“I see,” said Joe.

“I shall probably go out to the mines and take a general survey of the country; but, as you see, I do not go out to obtain employment.”

“It must be jolly not to have to work,” said Joe, “but to have plenty of money to pay your expenses.”

“Well, I suppose it is convenient.  I believe you haven’t a large cash surplus?”

“I have a dollar.”

“You’ve got some pluck to travel so far away from home with such a slender capital, by Jove!”

“I don’t know that it’s pluck.  It’s necessity.”

“Something of both, perhaps.  Don’t you feel afraid of what may happen?”

“No,” said Joe.  “California is a new country, and there must be plenty of work.  Now, I am willing to work and I don’t believe I shall starve.”

“That’s the way to feel, Joe.  At the worst, you have me to fall back upon.  I won’t see you suffer.”

“It is very lucky for me.  I hope I shan’t give you any trouble.”

“If you do, I’ll tell you of it,” said Folsom, laughing.  “The fact is, I feel rather as if I were your guardian.  An odd feeling that, as hitherto I have been looked after by others.  Now it is my turn to assume authority.”

“You will find me obedient,” said Joe, smiling.  “Seriously, I am so inexperienced in the way of the world that I shall consider it a great favor if you will give me any hints you may think useful to me.”

Folsom became more and more pleased with his young charge.  He saw that he was manly, amiable, and of good principles, with only one great fault—­poverty—­which he was quite willing to overlook.

They selected their seats in the saloon, and were fortunate enough to be assigned to the captain’s table.  Old travelers know that those who sit at this table are likely to fare better than those who are farther removed.

While Folsom was walking the deck with an old friend, whom he had found among the passengers, Joe went on an exploring expedition.

He made his way to that portion of the deck appropriated to the steerage passengers.  Among them his eye fell on the man who swindled him.

“You here!” exclaimed the fellow in amazement.

“Yes,” said Joe, “I am here.”

“I thought you said your ticket wasn’t good?”

“It wasn’t, as you very well know.”

“I don’t know anything about it.  How did you smuggle yourself aboard?”

“I didn’t smuggle myself aboard at all.  I came on like the rest of the passengers.”

“Why haven’t I seen you before?”

“I am not a steerage passenger.  I am traveling first-class.”

“You don’t mean it!” ejaculated the fellow, thoroughly astonished.  “You told me you hadn’t any more money.”

“So I did, and that shows that you were the man that sold me the bogus ticket.”

“Nothing of the kind,” said the other, but he seemed taken aback by Joe’s charge.  “Well, all I can say is, that you know how to get round.  When a man or boy can travel first-class without a cent of money, he’ll do.”