"He's a mean skunk," said Watson bluntly.
"You're right, stranger," said Rafferty. "I'm a scamp myself, butI'll be blowed if I'd turn on a man that fed me when I was hungry."
The tones were gruff but the man was evidently sincere.
"You're better than you look," said Watson, surprised to hear such asentiment from a man of such ruffianly appearance.
Jack Rafferty laughed shortly.
"I ain't used to compliments," he said, "and I expect I'm bad enough,but I ain't all bad. I won't turn on my pal, unless he does itfirst, and I ain't mean enough to rob a man that's done me a goodturn."
"No, you ain't all bad," said Watson. "It's a pity you won't make upyour mind to earn an honest living."
"Too late for that, I reckon. What do you think they'll do with me?"
In those days punishments were summary and severe. Watson knew itand Joe had seen something of it. Our hero began to feel compassionfor the foiled burglar. He whispered in Watson's ear. Watsonhesitated, but finally yielded.
"Stranger," said he, "the boy wants me to let you go."
"Does he?" inquired Rafferty, in surprise.
"Yes. He is afraid it will go hard with you if we give you up."
"Likely it will," muttered Rafferty, watching Watson's face eagerly,to see whether he favored Joe's proposal.
"Suppose we let you go--will you promise not to make another attemptupon this place?"
"What do you take me for? I'm not such a mean cuss as that."
"One thing more--you won't kill this man that brought you here?"
"If I knowed it wasn't a trap he led me into. He told me there wasonly the boy."
"He thought so. I don't belong here. The boy let me sleep here outof kindness. Hogan knew nothing of this. I didn't come till afterhe had left."
"That's different," said Rafferty; "but he shouldn't have gone backon me."
"He is a coward, probably."
"I guess you're right," said Rafferty contemptuously.
"You promise, then?"
"Not to kill him? Yes."
"Then we'll let you go."
Watson unloosed the bonds that confined the prisoner. Raffertyraised himself to his full height and stretched his limbs.
"There--I feel better," he said. "You tied the rope pretty tight."
"I found it necessary," said Watson, laughing. "Now, Joe, if youwill open the door, this gentleman will pass out."
Rafferty turned to Joe, as he was about to leave the restaurant.
"Boy," said he, "I won't forget this. I ain't much of a friend toboast of, but I'm your friend. You've saved me from prison, andworse, it's likely; and, if you need help any time, send for me. IfI had that money I took from you I'd pay it back."
"I don't need it," said Joe. "I've been lucky, and am doing well. Ihope you'll make up your mind to turn over a new leaf. If you do,and are ever hard up for a meal, come to me, and you shall have itwithout money and without price."
"Thank you, boy," said Rafferty. "I'll remember it."
He strode out of the restaurant, and disappeared in the darkness.
"Human nature's a curious thing, Joe," said Watson. "Who would haveexpected to find any redeeming quality in such a man as that?"
"I would sooner trust him than Hogan."
"So would I. Hogan is a mean scoundrel, who is not so much of aruffian as this man only because he is too much of a coward to be."
"I am glad we let him go," said Joe.
"I am not sure whether it was best, but I knew we should have to beawake all night if we didn't. He could have loosened the knots afterawhile. He won't trouble you any more."
"I wish I felt as sure about Hogan," said Joe.
"Hogan is a coward. I advise you to keep ft revolver constantly onhand. He won't dare to break in by himself."
* * * * *
The next morning, after breakfast, Watson prepared to go out insearch of work.
"I must begin at the bottom of the ladder once more," he said to Joe."It's my own fault, and I won't complain. But what a fool I havebeen! I might have gone home by the next steamer if I hadn't gambledaway all my hard earnings."
"What sort of work shall you try to get?"
"Anything--I have no right to be particular. Anything that will paymy expenses and give me a chance to lay by something for my family athome."
"Mr. Watson," said Joe suddenly, "I've been thinking of somethingthat may suit you. Since I came to San Francisco I have never goneoutside. I would like to go to the mines."
"You wouldn't make as much as you do here."
"Perhaps not; but I have laid by some money and I would like to seesomething of the country. Will you carry on the restaurant for mefor three months, if I give you your board and half of the profits?"
"Will I? I should think myself very lucky to get the chance."
"Then you shall have the chance."
"How do you know that I can be trusted?" asked Watson.
"I haven't known you long," said Joe, "but I feel confidence in yourhonesty."
"I don't think you'll repent your confidence. When do you want togo?"
"I'll stay here a few days, till you get used to the business, then Iwill start."
"I was lucky to fall in with you," said Watson. "I didn't want to goback to the mines and tell the boys what a fool I have been. I beginto think there's a chance for me yet."
CHAPTER XXIV
MR. BICKFORD, OF PUMPKIN HOLLOW
It may be thought that Joe was rash in deciding to leave his businessin the hands of a man whose acquaintance he had made but twelve hoursprevious. But in the early history of California friendships ripenedfast. There was more confidence between man and man, and I amassured that even now, though the State is more settled and as faradvanced in civilization and refinement as any of her sister Stateson the Atlantic coast, the people are bound together by more friendlyties, and exhibit less of cold caution than at the East. At allevents, Joe never dreamed of distrusting his new acquaintance. Acommon peril, successfully overcome, had doubtless something to do instrengthening the bond between them.
Joe went round to his friend Mr. Morgan and announced his intention.
"I don't think you will make money by your new plan, Joe," saidMorgan.
"I don't expect to," said Joe, "but I want to see the mines. If Idon't succeed, I can come back to my business here."
"That is true. I should like very well to go, too."
"Why won't you, Mr. Morgan?"
"I cannot leave my business as readily as you can. Do you feelconfidence in this man whom you are leaving in charge?"
"Yes, sir. He has been unlucky, but I am sure he is honest."
"He will have considerable money belonging to you by the time youreturn--that is, if you stay any length of time."
"I want to speak to you about that, Mr. Morgan. I have directed himto make a statement to you once a month, and put in your hands whatmoney comes to me--if it won't trouble you too much."
"Not at all, Joe. I shall be glad to be of service to you."
"If you meet with any good investment for the money while I am away,I should like to have you act for me as you would for yourself."
"All right, Joe."
Joe learned from Watson that the latter had been mining on the YubaRiver, not far from the town of Marysville. He decided to go there,although he might have found mines nearer the city. The nextquestion was, How should he get there, and should he go alone?
About this time a long, lank Yankee walked into the restaurant, oneday, and, seating himself at a table, began to inspect the bill offare which Joe used to write up every morning. He lookeddisappointed.
"Don't you find what you want?" inquired Joe.
"No," said the visitor. "I say, this is a queer country. I've beenhankerin' arter a good dish of baked beans for a week, and ain'tfound any."
"We sometimes have them," said Joe. "Come here at one o'clock, an
dyou shall be accommodated."
The stranger brightened up.
"That's the talk," said he. "I'll come."
"Have you just come out here?" asked Joe curiously.
"A week ago."
"Are you a Southerner?" asked Joe demurely.
"No, I guess not!" said the Yankee, with emphasis.
"I was raised in Pumpkin Hollow, State of Maine. I was twenty-onelast first of April, but I ain't no April fool, I tell you. Dad andme carried on the farm till I, began to hear tell of Californy. I'dgot about three hundred dollars saved up and I took it to come outhere."
"I suppose you've come out to make your fortune?"
"Yes, sir-ee, that's just what I come for."
"How have you succeeded so far?"
"I've succeeded in spendin' all my money, except fifty dollars. Isay, it costs a sight to eat and drink out here. I can't afford totake but one meal a day, and then I eat like all possessed."
"I should think you would, Mr.-------"
"Joshua Bickford--that's my name when I'm to hum."
"Well, Mr. Bickford, what are your plans?"
"I want to go out to the mines and dig gold. I guess I can dig aswell as anybody. I've had experience in diggin' ever since I was tenyear old."
"Not digging gold, I suppose?"
"Diggin' potatoes, and sich."
"I'm going to the mines myself, Mr. Bickford. What do you say togoing along with me?"
"I'm on hand. You know the way, don't you?"
"We can find it, I have no doubt. I have never been there, but myfriend Mr. Watson is an experienced miner."
"How much gold did you dig?" asked Joshua bluntly.
"Two thousand dollars," answered Watson, not thinking it necessary toadd that he had parted with the money since at the gaming-table.
"Two thousand dollars?" exclaimed Joshua, duly impressed. "That's aheap of money!"
"Yes; it's a pretty good pile."
"I'd like to get that much. I know what I'd do."
"What would you do, Mr. Bickford?"
"I'd go home and marry Sukey Smith, by gosh!"
"Then I hope you'll get the money, for Miss Smith's sake."
"There's a feller hangin' round her," said Joshua, "kinderslick-lookin', with his hair parted in the middle; he tends in thedry-goods store; but, if I come home with two thousand dollars,she'll have me, I guess. Why, with two thousand dollars I can buythe farm next to dad's, with a house with five rooms into it, and agood-sized barn. I guess Sukey wouldn't say no to me then, but wouldchange her name to Bickford mighty sudden."
"I hope you will succeed in your plans, Mr. Bickford."
"Seems to me you're kinder young to be out here," said Bickford,turning his attention to Joe.
"Yes; I am not quite old enough to think of marrying."
"Have you got money enough to get out to the mines?" asked Joshuacautiously.
"I think I can raise enough," said Joe, smiling.
"My young friend is the owner of this restaurant," said Watson.
"You don't say! I thought you hired him."
"No. On the contrary, I am in his employ. I have agreed to run therestaurant for him while he is at the mines.
"You don't say!" exclaimed Bickford, surveying our hero withcuriosity. "Have you made much money in this eating-house?"
"I've done pretty well," said Joe modestly. "I own the building andthe two adjoining lots."
"You don't say! How old be you?"
"Sixteen."
"You must be all-fired smart!"
"I don't know about that, Mr. Bickford. I've been lucky and fallenin with good friends."
"Well, I guess Californy's the place to make money. I ain't made anyyet, but I mean to. There wasn't no chance to get ahead in PumpkinHollow. I was workin' for eight dollars a month and board."
"It would be a great while before you could save up money to buy afarm out of that, Mr. Bickford."
"That's so."
"My experience was something like yours. Before I came out here Iwas working on a farm."
"Sho!"
"And I didn't begin to get as much money as you. I was bound out toa farmer for my board and clothes. The board was fair but theclothes were few and poor."
"You don't say!"
"I hope you will be as lucky as I have been."
"How much are you worth now?" asked Joshua curiously.
"From one to two thousand dollars, I expect."
"Sho! I never did! How long have you been out here?"
"Three months."
"Je-rusalem! That's better than stayin' to hum."
"I think so."
By this time Mr. Bickford had completed his breakfast and in ananxious tone he inquired:
"What's the damage?"
"Oh, I won't charge you anything, as you are going to be my travelingcompanion," said Joe.
"You're a gentleman, by gosh!" exclaimed Mr. Bickford, inunrestrained delight.
"Come in at one o'clock and you shall have some of your favoritebeans and nothing to pay. Can you start for the mines to-morrow?"
"Yes--I've got nothin' to prepare."
"Take your meals here till we go."
"Well, I'm in luck," said Bickford. "Victuals cost awful out hereand I haven't had as much as I wanted to eat since I got here."
"Consider yourself my guest," said Joe, "and eat all you want to."
It may be remarked that Mr. Bickford availed himself of our younghero's invitation, and during the next twenty-four hours stowed awayenough provisions to last an ordinary man for half a week.
CHAPTER XXV
THE MAN FROM PIKE COUNTY
Four days later Joe and his Yankee friend, mounted on mustangs, wereriding through a canon a hundred miles from San Francisco. It waslate in the afternoon, and the tall trees shaded the path on whichthey were traveling. The air was unusually chilly and after the heatof midday they felt it.
"I don't feel like campin' out to-night," said Bickford. "It's toocool."
"I don't think we shall find any hotels about here," said Joe.
"Don't look like it. I'd like to be back in Pumpkin Hollow just forto-night. How fur is it to the mines, do you calc'late?"
"We are probably about half-way. We ought to reach the Yuba Riverinside of a week."
Here Mr. Bickford's mustang deliberately stopped and began to surveythe scenery calmly.
"What do you mean, you pesky critter?" demanded Joshua.
The mustang turned his head and glanced composedly at the burden hewas carrying.
"G'lang!" said Joshua, and he brought down his whip on the flanks ofthe animal.
It is not in mustang nature to submit to such an outrage withoutexpressing proper resentment. The animal threw up its hind legs,lowering its head at the same time, and Joshua Bickford, describing asudden somersault, found himself sitting down on the ground a fewfeet in front of his horse, not seriously injured, but considerablybewildered.
"By gosh!" he ejaculated.
"Why didn't you tell me you were going to dismount, Mr. Bickford?"asked Joe, his eyes twinkling with merriment.
"Because I didn't know it myself," said Joshua, rising and rubbinghis jarred frame.
The mustang did not offer to run away, but stood calmly surveying himas if it had had nothing to do with his rider's sudden dismounting.
"Darn the critter! He looks just as if nothing had happened," saidJoshua. "He served me a mean trick."
"It was a gentle hint that he was tired," said Joe.
"Darn the beast! I don't like his hints," said Mr. Bickford.
He prepared to mount the animal, but the latter rose on its hind legsand very clearly intimated that the proposal was not agreeable.
"What's got into the critter?" said Joshua.
"He wants to rest. Suppose we rest here for half-an-hour, while weloosen check-rein and let the horses graze."
"Just as you say."
Joshua's steed appeared pleased wit
h the success of his little hintand lost no time in availing himself of the freedom accorded him.
"I wish I was safe at the mines," said Joshua. "What would dad sayif he knowed where I was, right out here in the wilderness? It looksas we might be the only human critters in the world. There ain't nohouse in sight, nor any signs of man's ever bein' here."
"So we can fancy how Adam felt when he was set down in Paradise,"said Joe.
"I guess he felt kinder lonely."
"Probably he did, till Eve came. He had Eve, and I have you forcompany."
"I guess Eve wasn't much like me," said Joshua, with a grin.
He was lying at full length on the greensward, looking awkward andungainly enough, but his countenance, homely as it was, looked honestand trustworthy, and Joe preferred his company to that of manypossessed of more outward polish. He could not help smiling at Mr.Bickford's remark.
"Probably Eve was not as robust as you are," he replied, "I doubt ifshe were as tall, either. But as to loneliness, it is better to belonely than to have some company."
"There ain't no suspicious characters round, are there?" inquiredJoshua anxiously.
"We are liable to meet them--men who have been unsuccessful at themines and who have become desperate in consequence, and others whocame out here to prey upon others. That's what I hear."
"Do you think we shall meet any of the critters?" asked Joshua.
"I hope not. They wouldn't find it very profitable to attack us. Wehaven't much money."