CHAPTER XXIV. PREPARING FOR A NEW START.

 When Tom opened his eyes he did not at first remember where he was, but a glance at Dick Russell, his new acquaintance, stretched out on the floor and still sleeping, quickly recalled the important events of the day previous. Mr. Ferguson was already dressed.

 

"Well, Tom, are you rested?" he asked.

 

"Yes, Mr. Ferguson; I slept like a top. What time is it?"

 

"It is seven o'clock. Our new friend is still asleep."

 

"I suppose he was on his feet all day yesterday."

 

"I don't know whether I ought to hurry you away from San Francisco so soon, Tom," said his Scotch¹ friend. "We only arrived yesterday, and you have not had time to see the place, and[Pg 226] enjoy yourself after your hard work at the mines."

 

"I don't care for that, Mr. Ferguson. I am anxious to be at work again. I didn't come out here to enjoy myself, but to make money for my father."

 

"You have succeeded pretty well thus far, Tom."

 

"Yes; but I have made more by the sale of the team than by work at the mines."

 

"True; but that is a legitimate² transaction. If our friend here has reported correctly, we shall find mining more profitable in the place he mentions than at River Bend."

 

"I have no objection to that, though I was satisfied with River Bend. Wouldn't it be splendid, Mr. Ferguson, if we could do as well in the next six months as he did?"

 

"Making two thousand dollars each?"

 

"Yes."

 

"We may accomplish it; but it is best not to calculate upon it."

 

"If I could only free the farm from that troublesome mortgage[Pg 227] I should be proud and happy. It has worn upon father, as I could see, and he has been compelled to toil³ early and late to pay the interest, besides supporting us all."

 

"How much is the mortgage, Tom?"

 

"Twenty-two hundred dollars."

 

"You have made a good beginning towards it already, Tom. You have seven hundred dollars invested in business."

 

"But out of that I owe you a hundred and fifty, Mr. Ferguson."

 

"Don't trouble yourself about that, Tom. Unless I should stand in great need of it, I will wait till you have paid off the mortgage before asking to have it repaid."

 

"You are very kind, Mr. Ferguson," said Tom, gratefully. "A part of my seven hundred dollars rightfully belongs to you, for you owned two-thirds of the horse and wagon⁴."

 

"I couldn't have bought them without your help, Tom. So you see that you enabled me to make money. I am quite satisfied with an equal partnership⁵."[Pg 228]

 

"And I am very well satisfied with my partner," said Tom, smiling. "Shall we wake up Russell?"

 

"Yes, for we have much to do to-day."

 

"John Miles will be surprised at my leaving the city so quick."

 

"By the way, Tom, as he is to remain here, while you are out of the reach of post-offices, it may be well to ask your father to direct future letters to his care, and he can forward them as he has opportunity."

 

"That is a good idea. I will write to-day so as to catch the next steamer, and I will also speak to John."

 

Tom had to shake Dick Russell energetically before that young man opened his eyes.

 

"What's the matter?" he ejaculated, drowsily⁶.

 

"Don't you want some breakfast?" asked Tom.

 

"Oh, it's you, Tom! Yes, you have touched the right chord. I have a first-class appetite—and no money," he added, his face clouding.

 

"Mr. Ferguson is treasurer," said Tom, lightly, wishing to divert Russell from the thoughts of his heavy loss, and the folly⁷ to which he owed[Pg 229] it; "but we know very little of the city. Can you guide us to a good restaurant?"

 

"To a good one, but not a cheap one. Everything is high here."

 

"Then it is fortunate we are going to leave so soon."

 

In a small restaurant, on Montgomery street, our three friends partook of a hearty⁸ breakfast. It might not have attracted an epicure⁹, but neither of the three was fastidious; and, though the charge was five dollars, Ferguson, economical as he was, paid the bill cheerfully. It was the first "civilized¹⁰" breakfast he had eaten for months, and it might be months before he would be able to partake of another as good.

 

"I wish we could breakfast like this at the mines," said Tom.

 

"So say I," chimed in Dick Russell; "but you know that the gold-hunter must sacrifice home comforts."

 

"I shan't complain of that, if I can do as well as you did," said Tom.

 

"I see no reason why you can't. There is[Pg 230] plenty of gold there, and all that is needed is work and perseverance¹¹."

 

"I am willing to contribute them," said Tom. "I mean to do my best to succeed."

 

"None of us can do more, my lad," said Ferguson. "Let us hope that God will prosper¹² our undertakings¹³."

 

"I say, I am glad I have met with you two," said Dick Russell. "You'll keep me on the right track; and, in spite of my past folly, I hope in time to win success."

 

"I am glad to hear you speak so sensibly, my young friend," said the Scotchman, kindly¹⁴. "It's a great deal better to put your back to the wheel once more, than to take the life God gave you."

 

"Don't speak of that again, Mr. Ferguson," said Russell, shuddering¹⁵. "I don't like to think of it."

 

"He'll do," thought Ferguson, with satisfaction. "His mind is now in a healthy condition, and I have great hopes of him."

 

The rest of the day was devoted¹⁶ to the purchase of supplies. Ferguson also bought a mule,[Pg 231] in behalf of the party, which was of service in carrying a part of their burdens. It was not until afternoon that Tom found an opportunity to call on John Miles, and acquaint him with his almost immediate¹⁷ departure.

 

"I am sorry you are going away so soon, Tom," said Miles. "I thought you would stay at least a week."

 

"So I would if I were not so anxious to be at work once more. You know how my father is situated¹⁸, John, for I have told you more than once."

 

"Yes, Tom; but I see no reason why you should feel uneasy. With the help you are to send him, there will be no trouble about his paying his interest regularly."

 

"I know that, John; but I shall feel uneasy until the mortgage is paid off, and he is out of Squire¹⁹ Hudson's power."

 

"For how long a time has the farm your father owns been encumbered²⁰ with this mortgage?"

 

"For ten years, at least."[Pg 232]

 

"Is the mortgage for any specified²¹ term of years?"

 

"I don't think so."

 

"It merely runs from year to year then?"

 

"I suppose so."

 

"In that case this Squire Hudson could foreclose at any time, could he not?"

 

"Yes," answered Tom, soberly.

 

"Don't make yourself uneasy about it, however," said Miles, observing that Tom seemed apprehensive²². "As your father's farm is not particularly valuable, there can be no danger of foreclosure. By the way, wouldn't you like to have me remit²³ your father something next month out of the profits of the business?—I can charge it to your account."

 

"I am glad you mentioned it, John. You may send him fifty or seventy-five dollars, if my share should amount to so much."

 

"I will."

 

"And I am going to have my home letters directed to your care. You can forward them to me whenever you have an opportunity."

 

"I won't fail, Tom. If there is anything you[Pg 233] need sent out to you, you have only to write me, and I will attend to your commissions."

 

"It is very convenient to have an agent in the city," said John, smiling. "I shall feel much more comfortable out at the mines."

 

"I wish you good luck, Tom; but remember, even if you don't succeed in your search for gold, I shall be making money for you here."

 

"You make me feel quite like a capitalist, John."

 

"I hope you may be one some day. Good-by!"

 

They shook hands and parted. Before night-fall Tom had started on his new journey in quest of gold.

1 scotch   

n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的

参考例句：

• Facts will eventually scotch these rumours.这种谣言在事实面前将不攻自破。
• Italy was full of fine views and virtually empty of Scotch whiskey.意大利多的是美景，真正缺的是苏格兰威士忌。

2 legitimate   

adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法

参考例句：

• Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
• That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。

3 toil   

vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事

参考例句：

• The wealth comes from the toil of the masses.财富来自大众的辛勤劳动。
• Every single grain is the result of toil.每一粒粮食都来之不易。

4 wagon   

n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车

参考例句：

• We have to fork the hay into the wagon.我们得把干草用叉子挑进马车里去。
• The muddy road bemired the wagon.马车陷入了泥泞的道路。

5 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

6 drowsily   

adv.睡地，懒洋洋地，昏昏欲睡地

参考例句：

• She turned drowsily on her side, a slow creeping blackness enveloping her mind. 她半睡半醒地翻了个身，一片缓缓蠕动的黑暗渐渐将她的心包围起来。 来自飘（部分）
• I felt asleep drowsily before I knew it. 不知过了多久，我曚扙地睡着了。 来自互联网

7 folly   

n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话

参考例句：

• Learn wisdom by the folly of others.从别人的愚蠢行动中学到智慧。
• Events proved the folly of such calculations.事情的进展证明了这种估计是愚蠢的。

8 hearty   

adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的

参考例句：

• After work they made a hearty meal in the worker's canteen.工作完了，他们在工人食堂饱餐了一顿。
• We accorded him a hearty welcome.我们给他热忱的欢迎。

9 epicure   

n.行家，美食家

参考例句：

• This cookery book have being wrote by a real epicure.这本食谱是由一位真正的美食家写的。
• He researches diets carefully,and is a true epicure.他对于饮食非常有研究，可以算得上是名副其实的美食家了。

10 civilized   

a.有教养的，文雅的

参考例句：

• Racism is abhorrent to a civilized society. 文明社会憎恶种族主义。
• rising crime in our so-called civilized societies 在我们所谓文明社会中日益增多的犯罪行为

11 perseverance   

n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠

参考例句：

• It may take some perseverance to find the right people.要找到合适的人也许需要有点锲而不舍的精神。
• Perseverance leads to success.有恒心就能胜利。

12 prosper   

v.成功，兴隆，昌盛；使成功，使昌隆，繁荣

参考例句：

• With her at the wheel,the company began to prosper.有了她当主管，公司开始兴旺起来。
• It is my earnest wish that this company will continue to prosper.我真诚希望这家公司会继续兴旺发达。

13 undertakings   

企业( undertaking的名词复数 )； 保证； 殡仪业； 任务

参考例句：

• The principle of diligence and frugality applies to all undertakings. 勤俭节约的原则适用于一切事业。
• Such undertakings require the precise planning and foresight of military operations. 此举要求军事上战役中所需要的准确布置和预见。

14 kindly   

adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地

参考例句：

• Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
• A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。

15 shuddering   

v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动

参考例句：

• 'I am afraid of it,'she answered, shuddering. “我害怕，”她发着抖，说。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
• She drew a deep shuddering breath. 她不由得打了个寒噤，深深吸了口气。 来自飘（部分）

16 devoted   

adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的

参考例句：

• He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。

17 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

18 situated   

adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的

参考例句：

• The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。
• She is awkwardly situated.她的处境困难。

19 squire   

n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅

参考例句：

• I told him the squire was the most liberal of men.我告诉他乡绅是世界上最宽宏大量的人。
• The squire was hard at work at Bristol.乡绅在布里斯托尔热衷于他的工作。

20 encumbered   

v.妨碍，阻碍，拖累( encumber的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The police operation was encumbered by crowds of reporters. 警方的行动被成群的记者所妨碍。
• The narrow quay was encumbered by hundreds of carts. 狭窄的码头被数百辆手推车堵得水泄不通。 来自辞典例句

21 specified   

adj.特定的

参考例句：

• The architect specified oak for the wood trim. 那位建筑师指定用橡木做木饰条。
• It is generated by some specified means. 这是由某些未加说明的方法产生的。

22 apprehensive   

adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的

参考例句：

• She was deeply apprehensive about her future.她对未来感到非常担心。
• He was rather apprehensive of failure.他相当害怕失败。

23 remit   

v.汇款，汇寄；豁免（债务），免除（处罚等）

参考例句：

• I hope you'll remit me the money in time.我希望你能及时把钱汇寄给我。
• Many immigrants regularly remit money to their families.许多移民定期给他们的家人汇款。