"Your idea is splendid, nothing could suit me better; but I suppose we will have to see whether we are to have a railroad or not."

"Yes, that is the sole and unavoidable condition."

"I suppose we will know next winter, and if it be decided that the Texas Pacific is to be built, I will immediately accept your proposition, and put in some money with you."

"I can take half, or a third of the stock, and put in some money for Don Gabriel and Victoriano; and Everett can come in, too. You can easily instruct Don Gabriel in the banking business."

"He would make a good cashier; he is a good bookkeeper already. I think I could put in twenty-five or thirty thousand dollars."

"If you put in twenty-five thousand, I will put in that much for each of the others, Don Gabriel, Tano and Retty, and one hundred thousand for myself, or will put in thirty thousand for Don Gabriel and ninety-five thousand for myself."

"You ought to be the president."

"No, I want you and Don Gabriel to have the entire management. You can take in Tano and Retty, if you like, if they prove themselves efficient; but as for myself, I want to be free to attend to those mines (if they are worth working) and take care of my Alameda farm. Don't you think that two hundred thousand will be enough to start? I can put in more, if necessary, by selling some of my United States bonds. I have seven hundred and fifty thousand in United States securities, which I can convert into money at any time."

"Two hundred thousand is more than enough. We can increase the capital, if we wish, afterward. I am glad you are so well fixed in government securities."

"I could have had a round million if I had not sold my stock too soon; but my father kept talking to me so much against dealing in mining stocks, that I ordered Hubert Haverly to sell all I had. Fortunately he held on for a few days to my Crown Point, and sold for nine hundred thousand dollars. I was sorry enough to have lost a million for being so obedient a son, and when in that mood I promised Hubert I would not interfere again, but let him manage my stocks as he thought best. Since then he has done very well, so that now I have seven hundred and fifty thousand in United States bonds, my farm, for which Hubert paid ninety thousand, some town lots in San Francisco, and about one hundred and sixty thousand dollars in bank, besides the interest on my bonds, which I have not drawn for over a year."

"Why, that makes you worth over a million."

"Yes, but if I had kept my Crown Point for a few days longer I could have sold for a million and a half. However, I think the Arizona mines will reward my filial obedience," added he, smiling, "and if we can start that bank I shall be satisfied. I think it is a pity that such men as Don Mariano and his sons do not have some other better-paying business than cattle-raising. It used to pay well, but I fear it never will again, while such absurdities as the '_No-Fence Laws_' are allowed to exist."

"Yes, I heard Don Mariano say to my father: 'I am sure I am to be legislated into a _rancheria_, as there is no poor-house in San Diego to put me into,' he said it smiling, but his smile was very sad. However, when the appeal is dismissed and he is rid of squatters, he will recuperate, provided, of course, there be a Texas Pacific to make San Diego lands valuable. Without it the prospect is gloomy indeed, I may well say dead."

"That's it; it all depends upon that railroad, I am sorry to say, when we are so powerless to counteract hostile influences."

"We must hope and wait."

CHAPTER XV.-_Journeying Overland._

The crashing and thundering of Yosemite's falls plunging from dizzy heights, in splendor of furious avalanches, had been left behind.

George and his three companions had given the last lingering look towards the glorious rainbows and myriads of dazzling gems glittering in the sun's rays, which pierced the vertical streams and played through the spray and mist enveloping them.

The memory of the mirror lakes, with their gorgeous borders of green, their rich bouquets of fragrant azaleas and pond lilies, as well as the towering cliffs, the overpowering heights of that wonderful valley, all made a picture to remain forevermore a cherished souvenir.

But alas, for the fatality of human joys, all is evanescent in this world of ours; the moment of parting at last came for the lovers.

The west-bound train would pass the station first, so Clarence must be the one to leave his friends.

"Write to us soon, won't you?" George said.

"Certainly, as soon as I get to San Diego."

"Write before, and let us know what you are doing."

"All right, I will do so," said he, and looked at Mercedes, who with down-cast eyes, felt his gaze but dared not look up.

"Don't fail to write the long letter you promised, after you have your talk with papa, and he has explained to mamma your position," Elvira said.

"That is my all-absorbing thought. There is no danger of my failing to see Don Mariano the first minute I can do so. I will write immediately.

To whom shall I direct my letter?"

"To me, of course," Elvira replied, "and you will write to Mercita also, after matters have been explained to mamma."

The distant rumbling as if of coming earthquake, and a far off shriek were now heard. In another minute the round-eyed monster was there, and snorting maliciously, rushed off with Clarence, leaving Mercedes leaning on George's arm, scarcely able to stand, and hardly realizing that Clarence had left them.

She was still very pale, and her hands yet trembled, when the thundering of the east-bound train was heard in the distance. Two shrieks pierced the air simultaneously, as the two trains passed each other. Her heart gave accelerated throbs when she heard those shrieks, because she knew that one of them came from the train which bore Clarence away, and it seemed to her as if expressive of his pain at being torn from her. Yes, that magician, the locomotive, understood it all, and shrieked to say he did so, because he knew she, too, wished to shriek like that.

What would you, my reader? She was so young-only seventeen-and in love.

The poor child was naturally indulging in all sorts of foolish fancies while looking at the woods through which he had disappeared.

But there was now the east-bound train, and George taking her towards it.

He laughed loudly as they walked to the cars, and Elvira asked why he laughed.

"I declare, Mercedes, you must have fascinated those two fellows more than is good for them-for there they are as large as life."

"Who, George?" Elvira asked.

"Why, who should it be but Selden and Bob Gunther."

"Oh!" ejaculated Mercedes. "Please George get a compartment where we can be by ourselves," implored she.

"I will; you shall have it if money or influence or anything short of murder can get it," said he, helping them up the car steps. "But in the meantime I am going to locate you here, while I go to interview the conductor and porter. This is the last car-you will be here unobserved.

Those fellows did not see us get in." So saying, George went off, laughing heartily.

Neither conductor nor porter were to be found in the next car, or the next to that, and George made his way through them as quickly as their jolting and swinging permitted.

At the further end of the fourth car he spied a porter talking with two foreign-looking gentlemen, who were none other than Messrs. Gunther and Selden. Their backs were turned toward him, so he had time to approach them unobserved, near enough to hear Selden say, in his anglicised accents:

"But my good fellah, we were told positively that travelers going from the Yosemite east must get on the train here."

"And so they do," George said, laying his hand on Selden's shoulder.

"By Jove! we've got 'em!" ejaculated Gunther.

"Here they are," Selden said, with radiant face, seizing hold of George's hands, which he shook emphatically.

"Look here! let me have one of his hands, won't you?" said Gunther; "what an all-absorbing fellow you continue to be, I am sure."

While George gave a hand to each, he told the porter he wanted a compartment, if such was to be had.

"There are none disengaged, sir, except some of those little ones at the end of the car, which no one wants; but you can have a section if you like," the porter replied.