"I've been thinking of going to California myself," resumed Bob Billings. "But I want to see how old Aunt Betsey is first. Maybe she will want me to stay with her for a spell. She didn't use to care for me, but maybe she is changed now." Hopeville was reached about supper time, and Mark and Jed Dickson put up at the local tavern, while Bob Billings went off to find his aunt, whom he had not seen in three years. "He's a nice sort," said Mark. "If I went to California I'd like to have him along." An hour passed and they were just finishing their supper when the sailor boy reappeared. His face wore a sober look. "I've had bad news," said he, dropping into a chair. "My aunt died nearly a year ago. They sent me a letter about it, but it never reached me." "That's hard luck," said Mark, sympathetically. "Did she leave any money?" questioned the matter-of-fact Dickson. "Left about a hundred dollars, so they tell me, and that was used to pay her funeral expenses. They sold off her things, and a lawyer is keeping about another hundred in trust for me. But I'd rather Aunt Betsey was alive. Now I'm utterly alone in the world." Bob Billings put up at the hotel, going into a room with Mark. Before retiring the two became quite confidential. "So you're running away," said Bob, on hearing Mark's story. "Well, I don't blame you, if your step-father is that sort. I'd cut sticks myself. I hope you make your pile, if you ever reach California." "Don't you want to go, now you are all alone?" "Yes, I do, and there's my hand on it!" The boys shook hands warmly--and from that moment they were chums. They talked over many things, and Mark confessed that he had but five dollars and a quarter left of the amount with which he had started. "Never mind, I've got quite a pile," answered Bob. "But I don't want to sponge on you, Bob." "I'll make you a loan of twenty-five dollars," replied the sailor boy, producing the money. "I haven't forgotten how you saved me from being robbed. If it hadn't been for you and Dickson I'd be penniless." "Well, I'll take the money as a loan--when what I have on hand is gone," answered Mark. It was decided that Mark should remain at Hopeville with Bob for a few days, and in the morning the two boys bid good-by to Jed Dickson. As a keepsake, and for his kindness in assisting Bob, the sailor boy presented Dickson with a fancy watch charm, for which the man was very thankful. "Hope we meet again some day," said Dickson to both boys. "Maybe in the gold diggings, eh?" "Perhaps," answered Mark. As yet, California seemed a long way off. During the day Bob saw the lawyer who had the money left by the sailor boy's aunt. There was a little trouble about getting the lawyer to turn the money over to Bob--he not being of age--but finally the matter was straightened out and Bob found himself exactly ninety-five dollars richer than before. "Now, take my advice and be careful of your cash," said the lawyer.