"Not so fast, Si," broke in his father. "You ain't real sure that they want you."
Si stopped short and he looked pleadingly at Bob and Mark.
"Tell him he can go," whispered Mark to his chum.
"Why, Si can go if he can bear his share of the expense," said Bob. "I know Mark and I will like first-rate to have him along."
"Bully for you!" said Si, and rushing up he shook hands with both boys. "Oh, we are bound to get through somehow, and find a lot of gold, too!" he added.
"To be sure we'll get through," returned Mark. "But the next time you shake hands please don't squeeze my fingers quite so hard." He had found the country boy's grip a tough one.
"Si can do the real hard work," came from one of the little Williams boys. "He can split wood, an'—an' everything!"
"Yes, I'll split the wood, and do a lot besides—if only I go," said Si, and then in sheer delight he swung his little brother on high. "And just wait till I get back, Benny," he went on. "You shall have a lot of toys, and mother a silk dress, and Bess those music lessons, and father——"
"Oh, I'll sit all day long and figure up what the nuggets are worth," finished Mr. Williams, with a laugh. "Well, boys, now it's settled, I wish all of you luck, and there's my hand on it." And he shook hands all around.