"I was thinking of that. Here," Mr. Adams extended the ticket. "That will help you out, won't it? We've no use for it. It will take you to San Francisco." "I'll leave on the next boat, then," stammered young Mr. Motte, flushing. "I'll see you in San Francisco or the diggings, and pay you. I surely will." "No pay expected," returned Mr. Adams, now remounting the stairs, and pressed close by the baggage. "It was given to us; we give it to you, and glad to do so. Good-bye." "Good-bye." Charley was about to call good-bye, also, but the words died on his lips, for almost the first face that he saw, beyond the captain, as he gained the deck, was the face of the long-nosed man. The long-nosed man had touched the captain on the shoulder. XI CHARLEY LOSES OUT "Who are you?" demanded the captain, brusquely. "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.