ng himself down on a splendid
crimson sofa, that seemed very much out of keeping with the dress of the
rough miners whom it was meant to accommodate--"would ye belave it,
they're gone!"

"Who are gone, and where to!" inquired Ned.

"Kate an'--an' the caffin. Off to San Francisco, be all that's onlucky;
an' only wint little more nor an hour ago."

The three friends looked at each other.

"Waiter," said Captain Bunting, in a solemn voice, "bear-chops for
three, pipes and baccy for six, an' a brandy-smash for one; an', d'ye
hear, let it be stiff!"

"Yes, sir."

A loud laugh from Ned and Larry relieved their over-excited and pent-up
feelings; and both agreed that, under the circumstances, the captain's
order was the best that could be given at that stage of their
perplexities. Having ascertained that there was not another steamer to
San Francisco for a week, they resolved to forget their anxieties as
much as possible, and enjoy themselves in the great city of Sacramento
during the next few days; while they instituted inquiries as to what had
become of their comrade, Bill Jones, who, they concluded, must still be
in the city, as they had not met him on the way down.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

GOLD NOT ALL-POWERFUL--REMARKABLE GROWTH OF SACRAMENTO--NEW STYLE OF
BRINGING A HOTEL INTO NOTICE--A SURPRISING DISCOVERY--DEATH OF A MEXICAN
HORSE-TAMER--THE CONCERT, AND ANOTHER DISCOVERY--MADEMOISELLE NELINA
CREATES A SENSATION.

It is said that gold can accomplish anything; and, in some respects, the
saying is full of truth; in some points of view, however, the saying is
altogether wrong. Gold can, indeed, accomplish almost anything in the
material world--it can purchase stone, and metal, and timber; and
muscles, bones, thews, and sinews, with life in them, to any extent. It
can go a step further--it can purchase brains, intellect, genius; and,
throwing the whole together, material and immaterial, it can cut, and
carve, and mould the world to such an extent that its occupants of fifty
years ago, were they permitted to return to earth, would find it hard to
recognise the scene of their brief existence. But there are things and
powers which gold cannot purchase. That worn-out old _millionnaire_
would give tons of it for a mere tithe of the health that yonder
ploughman enjoys. Youth cannot be bought with gold. Time cannot be
purchased with gold. The prompt obedience of thousands of men and women
may be bought with