a little more of
California. These are not the only diggings."

"Where do you want to go?"

"I haven't considered yet. The main thing is, will you go with me?"

"We won't part company, Joe."

"Good! Then I'll inquire, and see what I can find out about other
places. This pays fairly, but there is little chance of getting
nuggets of any size hereabouts."

"I'd just like to find one worth two thousand dollars. I'd start for
home mighty quick, and give Sukey Smith a chance to become Mrs.
Bickford."

"Success to you!" said Joe, laughing.

CHAPTER XXXIII

A STARTLING TABLEAU

Joe finally decided on some mines a hundred miles distant in a
southwesterly direction. They were reported to be rich and promising.

"At any rate," said he, "even if they are no better than here, we
shall get a little variety and change of scene."

"That'll be good for our appetite."

"I don't think, Mr. Bickford, that either of us need be concerned
about his appetite. Mine is remarkably healthy."

"Nothing was ever the matter with mine," said Joshua, "as long as the
provisions held out."

They made some few preparations of a necessary character. Their
clothing was in rags, and they got a new outfit at the mining store.
Each also provided himself with a rifle. The expense of these made
some inroads upon their stock of money, but by the time they were
ready to start they had eight hundred dollars between them, besides
their outfit, and this they considered satisfactory.

Kellogg at first proposed to go with them, but finally he changed his
mind.

"I am in a hurry to get home," he said, "and these mines are a sure
thing. If I were as young as you, I would take the risk. As it is,
I had better not. I've got a wife and child at home, and I want to
go back to them as soon as I can."

"You are right," said Joe.

"I've got a girl at home," said Joshua, "but I guess she'll wait for
me."

"Suppose she don't," suggested Joe.

"I shan't break my heart," said Mr. Bickford. "There's more than one
girl in the world."

"I see you are a philosopher, Mr. Bickford," said his old
schoolmaster.

"I don't know about that, but I don't intend to make a fool of myself
for any gal. I shall say, 'Sukey, here I am; I've got a little
money, and I'm your'n till death if you say so. If you don't want
me, I won't commit susancide."

"That's a capital joke, Joshua," said Joe. "Her name is Susan, isn't
it?"

"Have I made a jok