“Then you have really prospered¹?” said Mr. Gilbert.

“Yes, sir; we must have as much as seven hundred dollars more, but this was as much as Grant could conveniently carry. We depend on his shabby attire² to save him from attracting the attention of robbers.”

“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 Gulch³ in time for supper.

They were immediately surrounded by old acquaintances.

278“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.”

“How about yourself?”

“Oh, well, I am not discouraged. There are better times in store.”

One of the crowd was Nahum Stockton, to whom Grant and Tom had given their claims when they left Howe’s Gulch.

“Look here, Cooper,” he said. “You did me a good turn. I’ve done pretty well with the claim you gave me, and I want to show my gratitude⁴. If fifty dollars will do you or the boy any good, I will let you have it.”

Tom Cooper wrung⁵ his hand cordially.

“You’re a good fellow, Stockton,” he said, “but we are not in want. I am glad you have done fairly well, but we don’t stand in need of 279help at present. If we ever do, we won’t forget your kind offer.”

“That’s right. You shall be heartily

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