By the Great Horn Spoon! — Sid Fleischman

"We intend to come sailing back to Boston in a year. We will be rich as can be."

If your money has run out, why not mine some gold in California? It seemed obvious to twelve-year-old Jack and his seafaring companion and butler, Praiseworthy. Join them as they stow away on a ship bound for California with the hope of striking it rich so that Jack's Aunt Arabella won't lose her estate -- the home where she has raised Jack and his sisters since they were small. Will Jack and Praiseworthy find gold, or will they find trouble instead?