o California. Have you ever been to either place, Luke?"

"No, lad, but if I had my choice I'd go westward. I've heard fine stories
of California. I think I should like to see that land."

"Why don't you go?"

"Stop a minute! Let me think!"

The hunter assumed a thoughtful look. He remained silent for five minutes.
Then he said, as if to himself: "Why not?"

Ernest still kept silence, but his eyes were fixed upon the face of the
hunter.

Finally Luke looked up.

"How do you want to go, lad?" he asked. "Do you want to go over the
railroad, or are you in for a tramp over the mountains and plains?"

"That depends on whether I am to go alone or not. If I go alone I shall
prefer to go by rail."

"Are you in for a long tramp with me?" asked Luke, his face glowing with
new-born enthusiasm.

"I will go anywhere with you, Luke."

"Then it is agreed. We will start to-morrow."

CHAPTER VII

ON THE ROAD

Nothing could have pleased Ernest better than to travel with Luke Robbins.
He felt that he should be safe with the sturdy hunter, who was strong,
resolute and reliable.

True he was not a man who had succeeded as man reckons success. He had
lived comfortably, but it had never occurred to him to lay up money, nor
indeed had he had any opportunity to do so. He mentioned this as an
objection to the trip which he had himself proposed.

"My lad," he said, "I am afraid I can't go with you after all."

"Why not, Luke?"

"Because you're rich compared with me."

"I have but a hundred dollars."

"And I--well, lad, I'm ashamed to say so, but I have only fifteen."

"We'll share and share alike, Luke."

"No, lad. Luke Robbins is too proud to live upon a boy. I reckon I'd
better stay at home."

"But I want you to go and take care of me, Luke. How can I travel alone?"

Luke brightened up.

"That puts a different face on it, Ernest. If you think you need me, I'll
go."

"I do need you."

"Then go I will, but one thing is understood: I won't take any of your
money."

"There won't be any trouble on that score."

So the two prepared for their trip. Ernest, with Luke's help, purchased an
outfit, and on the morning of the third day the two started out together,
neither having a very definite idea where they were going except that
their course was westward.

Luke knew very little of the States and Territories that lay between Oak
Forks and the Pacific Coast. Ernest, whose education was decidedly
superior