The boys all wanted to start at once for California and make fortunes ; the girls could hardly wait for the curious and pretty things he had picked up for them in his travels ; while the elders rejoiced heartily over the energy and good prospects of their wild boy . ` Of course you will want to go back for another stroke of luck ; and I hope you will have it . But speculation is a dangerous game , and you may lose all you 've won , ' said Mr Laurie , who had enjoyed the stirring tale as much as any of the boys , and would have liked to rough it with Dan as well as they . ` I 've had enough of it , for a while at least ; too much like gambling . The excitement is all I care for , and it is n't good for me . I have a notion to try farming out West . It 's grand on a large scale ; and I feel as if steady work would be rather jolly after loafing round so long . I can make a beginning , and you can send me your black sheep to stock my place with . I tried sheep-farming in Australia , and know something about black ones , any way . ' A laugh chased away the sober look in Dan 's face as he ended ; and those who knew him best guessed that he had learned a lesson there in San Francisco , and dared not try again . ` That is a capital idea , Dan ! ' cried Mrs Jo , seeing great hope in this desire to fix himself somewhere and help others . ` We shall know where you are , and can go and see you , and not have half the world between us . I 'll send my Ted for a visit . He 's such a restless spirit , it would do him good . With you he would be safe while he worked off his surplus energies and learned a wholesome business . ' ` I 'll use the `` shubble and de hoe '' like a good one , if I get a chance out there ; but the Speranza mines sound rather jollier , ' said Ted , examining the samples of ore Dan had brought for the Professor . ` You go and start a new town , and when we are ready to swarm we will come out and settle there . You will want a newspaper very soon , and I like the idea of running one myself much better than grinding away as I do now , ' observed Demi , panting to distinguish himself in the journalistic line . ` We could easily plant a new college there .
These sturdy Westerners are hungry for learning , and very quick to see and choose the best , ' added ever-young Mr March , beholding with his prophetic eye many duplicates of their own flourishing establishment springing up in the wide XXXXX .
Australia California Dan Demi Laurie Professor Speranza West hoe shubble