"For the mule?" asked Mark.
"Oh, the idea!" shrieked Bess, and then a general laugh followed.
"You know what I mean," continued Si. "Come on over, please!"
"All right, we'll come," answered Bob, after a nod from Mark.
"I'll help you move," said the farm boy, and walked back to camp with them. Soon the tent was taken down, and the outfit strapped to Darling's back, and an hour later found them installed at the Williams homestead.
Mark and Bob found their new friends very agreeable. Though the house was scantily furnished, it was scrupulously clean, and the meals served by Mrs. Williams and Bess beat the camp meals "all to pieces," as Mark declared. In the evening they talked the California matter over once more, and resumed it in the morning.
"I think I can buy your provisions for you at a reasonable figure," said Mr. Williams. "And I've got a shotgun here I guess we can spare, and I know where you can get a rifle, if you want one."
"We have some beans we can spare—and some sides of bacon," put in Mrs. Williams.
"Could you put in those things as Si's share?" asked Bob.
"Yes, yes, please do!" shouted Si, rushing over to his parent. "Hurrah! It's settled that I am to go after all!" He threw up his old straw hat.