The disillusion and depression that overcame him suddenly were as complete as his previous expectations and hopefulness had been extravagant.

For the first time his utter unimportance in the world and his inadequacy to this new life around him came upon him crushingly.
The heat and jolting of the stage caused him to fall into a slight slumber and when he awoke he found his two neighbors had just got out at a wayside station.

They had evidently not cared to waken him to say "Good-by." From the conversation of the other passengers he learned that the tall man was a well-known gambler, and the one who looked like a farmer was a ship captain who had become a wealthy merchant.

Clarence thought he understood now why the latter had asked him if he came off a voyage, and that the nickname of "Commodore" given to him, Clarence, was some joke intended for the captain's understanding.

He missed them, for he wanted to talk to them about his relative at Sacramento, whom he was now so soon to see.