"I'm one of your passengers; that's enough. I've paid my money to get
to San Francisco with reasonable comfort and dispatch. We are late
now, and overloaded, and I protest against your delaying to take more
passengers aboard."

"I'm running this ship. You get back where you belong," ordered the
captain.

"This is a party of tramps," bawled the long-nosed man. "They've come
off the beach with a forged letter. I know 'em. I'll report you to
the company. I'll see if the United States Government won't----"

"For shame!"

"Put him out!"

"Throw him overboard!"

Cries from the other passengers interrupted him; and so did the captain.

"Here! Chuck this fellow aft!" he called, to the sailors. "If he
makes any more fuss, put him below and keep him there." And he
summoned, to Mr. Adams: "Come aboard, and hurry up."

So on up the stairs clambered Charley.

"Good-bye," he called back, to young Mr. Motte.

Mr. Grigsby and Charley's father followed; and on the instant the
captain hurried to the bridge. The steamer's paddle-wheels began to
turn; she glided ahead.

Sailors closed the rail, and Charley and his two companions were left
standing there. Below, the two canoes fell behind. Charley waved to
them, and was answered.

So at last they actually were off, on the last leg of their journey to
California. It had been a narrow squeak.

"That long-nosed individual seems to prefer your absence to your
company," remarked Mr. Grigsby, leaning upon his rifle and glancing
coolly about.

"Yes. We've some information he thinks he can use better than we can,"
answered Mr. Adams.

"You may have to deal with him pretty smartly, if he crosses your trail
many more times," observed Mr. Grigsby.

"We will, when necessary," promised Mr. Adams. "We'll take care of
ourselves; eh, Charley?"

"Yes, sir," promptly agreed Charley.

"Very good," said Mr. Grigsby. "As I size him up--and his two pards,
too--he'll be afraid to do much more, aboard this ship. He's gone as
far as is safe for him. But when you reach San Francisco, then look
out. Meanwhile I'll help you keep an eye on him."

"Thank you, sir," responded Mr. Adams.

Out through the open Bay of Panama majestically swept the _California_;
past several small rocky islands, with some islands ahead on the left
or south which were said to be the famous Pearl Islands, where pearls
as large as filberts were found plentifully. In about an hour stop was
made