"Alger Jr, Horatio - The Young Explorer" - читать интересную книгу автора (Alger Horatio Jr)

"So I think."
Here the conversation was interrupted by the bustle of approaching departure.
Ben landed in the company of Miss Sinclair and Mrs. Armstrong, and the three
proceeded at once to the boarding-house, over which the latter was in future to
preside. A comfortable room was assigned to Miss Sinclair, and a small one to
Ben. They were plainly furnished, but both enjoyed being on land once more.
Our young hero, finding that his services were not required for the present,
began to explore the city. It was composed almost wholly of wooden houses; some
but one story in height, even on the leading streets, with here and there
sand-hills, where now stand stately piles and magnificent hotels. He ascended
Telegraph Hill, which then, as now, commanded a good view of the town and
harbor; yet how different a view from that presented now. Ben was partly pleased
and partly disappointed. Just from New York, he could not help comparing this
straggling village on the shores of the Pacific with the even then great city on
the Atlantic coast. He had heard so much of San Francisco that he expected
something more. To-day a man may journey across the continent and find the same
comfort, luxury, and magnificence in San Francisco which he left behind him in
New York.
In his explorations Ben came to a showy building which seemed a center of
attraction. It seemed well filled, and people were constantly coming in and
going out. Ben's curiosity was excited.
"What is that?" he asked of a man who lounged outside, with a Mexican sombrero
on his head and his hands thrust deep in his pockets.
"That's the Bella Union, my chicken."
"I don't know any better now."
"Just go in there with a pocketful of gold-dust, like I did, and you'll find
out, I reckon."
"Is it a gambling-house?" inquired Ben, rather excited, for he had heard much of
such places, but never seen one.
"It's the devil's den," said the man bitterly. "I wish I'd never seen it."
"Have you been unlucky?"
"Look here, boy, jest look at me," said the stranger. "An hour ago I was worth a
thousand dollars in gold-dust-took six months' hard work to scrape it together
at the mines-now I haven't an ounce left."
"Did you lose it there?" asked Ben, somewhat startled.
"Well, I staked it, and it's gone."
"Have you nothing left?"
"Not an ounce. I haven't enough to pay for a bed."
"What will you do for a place to sleep?" inquired Ben, to whom this seemed an
alarming state of things.
The stranger shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't worry about that," he said. "I'll stretch myself out somewhere when
night comes. I'm used to roughing it."
"Won't you get cold sleeping out of doors?" asked Ben.
The other gave a short, quick laugh.
"What do you take me for, boy? I don't look delicate, do I?"
"Not very," answered Ben, smiling.
"I've slept out under the stars pretty reg'lar for the past six months. I only
wish I was back to the mines."
"Do you think I can go in?" Ben said hesitatingly.