“My young friend, you will need some money to start with. In this purse you will find fifty sovereigns (about two hundred and fifty dollars in gold). I think it will support you till you can earn something.”
“But, Mr. Lindsay,” said Harry, quite overwhelmed by this munificent gift, “I ought not to accept so much money.”
“My young friend, when I was a boy, I met a friend who took an interest in me, and helped me on. I will try to do the same by you. I am a rich man and can afford it. Say no more about it, but if you need more, or get into any difficulty, let me know, and I will do what I can to help you.”
Our hero clasped the hand of the generous merchant warmly.
“I wish I knew how to thank you,” he said.
“You can do so, by justifying my good opinion of you, Harry,” said Mr. Lindsay, kindly.
“I will try to do that at least,” said Harry, earnestly. “I will never forget your generous kindness.”
That afternoon Harry started for the gold-diggings. He did not go alone. He was fortunate enough to fall in, at one of the hotels, with a man of middle age, a rough-looking man to appearance, but, as Harry afterwards discovered, a man of warm heart and much kindness. This was the way the acquaintance was made.
Harry overheard him speaking of the mines, from which he said he had only recently returned. When he had finished speaking, Harry said:—