VOYAGE TO SAN FRANCISCO--THE CITY AND DIGGINGS--WE BOOK OUR PASSAGE FOR
HONOLULU--MARCUS WARNS ME OF DANGER, AND THE IDEA IS ABANDONED--WE
RETURN TO ENGLAND VIA NEW YORK--MARCUS SAILS FOR LIBERIA, AND WE SPEND
CHRISTMAS WITH AUNT BECKY.
I scarcely know why, but all of a sudden Trevor seized with a strong
desire to visit San Francisco; and as there is steam communication
between that city and Victoria, there was no difficulty in the way to
prevent its being gratified. We had fixed the day for leaving Victoria,
and were expecting Peter's return to my service, when Mr Habakkuk Gaby
walked into the room. He was wonderfully improved for the better since
we parted at Cariboo, as far as dress was concerned; indeed, his costume
was an indication of his very flourishing condition. "Well, I've
brought back Peter to you; and I kalkilate the lad's worth a hundred
good dollars more than he was when you left him with me," he observed,
after the usual salutations were over.