“It’s ahead of Pumpkin Holler already,” said Mr. Bickford, “though the Holler has been goin’ for over a hundred years.”

Joe smiled at the comparison.  He thought he could foresee the rapid progress of the new city, but he was far from comprehending the magnificent future that lay before it.  A short time since, the writer of this story ascended to the roof of the Palace Hotel, and from this lofty elevation, a hundred and forty feet above the sidewalk, scanned with delighted eyes a handsome and substantial city, apparently the growth of a century, and including within its broad limits a population of three hundred thousand souls.  It will not be many years before it reaches half-a-million, and may fairly be ranked among the great cities of the world.

Of course Joe’s first visit was to his old place of business.  He received a hearty greeting from Watson, his deputy.

“I am glad to see you, Joe,” said he, grasping our hero’s hand cordially.  “When did you arrive?”

“Ten minutes ago.  I have made you the first call.”

“Perhaps you thought I might have ‘vamosed the ranch,’” said Watson, smiling, “and left you and the business in the lurch.”

“I had no fears on that score,” said Joe.  “Has business been good?”

“Excellent.  I have paid weekly your share of the profits to Mr. Morgan.”

“Am I a millionaire yet?” asked Joe.

“Not quite.  I have paid Mr. Morgan on your account”—­here Watson consulted a small account-book—­“nine hundred and twenty-five dollars.”

“Is it possible?” said Joe, gratified.  “That is splendid.”

“Then you are satisfied?”

“More than satisfied.”

“I am glad of it.  I have made the same for myself and so have nearly half made up the sum which I so foolishly squandered at the gaming-table.”

“I am glad for you, Mr. Watson.”

“How have you prospered at the mines?”

“I have had excellent luck.”

“I don’t believe you bring home as much money as I have made for you here.”

“Don’t bet on that, Mr. Watson, for you would lose.”

“You don’t mean to say that you have made a thousand dollars?” exclaimed Watson, surprised.

“I have made five thousand dollars within a hundred or two.”

“Is it possible!” ejaculated Watson.  “You beat everything for luck, Joe.”

“So he does,” said Bickford, who felt that it was time for him to speak.  “It’s lucky for me that I fell in with him.  It brought me luck, too, for we went into partnership together.”

“Have you brought home five thousand dollars, too?” asked Watson.

“I’ve got about the same as Joe, and now I’m going home to marry Susan Smith if she’ll have me.”

“She’ll marry a rich miner, Mr. Bickford.  You needn’t be concerned about that.”

“I feel pretty easy in mind,” said Joshua.

“How soon do you sail?”