I began to inquire with some
eagerness. It was but a little while ago that Silverado was a
great place. The mine--a silver mine, of course--had promised
great things. There was quite a lively population, with several
hotels and boarding-houses; and Kelmar himself had opened a branch
store, and done extremely well--"Ain't it?" he said, appealing to
his wife. And she said, "Yes; extremely well." Now there was no
one living in the town but Rufe the hunter; and once more I heard
Rufe's praises by the yard, and this time sung in chorus.
I could not help perceiving at the time that there was something
underneath; that no unmixed desire to have us comfortably settled
had inspired the Kelmars with this flow of words. But I was
impatient to be gone, to be about my kingly project; and when we
were offered seats in Kelmar's waggon, I accepted on the spot. The
plan of their next Sunday's outing took them, by good fortune, over
the border into Lake County. They would carry us so far, drop us
at the Toll House, present us to the Hansons, and call for us again
on Monday morning early.
CHAPTER II--FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF SILVERADO
We were to leave by six precisely; that was solemnly pledged on
both sides; and a messenger came to us the last thing at night, to
remind us of the hour. But it was eight before we got clear of
Calistoga: Kelmar, Mrs.
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