a' swep' up a bit. Are you all ready? Then one, two, three, and -out she goes." And with one vigorous puff out went the light.</p> - -<p>When Bill turned out in the morning he found Charley already up and -busying himself with the breakfast things. "What's this 'ere craft -loaded with?" was his first question.</p> - -<p>"Oh, a little of everything, assorted, you can think of, from -gunny-bags to lumber."</p> - -<p>Walter was sitting on a locker, with one boot on and the other in his -hand, listening. At hearing the word lumber he pricked up his ears. -"That reminds me," he broke in. "Bright & Company shipped a cargo out -here; dead loss; they said it was rotting in the ship that brought -it."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> - -<p>Charley stopped peeling a potato to ask her name.</p> - -<p>"The <i>Southern Cross</i>."</p> - -<p>"Bark?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, a bark."</p> - -<p>"Well, p'r'aps now that ain't queer," Charley continued. "That's -her moored just astern of us. Never broke bulk; ship and cargo sold -at auction to pay freight and charges. Went dirt cheap. My boss, he -bought 'em in on a spec. And a mighty poor spec it's turned out. Why, -everybody's got lumber to burn."</p> - -<p>Charley seemed so glum over it that Walter was about to drop the -subject, when Charley resumed it. "You see, boys," he began, "here's -where the shoe pinches. I had scraped together a tidy little sum of -my own, workin' on ship work at big wages, sometimes for this man, -sometimes for that. I was thinkin' all the while of buying off those -folks at home who fitted me out (Walt here knows who I mean), when -along comes my boss and says<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> to me, 'I say, young feller, you seem -a busy sort of chap. I've had my eye on you some time. Now, I tell -you what I'll do with you. No nonsense now. Got any dust?' 'A few -hundreds,' says I. 'Well, then,' says he, 'I don't mind givin' you a -lift. Here's this <i>Southern Cross</i> goin' to be sold for the freight. -I'll buy it in on halves. You pay what you can down on the nail, the -rest when we sell out at a profit. <i>Sabe?</i>' Like a fool I jumped at -the chance."</p> - -<p>"Well, what ails you?" growled the irrepressible Bill; "that 'ar ship -can't git away, moored with five fathoms o' chain, can she? Pine -boards don't eat nor drink nothin', do they?"</p> - -<p>"Who said they did?" Charley tartly retorted. It was plain to see that -with him the <i>Southern Cross</i> was a sore subject.</p> - -<p>"Waal, 'tain't ushil to cry much over bein' a lumber king, is it?" -persisted Bill, in his hectoring way. "Down East, whar I come from, -they laugh and grow fat."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You don't hear me through. Listen to this: My partner went off to -Australia seven or eight months ago, to settle up some old business -there, he said. I've not heard hide nor hair of him since. Every red -cent I'd raked and scraped is tied up hard and fast in that blamed old -lumber. Nobody wants it; and if they did, I couldn't give a clean bill -o' sale. Now, you know, Walt, why I never sent you nothin'!"</p> - -<p>Walter was struck with an odd idea. In a laughing sort of way, half -in jest, half in earnest, he said, "You needn't worry any more about -what you owe me, Charley; I don't; but if it will ease your mind any, -I'll take as much out in lumber as will make us square, and give you a -receipt in full in the bargain."</p> - -<p>"You will?" Charley exclaimed, with great animation. "By George!" -slapping his knee, "it's a bargain. Take my share for what I owe you -and welcome."</p> - -<p>"Pass the papers on't, boys. Put it in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> black an' white; have -everything fair and square," interjected the methodical Bill.</p> - -<p>Charley brought out pen and ink, tore a blank leaf out of an account -book, and prepared himself to write the bill of sale.</p> - -<p>"Hold on!" cried Walter, who seemed to be in a reckless mood this -morning. "Put in that I'm to have the refusal of the other half of the -cargo for ninety days at cost price. In for a penny, in for a pound," -he laughed, by way of reply to Charley's wondering look.</p> - -<p>For a minute or two nothing was heard except the scratching of -Charley's busy pen. Walter's face was a study. Bill seemed lost in -wonder.</p> - -<p>"There. Down it is," said Charley, signing the paper with a flourish. -"'Pears to me as if we was doin' a big business on a small capital -this morning. And now it's done, what on earth did you do it for, -Walt?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I've an idea," said Walter, assuming an air of impenetrable -mystery.</p> - -<p>"Have your own way," rejoined Charley,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> whose mind seemed lightened of -its heavy load. "Here, Bill, you put these dirty dishes in that bread -pan, douse some hot water over them—there! Now look in that middle -locker and you'll find a bunch of oakum to wipe 'em with. Walter, you -get a bucket of water from the cask with the pump in it, on deck, and -fill up the b'iler."</p> - -<p>Under Charley's active directions the breakfast things were soon -cleared away. Walter then asked to be put on shore, giving as a reason -that he must find something to do without delay. "Whereabouts do they -dig gold here?" he innocently asked.</p> - -<p>At this question Charley laughed outright. He then told Walter how -the diggings were reached from there, pointing out the steamboats -plying to "up-country" points, and then to distant Monte Diablo as -the landmark of the route. "There ain't no actual diggin's here in -'Frisco," he went on to say, "but there's gold enough for them as is -willin' to work for it, and has sense enough<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> not to gamble or drink -it all away. Mebbe you won't get rich quite so fast, and then again -mebbe you will. <i>Quien sabe?</i>"</p> - -<p>"Queer sitivation for a lumber king," grumbled Bill.</p> - -<p>"I didn't come out here to get rich; you know I didn't," said Walter -excitedly, rising and putting on his cap with an air of determination.</p> - -<p>"Easy now," urged Charley, putting an arm around Walter; "now don't -you go running all over town in broad daylight after that fellow. -Better send out the town crier, and done with it. That's not the way -to go to work. Do you s'pose a chap in his shoes won't be keepin' a -sharp lookout for himself? Bet your life. Yes, sir-ee! Now, look here. -My idee is not to disturb the nest until we ketch the bird. This is my -plan. We three 'll put in our nights ranging about town, lookin' into -the gambling dens, saloons, and hotels. If the skunk is hidin' that's -the time he'll come out of his hole, eh, Bill?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Sartin sure," was the decided reply.</p> - -<p>"Well, then, Walt, hear to reason. Don't you see that if there's -anything to be done, the night's our best holt to do it in?"</p> - -<p>Walter was not more than half convinced. "Couldn't I have him arrested -on the strength of the handbill Marshal Tukey got out, offering a -reward, and describing Ramon to a hair? See, here it is," drawing it -out of an inside pocket and holding it up to view. "I could swear to -him, you know, and so could Bill."</p> - -<p>"On a stack of Bibles," Bill assented.</p> - -<p>"Let me see it," Charley demanded, rapidly running his eye over the -precious document. "'Five hundred dollars reward!' Five hundred -fiddlesticks! Why, he'd go five hundred better and be off in a jiffy, -with just a nod and a wink from the officers to keep out of the way a -while." Having expressed this opinion, Charley tossed the handbill on -the table with a disdainful sniff.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p> - -<p>Walter was dumb. He had actually thought for a whole month that the -mere sight of this accusing piece of paper would make the guilty -wretch fall on his knees and beg for mercy. And to be told now that it -was only so much waste paper struck him speechless.</p> - -<p>Charley again came to the rescue. "Come, come; don't stand there -looking as if you'd lost every friend you had on earth, but brace up. -If you'd wanted to have that robber arrested, you should have gone a -different way to work—'cordin' to law."</p> - -<p>"What's to be done, then?"</p> - -<p>"My idee is like this. Californy law is no good, anyhow. It's on the -side that has most dust. But here's three of us and only one of him. -We can lay for him, get him into some quiet corner, and then frighten -him into doing what we say. How's that?"</p> - -<p>"Capital! Just the thing. I always said you had the best head of the -three."</p> - -<p>"All right, then," cried Charley in his old,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> sprightly way; "I give -you both a holiday, so you can see the sights. Walter, you take care -that Bill don't get lost or stolen."</p> - -<p>"Me take care o' him, you mean," Bill retorted.</p> - -<p>Getting into the boat the two friends then pulled for the shore. -Walter's first remark, as they slowly sauntered along, was: "What a -wooden-looking town! Wooden houses, wooden sidewalks, plank streets. -It looks as if everything had sprung up in a night."</p> - -<p>And so it had. At this time the city was beginning to work its way out -from the natural beach toward deeper water; for as deep water would -not come to the city, the city had to go out to deep water. And as -many of the coming streets were as yet only narrow footways, thrust -out over the shallow waters of the bay, the entire ragged waterfront -seemed cautiously feeling its way toward its wished-for goal. Cheap -one-story frame buildings were following these extensions of new and -old streets, as fast as piles could be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> driven for them, so that a -famous clattering of hammers was going on on every side from morning -to night.</p> - -<p>The two friends soon had an exciting experience. Just ahead of them, a -dray was being driven down the wharf at a rapid rate, making the loose -planks rattle again. In turning out to let another dray pass him, the -driver of the first went too near the edge of the wharf, when the -weight of horse and dray suddenly tilted the loose planks in the air, -the driver gave a yell, and over into the dock went horse, dray, and -man with a tremendous splash.</p> - -<p>It was all done so quickly that Walter and Bill stood for a moment -without stirring. Fortunately their boat was only a few rods off, -so both ran back for her in a hurry. A few strokes brought them to -where the frightened animal was still helplessly floundering in the -water, dragged down by the weight of the dray. The man was first -pulled into the boat, dripping wet. Bill then cut the traces<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> with -his sheath-knife, while the drayman held the struggling animal by -the bit. He was then towed to the beach safe and sound. By this time -a crowd had collected. Seeing his rescuers pushing off, the drayman -elbowed his way out of the crowd, and shouted after them, "I say, you, -<i>hombres</i>, this ain't no place to take a bath, is it? This ain't no -place to be bashful. Come up to my stand, Jackson and Sansome, and ask -for Jack Furbish."</p> - -<p>"Is your name Furbish?" asked Bill, resting on his oars.</p> - -<p>"Yes; why?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, nothin', only we lost a man overboard onct off Cape Horn. His -name was Furbish."</p> - -<p>"Well, 'twarn't me. I was lost overboard from Pacific Wharf. Jackson -and Sansome! Git up, Jim!" bringing his blacksnake smartly down on his -horse's steaming flanks.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="XIII" id="XIII">XIII</a><br /> -<small>IN WHICH A MAN BREAKS INTO HIS OWN STORE, AND STEALS HIS OWN SAFE</small></h2> - -<p><span class="sc">Walter's</span> idea, as far as he had thought it out, was to hold on to -this lumber cargo until Mr. Bright could be notified just how the -matter stood. Should the merchant then choose to take any steps toward -recovering the cargo of the <i>Southern Cross</i>, Walter thought this act -on his part might go far to remove the unjust suspicions directed -against himself. For this reason he had secured, as we have seen, a -refusal of the cargo long enough for a letter to go and return.</p> - -<p>Walter now set about writing his letter, but he now found that what -had seemed so simple at first was no easy matter. As he sat staring -vacantly at the blank paper before him, tears came into his eyes; -for again the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> trying scene in the merchant's counting-room rushed -vividly upon his memory. An evil voice within him said, "Why should -I trouble myself about those who have so ill-used me and robbed me -of my good name?" Yet another, and gentler, voice answered, "Do unto -others as you would that they should do unto you." Compressing his -lips resolutely, he succeeded in writing a very formal letter, not at -all like what he had intended. But the main thing was to make himself -clearly understood. So he carefully studied every word before putting -it down in black and white, as follows:</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Mr. Bright</span>,</p> - -<p>"<i>Sir</i>: This is to inform you of my being here. I could not bear -to be suspected of dishonesty when I knew I was innocent of -wrongdoing. So I left. This is to inform you that the <i>Southern -Cross</i> is in charge of my friend Mr. Charles Wormwood. You may -recollect him. He is a fine young man.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> Between us, we've got hold -of half the cargo, and I have the refusal of the other half for -ninety days. The man who owns it has gone away. If you think it -worth while, send directions to somebody here what to do about it. -This is a great country, only I'm afraid it will burn up all the -time.</p> - -<p class="ltr-closing"> -"Your true friend,<br /> -"<span class="smcap">Walter Seabury</span>."</p> -</blockquote> - -<p>While on his way uptown to post his letter, Walter heard a familiar -voice call out, "Hi, <i>hombre</i>! lookin' for a job?" It was the drayman -of yesterday's adventure, placidly kicking his heels on the tail of -his dray.</p> - -<p>Walter candidly admitted that he would like something to do. The -drayman spoke up briskly: "Good enough. Not afraid of dirty hands? -No? Good again. Got some <i>plata</i>? No? Cleaned out, eh? So was I. Say, -there's a first-rate handcart stand, on the next corner above here, -I've had my eye on for some time. More people<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> pass there in a day -than any other in 'Frisco. Talk biz. That comer has been waiting for -you, or it would 'a' been snapped up long ago. No job less than six -bits. You can make anywhere from five to ten dollars a day. Come, what -do you say? Do we hitch hosses or not?"</p> - -<p>Walter had a short struggle with his pride. It did seem rather low, -to be sure, to be pushing a handcart through the streets, like -the rag-men seen at home, but beggars should not be choosers, he -reflected. So, putting his pride in his pocket, the bargain was closed -without more words.</p> - -<p>Certainly Walter's best friends would hardly have known him when -he made his first appearance on the stand, bright and early next -morning, rigged out in a gray slouch hat, red woolen shirt, and blue -overalls tucked into a pair of stout cowhide boots. His face, too, was -beginning to show signs of quite a promising beard which Walter was -often seen caressing as if to make sure it was still there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> overnight -and which, indeed, so greatly altered his looks that he now felt -little fear of being recognized by Ramon, should they happen to meet -some day unexpectedly in the street.</p> - -<p>Walter ranched with his employer in a loft. With a hammer, a saw, -and some nails, he had soon knocked together a bunk out of some old -packing boxes. In this he slept on a straw mattress also of his own -make, with a pair of coarse blankets for bedclothes. Another packing -box, a water pail, a tin wash-basin, towel, and soap comprised all -necessary conveniences, with which the morning toilet was soon made. -The bed required no making. Rather primitive housekeeping, to be sure; -yet Walter soon learned, from actual observation, that a majority -of the merchants, some of whom were reputed worth their hundreds of -thousands, were no better lodged than himself.</p> - -<p>On the whole, Walter rather liked his new occupation, as soon as his -first awkwardness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> had worn off. Here, at any rate, he was his own -master, and Walter had always chafed at being ordered about by boys -no older than himself. Then, he liked the hearty, democratic way in -which everybody greeted everybody. It made things move along much more -cheerfully. Walter was attentive. Business was good. At the close of -each day he handed over his earnings to his employer, who kept his own -share, punctually returning Walter the rest. "You'll be buyin' out -Sam Brannan one of these days, if you keep on as you're goin'," was -Furbish's encouraging remark, as he figured up Walter's earnings at -twenty-five dollars, at the end of the first week.</p> - -<p>"Who's Sam Brannan?"</p> - -<p>"Not know who Sam Brannan is?" asked the drayman, lifting his eyebrows -in amazement. "He's reputed the richest man in 'Frisco. Owns a big -block on Montgomery Street. Income's two thousand a day, they tell -me."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p> - -<p>Walter could only gape, open-mouthed, in astonishment. The bare idea -of any one man possessing such unheard-of wealth was something that he -had never dreamed of.</p> - -<p>"Fact," repeated the drayman, observing Walter's look of incredulity.</p> - -<p>The restaurant at which Walter took his meals, until circumstances -suggested a change, was one of the institutions peculiar to the San -Francisco of that day. An old dismantled hulk had been hauled up -alongside the wharf, the spar-deck roofed over, and some loose boards, -laid upon wooden trestles, made to serve the purpose of a table, while -the ship's caboose performed its customary office of scullery and -kitchen.</p> - -<p>The restaurant keeper was evidently new to the business, for he -was in the habit of urging his customers to have a second helping -of everything, much to the annoyance of his wife, who did the -cooking. This woman was one of the class locally known as Sydney<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> -Ducks, from the fact that she had come from Australia under the -sanction of a ticket-of-leave. She was fat, brawny, red-faced, -and quick-tempered,—in fact, fiery,—and when out of sorts gave -her tongue free license. The pair were continually quarreling at -meal-times, regardless of the presence of the boarders, some of whom -took a malicious pleasure in egging on the one or the other when words -failed them. But it happened more than once that, when words failed, -man and wife began shying plates, or cups and saucers, at each other's -head, which quickly cleared the table of boarders.</p> - -<p>Walter stood this sort of thing stoically until, one noon, when he -was just entering the dining room, a flat-iron came whizzing by him, -narrowly missing his head. The language that accompanied it showed -madam to be mistress of the choicest Billingsgate in profusion. By the -time a second flat-iron sailed through the door Walter was a block -away, and still running. It was shrewdly surmised<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> that man and wife -had broken up housekeeping.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the search for Ramon was faithfully kept up, yet so far with -no better success than if the ground had opened and swallowed him up. -Nobody knew a person of the name of Ingersoll. No doubt he had assumed -another less incriminating. A decoy letter dropped in the post-office -remained there unclaimed until sent to the dead-letter office. "Fool -if he hadn't changed his name," muttered Bill, as Walter and he stood -at a street corner, looking blankly into each other's face.</p> - -<p>They were taking their customary stroll uptown in the evening, when -the big bell on the plaza suddenly clanged out an alarm of fire. -There was no appearance of fire anywhere,—no shooting flames, no -smoke, no red glare in the sky,—yet every one seemed flocking, as if -by a common understanding, toward the Chinese quarter. Catching the -prevailing excitement, the three friends<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> pressed forward with the -crowd, which at every step was visibly increasing. Upon reaching the -point where the fire-engines were already hard at work, the crowd grew -more and more dense, shouts and cries broke out here and there, lights -were glancing hither and thither, and still no sign of fire could be -detected. What could it all mean?</p> - -<p>It meant that by a secret understanding among the firemen, winked at -by the city authorities, the fire department was "cleaning out" the -Chinese quarter, which had become an intolerable nuisance, dangerous -to health on account of the filthy habits of the moon-eyed Celestials. -The fire lads were only too willing to undertake the job, which -promised to be such a fine lark, and at the first tap of the bells -they had rushed their machines to the indicated spot, run their hose -into the houses, and, regardless of the screams and howlings of the -frightened inmates, who were wildly running to and fro in frantic -efforts to escape, a veritable deluge of water was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> being poured upon -them from a dozen streams, fairly washing the poor devils out of house -and home, some by the doors, some by leaping out of the windows, and -some by the roofs. Whenever one made his appearance, the shouts of the -mob would direct the firemen where to point their powerful streams, -which quickly sent the unresisting victim rolling in the dirt, from -which he scrambled to his feet more dead than alive.</p> - -<p>Meantime the Chinese quarter had been thoroughly drenched, inside and -out, the terrified inhabitants scattered in every direction, their -belongings utterly ruined either by water or by being thrown into the -street pell-mell, and they themselves chased and hunted from pillar to -post like so many rats drowned out of their holes by an inundation, -until the last victim had fled beyond the reach of pursuit.</p> - -<p>When the whole district had been thus depopulated the vast throng -turned homeward in great good humor at having shown those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> miserable -barbarians how things were done in civilized America.</p> - -<p>Time slipped away in this manner, and gradually the edge was being -taken off from the keenness of the search, though never completely -lost sight of. Not a nook or corner of the town had been left -unvisited, and still no Ramon. It was, even as Walter had first -described it, quite like looking for a needle in a haystack.</p> - -<p>One morning Walter was called to help Furbish move some goods from -a downtown wharf to a certain warehouse uptown. The owner was found -standing among his belongings, which were piled and tossed about -helter-skelter, in a state of angry excitement, which every now -and then broke forth in muttered threats and snappy monosyllables, -directed to a small crowd of bystanders who had been attracted to the -spot.</p> - -<p>"There'll be some hanging done round here before long," he muttered, -scowling darkly at two or three rough-looking men,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> each armed with a -brace of pistols, who stood with their backs against the door of the -building from which the man's goods had been so hastily thrown out.</p> - -<p>This building stood on one of the new streets spoken of in a former -chapter as built out over the water, or on what was then known as a -water-lot. It seems that the title to this lot was claimed by two -parties. The late occupant had taken a lease from one claimant for a -term of years, and had built a store upon the lot, wholly ignorant -that another party claimed it. He had punctually paid his rent to -his landlord every month, and was therefore dumfounded when, late -one afternoon, the second claimant, armed with an order of a certain -judge and accompanied by a sheriff's posse, walked into his store, and -after demanding payment of all back rents, which was stoutly refused, -promptly ejected the unfortunate tenant, neck and heels, from his -place of business. His goods were then thrown out into the street -after him, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> door locked against him, with an armed guard -keeping possession. This was the state of things when Furbish and -Walter arrived on the ground.</p> - -<p>"It's a wicked shame," declared Walter indignantly.</p> - -<p>"Makes business good for us," was Furbish's careless reply. Then -lowering his voice, he added, "Talk low and keep shady. Mark my words. -There'll be hanging done before long," thus unconsciously echoing the -very words of the dispossessed tenant.</p> - -<p>Walter took the hint. He stared, it is true, but went to work without -further comment, though he could see that the sympathy of the crowd -was clearly with the unfortunate tenant. When the last load had -been carted away, the crowd slowly dispersed, leaving only the -surly-looking guards on the spot.</p> - -<p>"Is all out?" demanded Furbish of the merchant, nodding his head -toward the empty building.</p> - -<p>"All but my safe. I want that bad; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> you see these robbers won't -let me in. It was too heavy for them to move, or they were too lazy, -and now they won't even let me take my papers out of it. Curse them!"</p> - -<p>"Got the key?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes! That's all safe in my pocket. But what's a man going to do -with a key?"</p> - -<p>"You want that safe bad?"</p> - -<p>"I'd give a hundred dollars for it this minute; yes, two hundred."</p> - -<p>Furbish now held a whispered colloquy with Walter. "Do you think your -friends would take a hand?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'll answer for them," was the ready reply.</p> - -<p>"Enough said."</p> - -<p>A place of meeting was then fixed upon, after which the three -conspirators went their several ways—Furbish to mature his plan of -action, the merchant to nurse his new-found hopes, Walter to enlist -his two friends in the coming adventure. Charley was in high spirits -at the prospect.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> Bill thought it a risky piece of business, but if -his boys were going to take a hand in it he would have to go too. -Charley put an end to further argument by declaring that it was a -burning shame if a man couldn't go into his own store after his own -property, law or no law. For his part, he was bound to see the thing -through. Walter stipulated that there should be no violence used, and -that he should not be asked to enter the building if it was found to -be still in the hands of the sheriff's men.</p> - -<p>Just at midnight a row-boat, with an empty lighter in tow, put off -from the <i>Argonaut's</i> side, care being taken to keep in the deep -shadows as much as possible. Not a word was exchanged as the tow was -quietly brought to the place agreed upon, where it lay completely -hidden from curious eyes, if any such had been abroad at that hour. As -the lighter lightly grazed the wharf a dark figure stole cautiously -out from the shadow cast by a neighboring warehouse, and dropped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> into -the hands stretched out to receive it: still another followed, and the -party, now complete, held a short council in whispers.</p> - -<p>Furbish had reconnoitered the store, finding only one watchman on -guard outside. Yet he was positive that there were two or more -inside, as he had seen a light shining through a crevice in the -window-shutters, which suddenly disappeared while he was watching it.</p> - -<p>The evicted merchant then explained that this light must have come -from the little office, at the right hand of the street door, where -he usually slept. This information confirmed the belief that the men -inside had turned in until their turn should come to relieve the -guard outside. If this should prove true, the midnight intruders felt -that they would have a more easy task than they had supposed. This, -however, remained to be seen. After listening to a minute description -of the store, inside and out, Furbish gave the signal to proceed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p> - -<p>Making the boat fast to the scow's stern, the latter was poled along -in the shadows of the wharves until, under Bill's skillful guidance, -she glided between the two piers which supported the building that the -party was in search of.</p> - -<p>All listened intently for any sound indicating that their approach -had been detected. As all seemed safe, the scow was quickly made -fast directly underneath the trap-door contrived for hoisting up -merchandise into the store by means of a block and tackle secured -to a stout rafter overhead—an operation at which Charley had often -assisted. It was, therefore, through this same trap-door that the -intruders now meant to effect an entrance. But a first attempt, very -cautiously made, to raise it, proved it to be bolted on the inside. -This contingency, however, had been provided against, for Charley now -produced a large auger, on which he rubbed some tallow to deaden the -sound, while the merchant held a dark lantern in such a way as to -show<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> Charley where to use his tool to advantage.</p> - -<p>Very cautiously, and with frequent pauses to listen, a large hole was -bored next to the place where the bolt shot into the socket. Two or -three minutes were occupied in this work. Charley then succeeded in -drawing back the bolt with his fingers, a little at a time, when the -trap was carefully lifted far enough to let the merchant squeeze his -body through it, and so up into the store. As this was felt to be the -critical moment, those who were left below listened breathlessly for -any sound from above, as the trap was immediately lowered after the -merchant passed through it.</p> - -<p>It was, of course, pitch-dark in the store, but knowing the way as -well in the dark as in the daytime, and being in his stocking-feet, -the merchant stood only a moment to listen. Out of the darkness the -sleeping watchmen could be heard snoring heavily away in the little -corner office. Groping<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> his way with cat-like tread, the merchant, -with two or three quick turns of the wrist, screwed a gimlet into the -woodwork of the office door, over the latch, thus securely fastening -the sleepers in. Observing the same precautions, he then felt for the -lock on the front door, and finding the key in the lock he turned it -softly, putting the key in his pocket. Even should they awake, the -watchmen inside the office could only get out by breaking down the -door; while their comrade outside would be kept from coming to their -assistance. The merchant had certainly shown himself not only to be a -man of nerve, but no mean strategist.</p> - -<p>The merchant having signaled that all was safe, all the rest of the -party, except Walter, immediately joined him. The safe was speedily -located, some loose gunny-bags were spread upon the floor to deaden -the sound, two stout slings were quickly passed around the safe, the -tackle hooked on, and in less than ten minutes the object of the -adventure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> was safely lowered into the lighter. No time was lost in -getting the scow clear of her dangerous berth, nor was it until they -had put a long stretch of water behind them that the adventurers -breathed freely.</p> - -<p>The daring midnight burglary was duly chronicled in the evening papers -as one of the boldest and most successful known to the criminal -annals of San Francisco. Would it be believed, it was asked, that -with three heavily armed guards on the watch inside and outside of -the building, the burglars had actually succeeded in carrying off so -bulky an article as an iron safe under the very noses of these alleged -guardians? Connivance on their part was strongly hinted at. The police -were on the track of the gang who did the job, and the public might -rest assured that when caught they would be given short shrift. The -burglars were supposed to have sunk the safe in the harbor after -rifling it of its contents.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="XIV" id="XIV">XIV</a><br /> -<small>CHARLEY AND WALTER GO A-GUNNING</small></h2> - -<p><span class="sc">Charley</span> frequently came ashore in the evening, leaving Bill in charge -of the ship. Walter ranched at Clark's Point, near the waterside, and -only a few steps from the landing place. The neighborhood, to tell -the truth, did not bear a very good reputation, it being a resort for -sailors of all nations, whose nightly carousals in the low dramshops -generally kept the place in an uproar till morning, and often ended in -bloodshed.</p> - -<p>Walter was busily engaged in sewing up a rip in his overalls, meantime -humming to himself snatches of "The Old Folks at Home," when Charley -came stamping into the room. Seating himself on an empty nail-keg, he -proceeded to free his mind in the following manner:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You've been working pretty steady now for—how long?"</p> - -<p>"Three months last Monday," assisted Walter, consulting a chalk mark -on the wall.</p> - -<p>"Long 'nuff to entitle you to a bit of a vacation, I'm a-thinkin'. -What say to takin' a little gunnin' trip up country? Bill knows the -ropes now pretty well. A friend of mine 'll lend me the shootin' -fixin's. Couldn't you get off for a few days, think? Come, get that -Ramon chap out of your head for a bit. It's wearin' on you."</p> - -<p>Walter jumped at the offer. Thus far he had never set foot out of the -city, and Charley, an enthusiast in anything that he had set his mind -upon, now portrayed the delights of a tramp among the foothills of -the Coast Range in glowing colors. Walter easily found a substitute -for the few days he expected to be away, while Charley had nobody's -permission to ask. So the very next afternoon saw the two sportsmen -crossing the ferry to Contra Costa, Charley carrying a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> rifle and -Walter a shotgun, the necessary traps for camping out being divided -equally between them.</p> - -<p>"I only hope we may set eyes on a grizzly," Charley remarked, slapping -the breech of his rifle affectionately, as they stepped on shore. -"That's why I chose this feller," he added.</p> - -<p>"Better let grizzlys alone. From all I hear they're pretty tough -customers," was Walter's cautious comment.</p> - -<p>"I don't care. Just you wait till I see one, that's all. I'm all fixed -for him—lock, stock, and barrel."</p> - -<p>They soon struck into the well-beaten road leading to the Coast Range, -and after steadily tramping until dark entered a small settlement -where travelers, coming and going over this route, usually put up for -the night. A night's lodging was soon arranged for at the only public -house that the place could afford, and after eating a hearty supper, -and leaving word with the landlord to call them up as soon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> as it was -light in the morning, the two amateur hunters were glad to tumble into -bed.</p> - -<p>The house was a two-story frame building, with the second-story -windows in front opening upon a veranda, after the Southern style -of public houses. The air being hot and close in their room, Walter -threw up a window the first thing upon going into it. He saw that one -might easily step out from the room onto the veranda, or in, for that -matter. Then, there was no lock on the door, but as neither he nor -Charley was afraid of being robbed, the want of a lock did not prevent -their going to sleep as soon as they struck their beds. It is probable -that they did not even turn over once during the night.</p> - -<p>Walter was awakened by the sound of a gentle scratching, or tapping, -at the door. Upon opening his eyes he perceived that it was beginning -to be quite light. He listened until the sound was repeated, sat up in -bed, and being satisfied that it must be some one calling them to get -up, slipped out of bed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> yawning and stretching himself, went to the -door, half opened it, and, still only half awake, peered out.</p> - -<p>What he saw made him start back in affright, and his hair to rise up -on his head In an instant.</p> - -<p>Standing erect on his hind feet, clumsily beating the air with his -forepaws and lolling out a long red tongue, was an enormous, shaggy -grizzly bear at least a foot taller than Walter himself.</p> - -<p>One look was enough. Giving one yell, Walter made a dash for the open -window, leaped out upon the veranda, vaulted over it, and grasping -firm hold of the railing, let himself drop down into the street. -Imagining that the bear was close behind, he incontinently took to his -heels, not even turning to look back over his shoulder to see what had -become of Charley.</p> - -<p>Startled out of a sound sleep by Walter's cry of alarm, Charley threw -off the bedclothes, rubbed his eyes, and, with their aid,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> saw the -bear waddling with rolling gait into the room on all fours. He too -made a dash for the window, adopting without hesitation the only route -of escape open to him.</p> - -<p>The bear quickly followed suit, sliding with ease down an upright, -and, on touching the ground, immediately set off after the fugitives, -upon whom the discovery that the bear was after them acted like a spur -upon a mettled charger. They no longer ran, they flew.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 324px;"> -<img src="images/i215.jpg" width="324" height="500" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>The hunters hunted by a grizzly bear.—<i>Page 208.</i></p></div> -</div> - -<p>Up to this hour the village had not shaken off its slumbers, but the -frantic shouts of the fugitives, who saw that the faster they ran the -faster ran the bear, quickly aroused other sleepers from their morning -nap. Dogs began to bark and give chase to the bear. Windows began to -be thrown up, and heads to appear at them. Still the race for life -continued. Bruin was evidently gaining upon the fugitives, who could -not much longer keep up the pace at which they were going. Feeling his -breath failing him, Charley,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> who was a few rods behind Walter, had -even almost made up his mind to stop short in his tracks, face about, -and let the bear work its will upon him, so giving his bosom friend a -chance to escape.</p> - -<p>Fortunately, however, this heroic self-sacrifice was not to be made. -At the last house a street door was seen very cautiously to open, -while a head protruded from it. Ceremony here was quite out of the -question. Walter instantly dashed into this welcome haven of refuge, -with Charley, now quite spent, at his heels, overturning the man of -the house in their mad rush for safety. It took but a moment to shut -and bolt the door, and, as if that was not enough, Walter braced his -back against it, panting and breathless. Only when this was done, did -the two friends draw a free breath. Both were completely done up.</p> - -<p>Excited by the chase, enraged at seeing his victims escaping, the bear -snuffed the air, pawed at the door, swayed his huge bulk to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> and fro, -and gave vent to his rage in loud and unearthly roarings that could be -heard by every inhabitant of the village.</p> - -<p>Meantime the man into whose premises the two young men had so -unceremoniously entered, after taking a good look at the bear out of -the window, almost bent double in the effort to control his laughter. -"Why, boys," said he, between fits of choking, "that's Jem Stackpole's -tame grizzly." He had recognized the animal now holding them besieged -as one that had been taken when a cub, and brought up by the landlord -of the public house from which the boys had made their sudden exit, -as an object of curiosity to his guests. The iron collar which Bruin -still wore confirmed this account. It was all plain enough now. Having -contrived to free himself from his chain, the bear had easily gained -access to the house by climbing up the before-mentioned veranda -bear-fashion. He was considered quite harmless, the man explained, -but on seeing the young<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> men run away the bear had run after them, at -first out of mere playfulness. So Walter and Charley had been running -a race with a tame grizzly, through the public street of the village, -in broad daylight, in their night clothes.</p> - -<p>By this time something of a crowd had collected, all tongues going at -once. The laugh of course went against the boys, though some were in -favor of shooting the bear, and so putting an end to his wild pranks. -His master, however, who now came forward with a pitchfork in one -hand and an earthenware dish containing a stiff mixture of whisky and -honey in the other, objected to having the bear killed, although the -creature was now so ferocious that no one dared to go near him.</p> - -<p>Setting the dish down upon the ground, and silently waving the crowd -back, the man began calling the bear by his pet name of "Rusty" in -a coaxing tone, and presently Bruin, having scented the seductive -mixture, marched toward it and began lapping it up,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> occasionally -emitting a fierce growl by way of notifying the bystanders to keep -their distance.</p> - -<p>By the time the dish was licked clean Bruin was dead-drunk and rolling -helplessly in the dirt. His chain was then securely fastened on, and -the brute ignominiously dragged off to the stable to sleep off his -potations.</p> - -<p>Walter and Charley were compelled to borrow a pair of trousers apiece -before they could venture back to the public house, the observed of -all observers. Needless to say, they made all haste to leave the -inhospitable spot. Upon calling for their bill, the landlord declared -there was nothing to pay, and, with a straight face, politely hoped -they would recommend his house to their friends.</p> - -<p>Walter insisted upon paying, but the landlord was firm. The fame of -the tame-bear hunt would attract customers to his house, he said. -Under the circumstances<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> he could not think of making any charge -whatever.</p> - -<p>When they were well out of the village, Charley, who had maintained a -dogged silence, suddenly turned to Walter and exclaimed, "I won't tell -if you won't!"</p> - -<p>"Don't be a ninny," was the curt reply.</p> - -<p>"If I'd only had my rifle!" muttered Charley, who, all the same, could -not forbear looking backward every few minutes as they trudged on.</p> - -<p>The disconsolate pair made their way up among the foothills, but -neither seemed to be in the right mood for keen sportsmen, or else -game was not so plenty as they had expected to find it. After -Charley had blown the nipple out of his rifle in firing at a coyote, -and Walter had shot half a dozen rabbits, which, though wounded, -succeeded in reaching their holes and crawling into them, the twain -willingly turned their faces homeward. Footsore and weary, but with -appetites sharpened by their long tramp, they were only too<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> glad -to set foot once again in the streets of the city. With a brief "So -long, Charley," "So long, Walt," "Mum, you know," "Hope to die," they -separated to go their respective ways.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="XV" id="XV">XV</a><br /> -<small>THE YOUNG VIGILANTES</small></h2> - -<p><span class="sc">While</span> on his way to work on Saturday morning, full of his own -thoughts, Walter could not help noticing the absence of the usual -bustle and movement in the streets. If the shops had not been open, he -would have thought it was Sunday, instead of the last day of the week. -All business seemed to be at a standstill. Merchants stood outside -their doors, glancing uneasily up and down the street and from time to -time holding whispered talks with their neighbors. Every one wore a -sober face; every one seemed expecting something to happen. But what -was it? What could it be?</p> - -<p>Yesterday Walter would have passed along the same streets hardly -noticed. To-day he wondered why everybody stared at him so.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> Furbish -was about starting off on his dray when Walter reached the stand. He, -too, hardly replied when Walter gave him the customary "Good-morning." -What could it all mean?</p> - -<p>Suddenly the big bell on the plaza thundered out three heavy -strokes—one, two, three, and no more—boom! boom! boom!</p> - -<p>To the last day of his life Walter never forgot the sight that -followed. At the first stroke of that deep-toned bell the strange -quiet burst its bounds. Those already in the streets started off on -the run for the plaza. Those who were indoors rushed out, buckling on -their weapons as they ran. Workmen threw down their tools to join in -the race. Furbish jumped off his dray, shouting to Walter as he ran, -"Come on! Don't you hear it?" There was no noise except the trampling -of feet. Nobody asked a question of his neighbor. But every eye wore a -look of grim determination, as if some matter of life and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> death dwelt -in the imperious summons of that loud alarm-bell.</p> - -<p>After gazing a moment in utter bewilderment, Walter started off on the -run with the rest. He, too, had caught the infection. The distance was -nothing. He found the plaza already black with people. Beyond him, -above the heads of the crowd, he saw a glittering line of bayonets; -nearer at hand men were pouring out of a building at the right, with -muskets in their hands. Walter stood on tiptoe. Some one was speaking -to the crowd from an open window fronting the plaza, but Walter was -too far off to catch a single word. The vast throng was as still as -death. Then as the speaker put some question to vote, one tremendous -"aye" went up from a thousand throats. It was the voice of an outraged -people pronouncing the doom of evil-doers.</p> - -<p>By the gleam of satisfaction on the faces around him, Walter knew that -something of unusual moment had just been decided upon.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> Burning with -curiosity he timidly asked his nearest neighbor what it all meant. -First giving him a blank look the man addressed curtly replied, "Get -a morning paper," then moved off with the crowd, which was already -dispersing, leaving the plaza in quiet possession of a body of -citizen soldiers, with sentinels posted, and the strong arm of a new -power uplifted in its might. That power was the dreaded Vigilantes, -organized, armed, and ready for the common protection.</p> - -<p>Though terribly in earnest, it was by far the most orderly multitude -Walter remembered ever having seen, and he had seen many. In the -newspaper he read what everybody else already knew, that one of the -most prominent citizens had been brutally murdered in cold blood by -a well-known gambler, in a crowded street and at an early hour of -the previous evening. The victim's only provocation consisted in -having spoken out like a man against the monstrous evils under which -the law-abiding citizens had so long<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> and so silently been groaning. -This murder was the last straw. The murderer had been promptly taken -by members of the secret Committee of Vigilance; the trial had been -swift; and the hangman's noose was being made ready for its victim. -The account closed with a burning appeal to all law-abiding citizens, -at every cost, to rid the city of the whole gang of gamblers, thieves, -and outlaws infesting it like a plague. "When the sworn officers of -the law are so notoriously in league with such miscreants, nothing is -left for the people but to rise in their might. <i>Vox populi, vox Dei!</i> -Down with the Hounds!"</p> - -<p>Charley and Bill were quietly eating their noonday meal, when Walter -burst into the <i>Argonaut's</i> cabin in a state of wild excitement. -Without stopping to take breath, he rapidly related what he had seen -and heard that morning, while his listeners sat with wide-open eyes -until the tale was finished.</p> - -<p>For a few moments the three friends stared<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> at each other in silence. -Ever prompt, Charley was the first to break it. Jumping to his feet, -he struck the haft of his knife on the table with such force as to -set the dishes rattling, then waving it in the air he cried out -exultingly, "Now we've got him!" As the others made no reply except to -look askance, he went on to say, "Don't you see that, foxy as he is, -Ramon will be smoked out of his hole? Didn't I tell you there would -be hanging before long? Why, there won't be one of his kidney left in -'Frisco inside of a week."</p> - -<p>"You're right," said Walter, "for as I came along I saw men putting up -posters ordering all criminals out of the city, on pain of being put -on board an outbound vessel and shipped off out of the country."</p> - -<p>"Good enough for 'em, too. The heft of 'em is Sydney Ducks an' -ticket-o'-leave men, anyhow," quoth Bill, with a shake of the head.</p> - -<p>"Hark!" commanded Walter, holding up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> his hand for silence. Even as -he spoke, the deep tones of a bell came booming across the water. At -that moment the bodies of two condemned murderers were swinging from -crossbeams from an upper window of the plaza.</p> - -<p>"If we're ever going to catch that chap, we'd better set about it -before it's too late. What's to hinder our working this Vigilante -business a little on our own hook? Nothing. Who's going to ask any -questions? Nobody. Do you catch my idee?" questioned Charley.</p> - -<p>Without more words the three friends hastened on shore, Walter leading -the way to his stand. They had agreed not to separate again, and were -busy talking over their plans when a Chinaman came up to Walter and -slipped a paper in his hand. Walter ran his eye over it, then crushed -it in his hand. Turning to the Chinaman he simply said, "All right, -John; I'll be there."</p> - -<p>"Allee light," repeated the Chinaman, making off into the crowd.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p> - -<p>Walter drew the heads of his two friends close to his own. Then he -whispered: "What do you think? This is an order to take some things -from a certain house on Dupont Street to a warehouse on Long Wharf, at -ten o'clock to-night. (Night work's double pay.) I can't be mistaken. -The order is in <i>his</i> handwriting; I could swear to it."</p> - -<p>"I consait we orter follow the Chinee," Bill suggested tentatively.</p> - -<p>"No," objected Charley. "Prob'ly he'd lead us a wild-goose chase all -over town. If Walter's right, we're hot on the scent now. Don't muddy -the water, I say. The eel's a slippery cuss, and might wiggle away. -Bill, let's you and I go take a look at that warehouse. Walt, don't -you let on that you suspicion a thing. Why, you're all of a tremble, -man! Straighten out your face. Anybody could read it like a book. Pull -yourself together. Look at me! By jings, I feel like a fighting-cock -just now!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What a bantam!" muttered Bill, following in Charley's springing -footsteps.</p> - -<p>At ten o'clock Walter was at the door of the house on Dupont Street -with his cart. His knock was answered by the same Chinaman who had -brought him the note in the morning. Several parcels were brought -out and placed in the cart, but still no sign of the owner. The -Chinaman then explained, in his pigeon English, that this person would -meet Walter at the warehouse on the wharf, for which place Walter -immediately started, revolving in his own mind whether this was not -some trick of Ramon's contriving to throw him, Walter, off the scent.</p> - -<p>Nobody appeared to answer Walter's knock at the warehouse door. -Evidently it was deserted, but a low whistle gave notice that Charley -and Bill were close at hand. Indeed, so well had they concealed -themselves that Walter had passed on without seeing them.</p> - -<p>"Have you got the rope all right, Bill?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> Walter nervously whispered, -as the three crouched in the friendly shadow of a narrow passageway, -while waiting for their victim to show himself.</p> - -<p>"Sartin," that worthy calmly replied, "and all I wish is that -what's-his-name was on one end, and I on t'other."</p> - -<p>"I don't half like this way of doing things; looks too much like -kidnapping," Walter whispered, half to himself.</p> - -<p>"Come, Walt, you're not going to show the white feather now, after all -this trouble, I hope," Charley impatiently said. "Ssh! here he comes. -It's now or never."</p> - -<p>Sure enough, the sound of approaching footsteps was now plainly heard. -As Ramon came nearer, walking fast, Bill, stepping out of the shadows, -slowly lurched along ahead, cleverly imitating the zigzag walk of a -tipsy sailor—no unusual sight at that time of night. When Ramon had -passed a few rods beyond their hiding place, Charley quietly slipped -out behind him, taking care to tread as softly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> as one of Cooper's -Indians on the warpath. This plan had been carefully devised, for fear -that Ramon might give an alarm if they attempted, all at once, to rush -out upon him unawares. They now held their intended victim, as it -were, between two fires.</p> - -<p>At that hour the street was so lonely and deserted that there was -little fear of interruption, so Charley did not hurry. When Bill had -reached the place agreed upon, where the street narrowed to a lane -in which not more than two persons could walk abreast, he began to -slacken his pace, so as to let Ramon come up with him. As nothing -could be seen, at a few rods off, in that uncertain light, the signal -agreed upon was to be given by Bill's striking a match, when Walter -and Charley were to come up as rapidly as possible.</p> - -<p>As Ramon tried to push on by Bill, that worthy placed himself squarely -in the way, pulled out his pipe, and gruffly demanded a light. He -acted his part so well as completely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> to disarm Ramon's suspicions, -had he had any.</p> - -<p>At being thus suddenly brought to a stand, Ramon attempted to shoulder -Bill out of his path, but on finding himself stoutly opposed, he -instinctively drew back a step.</p> - -<p>"Refuse a gen'leman a light, does yer? Want a whole street to -yourself, does yer?" sputtered Bill, obstinately holding his ground. -Ramon made a threatening movement. "Shove! I dare ye, ye lubber," -continued the irate sailor, purposely raising his voice as his -companion came in sight. "I'm a match for you any day in the week," he -grumbled, striking a light as if to enforce the challenge.</p> - -<p>By the light of the match Bill instantly recognized Ramon. At the same -moment Ramon saw that the speaker was a total stranger. Charley barred -the way behind him. Ramon's first thought had been that he was being -waylaid by footpads and, instinctively his hand went to his pistol; -but as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> no demand was made for his valuables, he quickly concluded it -to be a chance encounter with a couple of tipsy sailors. A street row -was the very thing he most dreaded. He was in a fever to be off. Then -the thought struck him that perhaps he might turn these fellows to his -own advantage. So he altered his tone at once. "Oh, it's all right, -lads," he said apologetically, "but one must be careful in these -times, you know; and you certainly did give me a start. Never mind. If -you've got a boat handy, I'll make this the best night's work you ever -did in the whole course of your lives."</p> - -<p>Charley, who had edged up closer, now nudged Bill to hold his tongue. -Speaking thickly, Charley said: "If you wants a boat we've got the one -we was just goin' off in aboard ship. She lays right here, just ahead -of us. If you come down han'some, we're the lads you want. 'Nuff said."</p> - -<p>Ramon was completely deceived. "All right, then. I've got some traps -yonder.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> They're waiting for me, I see. We'll get them, and you can -set me aboard the <i>Flamingo</i>. Hurry up! I've no time to lose."</p> - -<p>Walter was nonplused when he saw the trio approaching in so friendly -a manner. He was about to say something, when Charley trod sharply -on his foot to enforce silence. All four then went down to the boat -with Ramon's luggage. After handing Walter a gold piece, Ramon -stepped lightly into the boat, Bill shipped the oars, and Charley -took the tiller. Walter first cast off the painter, gave the boat a -vigorous shove, and then leaped on board himself. He could not make -out what had happened to change their plans, but this was no time for -explanations.</p> - -<p>Seeing the supposed cartman get into the boat, it then first flashed -upon Ramon that he had been tricked. Half rising from his seat, he -made a movement as if to leap overboard, but a big, bony hand dragged -him backward. Maddened to desperation, Ramon then reached for his -revolver, but before<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> he could draw it, Walter threw his arms around -him, and held him fast in spite of his struggles. Meantime Bill was -taking two or three turns round Ramon's body with a stout rope, -brought along for that very purpose, and in a twinkling that worthy -found himself bound and helpless.</p> - -<p>No word was spoken until the boat touched the <i>Argonaut's</i> side. -Thoroughly cowed, shivering with cold and fright, Ramon's terror was -heightened by the thought that he was being carried off to sea. As the -black hull of the <i>Argonaut</i> loomed up before him the dreadful truth -seemed to break upon him clearly. Yes, there was no doubt of it: he -was being shanghaied, as the forcible kidnaping of sailors was called.</p> - -<p>Charley went up the side first. In a minute he reappeared with a -lighted lantern. A dull numbness had seized Ramon. He did not even -attempt to cry out when Charley called to the others, in a guarded -undertone, to "pass him along." Four stout arms then<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> lifted, or -rather boosted, Ramon on board the vessel, as limp and helpless as a -dead man. "I knew it," he groaned, with chattering teeth; "shanghaied, -by all that's horrible!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="XVI" id="XVI">XVI</a><br /> -<small>RAMON FINDS HIS MATCH</small></h2> - -<p><span class="sc">Charley</span> at once led the way into the cabin. When all four had passed -in he shut the door, turned the key in the lock, and set down the -lantern on the table, when, by its dim light, Ramon saw, for the first -time, the faces of his abductors. Stealing a quick glance around him -he met Walter's set face and stern eye. The faces of the others gave -him as little encouragement. Greatly relieved to find his worst fears -unfounded, his courage began to rise again. He met Walter's look with -one of defiance, and inwardly resolved to brazen it out. His life, -he knew, was safe enough. To show that he was not afraid, he assumed -a careless tone, as if he looked upon the whole thing as a joke.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> -"You've got me, boys. But now you've got me, what do you want with -me?" he demanded, twisting a cigarette in his trembling fingers.</p> - -<p>"First," said Walter, a trifle unsteadily, for the sight of his -enemy was almost too much for him, "first we want you to sign this -paper," taking it out of his pocket. "It is—you can read it—a full -confession of your robbery of Bright & Company." In spite of his -effrontery, Ramon could not help wincing a little. Walter went on -without mercy, "And of your clever little scheme to throw suspicion -on me as your accomplice." Ramon merely gave a contemptuous little -shrug. "And lastly, of what you've done with all the property you—you -stole." Ramon scowled and gnawed his mustache.</p> - -<p>Now that he knew the worst, Ramon began to bluster. "Oh, you shall -smart for this when I get on shore—yes, all of you," he declared -hotly. "You've got the wrong pig<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> by the ear this time; yes, you have. -As for you," this to Bill, "you hoary-headed old villain, I'll have -you skinned alive and hung up by the heels for a scarecrow."</p> - -<p>Bill could hold in no longer. "Who said anything about your goin' -ashore, I'd like to know?" he asked, in his bantering way. "You -never'd be missed, nohow. Here yer be, and here you stop till we've -done with you. So none of your black looks nor cheap talk. They won't -pass here."</p> - -<p>"Stop me if you dare! It's abduction, kidnaping, felony!" cried Ramon, -glancing fiercely from one face to the other. "I despise you and your -threats. Where are your proofs? Where is your authority?"</p> - -<p>"Ugly words those, big words. You want proofs, eh? What do you say to -this?" Walter asked, in his turn, unfolding a handbill before Ramon's -eyes with one hand, while with the other he held the lantern up so -that the accusing words, in staring print, might be the more easily -read:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="center">STOP THIEF!!!</p> - -<p class="center">$500 REWARD!</p> - -<p class="center">The above reward will be paid for the apprehension of one Ramon -Ingersoll, an absconding embezzler.</p> -</blockquote> - -<p>This was followed by a detailed description of his personal appearance.</p> - -<p>"Now will you sign?" Walter again demanded of the branded thief and -fugitive from justice.</p> - -<p>Ramon smiled a sickly smile. "Oh! it's the reward you're after, is it? -Hope you may get it, that's all."</p> - -<p>At this fresh insult two red spots flamed up on Walter's cheeks. -Ramon's dark eyes sparkled at having so cleverly seen through the -motives of his captors.</p> - -<p>"Is that your last word?"</p> - -<p>"Before I'll sign that paper I'll rot right here!"</p> - -<p>"You had better sleep on it," replied Walter, turning away.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What! before s'archin' him for the stealin's?" Bill asked, with -well-feigned surprise, at the same time critically looking Ramon over -from head to foot.</p> - -<p>Ramon's hand went to his neckcloth, as if already he felt the -hangman's noose choking him, the observant Bill meanwhile watching -him as a cat does a mouse. "Come, my lad, turn out your pockets," he -commanded, in a most business-like way.</p> - -<p>Pale with anger, Ramon first pulled out a leather pocket-book, which -he threw upon the table, with something that sounded very much like a -muttered curse, after which he folded his arms defiantly across his -chest. "Now you've got it, much good may it do you," he sneered.</p> - -<p>The pocket-book contained only a few papers of little value to anybody.</p> - -<p>"What has become of all the money you took?" Walter demanded.</p> - -<p>"Gone," was the curt reply.</p> - -<p>"What! gone! You can't have spent it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> all so soon. Think again. There -must be a trifle left."</p> - -<p>Ramon shrugged his shoulders by way of reply.</p> - -<p>"Feel for his belt, Bill," Charley struck in. Charley had been growing -impatient for some time over so much waste of words. Bill hastened to -take the hint.</p> - -<p>"Hands off! I tell you, I'll not be searched," shouted Ramon, carrying -his hands to the threatened spot like a flash. In spite of his -struggles, however, the belt, which every one wore in that day, was -secured, and in it ten new fifty-dollar gold pieces were found, and -turned out upon the table. Again Ramon's hand went to his neckcloth, -nervously, tremblingly. In a twinkling Bill had twitched that article -off and tossed it to Walter. "Good's a belt, hain't it?" asked Bill in -answer to Walter's look. "I seed him grabbin' at it twicet. S'arch it! -s'arch it!"</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 325px;"> -<img src="images/i245.jpg" width="325" height="500" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>Ramon made to give up his stealing's.—<i>Page 236.</i></p></div> -</div> - -<p>Rolled up in a little wad, in the folds of the neckerchief, they found -two certificates of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> deposit of a thousand dollars each, and in -another similar roll several notes of hand for quite large sums, made -payable to Bright & Company, but with forged indorsements to a third -party, who, it is needless to say, was no other than Ramon himself, -who had thus added forgery to his catalogue of crime. Fortunately, his -hurried departure had prevented the negotiating of these notes, which -now furnished the most damning evidence of his misdeeds.</p> - -<p>"Now, then," said Walter, sweeping the money and papers together in a -heap, "we've drawn his teeth, let him bite if he can."</p> - -<p>At this cutting taunt, Ramon summoned to his aid the remains of his -fast-waning assurance. "Oho! my fine gentlemen, suppose I'm all you -say I am, if you take my money you're as deep in the mud as I am in -the mire; eh, my gallant highwaymen?" he hissed out.</p> - -<p>"Enough of this. We shall take good care of you to-night; but -to-morrow we mean to hand you over to the Vigilantes. You can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> then -plead your own cause, Master Embezzler." So saying, Walter pointed to -a stateroom opposite, to signify that the last word had been said.</p> - -<p>Ramon's face instantly turned of a sickly pallor. As Bill afterwards -said, "Walter's threat took all the starch out of him." In a broken -voice he now pleaded for mercy. "I give it up. I'll confess. I'll sign -all you say—anything—if you'll promise not to give me up to those -bloodhounds," he almost whimpered. Truly, his craven spirit had at -last got the mastery.</p> - -<p>Walter pretended to hesitate, but in truth he was only turning over -in his own mind how best to dispose of Ramon. Hitherto the wish for -revenge had been strong within him, had really gone hand-in-hand with -that to see wrong made right. But Ramon was now only an object of -pity, of contempt. The confession was again placed before him with the -addition of a clause stating that the money surrendered was the same -he had taken<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> from his employers. He himself added the words, "This is -my free act and deed," after which he signed his full name as if in a -hurry to have it over with. The two friends then witnessed it.</p> - -<p>Walter put this precious document in his pocket with a feeling of real -triumph. At last his good name would be vindicated before all the -world. Once again he could look any man in the face without a blush. -It seemed almost too good to be true, yet there sat Ramon cowering in -a corner, while he, Walter, held the damning proofs of the robbery in -his possession. No, it was not a dream. Right was might, after all.</p> - -<p>Instead of asking to be set at liberty, Ramon now begged to be kept -hid from the dreaded Vigilantes. "Give me just money enough to get -away with, set me on shore after dark, and I'll take my chances," -he pleaded. Only too glad to be well rid of him, the three friends -willingly agreed to this proposal. After darkness had set in, Bill<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> -pulled Ramon to a distant spot above the town, among the sand dunes. -Handing the discomfited wretch his own pocket-book, with the contents -untouched, Bill gave him this parting shot: "Take it, and go to -Guinea! If this is the last on ye, well an' good, but it's my 'pinion -there's more rascality stowed away in that cowardly carkiss o' yourn." -Without replying, Ramon stole away in the darkness, and was soon lost -to sight.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="XVII" id="XVII">XVII</a><br /> -<small>A SHARP RISE IN LUMBER</small></h2> - -<p>"<span class="sc">Isn't</span> that the Sacramento boat?" asked Charley, looking off in the -direction of a rapidly approaching bank of lights. "How plainly we can -hear the drumming of her big paddles. Listen!"</p> - -<p>"If it is, she's all of two hours ahead of time," was Walter's reply.</p> - -<p>"Yes, it's the old <i>Senator's</i> day. She's a traveler all the time, and -to-night she has the tide with her. Do you know, they say she's made -more money for her owners than she could carry on one trip?"</p> - -<p>"Sho! You don't mean it."</p> - -<p>"True as you stand there."</p> - -<p>They stood watching the <i>Senator</i> work her way into her dock, when -Charley suddenly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> asked, "What are you so glum about to-night, Walt?"</p> - -<p>"I was thinking what I would do if I had a boatload of money."</p> - -<p>"Hope you may get it, that's all. Hark! Ah, here's Bill back again."</p> - -<p>By the way that Bill was rowing, he seemed in a great hurry. Greatly -to the surprise of the two friends, he was closely followed up the -side by a stranger, to whom Bill lent a helping hand as this person -stumbled awkwardly to the deck. At first both Walter and Charley -thought it must be Ramon returning.</p> - -<p>"Hello! what's up now?" both exclaimed in one breath.</p> - -<p>"What's up? Lumber's up. Got any?" answered a quick, sharp voice not -at all like Ramon's.</p> - -<p>As nobody spoke Bill made a hurried explanation. "Sacramento's all -burnt up, lock, stock, and barrel. Boat's goin' right back to-night. -I seen her comin' lickety-split, fit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> to bust her b'iler; so I kinder -waited round for the news. I heered this man askin' who had lumber, so -I jest mittened onto him, and here he is."</p> - -<p>"Whar's this yer lumber—afloat or on shore?" the newcomer impatiently -demanded.</p> - -<p>"Afloat," Charley replied.</p> - -<p>"Good enough! How's it stowed: so's it can be got at?"</p> - -<p>"It's a whole cargo. Never been broken out."</p> - -<p>"Good again! What sort is it? Can I see it?"</p> - -<p>"Come into the cabin and I'll get out the manifest. You can't see -anything till daylight."</p> - -<p>"Burn the manifest!" returned the stranger, still more impatiently. -"Daylight's wuth dollars now. Show me the man can tell what that thar -lumber is, or isn't."</p> - -<p>"I can," Walter put in, "'cause I saw it loaded."</p> - -<p>"Then you're the very man I want. Talk<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> fast. I'm bound to go back on -that thar boat."</p> - -<p>Thus urged, Walter began the inventory on his fingers. "There's six -two-story dwelling houses, all framed, ready to go up."</p> - -<p>"Whoop-ee! how big?"</p> - -<p>"About 24x36, high-studded, pitched roof, luthern windows. The rest -is building stuff—all of it—sills, joists, rough and planed boards, -matched boards——"</p> - -<p>"Any shingles?" the impatient man broke in.</p> - -<p>"Yes, a big lot; and clapboards too."</p> - -<p>"Talk enough. Whar's the owner?"</p> - -<p>"You're talking to him now," said Charley quickly.</p> - -<p>"Well, then, I reck'n we'd better have a little light on the subject, -hadn't we?" the stranger suggested.</p> - -<p>Upon this hint Charley led the way to the cabin, where the parties -took a good look at each other. The stranger glanced over the -manifest, laid a big, brawny hand upon it,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> then, turning to Walter, -but without betraying surprise at his youthful appearance, said -pointedly, "Name your price, cash down, stranger, for the lot. I'm -here for a dicker."</p> - -<p>Walter began a rapid mental calculation. "Those houses are worth all -of twenty-five hundred apiece," he declared, glancing at Charley.</p> - -<p>"More," Charley assented positively.</p> - -<p>"Wuth more for firewood," added Bill.</p> - -<p>"Houses and all; all or none. How much for the hull blamed cargo?" the -stranger again demanded, getting up to expectorate in a corner.</p> - -<p>"Lumber is lumber," observed Charley, wrinkling his forehead in deep -thought.</p> - -<p>"Do I ask you to give it away? Name your figure," the would-be -purchaser insisted. "Come up to the scratch. I've no time to waste -here palavering. What do you take me for?" he added angrily.</p> - -<p>Walter again had recourse to his mental arithmetic. "Six times two -fifty, fifteen;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> lump the rest at ten; freight money five, storage -five more, insurance five. Forty thousand dollars!" he exclaimed -desperately at a venture, feeling the cold sweat oozing out all over -him.</p> - -<p>"It's mine. I'll take it," said the stranger, coolly suiting the -action to the word by dragging out of his coat pockets first one -chuggy bag of gold dust and then another, which he placed before -Walter on the table. "Here's something to bind the bargain." Then, -seeing Bill critically examining a pinch of the dull yellow grains -in the palm of his hand, he added: "Oh! never fear! That's the real -stuff. You get the rest when that lumber's delivered alongside -Sacramento levee at my expense. Talk fast. Is it a whack?"</p> - -<p>"Hold on, stranger," cried the acute Charley, pushing back the gold. -"We don't agree to no such thing, mister. We deliver it right here -from the ship."</p> - -<p>The stranger smote the table with his clenched fist. "Can't waste no -time loading<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> and unloading," he declared; "that's half the battle. I -must have this cargo ahead of everybody, up river. You say it's all -loaded. That's why I pay high for it. I don't care shucks how you get -it there; so fix it somehow; for it's make or break with me this time. -<i>Sabe?</i>"</p> - -<p>"Why not tow her up and back, if he pays for it?" Bill suggested.</p> - -<p>The buyer caught as eagerly at the idea as a drowning man does at a -straw. "Sartin. Tow her up!" he exclaimed. "I hire the boat and pay -all expenses. How many hands of you? Three. All right. You get ten -dollars apiece a day till the ship's unloaded."</p> - -<p>The man's eagerness to buy his way through all obstacles rather -confused Walter, who now turned inquiringly toward Bill.</p> - -<p>"She draws nigh onto twenty feet this blessed minute," Bill said in a -doubtful undertone.</p> - -<p>"Why, the river is booming!" cried the stranger, looking from one to -the other, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> eager, restless eyes, as this unforeseen difficulty -presented itself to his mind.</p> - -<p>Again Bill came to the rescue. "I'll tell ye, mates, what we can do. -Lash an empty lighter on each side of her; that'll lift her some; then -if she takes the ground, we might break out cargo into the lighters, -till she floats agin."</p> - -<p>The lumber speculator listened like one who hears some one speaking in -a strange tongue. He, however, caught at Bill's idea. "Yes, that's the -how, shoah," he joyfully assented. "I'll hire a towboat to-night, if -one's to be had in 'Frisco for money. I don't know shucks 'bout these -yer ships, but when it comes to steamboats I reck'n I kin tell a snag -from a catfish."</p> - -<p>"I think we may risk it, then," observed Charley, who, as ship-keeper, -felt all his responsibility for her safety.</p> - -<p>Walter then drew up the contract in proper form, after which it was -duly signed, sealed, and witnessed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Now, then," resumed the stranger, "you boys get everything good and -ready for a quick start. Thar's your dust. You play fa'r with me, an' -I'll play fa'r with you. Shake."</p> - -<p>He then put off with Bill for the shore.</p> - -<p>"Dirt cheap," said Charley, eying Walter sidewise.</p> - -<p>"Thrown away," groaned Walter peevishly, by way of reply.</p> - -<p>And to think that only the day before the lumber would not have paid -for the unloading!</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="XVIII" id="XVIII">XVIII</a><br /> -<small>A CORNER IN LUMBER</small></h2> - -<p><span class="sc">By</span> dint of hard work the <i>Southern Cross</i> was got ready to cast off -her moorings by the time the tug came puffing up alongside, early in -the morning. They were soon under weigh, but the ship's bottom was so -foul that she towed like a log.</p> - -<p>Bill steered, while Charley and Walter went forward to pass the word -from the tug or tend the hawser, as might be necessary. It being -smooth water here, in an hour or so the tow passed out into San Pablo -Bay, where it met not only a stiff head wind, but a nasty little -choppy sea. That made towing slow work, but by noon they were abreast -of Benicia and entering the Straits of Carquinez, with old Monte -Diablo peering down upon them on the starboard hand.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span></p> - -<p>Beyond this point the tow steamed across still another bay, for some -fifteen miles more, without mishap. They had now left the coast -mountains far behind, and were heading straight for what seemed an -endless waste of tall reeds, through which both the Sacramento and San -Joaquin wind their way out to the sea.</p> - -<p>So far plenty of water and plenty of sea room had been found. The -worst was yet to come. The young navigators, however, pushed boldly -on between the low mud-banks without delay, feeling much encouraged -by their success thus far, and wishing to make the most of the short -two hours of daylight remaining, after which the captain of the tug -declared it would be unsafe to proceed.</p> - -<p>After seeing the ship tied up to the bank for the night, the tug -pushed on in search of a wood-yard some miles farther on. It was quite -ten o'clock the next morning before the boys saw her come puffing back -around the next bend of the river above. She had run so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> far after -wood, that the captain said he would not risk putting back before -daylight again.</p> - -<p>All went smoothly until the middle of the afternoon, when, to their -great annoyance, the ship suddenly brought up on a mud-bank, where she -stuck hard and fast. A hawser was quickly carried out astern, at which -the tug pulled and hauled for some time to no purpose. The <i>Southern -Cross</i> would not budge an inch.</p> - -<p>It being evident that the ship would not come off by that means, -hatches were taken off, the boys threw off their coats, and, spurred -on by Bill's report that he believed the river was falling, all hands -went to work breaking out cargo into the lighters, as if their very -lives depended upon their haste. It was now that Bill's foresight came -in for the warmest commendations, as without the lighters the voyage -must have ended then and there.</p> - -<p>They worked on like beavers all the rest of that afternoon, the tug -giving an occasional<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> pull at the hawser, without starting the ship -from her snug berth. They, therefore, made themselves some coffee, -and were talking the situation over in no very happy frame of mind, -when a large, high-pressure steamboat was seen heading down the river, -half of which she seemed pushing in front of her, and dragging the -other half behind. "Stand by to haul away!" shouted Bill, with quick -presence of mind, to the men on the tug, running aft to take another -turn in the hawser. As the steamer passed by, churning the muddy water -into big waves, the tug put on all steam, the hawser straightened out -as tense as iron, the big ship gave a lazy lurch as a wave struck her, -and to the unspeakable delight of all hands they found themselves once -more afloat and in deep water.</p> - -<p>Although the ship was aground several times after this, they were so -lucky in getting her off, that by noon of the third day the <i>Southern -Cross</i> lay snugly moored, stem and stern, to a couple of live oaks -at the Sacramento<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> levee. The first person to jump on board was the -purchaser himself, followed by a gang of laborers, who had been -waiting only for the ship's arrival to set to work at unloading her -cargo. Meantime the boys set about making all snug aboard, and then -after seeing the balance of the purchase money weighed out, on a -common counter-scale in the cabin, they took turns in mounting guard -over what had been so fairly earned. In plain truth, all three were -fairly dazed by the possession of so much wealth.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 337px;"> -<img src="images/i265.jpg" width="337" height="500" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>Arrival of the <i>Southern Cross</i> at Sacramento.—<i>Page -254.</i></p></div> -</div> - -<p>This duty of standing watch and watch kept the friends from leaving -the ship even for a single moment, if indeed they had felt the least -desire to do so. In fact all that there was left of the late bustling -city was spread out stark and grim before their wondering eyes from -the deck of the ship, and a dismal sight it was. Acres of ground, so -lately covered with buildings so full of busy life, were now nothing -but a blackened waste of smoldering rubbish. Here and there some -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span>solitary tree, scorched and leafless, lifted up its skeleton -branches as if in silent horror at the surrounding desolation. Men, -singly, or in little groups, were moving about in the gray-white smoke -like so many uneasy specters. Others were carefully poking among the -rubbish for whatever of value might have escaped the flames. But more -strange than all, even while the ruins were ablaze about them, it was -to see a gang of workmen busy laying down the foundations for a new -building. There was to be no sitting down in sackcloth and ashes here. -That was California spirit.</p> - -<p>All this time the lumber dealer was by great odds the busiest man -there. He was fairly up to his ears in business, selling lumber, in -small parcels or great, from the head of a barrel, to a perfect mob -of buyers, who pushed and jostled each other in their eagerness to -be first served. All were clamoring as loudly for notice as so many -Congressmen on a field-day to the Speaker of the House. To this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> horde -of hungry applicants the lumberman kept on repeating, "First come, -first served. Down with your dust." The man was making a fortune hand -over fist.</p> - -<p>Scarcely had our boys the time to look about them, when they were -beset with offers to lease or even to buy the ship outright. One -wanted her for a store, another for a hotel, another for a restaurant, -a saloon, and so on. Men even shook pouches of gold-dust in their -faces, as an incentive to close the bargain on the spot. As such a -transaction had never entered their heads, the three friends held a -hurried consultation over it. Charley firmly held to the opinion that -he had no right to dispose of the ship without the owner's consent, -and that was something which could not be obtained at this time. -Walter was non-committal. Bill was nothing if not practical. Bill was -no fool.</p> - -<p>"Ef she goes back, what does she do?" he asked, squinting first at one -and then at the other. "Why, she lays there to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> her anchors rottin', -doin' nobody no good," he added.</p> - -<p>"She won't eat or drink anything if she does," Charley said rather -ambiguously.</p> - -<p>"Seems as though we ought to put her back where we found her," Walter -suggested, in a doubtful sort of way.</p> - -<p>"Settle it to suit yourselves," was Bill's ready rejoinder. "But how -does the case stand? Here's a lot of crazy <i>hombres</i> e'en a'most ready -to fight for her. 'Twould cost a fortin to get her ready for sea. Her -bottom's foul as a cow-yard; some of her copper's torn off; upper -works rotten; she needs calkin', paintin', new riggin', new——"</p> - -<p>"There, hold on!" cried Charley, laughing heartily at Bill's truly -formidable catalogue of wants; "I give in. I vote to lease the old -barky by the month—that is, if Walt here thinks as I do."</p> - -<p>"In for a penny, in for a pound," Walter assented decisively.</p> - -<p>So the bargain was concluded before the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> cargo was half out of the -ship, so eager was the lessee to get possession. Walter drew up the -lease, a month's rent was paid in advance, and the thing was done.</p> - -<p>"Well, now, boys, that's off our minds," said Charley gleefully; "my -head's been turning round like a buzz-saw ever since this thing's been -talked about."</p> - -<p>"And a good job, too, seein' as how we skipped without a clearance," -Bill put in quietly.</p> - -<p>The two friends looked at him blankly, then at each other. It was -plain that no such matter had ever entered their minds. Charley gave a -long, low whistle. "By George, I never thought of that!" he exclaimed, -in great ill humor with Bill. "What'll they do to us?"</p> - -<p>"No use cryin' over spilt milk," said that worthy. "Keep dark's our -lay. Didn't Noah's Ark sail without a clearance, without papers or -flag, and for no port?" he added.</p> - -<p>"We 'cleared out,' as the sayin' is, with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> vengeance," Charley -remarked, trying to turn the matter off with a joke.</p> - -<p>"There's only one thing for us to do," said Walter, "and that is to -go right up to the custom-house and explain matters to the collector, -when we get back to the Bay. Perhaps he'll let us off with a fine, -when he finds we didn't mean to run away with the ship and turn -pirates."</p> - -<p>The idea of turning the old, water-logged <i>Southern Cross</i> into a -pirate was so comical that all three joined in a hearty laugh.</p> - -<p>What to do with all their money was the most perplexing question. -They could neither eat nor sleep for thinking of it. In every face -they saw a thief, every footstep startled them. In their dilemma it -was determined that the safer way would be to divide it up between -them. Three miner's belts were therefore procured, and after locking -themselves up in the cabin the three friends stuffed these belts -as full as they would hold with the precious metal. But there was -still a good-sized<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> pile left to be disposed of when this was done, -so Bill suggested sewing the remainder in their shirts. At it they -went, without more words, sitting meantime in their trousers and -undershirts; and a truly comical sight was this original sewing -circle, stitching away for dear life under lock and key.</p> - -<p>But even when this operation was finished, a heap of the shining metal -still lay on the table before them. All were so weighed down with -what they had about them that they waddled rather than walked. Bill -declared that if anything happened to the boat at their returning they -would all sink to the bottom like so much lead. While thus at their -wits' end, Charley's eagle eye chanced to fall upon an old fowling -piece hung up by some hooks in the cabin. This was quickly torn from -its resting place, the charges drawn, and while the others looked on -in silent wonder Charley filled both barrels with gold dust, after -which the muzzles were tightly fitted with corks. "She's loaded for -big game. We<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> take turns carryin' her, don't you see?" he remarked -with a broad grin.</p> - -<p>Towards dusk the trio took passage on board the first boat bound for -the Bay, nor did they feel themselves wholly safe with their treasure -until they once more trod the deck of the old <i>Argonaut</i>, fairly worn -out with a week of such rapidly shifting fortunes as no one but an old -Californian has ever experienced.</p> - -<p>The three inseparables were snugly rolled up in their blankets, Bill -loudly snoring in his bunk, when the distant booming of a gun caused -Walter to raise his head and say drowsily, "Hello! a steamer's in."</p> - -<p>"I don't care if there's twenty steamers," Charley yawned, at the same -time burying his nose still deeper under his blanket; "I was almost -gone and now you've made me begin all over again. All ashore that's -goin' ashore."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="XIX" id="XIX">XIX</a><br /> -<small>HEARTS OF GOLD</small></h2> - -<p><span class="sc">Mr. Bright</span> came in that steamer. As Walter's letter seemed to hold -out fair hopes of recovering some part of the <i>Southern Cross</i> and -her cargo, the merchant had decided to look into the matter himself, -though in truth both he and his partners had long regarded the venture -as a dead loss.</p> - -<p>Had he suddenly dropped from the clouds, the <i>Argonaut's</i> little -company could not have been more astonished than when the merchant -stepped on deck, smiling benignantly at the evident consternation he -thus created.</p> - -<p>After a hearty greeting all round, though poor Walter turned all -colors at the remembrance of how and where they had last met, Mr. -Bright began by explaining that he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> found them out through the -consignee of the <i>Southern Cross</i>. "But where in the world is the -<i>Southern Cross</i>?" he asked. "Here has the boatman been rowing me -around for the last hour, trying to find her. Nothing has happened to -her, I hope," he hastily added, observing the friends exchanging sly -glances.</p> - -<p>This question, of course, led to an explanation from Walter, during -which the old merchant's face was a study. His first look of annoyance -soon changed to one of blank amazement, finally settling down into -a broad smile of complete satisfaction when the story was all told. -Then he shook his gray head as if the problem was quite too knotty for -him to solve, how these boys, hardly out of their teens, should have -dared, first to engage in such a brilliant transaction, and then have -succeeded in carrying it through to the end without a hitch.</p> - -<p>"Pretty well for beginners, I must say," he finally declared. "Taken -altogether that's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> about the boldest operation I ever heard of, and -I've known a few in my experience as a business man. But," looking at -Walter, "where's all this money? Quite safe, I hope."</p> - -<p>By way of answer, the young men brought out their treasure from -various ingenious hiding-places, the fowling piece included. When all -the belts and parcels of dust were piled in a heap on the table, Mr. -Bright sat for some time with his hand over his eyes without speaking. -What the merchant's thoughts were it were vain to guess. Finally he -said, "You seem to have done everything for the best. Bill here was -quite right about the ship. She is earning something where she is, at -least. Now about the cargo?" turning to Walter; "I think you said in -your letter that Charley here bought half of that in?"</p> - -<p>Walter gave a nod of assent.</p> - -<p>"Why, then," resumed Mr. Bright, "as the other half belongs to his -partner, I don't see that we've anything to do with this money.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> -Perhaps we may compromise as to the ship," he added, looking at -Charley.</p> - -<p>Charley then explained his agreement with his partner, who had so -mysteriously disappeared. "I sold out to Walter. Settle it with him," -he finished, jamming his hands in his pockets and turning away.</p> - -<p>"Well, then, Walter, what do you say?"</p> - -<p>"I say that Charley ought to have half the profits. Why, when I wrote -you, the lumber was worthless. Besides, Charley did all the business. -Settle it with him."</p> - -<p>"I see. The situation was changed from a matter of a few hundreds to -thousands shortly after your letter was written." Walter nodded. "And -you don't care to take advantage of it?" Walter simply folded his -arms defiantly. "But between you you saved the cargo," the merchant -rejoined. "We've no claim. You must come to terms. Was there no -writing?"</p> - -<p>Walter scowled fiercely at Charley, who, notwithstanding, immediately -produced his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> copy of the agreement. The merchant glanced over it with -a smile hovering on his lips.</p> - -<p>"Why, this is perfectly good," he declared. "Well, then, as neither of -you has a proposition to make, I'll make you one. Perhaps Walter here -felt under a moral obligation to look after our interests in spite of -the unjust treatment he had received. That I can now understand, and I -ask his pardon. But you, Charles, had no such inducement."</p> - -<p>"No inducement!" Charley broke out, with a quivering lip; "no -inducement, heh, to see that boy righted?" he repeated, struggling -hard to keep down the lump in his throat.</p> - -<p>"Axin' pardons don't mend no broken crockery," observed Bill gruffly.</p> - -<p>Mr. Bright showed no resentment at this plain speech. He sat wiping -his glasses in deep thought. Perhaps there was just a little moisture -in his own eyes, over this evidence of two hearts linked together as -in bands of steel.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span></p> - -<p>The silence was growing oppressive, when Walter nerved himself to say: -"You see, sir, Charley and me, we are of one mind. As for me, I'm -perfectly satisfied to take what I put in to fit Charley out, provided -you pay him back his investment, and what's right for his and Bill's -time and trouble."</p> - -<p>Charley coughed a little at this liberal proposal, but Walter signed -to him to keep quiet. Bill grunted out something that might pass for -consent.</p> - -<p>But Mr. Bright was not the man to take advantage of so much -generosity. In truth, he had already formed in his own mind a plan by -which to come to an agreement. Changing the subject for the moment, he -suddenly asked, "By the way, have you never heard anything of Ramon?"</p> - -<p>At this unexpected question a broad grin stole over the faces of the -three kidnapers. "I was coming to that," Walter replied, bringing out -from his chest the money and papers which Ramon had been so lately -compelled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> to disgorge. The merchant took them in his hands, ran his -eye rapidly over them, and exclaimed in astonishment, "What! did he -make this restitution of his own accord? Wonders will never cease, I -declare."</p> - -<p>"Well, no, sir, not exactly that; the truth is, he was a trifle -obstinate about it at first, but we found a way to persuade him. That -confession was signed in the very same chair you are now sitting in."</p> - -<p>Mr. Bright again said, with a sigh of deep satisfaction, "Marvelous! -We shall now pay everything we owe, except our debt to you, Walter; -that we can never pay."</p> - -<p>"If my good name is cleared, I'm perfectly satisfied," Walter -rejoined, a little nervously, yet with a feeling that this was the -happiest day of his life.</p> - -<p>"And his good name, too, why don't you say?' interrupted the -matter-of-fact Bill, from his corner. "Seems to me that's about the -size of it," he finished, casting a meaning look at the dignified old -merchant, who sat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> there twiddling his glasses, clearly oppressed by -the feeling that, as between himself and Walter, Walter had acted the -nobler part. He could hardly control a slight tremor in his voice when -he began to speak again.</p> - -<p>"I see how it is," he said. "You return good for evil. It was nobly -done, I grant you—nobly done. But you must not wonder at my surprise, -for I own I expected nothing of the sort. Still, all the generosity -must not be on one side. By no means. Since I've sat here I've been -thinking that now we are embarked in the California trade, we couldn't -do better than to start a branch of the concern in this city. Now, -don't interrupt," raising an admonitory hand, "until you hear me -through. If you, Walter, and you, Charles, in whom I have every -confidence—if you two will accept an equal partnership, your actual -expenses to be paid at any rate, we will put all the profits of this -lumber trade of yours into the new house to start with. Suppose<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> we -call it Bright, Seabury & Company. Fix that to suit yourselves, only -my name ought to stand first, I think, because it will set Walter here -right before the world."</p> - -<p>Neither Walter nor Charley could have said one word for the life of -him, so much were they taken by surprise. Bill's eyes fairly bulged -out of his shaggy head. Mr. Bright went on to say, "With our credit -restored, we can send you all the goods you may want. Suppose we now -go and deposit this money—one-half to the new firm's credit, one half -in trust for Charles' former partner. I myself will put a notice of -the copartnership in to-morrow's papers, and as soon as I get home in -the Boston papers, and I should greatly like to see the new sign up -before I go."</p> - -<p>It was a long speech, but never was one listened to with more rapt -attention. Charley turned as red as a beet, Walter hung his head, Bill -blew his nose for a full half-minute.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Where does Bill come in?" he demanded, with a comical side glance at -the merchant.</p> - -<p>His question, with the long face he put on, relieved the strain at -once.</p> - -<p>"Oh, never fear, old chap; you shall have my place and pay on the old -ship," Charley hastened to assure him.</p> - -<p>"Then you accept," said Mr. Bright, shaking hands with each of the new -partners in turn. "Something tells me that this is the best investment -of my life. The papers shall be made out to-day, while we are looking -up a store together. Really, now, I feel as if I ought to give a -little dinner in honor of the new firm—long life and prosperity to -it! Where shall it be?"</p> - -<p>"What ails this 'ere old ship where the old house came to life agin, -an' the new babby wuz fust born inter the world?" was Bill's ready -suggestion.</p> - -<p>"Capital! couldn't be better," exclaimed the merchant. "And now," -taking out his notebook, "tell me what I can do for each of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> you -personally when I get back to the States?"</p> - -<p>Walter spoke first. "Please look up my old aunty, and see her made -comfortable." Mr. Bright jotted down the address with an approving -nod, then looked up at Charley.</p> - -<p>"Send out a couple of donkey engines; horses are too slow."</p> - -<p>Mr. Bright then turned to Bill.</p> - -<p>"Me? Oh, well, I've got no aunt, I've no use for donkeys. You might -lick that sneakin' perleeceman on the wharf an' send me his resate."</p> - -<p>When the two young men took leave of Mr. Bright, on board the <i>John L. -Stephens</i>, after a hearty hand-shaking all round, that gentleman gave -them this parting advice: "Make all the friends you can, and keep them -if you can. Remember, nothing is easier than to make enemies."</p> - -<p>At a meaning look from Walter, Charley withdrew himself out of -earshot. Walter fidgeted a little, blushed, and then managed to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> ask, -"Have I your permission to write to Miss Dora, sir?"</p> - -<p>Mr. Bright looked surprised, then serious, then amused. "Oho! now I -begin to catch on. That's how the land lies, is it? So that was the -reason why you were prowling around our house one night after dark, -was it? Well, well! Certainly you may write to Dora. And by the way, -when next you pass through our street you may ring the doorbell."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="XX" id="XX">XX</a><br /> -<small><span class="smcap">Bright, Seabury & Company</span></small></h2> - -<p><span class="sc">Thus</span> the new firm entered upon its future career with bright -prospects. A suitable warehouse on the waterfront was leased for a -term of years. True to their determination to stick together, the two -junior partners fitted up a room in the second story, and on the day -that the doors were first opened for business they moved in. The next -thing was to get some business to do.</p> - -<p>Charley had a considerable acquaintance among the ranchmen across -the Bay, which he now improved by making frequent trips to solicit -consignments of country produce. The sight of an empty store and bare -walls was at first depressing, but their first shipments from the East -could not be expected for several<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> months. There was a sort of tacit -understanding that Walter should attend to the financial end of the -business, while Charley took care of the outdoor concerns. They were -no longer boys. The sense of assumed responsibilities had made them -men.</p> - -<p>The two partners were busy receiving a sloop-load of potatoes, -with their shirt sleeves rolled up, when a big, burly, bewhiskered -individual dropped in upon them. Scenting a customer, Charley, always -forward, briskly asked what they could do for him.</p> - -<p>"I want to see the senior partner."</p> - -<p>Charley nodded toward Walter, who was checking off the weights.</p> - -<p>The man gave a quick look at the tall, straight young fellow before -him, then said, "Can I speak to you in private for five minutes?"</p> - -<p>"Come this way," Walter replied, showing the stranger into the little -office.</p> - -<p>The newcomer sat down, crossed one leg<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> over the other, stroked his -long beard reflectively a little, and said, "I've come on a very -confidential matter. Can I depend upon the strictest privacy?"</p> - -<p>"You may," said Walter, quite astonished at this rather unexpected -opening. "Nobody will interrupt us here."</p> - -<p>The man cast an inquisitive look around, as if to make sure there were -no eavesdroppers near, then, lowering his voice almost to a whisper, -said pointedly, "You may have heard something about a plan to aid the -poor, oppressed natives of Nicaragua to throw off the tyrannical yoke -of their present rulers?"</p> - -<p>"I've seen something to that effect in the papers," said Walter -evasively.</p> - -<p>"So much the better. That clears the way of cobwebs. I want your -solemn promise that what passes between us shall not be divulged to a -human being."</p> - -<p>"I have no business secrets from my partners," Walter objected.</p> - -<p>"Your partners! Oh! of course not."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I've already promised," Walter assented, more and more mystified by -the stranger's manner. "Nobody asked you for your secrets. You can do -as you like about telling them," he continued rather sharply.</p> - -<p>"I'll trust you. You are a young concern. Well connected. Bang-up -references. Likely to get on top of the heap, and nat'rally want to -make a strike. Nothing like seizing upon a golden opportunity. 'There -is a tide'—you know the rest. Now, I'm just the man to put you in the -way of doing it, as easy as rolling off a log."</p> - -<p>As Walter made no reply, the visitor, after waiting a moment for his -words to take effect, went on: "Now, listen. I don't mind telling -you, in the strictest confidence, then, that I'm fiscal agent for -this here enterprise. I'm in it for glory and the <i>dinero</i>. We want -some enterprising young firm like yours to furnish supplies for the -emigrants we're sending down there," jerking his head toward the -south. "There's a big pile in it for you, if you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> will take hold with -us and see the thing through."</p> - -<p>Walter kept his eyes upon the speaker, but said nothing.</p> - -<p>"You see, it's a perfectly legitimate transaction, don't you?" resumed -the fiscal agent a little anxiously.</p> - -<p>"Then why so much secrecy?"</p> - -<p>"Oh! there's always a lot of people prying round into what don't -concern them. Busybodies! If it gets out that our people aren't -peaceable emigrants before we're good and ready, the whole thing might -get knocked into a cocked hat. They'd say—well, they even might call -us filibusters," the man admitted with an injured air.</p> - -<p>Walter smiled a knowing smile. "What do you want us to do?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"In the first place, we want cornmeal, hard bread, bacon, potatoes, -an' sich, for a hundred and fifty men for two months. I can give you -the figures to a dot," the agent rejoined, on whom Walter's smile had -not been lost.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> "See here." He drew out of his pocket a package of -freshly printed bonds, purporting to be issued by authority of the -Republic of Nicaragua, and passed them over for Walter's inspection. -"Now, the fact is, we want all our ready funds for the people's -outfit, advance money, vessel's charter, and so on. Now, I'm going to -be liberal with you. I'll put up this bunch of twenty thousand dollars -in bonds, payable on the day Nicaragua is free, for five thousand -dollars' worth of provisions at market price. Think of that! Twenty -thousand dollars for five thousand dollars. You can't lose. We've got -things all fixed down there. Why, man, there's silver and gold and -jewels enough in the churches alone to pay those bonds ten times over!"</p> - -<p>"What! rob the churches!" Walter exclaimed, knitting his brows.</p> - -<p>"Why, no; I believe they call that merely a forced loan nowadays," -objected the fiscal agent in some embarrassment.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span></p> - -<p>Seeing that he paused for a reply, Walter observed that he would -consult his partner. Charley was called in and the proposal gone over -again with him. As soon as advised of its purport he turned on his -heel.</p> - -<p>"Not any in mine," was his prompt decision.</p> - -<p>"Mine either," assented Walter.</p> - -<p>The stranger seemed much disappointed, but not yet at the end of his -resources. "Well, then," he began again, "you take the bonds, sell -them for a fair discount for cash, and use the proceeds towards those -provisions?"</p> - -<p>"Hadn't you better do that yourself? We're not brokers. We're -commission merchants. If you come to us with cash in hand we'll sell -you anything money will buy, and no questions asked; but Nicaragua -bonds, payable any time and no time, are not in our line." So said -Walter.</p> - -<p>"Not much," echoed Charley.</p> - -<p>"Your line seems to be small potatoes,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> muttered the stranger -testily. Then quickly checking himself, he carelessly asked, "I -suppose you'd have no objection to keeping these bonds in your -safe for a day or two for me, giving me a receipt for them, or the -equivalent? I don't feel half easy about carrying them about with me."</p> - -<p>"Why, no," said Charley, looking at Walter, to see how he would take -it.</p> - -<p>"Yes," objected Walter, "most decidedly."</p> - -<p>"'No;' 'yes;' who's boss here, anyhow?" sneered the agent, dismissing -his wheedling tone, now that he had played his last card. Even Charley -seemed a trifle nettled at being snubbed by Walter in the presence of -a stranger. After all, it seemed a trifling favor to ask of them.</p> - -<p>"My partner and I can settle that matter between ourselves. Once for -all, we don't choose to be mixed up in your filibustering schemes in -any way. Your five minutes have grown to three-quarters of an hour -already.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> This is our busy day," he concluded, as a broad hint to the -stranger to take leave, and at once.</p> - -<p>"Very well," said the unmoved fiscal agent, buttoning up his coat. -"But you'll repent, all the same, having thrown away the finest -opportunity of making a fortune ever offered——"</p> - -<p>"This way out, sir," Charley interrupted, throwing wide the office -door.</p> - -<p>When the strange visitor had gone Charley asked Walter why he refused -to let the bonds be put in the safe. "Now we've made an enemy," he -said resignedly.</p> - -<p>"To let him raise money on that receipt for twenty thousand dollars, -<i>or equivalent</i>—on Mr. Bright's name? No, sir-ee. Where were your -wits, Charles Wormwood? That fellow's a sharper!"</p> - -<p>"Guess I'd better attend to those potatoes," was all the junior -partner could find to say, suiting the action to the word.</p> - -<p>As was quite natural, much curiosity was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> felt as to what had become -of Ramon, by his former business associates. In some way he had found -out that Mr. Bright was in San Francisco, and taking counsel of his -fears of being sent back to Boston as a confessed felon, he cast his -lot among the most lawless adventurers of the day. Learning that a -filibustering expedition was being fitted out at San Francisco against -Lower California, under command of Walker, the "Gray-eyed Man of -Destiny," Ramon joined it, keeping in hiding meanwhile, until the -vessel was ready to sail. As is well known, the affair was a complete -failure, Walker's famished band being compelled to surrender to the -United States officers at San Diego. From this time Ramon disappeared.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Some five years later a young man, ruddy-cheeked, robust, and well -though not foppishly dressed, drove up to the door of a pretty cottage -in one of the most fashionable suburbs of Boston. Alighting from his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> -buggy and hitching his horse, he walked quickly up the driveway to the -house. The front door flew open by the time he had put his hand on the -knob; and a young woman, with the matchless New England pink and white -in her cheeks, called out, "Why, Walter, what brings you home so early -to-day? Has anything happened?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Dora; Charles Wormwood is coming out to dine with us to-day. He -only arrived to-day overland. I want to show him my wife."</p> - - -<p class="center">THE END</p> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<div class="trans-note"> -<a name="END" id="END"></a> -<p class="heading">Transcriber's Notes</p> - -<p>The transcriber made these changes to the text:</p> - -<ul class="tn"> -<li>p. 152, "the the certificate" changed to "the certificate"</li> -<li>p. 224, "eend" changed to "end"</li> -<li>p. 246, "Charlay" changed to "Charley"</li> -<li>p. 281, "dimissing" changed to "dismissing"</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<hr class="full" /> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Young Vigilantes, by Samuel Adams Drake - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG VIGILANTES *** - -***** This file should be named 50651-h.htm or 50651-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/6/5/50651/ - -Produced by Richard J. Shiffer and the Distributed -Proofreading volunteers at http://www.pgdp.net for Project -Gutenberg. 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