"Maybe you'd like to take me in as a partner," said Si, with a longing look in his clear blue eyes. "I'd be willing to do my full share of the work, I can vouch for that!" "Si's heart has been set on going for a long time," came from Mrs. Williams, a modest little woman with a pale face. "I shouldn't mind it if we had plenty of money and could give him a good outfit. But to start off with next to nothing----" She ended with a sigh. "We are starting off with little enough," answered Bob. "We've got a mule and the wagon, and a little tent, and we are going to buy some provisions and firearms, and then we'll be pretty low on cash, I can tell you." "I do want to go so much," said Si. "I've been planning it every day. Father, you could afford to give me the wagon, couldn't you?" "Why, it's sold!" "Then the price of it--and maybe some provisions. Then if they'll have me----" He paused and looked at Mark and Bob. "We might take you," answered Bob, slowly. "We'd want to talk it over first." "Why can't you come over to the house!" burst out Si, eagerly. "Bring the mule over and your tent. We've got a spare room----" "For the mule?" asked Mark. "Oh, the idea!" shrieked Bess, and then a general laugh followed. "You know what I mean," continued Si. "Come on over, please!" "All right, we'll come," answered Bob, after a nod from Mark. "I'll help you move," said the farm boy, and walked back to camp with them. Soon the tent was taken down, and the outfit strapped to Darling's back, and an hour later found them installed at the Williams homestead. Mark and Bob found their new friends very agreeable. Though the house was scantily furnished, it was scrupulously clean, and the meals served by Mrs. Williams and Bess beat the camp meals "all to pieces," as Mark declared. In the evening they talked the California matter over once more, and resumed it in the morning. "I think I can buy your provisions for you at a reasonable figure," said Mr. Williams. "And I've got a shotgun here I guess we can spare, and I know where you can get a rifle, if you want one." "We have some beans we can spare--and some sides of bacon," put in Mrs. Williams. "Could you put in those things as Si's share?" asked Bob. "Yes, yes, please do!" shouted Si, rushing over to his parent. "Hurrah! It's settled that I am to go after all!" He threw up his old straw hat. "Not so fast, Si," broke in his father. "You ain't real sure that they want you." Si stopped short and he looked pleadingly at Bob and Mark. "Tell him he can go," whispered Mark to his chum. "Why, Si can go if he can bear his share of the expense," said Bob. "I know Mark and I will like first-rate to have him along." "Bully for you!" said Si, and rushing up he shook hands with both boys. "Oh, we are bound to get through somehow, and find a lot of gold, too!" he added.