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"Can't we go to California?" whimpered Love.
"No," said Gideon, "of course not. You must go home with your wives."
"And be happy," said Mrs. Foot.
"Hercules is going to California," said Gideon. "He can dig gold enough for the whole family."
Hercules was standing in the street before the door, when Pate and Wiggins approached him.
"Have you seen Mr. Love?" asked Pate.
"He is in there," said Hercules, pointing to the house.
"And Dove and Bliss?" said Pate.
"In there with Love," said Hercules.
"We have been looking for them," said Wiggins.
"The s.h.i.+p will sail in a few hours, and they should be on board," said Pate.
"I don't think they are going," said Hercules.
"Not going!" exclaimed Pate.
"I think not," said Hercules.
Two carriages were now driven up, and stopped in front of the house.
The door opened, and out came Love hanging on the arm of Cleopatra.
"Mr. Love! Mr. Love!" exclaimed Pate, "the s.h.i.+p is about to sail and you should be on board. Come with us."
"I can't go; I am married," said Love, with a look of despair.
"Come along!" said Cleopatra. And she and her little husband entered one of the carriages.
"Good heavens!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Pate.
"Married!" exclaimed Wiggins.
"Mr. Dove! Mr. Dove! you will be left!" cried Pate, as Theodosia led her husband down the steps.
"I can't go; I am married," said poor Dove, as his wife conducted him to the carriage.
"Indeed, Mr. Bliss, you will be left behind!" said Pate, as Bliss and his bride descended the steps.
"I can't go; I am married," said the little man, dolefully, as Sophonisba led him to the carriage.
"All married!" exclaimed Wiggins.
"What does it mean?" said Pate.
"Good-by, Hercules," said Gideon.
"G.o.d bless you, my son," said Mrs. Foot. And she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.
"Good-by, father! good-by, mother!" said Hercules. And then he rushed to one of the carriages, and putting in his head, exclaimed, "Good-by, sisters! good-by, little brothers!"
The three brides kissed Hercules and wept, while their husbands shook him by the hand. After many fond embraces and wishes for his welfare the carriages were driven off, leaving Hercules standing in the street, with Wiggins and Pate gazing up at him with looks of perplexity.
"Are you going to California?" asked Pate.
"I am," said the giant, wiping the tears from his eyes.
"And Love, Dove, and Bliss are not going?" said Wiggins.
"No; they have married my sisters, and are going home to be happy," said Hercules. And he wiped away some more tears that came into his eyes.
"What made them marry your sisters?" asked Pate.
"I reckon it was because they loved them," said Hercules.
"They should have given us notice," said Wiggins.
"We have lost three men from our company," said Pate.
"Did my little brothers belong to your company?" asked Hercules.
"They did," said Pate.
"And have left us without giving notice," said Wiggins.
"Will you take me in their places?" said Hercules. "I can dig more gold than they could."
"Will you join our company?" asked Pate.
"Yes, if you will give me as much gold as my three little brothers were to get. I can do more digging than all three of them."
"So he can," said Wiggins.
"I have no doubt of it," said Pate, looking at the towering form and broad shoulders of the giant with enthusiastic admiration.
After a brief conference, the proposition of Hercules was acceded to, and the three gold-hunters hurried on board the vessel, which was about to spread her white wings, and proceed on her way to the land where rivers were said to be rolling between banks of golden sands, which glittered in the last rays of the setting sun.
CHAPTER x.x.xVI.
