The young man, for some reason, seemed to hear this with satisfaction.
“Got any friends out there—in California, I mean?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Going out to make your fortune, I reckon?”
“I will if I get the chance,” said Tom, smiling.
Of course he was not disposed to communicate his real errand to a stranger.
“Shall you start soon?”
“I don’t know exactly. I am trying to find something that will help to pay my expenses,” said our hero.
He had no objection to admitting this, for his new acquaintance might possibly put him in the way of procuring such employment as he desired.
“Do you think that would be possible?” he asked.