r you any such
service, but whatever I can I will do."

"It will be very simple. You will take my money, and see that it is sent
to my mother, in Glasgow. I will give you her address now, and then, if
any sudden fate overtakes me, there will be no trouble. You will know
just what to do."

Tom was flattered by this mark of confidence. It was evident that the
cautious Scotchman had formed a very favorable opinion of him, or he
would not have selected so young a boy for so important a trust.

"Will you do the same for me, Mr. Ferguson?" he asked, with the sudden
reflection that, young as he was, there was no absolute certainty of his
living to reach California.

"Surely I will, my lad."

"If I should die I should want any money I might have left sent to my
father."

"Give me his address, my lad, and it shall be done. It is a good
precaution, and we shan't either of us die the sooner for doing our
duty, to the best of our ability, by those who would mourn our loss."

Tom and his friend instituted inquiries, and ascertained that two days
later a caravan was to start on its way across the continent. They
ascertained, also, that the leader of the expedition was a pioneer named
Fletcher, who was making his home at the California Hotel. They made
their way thither, and were fortunate enough to find Mr. Fletcher at
home. He was a stout, broad-shouldered man, a practical farmer, who was
emigrating from Illinois. Unlike the majority of emigrants, he had his
family with him, namely, a wife, and four children, the oldest a boy of
twelve.

"My friend," said Ferguson, "I hear that you are soon leaving here with
a party for California."

"I leave day after to-morrow," answered Fletcher.

"Is your party wholly made up?"

"We are about full; but we might receive one or two more."

"My young friend and I wish to join some good party, as we cannot afford
to remain here, and we are anxious to get to work as soon as possible."

Some care needed to be exercised in the choice of a party, as there were
some who would only give trouble and annoyance, or perhaps fail to pay
their proper share of the expenses. But Ferguson's appearance was
sufficient guarantee of his reliability, and no one was likely to object
to Tom.

"Of course," added Ferguson, "we are ready to bear our share of the
expense."

"Then you can come," said Fletcher. "You will both need revolvers, for
we may be attacked by Indians, and must be able to defend ours