“You will remain at the claim?” said Mr. Gilbert, addressing himself to Tom.
“Yes, I shall continue to work it. Grant is summoned to San Francisco by a friend whose acquaintance he made in crossing the plains.”
They stopped an hour to chat with the old man, and then, resuming their march, reached Howe’s Gulch in time for supper.
They were immediately surrounded by old acquaintances.
“Where are you bound, Tom?” asked one.
“Grant is going to San Francisco. He has an offer of employment from a rich man there.”
“Won’t you join us again?”
“No; I have a claim some way from here which will bear working a little longer.”
“The boy doesn’t look as if you had struck luck.”
“He will be all right when he reaches San Francisco.”