In the Heart of the Rockies | Page 7

horse, and though I believe they are
very cheap out there, I suppose you could not get one under ten pounds;
and then there would be the saddle and bridle and food for the journey,
and all sorts of things. I don't think forty pounds will be enough."
"I won't have a penny more, anyhow," Tom said. "If I find a horse too
expensive I can tramp on foot."
"And you must be sure not to get robbed," Janet said, breaking in for
the first time. "Just fancy your finding yourself without money in such
a place as that. I will make you a belt to wear under your things, with
pockets for the money."

"I hope I should not be such a fool as that, Janet, but anyhow I will be
as careful as I can. I shall be very glad of the belt. One does not know
what the fellows might be up to, and I would certainly rather not have
my money loose in my pocket; but even if I were robbed I don't think it
would be as desperate as you think. I expect a boy could always find
something to do to earn his living, and I should try and work my way
along somehow, but as that would not be pleasant at all I shall take
good care of my money, you may be sure."
For an hour they sat talking, and before the council broke up it was
agreed that they should look in the newspaper in the morning for a list
of vessels sailing for America, and should at once write and take a
passage.
There was no time lost. Carry felt that it would be best for them all that
the parting should be got over as soon as possible. Letters were written
the next morning to two steamship companies and to the owners of two
sailing vessels asking the prices of steerage passages, agreeing that if
there was not much difference it would be better to save perhaps a
fortnight by taking the passage in a steamship.
The replies showed that the difference was indeed trifling, and a week
after their receipt Tom Wade started from Portsmouth to Liverpool.
Even at the last moment he was half-inclined to change his plans, it
seemed so hard to leave his sisters alone; but Carry and Janet had both
convinced themselves that his scheme was the best, and would not hear
of his wavering now. They kept up a show of good spirits until the last,
talked confidently of the success of their own plans, and how they
should set about carrying them out as soon as they were free to act. The
younger girls, although implored by the elders not to give way to their
grief at the departure of their brother, were in a state of constant
tearfulness, and were in consequence frequently got rid of by being sent
on errands. Tom, too, took them out for hours every day, and by telling
them stories of the wild animals he should hunt, and the Indians he
should see, and of the stores of gold he should find hidden, generally
brought them home in a more cheerful state of mind.
At last the parting was over, and after making heroic efforts to be

cheerful to the end, Tom waved a last adieu with his handkerchief to
the five weeping figures on the platform, and then threw himself back
in his seat and gave free vent to his own feelings. Two girls sitting
beside him sniggered at the sight of the strong-built young fellow
giving way to tears, but a motherly-looking woman opposite presently
put her hand on his knee.
"Don't be ashamed of crying, my lad," she said. "I have got a son years
older than you, and we always have a good cry together every time he
starts on a long voyage. Are you going far? I suppose those are your
sisters? I see you are all in black. Lost someone dear to you, no doubt?
It comes to us all, my boy, sooner or later."
"I am going to America," Tom replied, "and may not be back for years.
Yes, those are my sisters, and what upsets me most is that I have to
leave them all alone, for we have lost both our parents."
"Dear, dear, that is sad indeed! No wonder you are all upset. Well, well,
America is not so very far away--only a ten days' voyage by steamer,
they tell me, and my boy is away in a sailing ship. He is in China, I
reckon, now; he sailed five months ago, and did not expect to be home
under a year. I worry about him sometimes, but I know it is of no use
doing that. The