"Thank you, sir," cried Tommy, eagerly. "I only want to get to Jersey City." "What!" cried the man, "are you a Yankee boy?" "You can bet I am." "Shake on that, sonny," cried the officer. "I'm glad to meet a countryman, if he is young and out of luck." "Do you come from Jersey City?" inquired Tommy. "I do, and I fancy I've seen your face somewhere. Didn't you travel with Charley Barker, the undertaker's son?" "Yes, sir," replied Tommy, eying the officer delightedly. "And your name is----" "Tommy Smithers." At this answer the officer's face became very grave. He hesitated a moment. "See here," he said. "They call me Boston Charley, and those who know me will tell you that I'm no tale carrier, but since I've happened to strike you in this odd way I'll let you know what I heard. Your father had to skip pretty lively from his home, and it is rumored that he went West--some say to California, some to Nevada." "What for?" "Well, if you must hear it, because he robbed his employers." This announcement was a great shock to Tommy. "Did mother go with him?" he inquired. "Yes," replied Boston Charley. "They went together at a moment's notice." CHAPTER XIX. BOUND HOME. "My friend and I have lost our situations through a joke," he exclaimed, "and we want to leave this country. Will you take us along with you?" "Now you're talking, sonny," answered Boston Charley. "This ship is going to San Francisco, and if you want the straight tip, as these Londoners say, we don't have any use for boys aboard." Tommy's countenance fell at this declaration. "Couldn't you make room for us, sir?" he asked. "In consideration of your being a fellow citizen, I'll chance it," answered the officer. "The cap and I are pretty good friends, and I guess I can fix it for you to-morrow. Meanwhile you can go aboard and bunk in the fo'castle to-night." Boston Charley nodded kindly to them, and walked away, whistling a popular air. "I say, boy," cried Tommy, "we're in luck." "That's what I'm thinking," answered Bobsey; "and I'll tell you where that cove's head was solid. He's going to enjoy himself, and vy shouldn't ve do the same thing? Let's go on a jolly good racket, our two selves, and ven ve're on the briny ocean we shall have nothing to reproach ourselves with." "I don't care," replied Tommy. They found out a coffee shop, where they enjoyed a cheap supper, after which they went to the gallery of a theater, at which a drama was played representing the trials and temptations which beset Jack ashore. Much delighted with their evening's entertainment, at midnight they reached home--that is to say, the ship; but the watch wouldn't admit them on board, and they had to sleep on the ground among some merchandise. It was late in the morning when Boston Charley made his appearance. A few words informed him of the state of the case, and he took the boys on board the ship, where a few words spoken to the captain insured them a passage to California.