"Nothing was ever the matter with mine," said Joshua, "as long as the
provisions held out."

They made some few preparations of a necessary character. Their
clothing was in rags, and they got a new outfit at the mining store.
Each also provided himself with a rifle. The expense of these made
some inroads upon their stock of money, but by the time they were
ready to start they had eight hundred dollars between them, besides
their outfit, and this they considered satisfactory.

Kellogg at first proposed to go with them, but finally he changed his
mind.

"I am in a hurry to get home," he said, "and these mines are a sure
thing. If I were as young as you, I would take the risk. As it is,
I had better not. I've got a wife and child at home, and I want to
go back to them as soon as I can."

"You are right," said Joe.

"I've got a girl at home," said Joshua, "but I guess she'll wait for
me."

"Suppose she don't," suggested Joe.

"I shan't break my heart," said Mr. Bickford. "There's more than one
girl in the world."

"I see you are a philosopher, Mr. Bickford," said his old
schoolmaster.