't like to go there on the same business that I am."

"What is that?"

"I am going to dig gold."

"I don't know. I suppose it isn't girl's work; but if I saw any gold
about, I should like to dig for it. Is that your father that was
standing by you?"

"No," answered Tom. "I never met him till yesterday. We were staying at
the same hotel in Pittsburg."

"He seems like quite a nice old gentleman."

Mr. Waterbury was not over fifty, but to the young girl he seemed an old
gentleman.

"I find him very pleasant."

There was a seat next to Jennie, and Tom ventured to occupy it.

"What is your name?" asked the young lady sociably.

"Thomas Nelson, but most people call me Tom."

"My name is Jane Watson, but everybody calls me Jennie."

"That is much prettier than Jane."

"So I think. Jane seems old-maidish, don't you think so?"

"Are you afraid of becoming an old maid?" asked Tom, smiling.

"Awfully. I wouldn't be an old maid for anything. My school-teacher is
an old maid. She's horribly prim. She won't let us laugh, or talk, or
anything."

"I don't think you'll grow up like that."

"I hope not."

"How you run on, Jennie!" said her mother. "What will this young
gentleman think of you?"

"Nothing very bad, I hope," said Jennie, smiling archly on Tom. "I
suppose," she continued, addressing him, "I ought to be very quiet and
reserved, as you are a stranger."

"I hope you won't be," said Tom heartily.

"Then I won't. Somehow you don't seem like a stranger. You look a good
deal like a cousin of mine. I suppose that is the reason."

So they chatted on for an hour or more. Jennie was very vivacious,
occasionally droll, and Tom enjoyed her company. The mother saw that our
hero was well-behaved and gentlemanly, and made no objection to the
sudden intimacy.

CHAPTER XI.

THE FIRST DAY ON THE RIVER.

About half-past twelve dinner was announced.

"I hope you'll sit next to us, Tom," said Jennie Watson.

"I will, if I can."

It happened that Milton Graham entered the saloon at the same time with
the new friends. He took the seat next to Jennie, much to that young
lady's annoyance.

"Will you be kind enough to take the next seat?" she asked. "That young
gentleman is to sit next to me."

"I am sorry to resign the pleasure, but anything to oblige," said
Graham. "Tom, I congratulate you," he continued, with a disagreeable
smile.

"Thank you," said our hero briefly.

"He calls you Tom. Does he k