for the old man's
affairs were in a rickety condition at any rate, and this sank him
altogether. His creditors were willing enough to wait, but one rascal
refused to do so, and swore he would sequestrate him. I found that the
sum due him was exactly three thousand dollars, so I paid him the amount
in full, and handed Thompson the discharged account. `Now,' said I,
`I'm off to the diggings, so good-bye!' for, you see, Ned, I felt that I
could not urge my suit at that time, as it would be like putting on the
screw--taking an unfair advantage of him.

"`Why, what do you mean, my lad?' said he.

"`That I'm off to-morrow,' replied I.

"`That you must not do,' said he.

"`Why not?' said I.

"`Because,' said he, `now that things are going smooth, I must go to
England by the first ship that sails, and get my affairs there put on a
better footing, so you must stay here to look after my business, and
to--to--take care of Lizette.'

"`Eh! what!' said I, `what do you mean? You know _that_ is impossible.'

"`Not at all, boy, if you marry her!'

"Of course I could not refuse, and so, to cut it short, we were married
right off and here we are, the representatives of the great firm of
Thompson and Company, of California."

"Then, do you mean to say that Thompson is gone?" Inquired Ned, with a
look of horror.

"Near the Horn, I should think, by this time; but why so anxious?"

"Because," sighed Ned, sitting down on the edge of the bed, with a look
of despair, "I came here by his invitation; and--"

"Oh! it's all right," interrupted Tom; "I know all about it, and am
commissioned by him to settle the affair for you."

"But what _is_ the affair?" inquired Ned, eagerly.

"Ah! my dear boy, do try to exercise patience. If I tell you everything
before we go down to our comrades, I fear we shall have to send a
message to say that we are not coming till to-morrow morning."

Tom rose as he spoke, and led the way to the parlour, where bread and
cheese were spread out for them.

"The only drawback to my felicity," whispered Tom to Sinton, as they
entered, "is that I find Thompson's affairs far worse than he himself
was aware of; and it's a fact, that at this moment I can scarcely draw
enough out of the business to supply the necessaries of life."

There was a slight bitterness in Tom's tone as he said this, but the
next moment he was jesting with his old companions as lightheartedly as
ever. During the meal he refused, h