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diff --git a/34347.txt b/34347.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6297c20 --- /dev/null +++ b/34347.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8932 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Dave Porter in the South Seas, by Edward Stratemeyer + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Dave Porter in the South Seas + or, The Strange Cruise of the Stormy Petrel + +Author: Edward Stratemeyer + +Illustrator: I. B. Hazelton + +Release Date: November 17, 2010 [EBook #34347] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE PORTER IN THE SOUTH SEAS *** + + + + +Produced by Sharon Verougstraete, Curtis Weyant and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + + + +EDWARD STRATEMEYER'S BOOKS + + +Old Glory Series + +_Cloth. Illustrated. Net $1.50 per volume._ + + UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA. + A YOUNG VOLUNTEER IN CUBA. + FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS. + UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES. + THE CAMPAIGN OF THE JUNGLE. + UNDER MacARTHUR IN LUZON. + + +Soldiers of Fortune Series + +_Cloth. Illustrated. Net $1.50 per volume._ + + ON TO PEKIN. + UNDER THE MIKADO'S FLAG. + AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR. + WITH TOGO FOR JAPAN. + + +Colonial Series + +_Cloth. Illustrated. Net $1.50 per volume._ + + WITH WASHINGTON IN THE WEST. + MARCHING ON NIAGARA. + AT THE FALL OF MONTREAL. + ON THE TRAIL OF PONTIAC. + THE FORT IN THE WILDERNESS. + TRAIL AND TRADING POST. + + +Mexican War Series + +_Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume $1.00._ + + FOR THE LIBERTY OF TEXAS. + WITH TAYLOR ON THE RIO GRANDE. + UNDER SCOTT IN MEXICO. + + +Pan-American Series + +_Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume $1.00._ + + LOST ON THE ORINOCO. + THE YOUNG VOLCANO EXPLORERS. + YOUNG EXPLORERS OF THE ISTHMUS. + YOUNG EXPLORERS OF THE AMAZON. + TREASURE SEEKERS OF THE ANDES. + CHASED ACROSS THE PAMPAS. + + +Dave Porter Series + +_Cloth. Illustrated. Net $1.50 per volume._ + + DAVE PORTER AT OAK HALL. + DAVE PORTER IN THE SOUTH SEAS. + DAVE PORTER'S RETURN TO SCHOOL. + DAVE PORTER IN THE FAR NORTH. + DAVE PORTER AND HIS CLASSMATES. + DAVE PORTER AT STAR RANCH. + DAVE PORTER AND HIS RIVALS. + DAVE PORTER ON CAVE ISLAND. + DAVE PORTER AND THE RUNAWAYS. + DAVE PORTER IN THE GOLD FIELDS. + DAVE PORTER AT BEAR CAMP. + DAVE PORTER AND HIS DOUBLE. + DAVE PORTER'S GREAT SEARCH. + DAVE PORTER UNDER FIRE. + DAVE PORTER'S WAR HONORS. + + +Lakeport Series + +_Cloth. Illustrated. Net $1.50 per volume._ + + THE GUN CLUB BOYS OF LAKEPORT. + THE BASEBALL BOYS OF LAKEPORT. + THE BOAT CLUB BOYS OF LAKEPORT. + THE FOOTBALL BOYS OF LAKEPORT. + THE AUTOMOBILE BOYS OF LAKEPORT. + THE AIRCRAFT BOYS OF LAKEPORT. + + +American Boys' Biographical Series + +_Cloth. Illustrated. Net $1.50 per volume._ + + AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF WILLIAM McKINLEY. + AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT. + +DEFENDING HIS FLAG. _Price $1.50._ + +[Illustration: The canoe was sent closer and finally beached.--_Page +258._] + + + + + Dave Porter Series + + DAVE PORTER IN THE SOUTH SEAS + + OR + + THE STRANGE CRUISE OF THE STORMY PETREL + + BY + EDWARD STRATEMEYER + + Author of "Under Togo for Japan," "Under the Mikado's + Flag," "At the Fall of Port Arthur," "Old Glory + Series," "Pan-American Series," "Colonial + Series," "American Boys' Biographical + Series," etc. + + + _ILLUSTRATED BY I. B. HAZELTON_ + + + BOSTON + LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. + + + + + Published, August, 1906 + + COPYRIGHT, 1906, BY LOTHROP, LEE AND SHEPARD CO. + + _All rights reserved_ + + DAVE PORTER IN THE SOUTH SEAS + + Norwood Press + BERWICK AND SMITH CO. + NORWOOD, MASS. + U. S. A. + + + + +PREFACE + + +"Dave Porter in the South Seas" is a complete story in itself, but forms +the second volume in a line issued under the general title of "Dave +Porter Series." + +In the first volume of this series, called "Dave Porter at Oak Hall," I +introduced a typical American boy, and gave something of his haps and +mishaps at an American boarding school of to-day. At this school Dave +made a number of warm friends, and also a few enemies, and was the means +of bringing one weak and misguided youth to a realization of his better +self. Dave was poor and had to fight his way to the front, and this was +not accomplished until he had shown those around him what a truly +straightforward and manly fellow he was. + +The one great cloud over Dave's life was the question of his parentage. +He had been raised by those who knew practically nothing of his past, +and when he thought that he saw a chance to learn something about +himself, he embraced that opportunity eagerly, even though it +necessitated a long trip to the South Seas and a search among strange +islands and still stranger natives. Dave makes the trip in a vessel +belonging to the father of one of his school chums, and is accompanied +by several of his friends. Not a few perils are encountered, and what +the boys do under such circumstances I leave for the pages that follow +to tell. + +In penning this tale, I have had a twofold object in view: first, to +give my young readers a view of a long ocean trip and let them learn +something of the numerous islands which dot the South Seas, and, in the +second place, to aid in teaching that old truth--that what is worth +having is worth working for. + +Again I thank the many thousands of boys and girls, and older persons, +too, who have shown their appreciation of my efforts to amuse and +instruct them. I can only add, as I have done before, that I sincerely +trust that this volume fulfills their every reasonable expectation. + + EDWARD STRATEMEYER. + + April 10, 1906. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I. THE BOYS OF OAK HALL 1 + + II. A GLIMPSE OF THE PAST 10 + + III. THREE CHUMS ON THE RIVER 19 + + IV. A PLOT TO "SQUARE UP" 28 + + V. WHAT THE PLOT LED TO 37 + + VI. THE FUN OF A NIGHT 46 + + VII. GUS PLUM'S MYSTERIOUS OFFER 55 + + VIII. SHADOW HAMILTON'S CONFESSION 64 + + IX. ABOUT ATHLETIC CONTESTS 72 + + X. HOW A RACE WAS WON 81 + + XI. A FIGHT AND ITS RESULT 90 + + XII. SHADOW AS A SOMNAMBULIST 100 + + XIII. A PHOTOGRAPH OF IMPORTANCE 110 + + XIV. A GLEAM OF LIGHT 119 + + XV. WINDING UP THE SCHOOL TERM 128 + + XVI. PREPARING FOR A LONG TRIP 137 + + XVII. THE TRIP TO THE FAR WEST 146 + + XVIII. SAILING OF THE "STORMY PETREL" 155 + + XIX. DAYS ON THE OCEAN 164 + + XX. CAUGHT IN A STORM 174 + + XXI. CAVASA ISLAND AT LAST 183 + + XXII. ABOUT SOME MISSING MEN 192 + + XXIII. IN WHICH THE SUPERCARGO IS CORNERED 201 + + XXIV. THE CARGO MYSTERY EXPLAINED 210 + + XXV. SWEPT ONWARD BY A TIDAL WAVE 219 + + XXVI. EXPLORING A TROPICAL ISLAND 228 + + XXVII. A MAP AND A PLOT 237 + + XXVIII. MAROONED 245 + + XXIX. THE COMING OF THE NATIVES 254 + + XXX. THE RETAKING OF THE "STORMY PETREL" 262 + + XXXI. LIFTING THE CURTAIN 270 + + XXXII. HOMEWARD BOUND--CONCLUSION 278 + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + + The canoe was sent closer and finally beached + (page 258) _Frontispiece_ + + Page + + Dave cleared the last hurdle, and came in a winner 87 + + "Tell me his name, at once!" 121 + + "Good-by to Oak Hall!" 137 + + Another flash lit up the scene 179 + + The former supercargo was washed off the steps and + came down flat on his back 225 + + Billy Dill managed to catch the last one and turn + him over 233 + + "I have come about seven thousand miles to see you" 274 + + + + +DAVE PORTER IN THE SOUTH SEAS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE BOYS OF OAK HALL + + +"Hello, Dave; where are you bound?" + +"For the river, Phil. I am going out for a row. Want to come along?" + +"That suits me," answered Phil Lawrence, throwing down the astronomy he +had been studying. "But I can't stay out late," he added, reaching for +his cap. "Got two examples in algebra to do. Have you finished up?" + +"Yes," answered Dave Porter. "They are not so hard." + +"And your Latin?" + +"That's done, too." + +Phil Lawrence eyed the boy before him admiringly. "Dave, I don't see how +you manage it. You're always on deck for fun, and yet you scarcely miss +a lesson. Let me into the secret, won't you?" + +"That's right, Dave; pull the cover off clean and clear," came from a +youth who had just entered the school dormitory. "If I can get lessons +without studying----" + +"Oh, Roger, you know better than that," burst out Dave Porter, with a +smile. "Of course I have to study--just the same as anybody. But when I +study, I study, and when I play, I play. I've found out that it doesn't +pay to mix the two up--it is best to buckle your mind down to the thing +on hand and to nothing else." + +"That's the talk," came from a boy resting on one of the beds. "It puts +me in mind of a story I once heard about a fellow who fell from the roof +of a house to the ground----" + +"There goes Shadow again!" cried Roger Morr. "Shadow, will you ever get +done telling chestnuts?" + +"This isn't a chestnut, and I haven't told it over twice in my life. The +man fell to the ground past an open window. As he was going down, he +grabbed another man at the window by the hair. The hair--it was a +wig--came off. 'Say,' yells the man at the window. 'Leave me alone. If +you want to fall, 'tend to business, and fall!'" And a smile passed +around among the assembled schoolboys. + +"Perhaps Roger would like to come along," continued Dave. "I was going +out for a row, and Phil said he would go, too," he explained. + +"That suits me," answered Roger Morr. "It will give us an appetite for +supper." + +"What about you, Shadow?" and Dave turned to the youth on the bed. + +Maurice Hamilton shook his head slightly. "Not to-day. I am going to +take a nap, if I can get it. Remember, I was up half the night." + +"So he was," affirmed Phil Lawrence. "But he hasn't said what it was +about." + +"Not much," growled the boy called Shadow. He was very tall and very +thin, hence the nickname. Turning over, he pretended to go to sleep. + +"There is something wrong about Shadow," said Dave as he and his two +companions left the school building and hurried for the river at the +back of the grounds. "He has not been himself at all to-day." + +"I think he has had something to do with that bully, Gus Plum," said +Phil. "I saw them together two days ago, and both were talking +earnestly. I don't know exactly what it was about. But I know Shadow has +been very much disturbed ever since." + +"Well, the best he can do is to leave Plum alone," returned Dave, +decidedly. "I can tell you, fellows, that chap is not to be trusted; you +know that as well as I do." + +"Of course we know it," said Roger Morr. "Didn't I warn you against Gus +Plum before you ever came to Oak Hall? And now that Chip Macklin has +turned over a new leaf and refused to be Plum's toady any longer, the +bully is worse than ever. Only yesterday Buster Beggs caught him back +of the gym., abusing one of the little fellows. Buster is generally too +lazy to rouse up, but he said it made him mad, and he told Plum to stop, +or it would be the worse for him, and Plum went off grumbling." + +"It's a great pity Plum can't reform, like Macklin. I declare, Chip is +getting to be quite a decent sort, now." + +"It's not in Plum to reform," exclaimed Phil Lawrence. "If I were Doctor +Clay, I'd get rid of him. Why, such a chap can keep a whole school in +hot water." + +"Somebody said that Plum's father had lost a good bit of his money," +observed Roger Morr. "If that is so, it must be a bitter pill for Gus to +swallow." + +"Well, I wouldn't taunt him with it, if it's true," replied Dave, +quickly. + +"Oh, I shan't say a word--although he deserves to have it rubbed in, for +the way he treated you, Dave." + +"Yes, that was a jolly shame," commented Phil. "It makes me angry every +time I think of it." + +"I am willing to let bygones be bygones," said Dave, with a little +smile. "As it was, it only showed me who my true friends were, and are. +I can afford to get along without the others." + +"And especially after we waxed Plum and his crowd at baseball, and then +won our great victory over the Rockville boys," said Roger. "Oh, but +wasn't that a dandy victory! And didn't we have a dandy celebration +afterwards!" + +"And do you remember the big cannon cracker we set off in the +courtyard?" Dave's eyes began to twinkle. "I heard afterwards that Pop +Swingly, the janitor, was scared almost to death. He thought somebody +was trying to blow up the building." + +"Yes, and Job Haskers said if he could catch the fellow who----" Phil +broke off short. "Here comes Gus Plum, now," he whispered. + +The others looked up, and saw coming toward them across the school +grounds a tall, broad-shouldered individual, loudly dressed, and with a +shock of uncombed hair and a cap set over on one ear. + +"Hello, Plum," said Dave, pleasantly, while his two companions nodded to +the newcomer. + +"Hello, yourself," came shortly from Gus Plum. "Hold up a minute," he +went on, planting himself in front of the three. + +"What's wanted?" questioned Phil, in a little surprise. + +"I want to know if Shadow Hamilton has been saying anything about me to +you," growled the bully of Oak Hall. + +"I haven't heard anything," answered Phil, while Dave and Roger shook +their heads. + +"Humph! He had better not!" muttered Plum, with a scowl. "If he +does----" The bully did not finish. + +"I hope there is no more trouble in the air," was Dave's comment. + +"There will be trouble, if Hamilton opens his trap. I won't allow +anybody in this school to talk about me, and all of you had better +understand it," and the bully glared at the others defiantly. + +"I am sure I don't know what you are talking about," said Dave. "I +haven't said anything about you." + +"And you haven't heard anything?" inquired Gus Plum, with a look of keen +anxiety showing on his coarse face. + +"I've heard some roundabout story about your father losing money," said +Roger, before Dave could answer. "If it is true, I am sorry for you, +Gus." + +"Bah! I don't want your sympathy. Did Hamilton tell you that story?" + +"No." + +"I suppose you are spreading it right and left, eh? Making me out to be +a pauper, like your friend Porter, eh?" continued Gus Plum, working +himself up into a magnificent condition of ill-humor. + +"I am not spreading it right and left," answered Roger, quietly. + +"And I am not a pauper, Plum!" exclaimed Dave, with flashing eyes. "I +thought we had settled that difference of opinion long ago. If you are +going to open it up again----" + +"Oh, don't mind what he says, Dave," broke in Phil, catching his chum by +the arm. "You know nobody in the school pays attention to him." + +"I won't let any of you run me down!" roared Gus Plum. "Now, just you +remember that! If any of you say a word about me or my father, I'll make +it so hot for you that you'll wish you had never been born. My father +has lost a little money, but it ain't a flea-bite to what he is worth, +and I want everybody in this school to know it." + +"And I want you to know that you cannot continue to insult me," blazed +out Dave. "I am not as rich as most of the boys here, but----" + +"He is just as good as any of us, Plum, remember that," finished Phil. +"It is an outrage for you to refer to Dave as a pauper." + +"Well, didn't he come from the poorhouse, and ain't he a nobody?" +sneered the bully. + +"He is a better fellow than you will ever be, Plum," said Roger, warmly. +He and Phil were both holding Dave back. "Don't listen to him, Dave." + +"Yes, but, fellows----" Dave's face was white, and he trembled all over. + +"I know it cuts you," whispered Roger. "But Plum is a--a brute. Don't +waste your breath on him." + +"Ho! so I am a brute, am I?" blustered the big bully, clenching his +fists. + +"Yes, you are," answered Roger, boldly. "Any fellow with a spark of +goodness and honor in him would not speak to Dave as you have done. It +simply shows up your own low-mindedness, Plum." + +"Don't you preach!" shouted the bully. "Say another word, and +I'll--I'll----" + +"We are not afraid of you," said Phil, firmly. "We've told you that +before. We intend to leave you alone, and the best thing you can do is +to leave us alone." + +"Bah! I know you, and you can't fool me! You say one thing to my face +and another behind my back. But don't you dare to say too much; and you +can tell Shadow Hamilton not to say too much, either. If you do--well, +there will be war, that's all--and all of you will get what you don't +want!" And with this threat, Gus Plum hurried around a corner of the +school building and out of sight. + +"What a cad!" murmured Phil. + +"He is worked up; no disputing that," was Roger's comment. "He acts as +if he was afraid something was being told that he wished to keep a +secret." + +The hot blood had rushed to Dave's face, and he was still trembling. + +"I wish I had knocked him down," he said in a low tone. + +"What good would it have done?" returned Roger. "It would only get you +into trouble with the doctor, and that is just what Plum would like. +When it comes to a standing in the class, he knows he hasn't as much to +lose as you have. He is almost at the bottom already, while you are +close to the top." + +"But, Roger, he said--oh, I can't bear to think about it! I suppose he +blabs it to everybody, too, and they will think----" + +"Don't give it another thought, Dave," said Phil, soothingly, and he +turned his chum toward the river again. "Dismiss Plum and all his +meanness from your mind." + +"I wish I could," answered Dave, and his voice had a great deal of +seriousness in it. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A GLIMPSE OF THE PAST + + +As the three boys hurried to the river, Dave Porter felt that all his +anticipated sport for that afternoon had been spoiled. He had been +brought face to face once more with the one dark spot in his history, +and his heart was filled with a bitterness which his two loyal chums +could scarcely comprehend. + +Dave was indeed a poorhouse boy, and of unknown parentage. When but a +few years of age, he had been found one evening in the summer wandering +close to the railroad tracks just outside of the village of Crumville. +How he was found by some farm hands and taken to a house and fed and +cared for otherwise, has already been related in the first volume of +this series, entitled "Dave Porter at Oak Hall." + +At first, every effort to learn his identity was made, but, this +failing, he was turned over to the poorhouse authorities. He said his +name was Dave, or Davy, and sometimes added Porter, and then Dun-Dun, +and from this he was called Dave Porter--a name which suited him very +well. + +Dave remained at the poorhouse until he was about nine years old, when +he was taken out of that institution by a broken-down college professor +named Caspar Potts, who had turned farmer. He remained with the old +professor for several years, and a warm friendship sprang up between the +pair. Caspar Potts gave Dave a fair education, and, in return, the boy +did all he could for the old man, who was not in the best of health, and +rather eccentric at times. + +Unfortunately for Professor Potts, there was in the neighborhood a +hard-hearted money-lender named Aaron Poole, who had a mortgage on the +old educator's farm. The money-lender had a son named Nat, who was a +flippant youth, and this boy had trouble with Dave. Then the +money-lender would have sold out the old professor, had not aid come +opportunely from a most unexpected quarter. + +In this volume it is unnecessary to go into the details of how Dave +became acquainted with Mr. Oliver Wadsworth, a rich manufacturer of the +neighborhood, and how the boy saved Jessie Wadsworth from being burned +to death when the gasoline tank of an automobile exploded and enveloped +the young miss in flames. For this service the Wadsworths were all more +than grateful, and when Dave told his story Oliver Wadsworth made the +discovery that Caspar Potts was one of the professors under whom he had +studied in his college days. + +"I must meet him and talk this over," said the rich manufacturer, and +the upshot of the matter was that the professor and Dave were invited to +dine at the Wadsworth mansion. + +This dinner proved a turning point in the life of the poorhouse youth. +Mr. Wadsworth had lost a son by death, and Dave reminded him strongly of +his boy. It was arranged that Caspar Potts should come to live at the +Wadsworth mansion, and that Dave should be sent to some first-class +boarding school, the manufacturer agreeing to pay all bills, because of +the boy's bravery in behalf of Jessie. + +Oak Hall was the school selected, a fine institution, located not far +from the village of Oakdale. The school was surrounded by oaks, which +partly shaded a beautiful campus, and the grounds, which were on a +slight hill, sloped down in the rear to the Leming River. + +Dave's heart beat high when he started off for Oak Hall, and he had a +curious experience before he reached that institution. The house of a +Senator Morr was robbed, and the boy met the robber on the train, and, +after a good deal of trouble, managed to recover a valise containing a +large share of the stolen goods. This threw Dave into the company of +Roger Morr, the senator's son, and the two became warm friends. Roger +was on his way to Oak Hall, and it was through him that Dave became +acquainted with Phil Lawrence--reckoned by many the leader of the +academy; Maurice Hamilton, generally called Shadow; Sam Day, Joseph +Beggs,--who always went by the name of Buster, because he was so +fat,--and a number of others. In Crumville Dave had had one boy friend, +Ben Basswood, and Ben also came to Oak Hall, and so did Nat Poole, as +flippant and loud-mouthed as ever. + +But Dave soon found out that Nat Poole was not half so hard to get along +with as was Gus Plum, the big bully of the Hall. There was a difference +of opinion almost from the start, and Plum did all he could to annoy +Dave and his friends. Plum wanted to be a leader in baseball and in +athletics generally, and when he found himself outclassed, he was +savagely bitter. + +"I'll get square!" he told his toady, Chip Macklin, more than once; but +his plans to injure Dave and his chums fell through, and, in the end, +Macklin became disgusted with the bully and left him. Most of the boys +wanted nothing to do with the boy who had been the bully's toady, but +Dave put in a good word for him, and, in the end, Macklin was voted a +pretty fair fellow, after all. + +With the toady gone, Gus Plum and Nat Poole became very thick, and Poole +lost no opportunity of telling how Dave had been raised at the +poorhouse. Gus Plum took the matter up, and for a while poor Dave was +made miserable by those who turned their backs on him. But Doctor Clay, +who presided over the academy, sided with Dave, and so did all of the +better class of students, and soon the affair blew over, at least for +the time being. But now the bully was agitating it again, as we have +just seen. + +During the winter term at Oak Hall one thing of importance had occurred, +of which some particulars must be given, for it has much to do with our +present tale. Some of the boys, including Dave, had skated up the river +to what was locally called the old castle--a deserted stone dwelling +standing in a wilderness of trees. They had arrived at this structure +just in time to view a quarrel between two men--one a sleek-looking +fellow and the other an elderly man, dressed in the garb of a sailor. +The sleek-looking individual was the man who had robbed Senator Morr's +house, and just as he knocked the old sailor senseless to the ground, +the boys rushed in and made him a prisoner. + +When the old sailor came to his senses, he stared at Dave as if the boy +were a ghost. He said his name was Billy Dill and that he had sailed the +South Seas and many other portions of the briny deep. He insisted that +he knew Dave well, and wanted to know why the youth had shaved off his +mustache. The boys imagined that the tar was out of his head, and he +was removed to a hospital. Later on, as Dave was so interested in the +man, Mr. Wadsworth had him taken to a private sanitarium. Here he +lingered for awhile between life and death, but at last grew better +physically, although his mind was sadly unbalanced, and he could recall +the past only in a hazy way. + +Yet he insisted upon it, over and over again, that he had met Dave +before, or, if not the youth, then somebody who looked exactly like him, +although older. Pressed to tell his story, he said he had met this man +on Cavasa Island, in the South Seas. He also mentioned a crazy nurse and +a lost child, but could give no details, going off immediately into a +wild flight about the roaring of the sea in his ears and the dancing of +the lighthouse beacon in his eyes. + +"He must know something of my past," Dave said, when he came away from +visiting the old tar. "Oh, if only his mind were perfectly clear!" + +"We must wait," answered Oliver Wadsworth, who was along. "I think his +mind will clear after awhile. It is certainly clearer now than it was +some months ago." + +"The man he knows may be my father, or some close relative." + +"That may be true, Dave. But don't raise any false hopes. I should not +like to see you disappointed for the world." + +Dave knew that Phil Lawrence's father was a shipping merchant of +considerable standing, owning an interest in a great number of vessels. +He went to Phil and learned that the boy was going to take a trip to the +South Seas that very summer, and was going to stop at Cavasa Island. + +"I am going on business for my father," explained Phil. "It is something +special, of which he wishes the supercargo to know nothing." And then he +told Dave all he knew of Cavasa Island and its two towns and their +inhabitants. After that, Dave sent a letter to both of the towns, asking +if there were any persons there by the name of Porter, or if any +English-speaking person had lost a child years ago, but so far no answer +had been received. + +Of course, Phil wanted to know why Dave was so anxious to learn about +his proposed trip, and, in the end, the poorhouse boy told his story, to +which his chum listened with interest. + +"Phil, what would you say if I wanted to go with you on that trip to +Cavasa Island?" Dave had said, after his story was finished. + +"Do you really mean it, Dave?" had been the return question, and Phil's +face had shown his astonishment. + +"I do--if matters turn out as I think they may." + +"That is, if that old sailor gets around so that he can tell a pretty +straight story?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I'd like your company, first-rate. But--" Phil drew a deep +breath--"I'd hate to see you go on a wild-goose chase. Think of +traveling thousands of miles and then being disappointed at the end of +the trip. That old sailor may simply be crazy." + +"I don't think so. Why should he mention a lost child--a boy?" + +"Well, that is the only thing that makes it look as if there was +something in the story. But couldn't I do the looking for you?" + +"No, I'd prefer to do that myself. Besides, you must remember, that +sailor did not come directly from Cavasa Island to this country. So, +whoever was on the island--I mean the person I may be interested in--may +have gone elsewhere--in which case I should want to follow him." + +"I see. Well, Dave, do what you think is best, and may good luck go with +you!" Phil had said; and there the conversation on the subject had come +to a close. + +It was not until a week later that Dave had called on Billy Dill +again--to find the old tar sitting on a porch of the sanitarium, smoking +his pipe contentedly. + +"On deck again, my hearty!" had been the greeting. "Give us your +flipper," and a warm handshake had followed. + +But the visit had been productive of little good. Billy Dill could +remember nothing clearly, excepting that he knew a man who looked very +much like Dave, and that that man had been his friend while he was +stranded on Cavasa Island and looking for a chance to ship. He said he +could recall a bark named the _Mary Sacord_ and a crazy nurse called +Polly, but that was all. + +"I had a picter o' that man once--the feller that looks like you," he +said. "But I dunno what's become o' it," and then he had scratched his +head and gone off into a rambling mumble that meant nothing at all. And +Dave had gone back to Oak Hall more mystified than ever. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THREE CHUMS ON THE RIVER + + +Down at the boathouse the three boys procured a round-bottomed rowboat, +and were soon on the river. Roger took one pair of oars and motioned to +Phil to let Dave take the other. + +"Let him do the most of the rowing--it will help him to forget his +troubles," he whispered, and Phil understood. + +It was a beautiful afternoon in the early summer, with just the faintest +breeze stirring the trees which lined the river bank on either side. The +boys pulled a good stroke, and Roger purposely kept Dave at it, until +both were thoroughly warmed up. + +"You're improving in your stroke," remarked Dave, as they came to a bend +in the watercourse and rested on their oars for a minute. "Perhaps you +are training for the boat races." + +"Well, I shouldn't mind going into a race," returned the senator's son. +"It would be lots of sport, even if I didn't win." + +"I am going into some of the field contests this summer," said Phil. +"That is, if they come off before I go away." + +"When do you expect to start?" + +"I don't know yet. It depends upon when one of my father's vessels gets +back to San Francisco and ships her cargo." + +"I've heard a rumor that the Hall is to be shut up early this summer," +said Dave. "The doctor is thinking of building an addition before the +fall term begins, and he wants to give the masons and carpenters as much +of a show as possible." + +"Do you remember that day we were on the river, and Gus Plum ran into us +with that gasoline launch?" observed Phil. "My, what a mess we were in!" + +"I've had trouble with him ever since I clapped eyes on him," answered +Dave. + +"Oh, let's talk about something else!" cried Roger. "No matter where we +start from, we always end up with Gus Plum. And, by the way, do you +notice how thick he is with Nat Poole since Macklin has refused to toady +to him?" + +"They are almost of a stripe, Roger," answered Dave. "I know Nat Poole +thoroughly. The only difference is that Poole is more of a dandy when it +comes to dress." + +"Poole says he is going in for athletics this summer," said Phil. "I +overheard him telling Luke Watson so." + +"Is Luke going into training?" + +"I don't think so. He loves his banjo and guitar too much." + +"Well, I'd love them, too, if I could play as he does," returned Dave. + +"Luke told me he had noticed something strange about Shadow," put in +Roger. "He asked me if I knew what made Shadow so worried. He said he +hadn't heard a funny story out of him for a week, and that's unusual, +for Shadow is generally telling about a dozen a day." + +"It is possible that he may be fixing for a regular spell of sickness," +was Dave's comment. "That's the way some things come on, you know." + +The boys resumed their rowing, and Roger put on a burst of speed that +made Dave work with a will in order to keep up with him. Then, of a +sudden, there came a sharp click and the senator's son tumbled over +backwards, splashing the water in every direction. + +"Whoop! look out!" yelled Phil. "I don't want any shower-bath! Did you +catch a crab, Roger?" + +"N--no, I didn't," spluttered the senator's son, when he had regained a +sitting position. "There's the trouble," and he pointed to a broken +oarlock. + +"That's too bad," declared Dave. "Boys, we shall have to have that fixed +before we take the boat back to the boathouse--or else we'll have to +tell Mr. Dale." The man he mentioned was the first assistant instructor +at the Hall. + +"Let us row down to Ike Rasmer's boathouse and see if he will sell us an +oarlock," suggested Roger. "He ought to have plenty on hand." + +"All right," said Phil; "and, as both of you must be tired now, I'll +take my turn," and he motioned to Dave to change seats with him, while +Roger drew in his remaining oar. + +The man whom Roger had mentioned was a boatman who rented out craft of +various kinds. His boathouse was about half a mile away, but Phil +covered the distance with ease. They found Rasmer out on his little +dock, painting a tiny sloop a dark green. + +"How do you do, boys?" he called out, pleasantly. "Out for an airing?" + +"No, we came down to see if you needed any painters," answered Dave. + +"Well, I dunno. What do you think of this job of mine? Ain't it pretty +slick?" And Ike Rasmer surveyed his work with evident satisfaction. + +"It's all right, Ike," answered Roger. "When you give up boating, take +to house-painting, by all means." + +"House-painting?" snorted the man. "Not fer me! I ain't goin' to fall +off no slippery ladder an' break my neck. I'd rather paint signs. What's +that you've got, a broken oarlock?" + +"Yes, and I want to know if you'll sell me one to match?" + +"Sure I will," answered Ike Rasmer, with a twinkle in his eye. He threw +down his paint brush and walked into his boathouse. "Here you be, my +boy!" And he held up the parts of a broken oarlock. + +"Well--I--I didn't want a broken one," stammered the senator's son. + +"Didn't ye say you wanted one to match? Ho, ho! I reckon I cotched you +that trip, didn't I?" And the man continued to laugh, and Dave and Phil +joined in. + +"Ike must have swallowed a whetstone this morning," observed Dave. + +"A whetstone?" queried the old boatman. "Why?" + +"You're so awfully sharp." + +"Ho, ho! That's one on me, sure enough." The man slapped Dave on the +shoulder. "You Hall boys are the cute ones, ain't ye? Well, if you want +a good oarlock, you shall have it," and he brought forth a number, that +Roger might make his selection. The senator's son did so, and paid for +it out of his pocket-money. + +"We ought to pay for part of that," said Dave, always ready to do what +was fair. + +"Oh, don't bother, Dave; it's only a trifle," answered his chum. + +"Say, some of you boys are out pretty late nights," observed Ike Rasmer, +as he resumed his painting, and while Roger was adjusting the new +oarlock to the gunwale of the Hall boat. + +"Out late?" queried Phil. + +"Yes, mighty late." + +"I haven't been out for a month." + +"Nor I," added Dave and Roger. + +"I see that young Hamilton not long ago--the fellow that tells stories +whenever he can get the chance. And I saw Gus Plum, too." + +"Together?" asked Dave, with sudden interest. + +"Oh, no. But they were out the same night." + +"Late?" + +"I should say so--after twelve o'clock." + +"What were they doing, Ike?" asked Phil. + +"Rowing along the river. Each had a small boat--I guess one from the +school. It was bright moonlight, and I saw them quite plainly when they +passed Robbin's Point, where I was fishing." + +"And each was alone?" + +"Yes. Hamilton was right ahead of Plum, and both rowing along at good +speed, too. I thought it was mighty strange, and made up my mind I'd ask +you boys about it. But, say, I don't want you to get them into trouble," +added the old boatman, suddenly. "They are both customers of mine, +sometimes." + +"I shan't say anything," answered Roger. "But this puzzles me," he +continued, turning to his friends. + +"Each boy was alone in a boat?" queried Dave. + +"Yes." + +"And Plum was following Hamilton?" + +"He seemed to be. Anyway, his boat was behind the other." + +"Was anybody else around?" asked Phil. + +"I didn't see a soul, and the river was almost as bright as day." + +"Did you see them a second time?" asked Dave. + +"No, for I was getting ready to go home when they came along. I don't +know where they went, or when they got back." + +Ike Rasmer could tell no more than this, and as it was getting late the +three boys lost no time in shoving off once more and pulling for the +Hall boathouse. + +"This stumps me," declared the senator's son. "What do you make of it? +Do you think Shadow and Plum are up to something between them?" + +"No, I don't," answered Dave, decidedly. "Shadow is not the fellow to +train with Gus Plum. He doesn't like the bully any more than we do." + +"No wonder Shadow feels sleepy, if he spends his nights on the river," +said Phil. "But I can't make out what he is up to, I must confess. If it +was some fun, he would surely take somebody with him." + +The boys pulled with all their strength, yet when they arrived at the +Hall boathouse, they found that they were exactly twelve minutes behind +the supper hour. + +"No time to wash up," said Roger. "We'll be lucky if we can slip into +the dining room without being observed." + +With all speed they tied up their craft and ran for the school building. +They were just entering the side door when they were brought face to +face with Job Haskers, the second assistant teacher and a man who was +very dictatorial in his manner. + +"Stop!" cried Job Haskers, catching Dave by the shoulder. "What do you +mean by coming in at this hour?" + +"We were out on the river and broke an oarlock, Mr. Haskers," replied +Dave. + +"Humph! an old excuse." + +"It is the truth, sir," and Dave's face flushed. + +"I broke the oarlock," said Roger. "We got back as soon as we could--as +soon as we got a new lock at Ike Rasmer's boathouse." + +"We cannot allow pupils to come in half an hour late," went on Job +Haskers, loftily. "Directly after supper, report to me in classroom 7," +and he passed on. + +"We are in for it now," grumbled Phil. "It's a shame! It wasn't our +fault that the oarlock broke." + +"Wonder what he will make us do?" came from the senator's son. + +"Something not very pleasant," answered Dave. He had encountered the +second assistant many times before and knew the harsh instructor well. + +They were soon in their seats at the table. Some of the other students +looked at them inquiringly, but nothing was said. Not far from Dave sat +Gus Plum and Nat Poole, and both favored the poor boy with a scowl, to +which Dave paid no attention. + +The meal finished, Dave, Phil, and the senator's son brushed up a bit, +and then hurried to classroom 7, located in an angle of the building. +They were soon joined by Job Haskers. + +"The three of you may remain here and each write the word 'Oarlock' two +hundred times," said the second assistant. "As soon as all of you have +finished, ring the bell, and I will come and inspect the work. It must +be neatly done, or I shall make you do it over again." And then he left +them to themselves, going out and closing the door tightly after him. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A PLOT TO "SQUARE UP" + + +"Phew! but this is a real picnic!" came softly from Phil. "He's as kind +as they make 'em, isn't he?" + +"It's a jolly shame," grumbled the senator's son. "To make us stay in +this stuffy classroom on such a fine evening as this." + +"I am glad I finished with my lessons," was Dave's comment. "But I am +sorry for you two. But, as there is no help for it, we might as well get +to work. The sooner begun, the sooner done, you know." And he began to +write away vigorously on one of the pads the teacher had pointed out to +them. + +"I wish old Haskers had to write it himself," growled Roger, as he, too, +went at the task. "Oh, but isn't he the mean one! I don't see why the +doctor keeps him." + +"He's smart, that's why," answered Phil. "I wish we could get square for +this. I'm sure Doctor Clay would have excused us, had he known the +facts. I've a good mind to go to him about it." + +"Don't you do it, Phil," cried Dave. "It's not worth it. Get to +work--and we'll think about squaring up afterwards." + +In a minute more all three of the boys were writing as rapidly as their +fingers could travel over the paper. Roger was the best penman of the +three and finished several minutes before the others. He began to walk +up and down the room, whistling softly to himself. + +"Yes, I go in for squaring up with old Haskers," he said, rather loudly. +"He's about as mean----" And then he stopped short, as the door swung +open and the second assistant appeared. + +"Huh!" he snorted. "Were you alluding to me, Master Morr?" he demanded. + +Roger stammered, and his face turned red. + +"Her--here are the words," he stammered. + +"Two hundred, eh? Well, you may write a hundred more, and after this be +careful of what you say." And then Job Haskers turned to Dave and Phil. +"That is all right, you two can go." + +"Can I stay with Roger?" asked Dave. + +"No, I shall remain here myself," was the cold answer, and then Dave and +Phil had to leave. + +"I'll wager Roger feels like hugging him," was Phil's comment. "He will +want to get square now, sure." + +The two boys went out on the campus for awhile and then up to their +dormitory, where they found a small crowd assembled, some talking, and a +few studying. The door to the adjoining dormitory was open, and there +Luke Watson was playing on a banjo, while another student was singing a +negro song in a subdued voice. + +"I say, Dave, will you explain something to me?" said a voice from a +corner. The question came from Chip Macklin, Gus Plum's former toady. +The small boy was working over a sheet of algebra sums. + +"Certainly," said Dave, readily, and sat down by the other's side. "Now, +what is it? Oh, I see. I got twisted on that myself once. This is the +proper equation, and you can reduce it this way," and he was soon deep +in the problem, with Chip looking on admiringly. When the problem had +been worked out and explained in detail, the small boy was very +grateful. + +"And, Dave," he went on, in a low tone, "I--I want to tell you +something. Be on your guard against Plum and Nat Poole." + +"Why?" + +"Because they are plotting mischief. I heard them talking in the gym. I +don't know what it is about, but they are surely up to something." + +"I'll remember, Chip, and much obliged," answered Dave, and then he +turned to the other boys, leaving the small youth to finish his +examples. + +"Hello, where have you been?" came from stout and lazy Buster Beggs. He +was sprawled out on the end of a couch. "I noticed you didn't get to +supper till late, and went right off, directly you had finished." + +"Had a special session with Haskers," answered Dave. "He wants me to +improve my handwriting." + +There was a smile at this, for all the boys knew what it meant. + +"Oh, that fellow is a big peach, he is!" came from Sam Day, who sat in +one of the windows. "Yesterday, he made me stay in just because I asked +Tolliver for a lead pencil." + +"He was mad because Polly Vane caught him in an error in grammar," added +another youth. "Didn't you, Polly?" he added, addressing a rather +girlish-looking boy who sat near Chip Macklin. + +"I did," was the soft answer. "It was rather a complicated sentence, but +perfectly clear to me," explained the boy. + +"I don't wonder, for Polly fairly lives on grammar and language," put in +Phil. "I don't believe anybody could trip him up," and this compliment +made Bertram Vane blush like a girl. He was in reality one of the best +scholars in the academy. + +"Which puts me in mind of a story," came from one of the cots. "An----" + +"Hello, are you awake, Shadow?" cried Sam Day. "I thought you were +snoozing." + +"So I was, but I am slept out, and feel better now. As I was saying, an +old farmer and a college professor went out rowing together. Says the +college professor, 'Can you do sums in algebra?' 'No,' answers the +farmer. 'Then you have missed a great opportunity,' says the professor. +Just then the boat struck a rock and went over. 'Save me!' yells the +professor. 'Can't you swim?' asked the farmer. 'No.' 'Then you have lost +the chance of your life!' says the farmer, and strikes out and leaves +the professor to take care of himself." + +"Two hundredth time!" came in a solemn voice from the doorway to the +next room. + +"Wha--what do you mean? I never told any story two hundred times," cried +Shadow Hamilton. "And that puts me in mind----" + +"Shadow, if you tell another as bad as that, I'll heave you out of the +window," came from Sam Day. "That has moss on it three inches th----" + +"Oh, I know you, Lazy; you're jealous, that's all. You couldn't tell a +story if you stood on your head." + +"Can you, Shadow?" and then a general laugh went up, in the midst of +which the door opened, and Job Haskers entered. On catching sight of the +unpopular teacher, Sam Day lost no time in sliding from the window-sill +to a chair. + +"Boys, we cannot permit so much noise up here!" cried Job Haskers. "And +that constant strumming on a banjo must be stopped. Master Day, were +you sitting in the window?" + +"I--er--I think I was," stammered Sam. + +"You are aware that is against the rules. If you fell out, the Hall +management would be held responsible. After school to-morrow you can +write the words, 'Window-sill,' two hundred times. Hamilton, get up, and +straighten out that cot properly. I am ashamed of you." And then the +hated teacher passed on to the next dormitory. + +"I told you to get out of the window," said Macklin, as soon as they +were alone. "I was caught that way myself once, and so was Gus Plum." + +"Lazy is going to learn how to write a little better, too," said Dave, +with a grin. + +At that moment Roger came in, looking thoroughly disgusted. + +"Made me write half of it over again," he explained. "Oh, it's simply +unbearable! Say, I am going to do something to get square, as sure as +eggs is eggs." + +"Eggs are eggs," corrected Polly Vane, sweetly. + +"Oh, thanks, Polly. What about a tailor's goose?" + +"Eh?" + +"If one tailor's goose is a goose, what are half a dozen?" + +"Tailor's geese, I suppose--but, no, you'd not say that. Let me see," +and the girlish youth dove into his books. "That's a serious question, +truly!" he murmured. + +"Well, I am willing to get square, too," put in Sam Day. + +"So am I," grunted Shadow Hamilton. "There was no need to call me down +as he did, simply because the cot was mussed up a bit. The question is, +what's to be done?" + +The boys paused and looked at each other. Then a sudden twinkle came +into Dave's clear eyes. + +"If we could do it, it would be great," he murmured. + +"Do what, Dave?" asked several at once. + +"I don't care to say, unless I am certain we are all going to stand +together." + +"We are!" came in a chorus from all but Polly Vane, who was still deep +in his books. + +"What about you, Polly?" called out Roger. + +"Me? Why--er--if a tailor's goose is a real goose, not a flatiron +goose----" + +"Oh, drop the goose business. We are talking about getting square with +Haskers. Will you stand with the crowd?" + +"You see, we don't want to make gooses of ourselves," said Phil, with a +wink at Polly Vane. + +"I'll stand by you," said Polly. "But please don't ask me to do +something ridiculous, as when we dumped that feather bed down from the +third-story landing, and caught those visitors, instead of Pop Swingly." + +"I was only thinking of Farmer Cadmore's ram," said Dave, innocently. +"He is now tied up in a field below here. I don't think he likes to be +out over night. He'd rather be under shelter--say in Mr. Haskers' room." + +"Whoop!" cried Roger. "Just the thing! We will store him away in old +Haskers' closet." + +This plan met with instant approval, and the boys drew straws as to +which of them should endeavor to execute the rather difficult +undertaking. Three were to go, and the choice fell upon Dave, Phil, and +Sam Day. The others promised to remain on guard and issue a warning at +the first intimation of danger. + +"I think the coast will be fairly clear," said Sam Day. "I heard Haskers +tell Doctor Clay he was going out to-night and would not be back until +eleven, or after. That ought to give us plenty of time in which to do +the trick." + +The three boys could not leave the dormitory until the monitor, Jim +Murphy, had made the rounds and seen to it that all was right for the +night and the lights put out. Then they stole out into the hallway and +down a back stairs. Soon they were out of the building and making for +Farmer Cadmore's place. + +As they left the Hall they did not see that they were being watched, yet +such was a fact. Nat Poole had been out on a special errand and had seen +them depart. At once that student hurried to tell his friend, Gus Plum. + +"Going out, eh?" said the big bully. + +"Yes, and I heard them say something about making it warm when they got +back," returned Nat Poole. + +"Humph! Nat, we must put a spoke in their wheel." + +"I'm willing. What shall we do?" + +"I'll think something up--before they get back," replied the bully of +Oak Hall. "They haven't any right to be out, and I guess we've got 'em +just where we want 'em." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +WHAT THE PLOT LED TO + + +It was a clear night, with no moon, but with countless stars bespangling +the heavens. All was quiet around Oak Hall, and the three boys found it +an easy matter to steal across the campus, gain the shade of a row of +oaks, and get out on the side road leading to the Cadmore farm. + +"We don't want to get nabbed at this," was Phil's comment. "If Farmer +Cadmore caught us, he would make it mighty warm. He's as irritable as +old Farmer Brown, and you'll remember what a time we had with him and +his calf." + +"Does he keep a dog?" asked Dave. "I haven't any use for that sort of an +animal, if he is savage." + +"No, he hasn't any dog," answered Phil. "I was asking about it last +week." But Phil was mistaken; Jabez Cadmore did have a dog--one he had +purchased a few days before. He was a good-sized mastiff, and far from +gentle. + +Walking rapidly, it did not take the three boys long to reach the first +of Farmer Cadmore's fields. This was of corn, and passing through it +and over a potato patch, they came to an orchard, wherein they knew the +ram was tied to one of the trees. + +"Now, be careful!" whispered Dave, as he leaped the rail-fence of the +orchard. "Somebody may be stirring around the farmhouse"--pointing to +the structure some distance away. + +"Oh, they must be in bed by this time," said Phil. "Farmers usually +retire early. Cadmore is a close-fisted chap, and he won't want to burn +up his oil or his candles." + +With hearts which beat rather rapidly, the boys stole along from one +tree to another. Then they saw a form rise out of the orchard grass, and +all gave a jump. But it was only the ram, and the animal was more +frightened than themselves. + +"Look out that he doesn't butt you," warned Dave. "Some of 'em are +pretty _ram_bunctious." + +They approached the ram with caution, and untied him. Then Phil started +to lead him out of the orchard, with Dave and Sam following. At first he +would not go, but then began to run, so that Phil kept up with +difficulty. + +"Stop!" cried the boy. "Not so fast! Don't you hear?" But the ram paid +no attention, and now turned to the very end of the orchard. Here the +ground was rough, and in a twinkling all three of the boys went down in +a hollow and rolled over and over, while the ram, finding himself free, +plunged on, and was hidden from view in the darkness. + +"He got away!" gasped Phil, scrambling up. "We must--Hark!" + +He stopped short, and all of the boys listened. From a distance came the +deep baying of the mastiff. The sounds drew closer rapidly. + +"A dog--and he is after us!" cried Dave. "Fellows, we have got to get +out of this!" + +"If we can!" replied Sam Day. "Which is the way out? I am all turned +around." + +So were the others, and they stared into the darkness under the apple +trees in perplexity. The dog was coming closer, and to get away by +running appeared to be out of the question. + +"Jump into a tree!" cried Dave, and showed the way. The others followed, +clutching at some low-hanging branches and pulling themselves up as +rapidly as possible. Dave and Sam were soon safe, but the mastiff, +making a bound, caught Phil by the sole of his shoe. + +"Hi!" roared Phil. "Let go!" And he kicked out with the other foot. This +made the mastiff make another snap, but his aim was poor, and he dropped +back to the ground, while Phil hauled himself up beside his companions. + +"Phew! but that was a narrow escape and no mistake," was the comment of +the big youth, after he could catch his breath. "I thought sure he had +me by the foot!" + +"We are in a pickle," groaned Sam. "I suppose that dog will camp right +at the foot of this tree till Farmer Cadmore comes." + +"Yes, he is camping now," announced Dave, peering down into the gloom. +The moment the mastiff saw him, the canine set up a loud barking. + +For a full minute after that none of the boys spoke, each being busy +with his thoughts. + +"We are treed, that is certain," said Phil, soberly. "And I must say I +don't see any way to escape." + +"Yes, and don't forget about the ram," added Sam. "Old Jabez Cadmore +will want to know about him, too." + +"I've got an idea," said Dave, presently. "Perhaps it won't work, but it +won't do any harm to try it." + +"Give it to us, by all means!" + +"The trees are pretty thick in this orchard. Let us try to work our way +from one tree to another until we can reach the fence. Then, perhaps, we +can drop outside and get out of the way of that animal." + +This was considered a good plan, and they proceeded to put it into +execution at once. It was no easy matter to climb from tree to tree, and +each got a small rent in his clothing, and Sam came near falling to the +ground. The mastiff watched them curiously, barking but little, much to +their satisfaction. + +At last, they came to the final row of apple trees. A long limb hung +over a barbed-wire fence, and the boys paused, wondering if it would be +safe to drop to the ground. + +"If that mastiff should come through the fence, it would go hard with +us," was Phil's comment. "I'd rather stay up here and take what comes." + +"I am going to risk it," answered Dave. "I see a stick down there, and +I'll grab that as soon as I land," and down he dropped, and caught up +the stick with alacrity. The dog pounced forward, struck the sharp barbs +of the fence, and retreated, howling dismally with pain. Then he made +another advance, with like results. + +"Hurrah! he can't get through!" ejaculated Dave. "Come on, fellows, it's +perfectly safe." And down his chums dropped, and all hurried away from +the vicinity of the orchard. + +"We had better be getting back," said Sam, after the orchard and potato +patch had been left behind. "That farmer may be coming after us before +we know it. He must have heard the dog." But in this he was mistaken, +the distance from the house was too great, and the farmer and his family +slept too soundly to be disturbed. + +"It's too bad we must go back without the ram," observed Dave. "The +other fellows will think we got scared and threw up the job." + +"Well, it can't be helped," began Phil, when he caught sight of +something moving along the road ahead of them. "Look! Is that the ram?" + +"It is!" exclaimed Dave. "Wait! If you are not careful, he'll run away +again. Stay here, and I'll catch him. I was brought up on a farm, and I +know all about sheep." + +The others came to a halt, and Dave advanced with caution until he was +within a few feet of the ram. Then he held out his hand and made a +peculiar sound. The ram grew curious and remained quiet, while the youth +picked up the end of the rope which was around the animal's neck. + +"I've got him," he said, in a low, even tone. "Now, keep to the rear and +I'll manage him." And on they went. Once in a while the ram showed a +disposition to butt and to stop short, but Dave coaxed him, and the +trouble was not great. + +When they came in sight of the school building, they realized that the +most difficult part of the task lay before them. It was decided that +Dave should keep the ram behind the gymnasium building until Sam and +Phil ascertained that the coast was clear. + +Left to himself, Dave tied the ram to a post and crawled into the +gymnasium by one of the windows. He procured several broad straps, and +also a small blanket. Just as he came out with the things, Sam and Phil +came hurrying back, each with a look of deep concern on his face. + +"The jig is up!" groaned Sam. "Plum and Poole are on to our racket, and +they won't let us in!" + +"Plum and Poole!" exclaimed Dave. "Are they at that back door?" + +"Yes, and when we came up, they jeered us," said Phil. "Oh, but wasn't I +mad! They said if we tried to force our way in, they'd ring up the +doctor, or Mr. Dale." + +"Does our crowd know about this?" + +"I don't think they do." + +"Plum and Poole intend to keep us out all night, eh?" + +"It looks that way. They said we could ask Haskers to let us in when he +came." + +"I am not going to Haskers," said Dave, firmly. "Sam, you look after +this ram for a few minutes. I'll make them let us in, and not give us +away, either. Phil, you come along." + +"But I don't see how you are going to do it," expostulated the big boy. + +"Never mind; just come on, that's all. Plum isn't going to have a +walk-over to-night." + +Somewhat mystified, Phil accompanied Dave across the campus and to the +rear door of the Hall. Here the barrier was open only a few inches, +with Plum peering out, and Poole behind him. The face of the bully wore +a look of triumph. + +"How do you like staying out?" he whispered, hoarsely. "Fine night for a +ramble, eh? You can tell old Haskers what a fine walk you have had! +He'll be sure to reward you handsomely!" + +"See here, Plum, I am not going to waste words with you to-night," said +Dave, in a low, but intense, tone. "You let us in, and at once, or +you'll regret it." + +"Will I?" + +"You will. And what is more: don't you dare to say a word to anybody +about what is happening now." + +"Oh, dear, but you can talk big! Maybe you want me to get down on my +knees as you pass in," added the bully, mockingly. + +"If you don't let us in, do you know what I shall do?" continued Dave, +in a whisper. "I shall go to Doctor Clay and tell him that you are in +the habit of going out after midnight to row on the river." + +If Dave had expected this statement to have an effect upon the bully, +his anticipations were more than realized. Gus Plum uttered a cry of +dismay and fell back on Nat Poole's shoulder. His face lost its color, +and he shook from head to foot. + +"Yo-you----" he began. "Wha-what do you know about my--my rowing on the +river?" + +"I know a good deal." + +"Yo-you've been--following--me?" For once the bully could scarcely +speak. + +"I shan't say any more," said Dave, giving his chum a pinch in the arm +to keep quiet. "Only, are you going to let us in or not?" + +"N-no--I mean, yes," stammered Gus Plum. He could scarcely collect +himself, he seemed so upset. "You can come in. Poole, we'll have to let +them in this time." + +"And you will keep still about this?" demanded Dave. + +"Yes, yes! I won't say a word, Porter, not a word! And--and I'll see you +to-morrow after school. I--that is--I want to talk to you. Until then, +mum's the word on both sides." And then, to the astonishment of both +Dave and Phil, Gus Plum hurried away, dragging Nat Poole with him. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE FUN OF A NIGHT + + +"My gracious, Plum acts as if he was scared to death," observed Phil, +after the bully and his companion had departed, leaving the others a +clear field. + +"He certainly was worked up," returned Dave. "I wonder what he'll have +to say to-morrow?" + +There was no answering that question, and the two boys hurried to where +they had left Sam without attempting to reach a conclusion. They found +their chum watching out anxiously. + +"Well?" came from his lips as soon as he saw them. + +"It's all right," answered Dave, and told as much as he deemed +necessary. "Come, we must hurry, or Job Haskers will get back before we +can fix things." + +"This ram is going to be something to handle," observed Phil. "No 'meek +as a lamb' about him." + +"I'll show you how to do the trick," answered the boy from the country, +and with a dexterous turn of the horns, threw the ram over on one side. +"Now sit on him, until I tie his legs with the straps." + +In a few minutes Dave had the animal secured, and the blanket was placed +over the ram's head, that he might not make too much noise. Then they +hoisted their burden up between them and started toward the Hall. + +It was no easy matter to get the ram upstairs and into Job Haskers' +room. On the upper landing they were met by Roger and Buster Beggs, who +declared the coast clear. Once in the room of the assistant teacher, +they cleared out the bottom of the closet and then, releasing the animal +from his bonds, thrust him inside and shut and locked the door, leaving +the key in the lock. + +"Now, skip!" cried Dave, in a low voice. "He may cut up high-jinks in +another minute." + +"Here is an apple he can have--that will keep him quiet for awhile," +said Roger, and put it in the closet, locking the door as before. The +ram was hungry, and began to munch the fruit with satisfaction. + +A few minutes more found the boys safe in their dormitory, where they +waited impatiently for the second assistant teacher to get back to Oak +Hall. At last they heard him unlock the front door and come up the broad +stairs. Then they heard his room door open and shut. + +"Now for the main act in the drama," whispered Roger. "Come on, but +don't dare to make any noise." + +All of the boys, including little Macklin and Polly Vane, were soon +outside of dormitories Nos. 11 and 12--the two rooms the "crowd" +occupied. They went forth on tiptoe, scarcely daring to breathe. + +Arriving at Job Haskers' door, they listened and heard the teacher +preparing to go to bed. One shoe after another dropped to the floor, and +then came a creaking of the bed, which told that he had lain down. + +"That ram isn't going to do anything," began Sam, in disgust, when there +came a bang on the closet door that caused everybody to jump. + +"Wha-what's that?" cried Job Haskers, sitting up in bed. He fancied +somebody had knocked on the door to the hall. + +Another bang resounded on the closet door. The ram had finished the +apple, and wanted his freedom. The teacher leaped to the middle of the +bedroom floor. + +"Who is in there?" he demanded, walking toward the closet. "Who is +there, I say?" + +Getting no answer, he paused in perplexity. Then a grin overspread his +crafty face, and he slipped on some of his clothing. + +"So I've caught you, eh?" he observed. "Going to play some trick on me, +were you? I am half of a mind to make you stay there all night, no +matter who you are. I suppose you thought I wouldn't get back quite so +early. In the morning, I'll----" + +Another bang on the door cut his speculations short. He struck a match +and lit the light, and then unlocking the closet door, threw it wide +open. + +What happened next came with such suddenness that Job Haskers was taken +completely by surprise. As soon as the door was opened, the ram leaped +out. He caught one glimpse of the teacher, and, lowering his head, he +made a plunge and caught Job Haskers fairly and squarely in the stomach, +doubling up the man like a jack-knife. Haskers went down in a heap, and, +turning, the ram gave him a second prod in the side. + +"Hi! stop! murder! help!" came in terror. "Stop it, you beast! Hi! call +him off, somebody! Oh, my!" And then Job Haskers tried to arise and +place a table between himself and the ram. But the animal was now +thoroughly aroused, and went at the table with vigor, upsetting it on +the teacher and hurling both over into a corner. + +By this time the noise had aroused nearly the entire school, and pupils +and teachers came hurrying from all directions. + +"What is the trouble here?" demanded Andrew Dale, as he came up to where +Dave was standing. + +"Sounds like a bombardment in Mr. Haskers' room, sir," was the answer. + +"Mr. Haskers is trying some new gymnastic exercises," came from a +student in the rear of the crowd. + +"Maybe he has got a fit," suggested another. "He didn't look well at +supper time." + +The racket in the room continued, and now Doctor Clay, arrayed in a +dressing-gown and slippers, came upon the scene, followed by Pop +Swingly, the janitor. + +"Has Mr. Haskers caught a burglar?" asked the janitor. + +"That's it!" shouted Phil, with a wink at his friends. "Look out, +Swingly, that you don't get shot!" + +"Shot?" gasped the janitor, who was far from being a brave man. "I don't +want to get shot, not me!" and he edged behind some of the boys. + +Doctor Clay hurried to the door of the room, only to find it locked from +the inside. + +"Mr. Haskers, what is the trouble?" he demanded. + +Another bang and a thump was the only reply, accompanied by several +yells. Then, of a sudden, came a crash of glass and an exclamation of +wonder. + +"Something has gone through the window, as sure as you are born!" +whispered Dave to Roger. + +"Oh, Dave, you don't suppose it was Haskers? If he fell to the ground, +he'd be killed!" + +"Open the door, or I shall break in!" thundered Doctor Clay, and then +the door was thrown open and Job Haskers stood there, a look of misery +on his face and trembling from head to foot. + +"What is the trouble?" asked the doctor. + +"The ram--he butted me--knocked me down--nearly killed me!" spluttered +the assistant teacher. + +"The ram--what ram?" + +"He's gone now--hit the window and jumped out." + +"Mr. Haskers, have you lost your senses?" + +"No, sir. There was a ram in this room--in the closet. I heard him, and +opened the door--I--oh! I can feel the blow yet. He was a--a terror!" + +"Do you mean a real, live ram?" questioned Andrew Dale, with a slight +smile on his face--that smile which made all the boys his friends. + +"I should say he was alive! Oh, it's no laughing matter!" growled Job +Haskers. "He nearly killed me!" + +"An' did he go through the winder?" asked Pop Swingly, as he stepped to +the broken sash. + +"He did--went out like a rocket. Look at the wreck of the table! I am +thankful I wasn't killed!" + +"How did the ram get here?" asked Doctor Clay. + +"How should I know? He was in the closet when I came in. Some of those +villainous boys--" + +"Gently, Mr. Haskers. The boys are not villains." + +"Well, they put the ram there, I am sure of it." + +The doctor turned to the janitor. + +"Swingly, go below and see if you can see anything of the ram. He may be +lying on the ground with a broken leg, or something like that. If so, +we'll have to kill him, to put him out of his misery." + +The janitor armed himself with a stout cane and went downstairs, and +after him trooped Andrew Dale and fully a score of boys. But not a sign +of the ram was to be seen, only some sharp footprints where he had +landed. + +"Must have struck fair an' square, an' run off," observed the janitor. +"Rams is powerful tough critters. I knowed one as fell over a stone +cliff, an' never minded it at all." + +"Let us take a look around," said the first assistant. "Boys, get to +bed, you'll take cold in this night air." And then the students trooped +back into the Hall. + +Upstairs they found that Job Haskers and Doctor Clay had gotten into a +wrangle. The assistant wanted an examination of the boys at once, +regardless of the hour of the night, but Doctor Clay demurred. + +"We'll investigate in the morning," said he. "And, as the window is +broken out, Mr. Haskers, you may take the room next to mine, which is +just now vacant." + +"Somebody ought to be punished----" + +"We'll investigate, do not fear." + +"It's getting worse and worse. By and by there won't be any managing +these rascals at all," grumbled the assistant teacher. "Some of them +ought to have their necks wrung!" + +"There, that is enough," returned the doctor, sternly. "I think we can +manage them, even at such a time as this. Now, boys," he continued, "go +to bed, and do not let me hear any more disturbances." And he waved the +students to their various dormitories. + +"Say, but isn't old Haskers mad!" exclaimed Roger, when he and his chums +were in their dormitory. "He'd give a good bit to find out who played +the joke on him." + +"I hope that ram got away all right," came from Dave. "I didn't want to +see the animal injured." + +"I think Pop Swingly is right, animals like that are tough," was Buster +Beggs' comment. "More than likely he is on his way back to Farmer +Cadmore's farm." + +"We'll find out later on," put in Sam Day. + +"There is another thing to consider," continued Dave. "It wouldn't be +right to let Doctor Clay stand for the expense of that broken window. I +think I'll send him the price of the glass out of my pocket money." + +"Not a bit of it!" exclaimed Phil. "Let us pass around the hat. We are +all in this as deep as you." And so it was decided that all of the +students of dormitories Nos. 11 and 12 should contribute to the fund for +mending the broken sash. Then, as Andrew Dale came around on a tour of +inspection, all hopped into bed and were soon sound asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +GUS PLUM'S MYSTERIOUS OFFER + + +When Doctor Clay came to his desk on the following morning, he found an +envelope lying there, on which was inscribed the following: + +"To pay for the broken window. If it costs more, please let the school +know, and we'll settle the bill." Three dollars was inclosed. + +This caused the worthy doctor to smile quietly to himself. It took him +back to his college days, when he had aided in several such scrapes. + +"Boys will be boys," he murmured. "They are not villains, only real +flesh-and-blood youngsters." + +"You are going to punish those boys?" demanded Job Haskers, coming up. + +"If we can locate them." + +"Humph! I'd catch them, if it took all day." + +"You may do as you think best, Mr. Haskers; only remember you have young +gentlemen to deal with. I presume they thought it only a harmless +prank." + +"I'll prank them, if I catch them," growled the assistant to himself, as +he walked away. + +Word had been passed around among the boys, and when the roll was +called all were ready to "face the music." + +"Who knows anything about the proceedings of last night?" began Job +Haskers, gazing around fiercely. + +There was a pause, and then a rather dull boy named Carson arose. + +"Great Caesar! Is he going to blab on us?" murmured Phil. + +"What have you got to say, Carson?" asked the teacher. + +"I--I--I kn-know wh-what happened," stuttered Carson. + +"Very well, tell me what you know?" + +"A ra-ra-ra-ram got into your ro-ro-ro-room, and he kno-kno-kno-knocked +you d-d-d-down!" went on the boy, who was the worst stutterer at Oak +Hall. + +"Ahem! I know that. Who put the ram in my room?" + +"I d-d-d-d----" + +"You did!" thundered the teacher. "How dare you do such a thing!" + +"I d-d-d-d----" + +"Carson, I am--er--amazed. What made you do it?" + +"I d-d-d-didn't say I d-d-d-did it," spluttered poor Carson. "I said I +d-d-d-didn't know." + +"Oh!" Job Haskers' face fell, and he looked as sour as he could. "Sit +down. Now, then, whoever knows who put that ram in my room last night, +stand up." + +Not a boy arose. + +"Will anybody answer?" stormed the teacher. + +There was utter silence, broken only by the ticking of the clock on the +wall. Dave looked at Gus Plum and Nat Poole, but neither budged. + +"I shall call the roll, and each boy must answer for himself," went on +Job Haskers. "Ansberry!" + +"I can tell you nothing, Mr. Haskers," was the reply, and the pupil +dropped back into his seat. + +"Humph! Aspinwell!" + +"I can tell you nothing, Mr. Haskers." + +"Babcock!" + +"I can tell you nothing, Mr. Haskers." + +"This is--er--outrageous! Beggs!" + +"Sorry, but I can tell you nothing, Mr. Haskers," drawled the fat youth. + +After that, one name after another was called, and every pupil said +practically the same thing, even Plum and Poole stating that they could +tell nothing. When the roll-call was finished, the teacher was fairly +purple with suppressed rage. + +"I shall inquire into this at some future time!" he snapped out. "You +are dismissed to your classes." And he turned away to hide his chagrin. + +"Do you think we are safe?" whispered Phil to Dave, as they hurried to +their room. + +"I think so," was the country boy's reply. And Dave was right--the truth +concerning the night's escapade did not come out until long after, when +it was too late to do anything in the matter. + +Dave was anxious to make a record for himself in his studies, and, with +the end of the term so close at hand, he did his best over his books and +in the classroom. He was close to the top of his class, and he was +already certain of winning a special prize given for mathematics. Roger +was just behind him in the general average, and Phil was but five points +below, with a special prize for language to his credit. The best scholar +of all was Polly Vane, who, so far, had a percentage of ninety-seven, +out of a possible hundred. + +Dave had not forgotten what Gus Plum had said, and just before the +session for the day was ended received a note from the bully, asking him +to come down to a point on the lake known as the Three Rocks, and +located at the extreme limit of the academy grounds. Plum asked him +particularly to come alone. + +"Aren't you afraid Plum will play some trick on you?" asked Phil, who +saw the note delivered, and read it. + +"I'll be on my guard," answered Dave. "I am not afraid of him, if it +should come to an encounter between us." + +Having put away his books, Dave sauntered down to the spot mentioned, +which was behind a thick fringe of bushes. Plum was not yet there, but +soon came up at a quick walk. + +"I couldn't get away from Poole," explained the bully. "Are you alone?" +and he gazed around anxiously. + +"Yes, I am alone," answered Dave, coolly. + +There was a silence, and each boy looked at the other. Dave's eyes were +clear, but the bully's had something of the haunted in them. + +"You said something about me last night," began Plum, lamely, "something +about my being on the river." + +"I did." + +"Did you see me on the river?" + +"I am not going to answer that question just yet, Plum." + +"Huh! Maybe you are only joking?" + +"Very well, you can think as you please. If you want to talk to me, very +well; if not, I'll go back to the school," and Dave started to walk +away. + +"Hold on!" The bully caught the country boy by the arm. "If you saw me +on the river, what else did you see?" + +"You were following Shadow Hamilton in a boat." + +"I wasn't--I didn't have anything to do with Hamilton. I--I didn't know +he was out till afterwards," went on the bully, fiercely. "Don't you +say such a thing--don't you dare!" His face was very white. "You are not +going to get me into trouble!" + +"Is that all you have to say, Plum?" + +"N-no. I want to talk this over, Porter. I--that is--let us come to +terms--that's the best way. It won't do you any good to try to get me +into trouble. I--I haven't done anything wrong. I was out on the river +by--by accident, that's all--got it into my head to have a lark that +night, just as you went out for a lark last night." + +"Well, what do you want to see me about, then?" questioned Dave. He +could readily see that the bully had something on his mind which +troubled him greatly. + +"I think we might as well come to terms--you keep still and I'll keep +still." + +"I haven't said anything, Plum." + +"Yes, but you might, later on, you know. I--that is, let us make a sure +thing of this," stammered the bully. + +"What are you driving at, Plum? Talk out straight." + +"I will." The bully looked around, to make certain that nobody was +within hearing distance. "You're a poor boy, Porter, aren't you?" + +"I admit it." + +"Just so. And, being poor, some pocket money comes in mighty handy at +times, doesn't it?" + +"I have some spending money." + +"But not as much as you'd like; ain't that so?" + +"Oh, I could spend more--if I had it," answered Dave, trying to find out +what the other was driving at. + +"Well, supposing I promised to give you some money to spend, Porter, how +would that strike you?" + +Dave was astonished, the suggestion was so entirely unexpected. But he +tried not to show his feelings. + +"Would you give me money, Gus?" he asked, calmly. + +"Yes, I would--if you'd only promise to keep quiet." + +"How much?" + +"Well--I--er--I'd do the right thing. Did Phil Lawrence see me on the +river?" + +"No." + +"Any of the other boys?" + +"Not that I know of." + +"Then you were alone." Gus Plum drew a sigh of relief. "Now, let us come +to terms, by all means. I'll do the square thing, and you'll have all +the pocket money you want." + +"But how much are you willing to give me?" queried Dave, his curiosity +aroused to its highest pitch. + +"I'll give you"--the bully paused, to add impressiveness to his +words--"I'll give you fifty dollars." + +"Fifty dollars!" ejaculated Dave. He was bewildered by the answer. He +had expected Plum to name a dollar or two at the most. + +"Ain't that enough?" + +"Do you think it is enough?" asked the country boy. He scarcely knew +what to say. He was trying to study the bully's face. + +"Well--er--if you'll give me your solemn word not to whisper a word--not +a word, remember--I'll make it a--a hundred dollars." + +"You'll give me a hundred dollars? When?" + +"Before the end of the week. I haven't the money now, but, if you want +it, I can give you ten dollars on account--just to bind the bargain," +and the bully drew two five-dollar bills from his vest pocket. "But, +remember, mum's the word--no matter what comes." + +He thrust the bills at Dave, who merely looked at them. Then the country +boy drew himself up. + +"I don't want a cent of your money, Gus Plum," he said, in a low, but +firm, voice. "You can't bribe me, no matter what you offer." + +The bully dropped back and his face fell. He put his money back into his +pocket. Then he glared savagely at Dave. + +"Then you won't come to terms!" he fairly hissed between his teeth. + +"No." + +"You had better. If you dare to tell on me--breathe a word of what you +saw that night--I'll--I'll make it so hot for you that you'll wish you +had never been born! I am not going to let a country jay like you ruin +me! Not much! You think twice before you make a move! I can hurt you in +a way you least expect, and if I have to leave this school, you'll have +to go, too!" And shaking his fist at Dave, Gus Plum strode off, leaving +Dave more mystified than ever before. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +SHADOW HAMILTON'S CONFESSION + + +"I simply can't understand it, Phil. Gus Plum was frightened very much, +or he would never have offered me a hundred dollars to keep quiet." + +Dave and his chum were strolling along the edge of the campus, an hour +after the conversation recorded in the last chapter. The boy from the +poorhouse had told Phil all that had occurred. + +"It is certainly the most mysterious thing I ever heard of, outside of +this mystery about Billy Dill," answered Phil. "Plum has been up to +something wrong, but just what, remains to be found out." + +"And what about Shadow Hamilton?" + +"I can't say anything about Shadow. I never thought he would do anything +that wasn't right." + +"Nor I. What would you advise?" + +"Keep quiet and await developments. Something is bound to come to the +surface, sooner or later." + +"Hello, you fellows, where are you bound?" came in a cry, and looking up +they saw a well-known form approaching. + +"Ben!" cried Dave, rushing up to the newcomer and shaking hands warmly. +"When did you come in? And how are all the folks at Crumville? Did you +happen to see Professor Potts and the Wadsworths?" + +"One question at a time, please," answered Ben Basswood, as he shook +hands with Phil. "Yes, I saw them all, and everybody wants to be +remembered to you. Jessie sends her very sweetest regards----" + +"Oh, come now, no fooling," interrupted Dave, blushing furiously. "Tell +us the plain truth." + +"Well, she sent her best regard, anyway. And all the others did the +same. The professor is getting along finely. You'd hardly know him now, +he looks so hale and hearty. It did him a world of good to go to live +with the Wadsworths." + +"You must have had a pretty nice vacation," observed Phil. + +"Yes, although it was rather short. But, say, have you fellows heard +about Plum's father?" went on Ben Basswood, earnestly. + +"We've heard that he lost some money." + +"Yes, and he has tied himself up in some sort of underhanded +get-rich-quick concern, and I understand some folks are going to sue him +for all he is worth. That will be rather rough on Gus--if his father +loses all his money." + +"True enough," said Dave. "But tell us all the news," he continued, and +then Ben related the particulars of affairs at Crumville, and of a +legal fight between his father and Mr. Aaron Poole, in which Mr. +Basswood had won. + +"That will make Nat more sour on you than ever," observed Phil. + +"Maybe; but I can't help it. If he leaves me alone I'll leave him +alone." + +The following day passed quietly at Oak Hall. Gus Plum and Nat Poole +kept by themselves. Shadow Hamilton appeared to brighten a little, but +Dave observed that the youth was by no means himself. He did not care to +play baseball or "do a turn" at the gym., and kept for the most part by +himself. + +Saturday passed, and on Sunday a large number of the students marched +off to three of the town churches. Dave, Roger, and Phil attended the +same church and Ben went with them, and all listened to a strong sermon +on Christian brotherhood, which was destined to do each of them good. + +"It makes a fellow feel as if he's got to help somebody else," said +Roger. + +"Well, it is our duty to help others," answered Dave. "The fellow who +isn't willing to do that is selfish." + +"You've certainly helped Macklin, Dave," said Ben. "I never saw such a +change in a fellow. I'll wager he is more than happy to be out of Gus +Plum's influence." + +"I'd help Plum, too, if he'd let me," said Dave, and then gave a long +sigh. + +Two days later there was a sensation at the school. Doctor Clay came +into the main classroom in the middle of the forenoon, looking much +worried. + +"Young gentlemen, I wish to talk to you for a few minutes," he said. "As +some of you may know, I am the proud possessor of a stamp collection +which I value at not less than three thousand dollars. The stamps are +arranged in three books, and I have spent eight years in collecting +them. These books of stamps are missing, and I wish to know if anybody +here knows anything about them. If they were taken away in a spirit of +fun, let me say that such a joke is a poor one, and I trust the books +will be speedily returned, and without damage to a single stamp." + +All of the boys listened with interest, for many of them had inspected +the collection, and they knew that stamp-gathering was one of the kind +doctor's hobbies. + +"Doctor, I am sorry to hear of this," said one boy, named Bert Dalgart, +a youth who had a small collection of his own. "I looked at the +collection about ten days ago, as you know. I haven't seen it since." + +"Nor have I seen it," said Roger, who also collected stamps. + +"Is there any boy here who knows anything at all about my collection?" +demanded the doctor, sharply. "If so, let him stand up." + +There was a pause, but nobody arose. The master of Oak Hall drew a long +breath. + +"If this is a joke, I want the collection returned by to-morrow +morning," he went on. "If this is not done, and I learn who is guilty, I +shall expel that student from this school." + +He then passed on to the next classroom, and so on through the whole +academy. But nothing was learned concerning the missing stamp +collection, and the end of the inquiry left the worthy doctor much +perplexed and worried. + +"That is too bad," was Dave's comment, after school was dismissed. "That +was a nice collection. I'd hate to have it mussed up, if it was mine." + +"The fellow who played that joke went too far," said the senator's son. +"He ought to put the collection back at once." + +The matter was talked over by all the students for several days. In the +meantime Doctor Clay went on a vigorous hunt for the stamp collection, +but without success. + +"Do you think it possible that somebody stole that collection?" +questioned Dave of Phil one afternoon, as he and his chum strolled in +the direction of Farmer Cadmore's place, to see if they could learn +anything about the ram. + +"Oh, it's possible; but who would be so mean?" + +"Maybe some outsider got the stamps." + +"I don't think so. An outside thief would have taken some silverware, or +something like that. No, I think those stamps were taken by somebody in +the school." + +"Then maybe the chap is afraid to return them--for fear of being found +out." + +So the talk ran on until the edge of the Cadmore farm was gained. +Looking into a field, they saw the ram grazing peacefully on the fresh, +green grass. + +"He's as right as a button!" cried Phil. "I guess he wasn't hurt at all, +and after jumping from the window he came straight home," and in this +surmise the youth was correct. + +As the boys walked back to the school they separated, Phil going to the +gymnasium to practice on the bars and Dave to stroll along the river. +The boy from Crumville wanted to be by himself, to think over the past +and try to reason out what the sailor had told him. Many a time had Dave +tried to reason this out, but always failed, yet he could not bear to +think of giving up. + +"Some time or another I've got to find out who I am and where I came +from," he murmured. "I am not going to remain a nobody all my life!" + +He came to a halt in a particularly picturesque spot, and was about to +sit down, when he heard a noise close at hand. Looking through the +bushes, he saw Shadow Hamilton on his knees and with his clasped hands +raised to heaven. The boy was praying, and remained on his knees for +several minutes. When he arose, he turned around and discovered Dave, +who had just started to leave the spot. + +"Dave Porter!" came in a low cry, and Hamilton's face grew red. + +"Hello, Shadow! Taking a walk along the river? If you are, I'll go +along." + +"I--I was walking," stammered the other boy. His eyes searched Dave's +face. "You--were you watching me?" he asked, lamely. + +"Not exactly." + +"But you saw me--er----" + +"I saw you, Shadow, I couldn't help it. It was nothing for you to be +ashamed of, though." + +"I--I--oh, I can't tell you!" and Hamilton's face took on a look of keen +misery. + +"Shadow, you are in some deep trouble, I know it," came bluntly from +Dave. "Don't you want to tell me about it? I'll do what I can for you. +We've been chums ever since I came here and I hate to see you so +downcast." + +"It wouldn't do any good--you couldn't help me." + +"Are you sure of that? Sometimes an outsider looks at a thing in a +different light than that person himself. Of course, I don't want to +pry into your secrets, if you don't want me to." + +Shadow Hamilton bit his lip and hesitated. + +"If I tell you something, will you promise to keep it to yourself?" + +"If it is best, yes." + +"I don't know if it is best or not, but I don't want you to say +anything." + +"Well, what is it?" + +"You know all about the doctor losing that collection of stamps?" + +"Certainly." + +"And you know about the loss of some of the class stick-pins about three +weeks ago?" + +"Yes, I know Mr. Dale lost just a dozen of them." + +"The stick-pins are worth two dollars each." + +"Yes." + +"And that stamp collection was worth over three thousand dollars." + +"I know that, too." + +"Well, I stole the stick-pins, and I stole the stamp collection, too!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +ABOUT ATHLETIC CONTESTS + + +"You stole those things, you!" gasped Dave. He could scarcely utter the +words. He shrank back a step or two, and his face was filled with +horror. + +"Yes, I did it," came from Shadow Hamilton. + +"But--but--oh, Shadow, you must be fooling! Surely, you didn't really go +to work and--and----" Try his best, Dave could not finish. + +"I stole the things; or, rather, I think I had better say I took them, +although it amounts to the same thing. But I don't think I am quite as +bad as you suppose." + +"But, if you took them, why didn't you return them? You have had plenty +of time." + +"I would return them, only I don't know where the things are." + +"You don't know? What do you mean?" + +"I'll have to tell you my whole story, Dave. Will you listen until I +have finished?" + +"Certainly." + +"Well, to start on, I am a great dreamer and, what is more, I +occasionally walk in my sleep." + +"Yes, you told me that before." + +"One morning I got up, and I found my clothes all covered with dirt and +cobwebs and my shoes very muddy. I couldn't explain this, and I thought +some of the fellows had been putting up a job on me. But I didn't want +to play the calf, so I said nothing. + +"Some days after that I found my clothing in the same condition, and I +likewise found that my hands were blistered, as if from some hard work. +I couldn't understand it, but suddenly it flashed on me that I must have +been sleep-walking. I was ashamed of myself, so I told nobody." + +"Well, but this robbery----" began Dave. + +"I am coming to that. When Doctor Clay spoke about his stamp collection, +I remembered that I had dreamed of that collection one night. It seemed +to me that I must run away with the collection and put it in a safe +place. Then I remembered that I had dreamed of the stick-pins at another +time, and had dreamed of going to the boathouse to put them in my locker +there. That made me curious, and I went down to the locker, and there I +found--what do you think? One of the stick-pins stuck in the wood." + +"A new one?" + +"Exactly. That made me hunt around thoroughly, and after a while I +discovered this, under my rowing sweater." + +As Shadow finished, he drew from his pocket a doubled-up sheet of paper. +Dave unfolded it, and saw it was a large sheet of rare American postage +stamps. + +"Did you find any more than this?" + +The other youth shook his head. + +"Did you hunt all around the boathouse?" + +"Yes, I hunted high and low, in the building and out. I have spent all +my spare time hunting; that is why I have had such poor lessons lately." + +"Don't you remember going out to row during the night, Shadow?" + +At this question, Shadow Hamilton started. + +"What do you know about that?" he demanded. + +"Not much--only I know you were out." + +"Do you know where I went to?" + +"I do not." + +"Well, neither do I. I dreamed about rowing, but I can't, for the life +of me, remember where I went. I must have gone a good way, for I +blistered my hands with the oars." + +"And yet you can't remember?" + +"Oh, I know it sounds like a fairy tale, and I know nobody will believe +it, yet it is true, Dave, I'll give you my word on it." + +"I believe you, Shadow. Your being out is what has made you so tired +lately. Now you have told me a secret, I am going to tell you one. Ike +Rasmer saw you out on the river at night, passing Robbin's Point. And +there is something stranger to tell." + +"What is that?" + +"Are you dead certain you were asleep on the river?" + +"I must have been. I remember nothing more than my dream." + +"Do you know that you were followed?" + +"By Rasmer?" + +"No, by Gus Plum." + +"Plum!" gasped Shadow Hamilton, and his face turned pale. "Are--are you +certain of this?" + +"That is what Ike Rasmer told me," and then Dave related all that the +old boatman had said. + +"That makes the mystery deeper," muttered Shadow. "It puts me in mind of +a story I once--but I can't tell stories now!" He gave a sigh. "Oh, +Dave, I am so wretched over this! I don't know what to do." + +"I know what I'd do." + +"What?" + +"Go and tell Doctor Clay everything." + +"I--I can't do it. He thought so much of that stamp collection--he'll +surely send me home--and make my father pay for the collection, too." + +"I don't think he'll send you home. About pay, that's another question. +In one sense, you didn't really steal the stamps. A fellow isn't +responsible for what he does in his sleep. I'd certainly go to him. If +you wish, I'll go with you." + +The two talked the matter over for half an hour, and, on Dave's +continual urging, Shadow Hamilton at last consented to go to Doctor Clay +and make a clean breast of the matter. + +They found the master of Oak Hall in his private office, writing a +letter. He greeted them pleasantly and told them to sit down until he +had finished. Then he turned around to them inquiringly. + +It was no easy matter for Shadow Hamilton to break the ice, and Dave had +to help him do it. But, once the plunge was taken, the youth given to +sleep-walking told him his story in all of its details, and turned over +to the doctor the stick-pin and the sheet of stamps he had found. + +During the recital, Doctor Clay's eyes scarcely once left the face of +the boy who was making the confession. As he proceeded, Shadow Hamilton +grew paler and paler, and his voice grew husky until he could scarcely +speak. + +"I know I am to blame, sir," he said, at last. "But I--I--oh, Doctor +Clay, please forgive me!" he burst out. + +"My boy, there is nothing to forgive," was the kindly answer, that took +even Dave by surprise. "It would seem that you have been as much of a +victim as I have been. I cannot blame you for doing these things in +your sleep. I take it for granted that you have told me the truth, the +whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" + +"I have, sir, I have!" + +"Then there is nothing to do but to investigate this as far as we can. +Of course, I realize that it would cut you to have everybody in the +school know of your sleep-walking habit." + +"Yes, sir. But I shouldn't care, if only you could get back the stamps +and the pins." + +"Is Rasmer sure he saw Plum following Hamilton on the river?" asked the +doctor, turning to Dave. + +"That is what he told Morr, Lawrence, and myself the day we stopped at +his boathouse for a new oarlock." + +"Then I must see him and have a talk with him," said the master of Oak +Hall; and after a few words more the boys were dismissed. + +On the following morning, Doctor Clay drove down to Ike Rasmer's place. +The boatman was pleasant enough, but he remembered that Gus Plum was one +of his customers, and when questioned closely, said he could not testify +absolutely to the fact that it had been Plum who had followed Hamilton +on the river. + +"You see, my eyesight ain't of the best, doctor," said Rasmer, lamely. +"I saw Hamilton full in the face, but the other feller had his face +turned away from me. I ain't gittin' nobody into trouble, 'less I am +sure of what I am doin'--that's nateral, ain't it?" + +"Very," answered Doctor Clay, coldly, and returned to the academy in +deep thought. He realized that Ike Rasmer was now on his guard, and +would tell no more than was absolutely required of him. + +The next movement of the worthy doctor was to call Gus Plum into his +office. The bully was anxious, but had evidently nerved himself for the +ordeal. + +"No, sir, I have not been out on the river at night this season," said +he, blandly, in reply to the doctor's question. "I have not dared to go +out so late, for I take cold too easily." And he coughed slightly. + +This was all Doctor Clay could get from Plum, and he dismissed the bully +without mentioning Hamilton or the missing pins and stamps. Then the +doctor called in Andrew Dale, and the two consulted together for the +best part of an hour; but what the outcome of that discussion was the +boys were not told. A day later, however, Shadow Hamilton was told to +change his sleeping quarters to a small room next to that occupied by +Andrew Dale. + +"Hello! Shadow is going to get high-toned and have a sleeping-room all +to himself!" cried Roger, and would have asked some questions, only +Dave cut him short. + +"There is a good reason, Roger," whispered the country boy. "But don't +ask me to explain now. If you question Shadow, you'll only hurt his +feelings." This "tip" spread, and none of the boys after that said a +word before Hamilton about the change. But later all came to Dave and +asked what it meant. + +"I wish I could tell you, but I can't, fellows. Some day, perhaps, +you'll know; until then, you'll have to forget it." And that is all Dave +would say. + +The boys were too busy to give the mystery much attention. A series of +athletic contests had been arranged, and all of the students who were to +take part had gone into training in the gymnasium, and on the +cinder-track which was laid out in the field beyond the last-named +building. The contests were to come off on the following Saturday, and, +to make matters more interesting, Doctor Clay had put up several prizes +of books and silver medals, to be presented to the winners. + +Dave had entered for a hurdle race, and Roger, Phil, and Ben were in +various other contests. Dave felt that he would stand a good chance at +the hurdles, for on Caspar Potts' farm he had frequently practiced at +leaping over the rail fences while on the run. He did not know surely +who would be pitted against him until Ben Basswood brought him the +news. + +"Gus Plum, Fanning, and Saultz are in the hurdle race," said Ben. "Plum +says he feels certain he will win." + +"Plum," repeated the country boy. "I knew the others were in it, but I +didn't think Gus would take part." + +"He went in right after he heard that you had entered. He says he is +going to beat you out of your boots. He wanted to bet with me, but I +told him I didn't bet." + +"Is Nat Poole in the race?" + +"No, he is in the quarter-mile dash, against me and six others. He +thinks he will win, too." + +"I don't think he will, Ben. You can outrun him." + +"Anyway, I am going to try," answered Ben Basswood. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +HOW A RACE WAS WON + + +It was a bright, clear day in early summer when the athletic contests of +Oak Hall came off. All the academy boys assembled for the affair, and +with them were a number of folks from the town, and also some students +from the Rockville Military Academy, a rival institution of learning, as +my old readers already know. + +The contests began with pole vaulting and putting the shot, and, much to +the surprise of all, Chip Macklin won out over half a dozen boys +slightly larger than himself. Luke Watson also won one of the contests, +and the banjo player and Macklin were roundly applauded by their +friends. + +"Dave Porter coached Macklin," said one small boy to another. "I saw him +doing it. I can tell you, Chip is picking up." + +"Yes," was the answer. "And he doesn't seem to be afraid of that bully +of a Plum any more, either." + +After the shot-putting and vaulting came the quarter-mile dash, for +which Ben had entered. + +"Go in and win, Ben!" cried Dave, to his old chum. "I know you can do +it if you'll only try." + +"Nat Poole will win that race!" came roughly from Gus Plum, who stood +near. + +"Hi, catch the ball, Gus!" sang out Nat Poole, from across the field, +and threw a ball in Ben's direction. Plum leaped for the sphere, bumped +up against Ben, and both went down, with the bully on top. + +"Plum, you did that on purpose!" cried Roger, who was close by. "Shame +on you!" + +"Shut up! I didn't do it on purpose!" howled the bully, arising. "Say +that again and I'll knock you down!" + +"You certainly did do it on purpose," said Phil, stepping up quickly. +"You ought to be reported for it." + +"Aw, dry up!" muttered Plum, and walked away. + +When Ben arose he could scarcely get his breath. He was not hurt, but +the wind had been knocked completely out of him. + +"I--I don't know if I can ru-run or not!" he gasped. "He came--came down +on me like a ton of bricks!" + +"Wait, I'll speak to Mr. Dale about this," said Dave, and ran off. As a +result of the interview the contest was delayed ten minutes--another +taking its place--much to the disgust of Gus Plum and Nat Poole, both +of whom had reckoned on putting Ben out of the contest. + +At the start of the quarter-mile dash Nat Poole and two others forged +ahead, but Ben was on his mettle, and, setting his teeth, soon began to +close up the gap. + +"Go it, Ben!" yelled Dave. "You can win, I know it!" + +"Sail right past 'em!" came from the senator's son. "Hump yourself, old +man!" + +"Make 'em take the dust!" added Phil. + +Ben hardly heard the words, for he was now running with all his +strength. He passed first one boy and then another, and then came +abreast of Nat Poole. So they moved on to within a dozen paces of the +finish. Then Ben made a leap ahead, and so did one of the other +contestants, and Ben came in the winner, with the other boy second, and +Nat Poole third. A roar went right across the field. + +"Ben Basswood wins!" + +"Jake Tatmon is second!" + +"Nat Poole came in only third, and he boasted he was going to win, +sure!" + +As soon as the race was over, Nat Poole sneaked out of sight, behind +some friends. He was bitterly disappointed, and could scarcely keep from +running away altogether. + +"You didn't fix him at all," he whispered to Gus Plum, when he got the +chance. "He was in prime condition." + +"I did the best I could--you saw him go down, with me on top of him," +retorted the bully. "Now, don't you forget what you promised," he added, +sharply. + +"Oh, I'll keep my word, don't fear," growled Nat Poole. "I hate Dave +Porter too much to let him win!" + +There were some standing and running jumps, in which Roger and Phil won +second and third places, and then came the hurdle race, in which Dave +was to participate. In the meantime Nat Poole had shed his track outfit +and donned his regular clothes and a rather heavy pair of walking shoes. + +"Please let me pass," said he to the crowd in which Dave was standing, +and, without warning, brought one of his heavy shoes down smartly on +Dave's light, canvas foot-covering. + +"Ouch!" cried the country boy, and gave Poole a quick shove. "What do +you mean by stepping on my foot in that fashion, Nat Poole?" + +"Oh, excuse me," said the Crumville aristocrat, coolly. "Didn't know it +was your foot, Porter, or I shouldn't have stepped on it for anything." + +"You've just about lamed me!" gasped Dave. The pain was still intense. + +"Dave, I believe this is a put-up job!" said Ben, quickly. "Plum agreed +to lame me so that Poole could win, and now Poole is trying the same +trick on you for Plum's benefit." + +"No such thing!" roared Nat Poole, but his face grew fiery red. "It was +a pure accident. I don't have to lame Porter. Plum will win, anyhow." + +"It certainly looks suspicious," said Shadow Hamilton. "He hadn't any +business to force his way through our crowd." + +"Oh, don't you put in your oar, you old sleep-walker!" growled Nat +Poole, and then hurried off and out of sight behind the gymnasium. At +the parting shot Shadow became pale, but nobody seemed to notice the +remark. + +"Can you go ahead?" asked Phil, of Dave. + +"I think so," was the answer. "But that was a mean thing to do. He came +near crushing my little toe." + +Fortunately, several of the hurdles had not been properly placed, and it +took some little time to arrange them properly. During that interval +Roger dressed the injured foot for his chum, which made it feel much +better. + +"Are you all ready?" was the question put to the contestants, as they +lined up. Then came a pause, followed by the crack of a revolver, and +they were off. + +The encounter with Nat Poole had nerved Dave as he had seldom been +nerved before. Ben had won, and he made up his mind to do the same, +regardless of the fact that Gus Plum and one of the other boys in the +race were bigger than himself. He took the first and second hurdles with +ease, and then found himself in a bunch, with Plum on one side and a lad +named Cashod on the other. + +"Whoop her up, Cashod!" he yelled out. "Come on, and show the others +what we can do!" + +"Right you are, Porter!" was the answering cry. + +"Not much!" puffed out Gus Plum. "I'm the winner here!" + +"Rats!" answered Dave. "You'll come in fifth, Plum. You're winded +already!" And then, with a mighty effort, he leaped to the front, with +Cashod on his heels. "Poole didn't do your dirty work well enough," he +flung back over his shoulder as he took his fourth hurdle. + +The taunts angered Gus Plum, and this made him lose ground, until, +almost before he knew it, the third pupil in the race dashed past him. +Then he found himself neck-and-neck with the fifth contestant. + +"Here they come!" + +"Dave Porter is ahead, with Cashod second!" + +"Collins has taken third place!" + +"Plum and Higgins are tied for fourth place!" + +"Not much! Higgins is ahead!" + +"And there goes Sanderson ahead of Plum, too! Phew! Wonder if that is +what Plum calls winning? He had better study his dictionary!" + +[Illustration: Dave cleared the last hurdle and came in a winner.--_Page +87._] + +With a mighty leap Dave cleared the last hurdle, and came in a winner. +Then the others finished in the order named, excepting that Gus Plum was +so disgusted that he refused to take the last hurdle, for which some of +the boys hissed him, considering it unsportsmanlike, which it was. + +"My shoe got loose," said the bully, lamely. "If it hadn't been for +that, I should have won." But nobody believed him. + +"Dave, the way you went ahead was simply great," cried Phil. "It was as +fine a hurdle race as I ever saw." + +"Yes, and he helped me, too," said Cashod. "I was thinking Plum would go +ahead, until Porter laughed at him. It was all right," and Cashod bobbed +his head to show how satisfied he was. + +If Nat Poole had been disgusted Gus Plum was more so, and he lost no +time in disappearing from public gaze. The two cronies met back of the +gymnasium. + +"You hurt Porter about as much as I hurt Basswood," Plum grumbled. "If +you can't do better than that next time, you had better give up trying." + +"Oh, 'the pot needn't call the kettle black,'" retorted Poole. "You made +just as much of a mess of it as I did. We'll be the laughing stock of +the Porter crowd now." + +"If they laugh at me, I'll punch somebody's nose. As it is, I've got an +account to settle with Porter, and I am going to settle it pretty quick, +too." + +"What do you mean?" + +"He jeered me while we were in the race. He has got to take it back, or +there is going to be trouble," muttered the bully, clenching his fists. + +In his usual bragging way Gus Plum let several students know that he +"had it in" for Dave, and this reached the country boy's ears the next +day directly after school. + +"I am not afraid of him," said Dave, coolly. "If he wants to find me, he +knows where to look for me." + +Shortly after this Dave and some of his chums took a walk down to the +boathouse dock. There they ran into Plum, Poole, and several of their +admirers. + +"Here is Porter now!" said one boy, in a low voice. "Now is your chance, +Gus." + +"Yes, let us see you do what you said," came from another. + +Plum had not expected an encounter so soon, but there seemed to be no +way of backing out, so he advanced quickly upon Dave, and clenched his +fists. + +"You can fight, or apologize," he said, loudly. + +"Apologize, to _you_?" queried Dave, coolly. + +"Yes, to me, and at once," blustered the bully. + +"I am not apologizing to you, Plum." + +"Then you'll fight." + +"If you hit me, I shall defend myself." + +"Hit you? If I sail into you, you'll think a cyclone struck you. If you +know where you are wise, you'll apologize." + +"On the contrary, Plum, I want to let you and all here know what I think +of you. You are a bully, a braggart--and a coward!" + +Dave's eyes were flashing dangerously, and as he gazed steadily at Plum, +the latter backed away a step. + +"You--you dare to talk to me like that?" + +"Why not? Nobody ought to be afraid to tell the truth." + +"Oh, don't stand gassing!" burst out Nat Poole. "Give it to him, +Gus--give it to him good and hard." + +"I will!" cried the bully, and making a quick leap, he delivered a blow +straight for Dave's face. + +Had the blow landed as intended, the country boy would undoubtedly have +sustained a black eye. But Dave ducked slightly, and the bully's fist +shot past his ear. Then Dave drew off and hit Plum a stinging blow on +the chin. + +"A fight! A fight!" was the rallying cry from all sides, and in a +twinkling a crowd assembled to see the impromptu contest. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A FIGHT AND ITS RESULT + + +"Dave, if you fight, and Doctor Clay hears of it, you'll get into +trouble," whispered Roger. "You know what his rules are." + +"I am not going to fight, but I'll defend myself," was the calm answer. + +"Maybe you're afraid to fight," sneered Nat Poole, who stood close by. + +Before the country youth could answer, Gus Plum sprang forward and aimed +another blow at Dave's face. Dave ducked, but was not quite quick +enough, and the fist of his enemy landed on his ear. + +This aroused the boy from Crumville as never before. The look on the +bully's face was such as to nerve him to do his best, and, casting +prudence to the winds, he "sailed in" with a vigor that astonished all +who beheld it. One fist landed on Plum's nose and the other on the +bully's chin, and down he went in a heap against the boathouse. + +"Have you had enough?" demanded Dave, his eyes fairly flashing. + +"No!" roared the bully, and scrambling up, he rushed at Dave, and the +pair clenched. Around and around the little dock they wrestled, first +one getting a slight advantage and then the other. + +"Break away!" cried some of the students. "Break away!" + +"I'll break, if he'll break!" panted Dave. Plum said nothing, for he was +doing his best to get the country boy's head in chancery, as it is +termed; that is, under his arm, where he might pummel it to his +satisfaction. + +But Dave was on his guard, and was not to be easily caught. He knew a +trick or two, and, watching his opportunity, led Plum to believe that he +was getting the better of the contest. Then, with remarkable swiftness, +he made a half-turn, ducked and came up, and sent the bully flying clean +and clear over his shoulder. When this happened both were close to the +edge of the dock, and, with a cry and a splash, Gus Plum went over into +the river. + +"Gracious! did you see that fling!" + +"Threw him right over his head into the river!" + +"The fellow who tackles Dave Porter has his hands full every time!" + +So the comments ran on. In the meantime Dave stood quietly on the edge +of the dock, watching for the bully, and trying to regain his breath. + +Plum had disappeared close to the edge of the dock, and all the +bystanders expected him to reappear almost immediately. But, to their +surprise, he did not show himself. + +"Where is he? Why doesn't he come up?" + +"He must be playing a trick on Porter. Maybe he is under the dock." + +"No, he can't get under the dock. It is all boarded up." + +"He must have struck his head on something, or got a cramp, being so +heated up." + +Dave continued to wait, and as his enemy did not come to light, a cold +chill ran over him. What if Plum was really hurt, or in trouble under +water? He knew that the bully was not the best of swimmers. + +"There he is!" came in a shout from one of the boys, and he pointed out +into the stream, to where Gus Plum's body was floating along, face +downward. + +Dave gave one look and his heart seemed to leap into his throat. By the +side of the dock was a rowboat, with the oars across the seats. He made +a bound for it. + +"Come," he said, motioning to Roger, and the senator's son followed him +into the craft. They shoved off with vigor, and Dave took up the oars. +Then another boat put off, containing Poole and two other students. + +A few strokes sufficed to bring the first rowboat up alongside of the +form of the bully. Plum had turned partly over and was on the point of +sinking again, when Roger reached out and caught him by the foot. Then +Dave swung the rowboat around, and after a little trouble the two got +the soaked one aboard. + +Gus Plum was partly unconscious, and a bruise on his left temple showed +where his head had struck some portion of the dock in falling. As they +placed him across the seats of the rowboat, he gasped, spluttered, and +attempted to sit up. + +"Better keep still," said Dave, kindly. "We don't want the boat to go +over." + +"Where am I? Oh, I know now! You knocked me over." + +"Don't talk, Plum; wait till we get back to shore," warned Roger. + +A few strokes took the boat back to the dock, and Dave and Roger +assisted the dripping youth to land. Gus Plum was so weak he had to sit +down on a bench to recover. + +"You played me a mean trick," he spluttered, at last. "A mean trick!" + +"That's what he did," put in Nat Poole, who had also returned to the +dock. "I guess he was afraid to fight fair." + +"I suppose you wanted to drown me," went on the bully of Oak Hall. + +"I didn't want to drown you, Plum--I didn't even want to push you +overboard. I didn't think we were so close to the dock's edge." + +"Humph! It's easy enough to talk!" Gus Plum gazed ruefully at his +somewhat loud summer suit. "Look at my clothes. They are just about +ruined!" + +"Nonsense," came from Roger. "They need drying, cleaning, and pressing, +that's all. You can get the job done down in Oakdale for a dollar and a +half." + +"And who is going to pay the bill?" + +"Well, if you are too poor to do it, I'll do so," answered Roger. + +This reply made the bully grow very red, and he shook his fist at the +senator's son. + +"None of your insinuations!" he roared. "I am not poor, and I want you +to know it. My father may have lost some money, but he can still buy and +sell your father. And as for such a poorhouse nobody as your intimate +friend there, Porter----" + +"For shame, Plum!" cried several. + +"Oh, go ahead and toady to him, if you want to. I shan't stop you. But +I'd rather pick my company." + +"And so would I," added Nat Poole. "I once heard of a poorhouse boy who +was the son of a thief. I'd not want to train with a fellow of that +sort." + +Dave listened to the words, and they seemed to burn into his very heart. +He came forward with a face as white as death itself. + +"Nat Poole, do you mean to insinuate that I am the son of a thief?" he +demanded. + +"Oh, a fellow don't know what to think," replied the Crumville +aristocrat, with a sneer. + +"Then take that for your opinion." + +It was a telling blow, delivered with a passion that Dave could not +control. It took Nat Poole squarely in the mouth, and the aristocrat +went down with a thud, flat on his back. His lip was cut and two of his +teeth were loosened, while the country's boy's fist showed a skinned +knuckle. + +"Whoop! did you see that!" + +"My! what a sledge-hammer blow!" + +"Poole is knocked out clean!" + +Such were some of the comments, in the midst of which Nat Poole sat up, +dazed and bewildered. Then he gasped, and ejected some blood from his +mouth. + +"You--you----" he began. + +"Stay where you are, Nat Poole," said Dave, in a voice that was as cold +as ice. "Don't you dare to budge!" + +"Wha-what?" + +"Don't you dare to budge until you have begged my pardon." + +"Me? Beg your pardon! I'd like to see myself!" + +"Well, that is just what you are going to do! If you don't, do you know +what I'll do? I'll throw you into the river and keep you there until +you do as I say." + +"Here, you let him alone!" blustered Plum, starting to rise. + +"Keep out of this, Plum, or, as sure as I'm standing here, I'll throw +you in again, too!" said Dave. + +"Dave----" whispered Roger. He could see that his friend was almost +beside himself with passion. + +"No, Roger, don't try to interfere. This is my battle. They have been +talking behind my back long enough. Poole has got to apologize, or take +the consequences, and so has Plum. I'll make them do it, if I have to +fight them both!" And the eyes of the country boy blazed with a fire +that the senator's son had never before seen in them. "I don't deny that +I came from the poorhouse, and I don't deny that I know nothing of my +past," went on Dave, speaking to the crowd. "But I am trying to do the +fair thing, every boy here knows it, and--and----" + +"We are with you, Dave!" came from the rear of the crowd, and Luke +Watson pushed his way to the front, followed by Phil, Shadow, and Buster +Beggs. + +"Dave Porter is one of the best fellows in this school," cried Phil. + +"And Plum and Poole are a couple of codfish," added Buster. + +"I--I--am a codfish, am I?" roared Plum. + +"You are, Gus Plum. You say things behind folks' backs and try to bully +the little boys, and in reality you are no better than anybody else, if +as good. You make me sick." + +"I'll--I'll hammer you good for that!" + +"All right, send me word when you are ready," retorted Buster. + +In the meantime Dave was still standing over Nat Poole. Suddenly he +caught the aristocratic youth by the ear and gave that member a twist. + +"Ouch! Let go!" yelled Nat Poole. "Let go! Don't wring my ear off!" + +"Will you apologize?" demanded Dave, and gave the ear a jerk that +brought tears to Poole's eyes. + +"I--I--oh, you'll have my ear off next! Oh, you wait--oh! oh! If I ever +get--_ouch_!" + +"Say you are sorry you said what you did to me," went on Dave, "or into +the river you go!" And despite Poole's efforts, he dragged the +aristocrat toward the edge of the dock. + +"No! no! Oh, I say, Porter! Oh, my ear! I don't want to go into the +river! I--I--I take it back--I guess I made a mistake. Oh, let me go!" + +"You apologize, then?" + +"Yes." + +"Then get out, and after this behave yourself," said Dave, and gave Nat +Poole a fling that sent him up against the boathouse with a bang. In +another instant he was by Gus Plum's side. "Now it's your turn, you +overgrown bully," he continued. + +"Wha-what do you mean?" stammered Plum, who had looked on the scene just +enacted with a sinking heart. + +"I mean you must apologize, just as Poole has done." + +"And if I won't?" + +"I'll thrash you till you do--no matter what the consequences are," and +Dave hauled off his jacket and threw off his cap. + +"Would you hit a fellow when he is--er--half drowned?" whined the bully. + +"You're not half drowned--you're only scared, Plum. Now, then, will you +apologize or not?" And Dave doubled up his fists. + +"I--I don't have to. I--I--_oh_!" + +The words on Plum's lips came to a sudden end, for at that instant the +country boy caught him by the throat and banged his head up against the +boathouse side. + +"Now apologize, and be quick about it," said Dave, determinedly. + +"Oh, my head! You have cracked my skull! I'll--I'll have the law on +you!" + +"Very well, I'm willing. But you must apologize first!" And Plum's head +came into contact with the boathouse side again, and he saw stars. + +"Oh! Let up--stop, Porter! Don't kill me! I--I--take it back! I--I +apologize! I--I didn't mean anything! Let up, please do!" shrieked Gus +Plum, and then Dave let go his hold and stepped back. + +"Now, Gus Plum, listen to me," said the country boy. "Let this end it +between us. If you don't, let me tell you right now that you will get +the worst of it. After this, keep your distance and don't open your +mouth about me. I shan't say anything to Doctor Clay about this, but if +you say anything, I'll tell him all, and I know, from what he has +already said, that he will stand by me." + +"Maybe he doesn't know----" + +"He knows everything about my past, and he has asked me to stay here, +regardless of what some mean fellows like you might say about it. But I +am not going to take anything from you and Poole in the future; remember +that!" added Dave, and then he picked up his cap and jacket, put them +on, and, followed by Phil, Roger, and a number of his other friends, +walked slowly away. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +SHADOW AS A SOMNAMBULIST + + +The manner in which Dave had brought Gus Plum and Nat Poole to terms was +the talk of Oak Hall for some time, and many of the pupils looked upon +the country boy as a veritable leader and conqueror. + +"I wish I had been there," said Chip Macklin to Roger. "It must have +been great to see Plum and Poole eat humble pie. What do you think +they'll do about it?" + +"They won't do anything, just at present," answered the senator's son. +"They are too scared." And in this surmise, Roger was correct. + +But, though the majority of the students sided with Dave, there was a +small class, made up of those who were wealthy, who passed him by and +snubbed him, not wishing to associate with anybody who had come from a +poorhouse. They said nothing, but their manners were enough to hurt Dave +greatly, and more than once the country boy felt like packing his trunk +and bidding good-by to Oak Hall forever. But then he would think of his +many friends and of what kind-hearted Doctor Clay had said, and grit his +teeth and declare to himself that he would fight the battle to the end, +no matter what the cost. + +If the story of the encounter came to the ears of the master of the +school or the teachers, nothing was said about it, and, in the multitude +of other events coming up, the incident was forgotten by the majority. +But Dave did not forget, and neither did Plum and Poole. + +"Oh, how I detest that chap!" grumbled Poole to Plum, one night when +they were alone. "Gus, we must get square." + +"That's right," returned the bully. "But not now. Wait till he is off +his guard, then we can fix him, and do it for keeps, too!" + +On the following Saturday evening Chip Macklin called Dave to one side. +The young student was evidently excited over something. + +"What is it, Chip?" asked Dave. "Hurry up, I can't wait long, for I want +to join the fellows in the gym." + +"I want to tell you something about Gus Plum," was the answer. "I think +I've discovered something, but I am not sure." + +"Well, out with it." + +"This afternoon I got permission to ride over to Rockville on my +bicycle, to get some shirts at the furnishing store there. Well, when I +came out of the store, I saw Gus Plum coming out of the post-office on +the opposite side of the street. He had some letters in his hand, and he +turned into the little public park near by, sat down on a bench, and +began to read them." + +"Well, what is remarkable about that, outside of the fact that he is +supposed to get all his letters in the Hall mail?" remarked Dave. + +"That's just it. I made up my mind something was wrong, or else he'd +have his mail come here. I saw him tear three of the envelopes to pieces +and scatter the bits in the grass. When he went away, I walked over to +the spot and picked up such bits of paper as I could find. Of course, +you may say I was a sneak for doing it, but just look at what I found." + +"I have no desire, Chip, to pry into Plum's private affairs." + +"Yes, but this is not his private affair--to my way of thinking. It +concerns the whole school," returned Chip Macklin, eagerly. + +Dave glanced at the bits of paper, and at once became interested. One +piece contained the words, "Stamp Dealer"; another, "Rare Sta-- w York," +and another, "Stamps Bought and Sold by Isaac Dem-- --nett Street, +Sa----" + +"These must have come from dealers in stamps," said Dave, slowly. + +"That is what I thought." + +"Did you ever know Gus Plum to be interested in stamps?" + +"No." + +"Were the letters addressed to him?" + +"I don't know. Strange as it may seem, I couldn't find any of the +written-on portions of the envelopes." + +"Did Plum see you?" + +"Not until later--when I was on my way back to the Hall." + +"What did he say?" + +"Nothing. He acted as if he wanted to avoid me." + +After this the pair talked the matter over for several minutes, but +could reach no satisfactory conclusion regarding the bits of paper. + +"Do as you think best, Chip," said Dave, at last. "If you want to go to +Doctor Clay, I fancy he will be glad to hear what you have to say." + +"Well, if Plum has those lost stamps, don't you think he should be made +to return them?" + +"By all means. But you've got to prove he has them first, and the doctor +won't dare to say anything to Plum until he is sure of what he is doing. +Otherwise, Plum's father could raise a big row, and he might even sue +the doctor for defamation of character, or something like that." + +A little later found Chip Macklin in the doctor's office. The small boy +was rather scared, but told a fairly straight story, and turned over +the bits of paper to the master of the Hall. Doctor Clay was all +attention. + +"I will look into this," he said. "In the meantime, Macklin, I wish you +would keep it to yourself." + +"I have already told Dave Porter about it. I wanted his advice." + +"Then request Porter to remain quiet, also," and Chip said that he would +do as asked, and later on did so. + +The end of the school term was now close at hand, and Dave turned to his +studies with renewed vigor, resolved to come out as near to the head of +the class as possible. He received several letters from Professor Potts, +Mr. Wadsworth, and a delicately scented note from Jessie, and answered +them all without delay. The letter from Jessie he prized highly, and +read it half a dozen times before he stowed it carefully away among his +few valued possessions. + +On Wednesday evening Dave partook rather freely of some hash that was +served up. On the sly, Sam Day salted his portion, and, as a +consequence, the country boy went to bed feeling remarkably thirsty. He +drank one glass of water, and an hour later got up to drink another, +only to find the water pitcher empty. + +"It's no use, I've got to have a drink," he told himself. "And if I +catch the fellow who salted my hash----" + +He slipped into part of his clothing, and, taking the water pitcher, +made his way through the hallway to the nearest of the bathrooms. Here +he obtained the coldest drink possible, and then, filling the pitcher, +started to return to dormitory No. 12. + +As he neared the dormitory, he saw somebody pass along the other end of +the hallway. It was a boy, fully dressed, and with a cap set back on his +head. + +"Shadow Hamilton!" he murmured, as the boy passed close to a dimly +burning hall light. "Now, what is he up to?" + +He put down his pitcher and stole forward, until he was directly behind +Shadow. Then, of a sudden, he beheld the boy swing around and put out +his hands, feeling for the rail of a rear stairs. Shadow Hamilton was +fast asleep. + +"He is doing some more of his sleep-walking!" thought Dave. "Now, what +had I best do?" + +There was no time to think long, for the sleep-walker was already +descending the back stairs slowly and noiselessly. Dave hurried into the +dormitory, set down the pitcher, and aroused Roger, who was nearest to +him. + +"Come, quick!" he whispered. "Slip on your clothes, and don't make any +noise." + +"Oh, I'm too sleepy for fun!" murmured Roger. + +"This isn't fun, it's important. Come, I say!" + +Thus aroused, the senator's son rolled from his couch and hurried into +his clothing. In a few minutes both boys had their shoes and caps on, +and along the hallway they sped, and down the back stairs. The door +below was unlocked, but closed. Soon they were out in the rear yard of +the Hall, and there they beheld Shadow Hamilton walking slowly in the +direction of the boathouse. + +"Who is it?" whispered Roger. + +"It is Shadow. He is walking in his sleep. I want to find out where he +is going and what he'll do." + +"Humph! This certainly is interesting," answered the senator's son. + +"Whatever you do, Roger, don't arouse him, or there may be an accident," +cautioned Dave. "Let him go his own way." + +"But he may hurt himself, anyway." + +"No, he won't. A sleep-walker can walk a slack wire, if he tries it, and +never tumble. Haven't you heard of them walking on the ridge pole of a +house? I have." + +"I've read about such things. And I know they say you mustn't arouse +them. He is going into the boathouse!" + +The chums ran forward and reached the doorway of the boathouse just as +Shadow Hamilton was coming out. The somnambulist had a pair of oars, +and he stepped to the edge of the dock and untied one of the boats and +leaped in. + +"I must find them!" they heard the youth mutter to himself. "I must find +them and bring them back!" + +"Did you hear that?" asked Roger. "What is he talking about?" + +"That remains to be found out. Come, let us follow him," returned Dave. + +They procured two pairs of oars, and were soon in another boat and +pulling behind Shadow Hamilton. The boy who was asleep seemed to possess +supernatural strength, and they had no easy time of it keeping up with +him. His course was up the Leming River, past Robbin's Point, and then +into a side stream that was rather narrow, but almost straight for a +distance of two miles. + +"Do you know where this stream leads to?" questioned Roger. + +"I do not." + +"Almost to the old castle that we visited last winter on our skates, the +day we caught that robber and saved Billy Dill. The river makes half a +dozen twists and turns before the castle is reached, but this is a +direct route and much shorter." + +"Can it be possible that Shadow is going to the old castle?" queried the +country boy. + +"I'm sure I don't know. We'll learn pretty soon." + +As my old readers know, the place referred to was a dilapidated +structure of brick and stone which had been erected about the time of +the Revolutionary War. It set back in a wilderness of trees, and was +given over largely to the owls and to tramps. It belonged to an +unsettled estate that had gone into litigation, and there was no telling +if it would ever be rebuilt and occupied in a regular way. + +It was dark under the trees, but by pulling close to the boat ahead, +Dave and Roger managed to keep Shadow Hamilton in sight. As soon as the +somnambulist came near to the castle he ran his boat up the bank, leaped +ashore, and stalked toward the building. + +"He has disappeared!" cried Roger, softly. + +"I see him," answered Dave. "Come!" and he led the way into the old +structure and to the very rooms where the encounter with the robber and +with Billy Dill had occurred. + +Scarcely daring to breathe, they watched Shadow move around in an +uncertain way, touching this object and that, and opening and shutting +several closet doors, and even poking into the chimney-place. + +"Gone! gone! gone!" they heard him mutter. "What shall I do? What shall +I do?" And he gave a groan. + +Five minutes passed and the sleep-walker left the castle and hurried to +his boat. His course was now down the stream toward the Hall, and Dave +and Roger followed, as before. At the dock the boats were tied up, the +oars put away, and Shadow Hamilton went back to the room from which he +had come. Peering in, Dave and Roger saw him undress and go to bed, just +as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +A PHOTOGRAPH OF IMPORTANCE + + +"I should not believe it, had I not seen it with my own eyes." + +It was in this fashion that Roger expressed himself on the following +day, when discussing the affair of the night previous with Dave. Shadow +was around, as usual. He looked sleepy, but otherwise acted as if +nothing out of the ordinary had happened. + +"It certainly is remarkable," was Dave's comment. "The question is, what +made him go to the castle? I think I know, but I cannot speak about it. +But I'll tell you what I should like to do, Roger: go up to the castle +while it is daylight and take a thorough look around." + +Roger was willing to do this, and the upshot of the talk was that Dave +and the senator's son paid the old brick-and-stone structure a visit on +the following Saturday half-holiday, taking Phil and Ben with them. They +went up in a boat by the short route, arriving there about half-past +three o'clock. + +There was not a soul about the deserted mansion, and the few birds flew +away at their approach. It was a clear, sunny day, and they lost no +time in throwing every door and window wide open, so that they might +have the full benefit of the light and fresh air. + +"Here is the room in which he moved around the most," remarked Roger, +gazing around earnestly. "But I can't say that I see anything unusual, +do you?" + +They were all searching around, and after a few minutes had passed Ben +uttered a low cry and held up a small object, almost covered with dust +and dirt. + +"A class pin!" cried Dave. "We must see if we can find any more of +them." + +It was not long before Phil came upon two pins sticking on a board of a +closet. Then Roger ran into the next room and, after a short hunt, +uncovered a flat pasteboard box with several more of the class pins, +each a bit tarnished by the dampness, but otherwise uninjured. + +"He must have come for the pins," said Ben. "That solves the mystery of +how they disappeared from Mr. Dale's possession." + +"Here is a postage stamp!" ejaculated Phil, and held it up. "It's an old +German issue," he added. "And here are half a dozen others, all +evidently torn from a sheet. Boys, Shadow must have taken the doctor's +collection!" + +Dave said nothing to this, for he had discovered a cupboard in a +corner, tightly closed and with the wooden button of the door missing. +He now opened the door of the cupboard with a knife. + +"Hello, what's in there?" asked Roger, who was behind him. + +"Seems to be some clothing," answered Dave, and hauled forth some loose +garments and also an old satchel. The garments formed part of a sailor's +garb, and the satchel was marked on the bottom with the name, "William +Dill." + +"It's Billy Dill's missing outfit!" cried Dave, eagerly. "Oh, Roger, how +glad I am that I have found this! It's the best yet!" + +All the boys were interested, for they knew Dave's story and the tale of +the strange sailor. As Dave ran to the light with the satchel, they +crowded around him. + +"I think I am fully justified in opening this grip," said the country +boy. He was so agitated he could scarcely speak. + +"Why, certainly," cried Phil. "Open it, by all means. It may throw light +on some things which Billy Dill has been unable to explain." + +The satchel was not locked and came open with ease. Inside was a bag +containing some loose silver and a roll of forty-six dollars in +bankbills. There was also a locket, containing the picture of a motherly +old lady, probably the sailor's parent. Under the locket were a small +Bible and a work on ocean navigation, and at the bottom a thick, brown +envelope containing a photograph. + +"Let us see whose picture that is," said Phil, and Dave opened the +envelope and drew the photograph forth. As he held it up there was a +general cry, in which he was forced to join. + +"That's the man who looks like you, Dave!" cried Roger. + +"What a striking resemblance!" exclaimed Phil. + +"And he has the mustache, just as the sailor said," added Ben. "Dave, +that man looks enough like you to be your older brother, or your +father!" + +Dave said nothing, for he was too much overcome to speak. As he gazed at +the picture, he began to tremble from head to foot. Taking away the +mustache, the face was exactly like his own, only older and more +careworn. He did not wonder that Billy Dill had become confused because +of the resemblance. He turned the picture over. There was not a scrap of +printing or writing on it anywhere. + +What was the meaning of this mystery? What was this man to him? Was he +the man who had once lost a child through a crazy nurse? In his +perplexed state of mind, the questions were maddening ones to the boy. + +"What do you think of it, Dave?" asked Phil, after a pause, and the eyes +of all the others were turned on the poorhouse boy. + +"What do I think of it?" he repeated, slowly. "I think this: I am going +to find this man, if he is alive, even if I have to go around the world +to do it. He must know something of my past--most likely he is a +relative of mine. I am going to be a poorhouse nobody no longer. I am +going to establish my identity--and I am going to do that before I do +anything else." + +Dave spoke deliberately, weighing every word. It was almost as if he was +registering a vow. The others saw a look of determination settle on his +face, and knew that he would do as he said. + +The boy from the country had suddenly lost interest in clearing up the +mystery surrounding Shadow Hamilton, and allowed the others to finish +the search for class pins and postage stamps. One more pin was found and +three rare stamps from Brazil, and then the search was abandoned, and +they returned to Oak Hall, Dave carrying the sailor's possessions. + +That evening there was an interesting interview in Doctor Clay's office, +in which Dave and his friends took an active part. The worthy master of +Oak Hall listened to all the boys had to tell with keen attention, and +smiled quietly when told how Dave and Roger had first followed Shadow in +his somnambulistic feat. He took possession of the class pins and the +stamps, and said the latter were undoubtedly from his collection. + +"We now have nearly all of the class pins," he said. "But fully +nine-tenths of the postage stamps are still missing and they represent a +value of at least twenty-five hundred dollars. I am tolerably sure that +Maurice Hamilton took them in his sleep, but the question is, did he +destroy the others, or did somebody else come along and take them?" + +"I believe Chip Macklin came to see you, sir," said Dave, significantly. + +"He did, Porter, and I am going to follow that clew up--if it is a +clew," answered Doctor Clay, gravely. + +After the others had departed, Dave showed the things he had found +belonging to Billy Dill. The master of the Hall was as much astonished +as anybody over the resemblance between his pupil and the photograph, +and examined the picture with care. + +"I do not wonder that you wish to investigate this," said he. "I should +wish to do so, were I in your position." + +"I have simply got to do it, Doctor!" cried Dave. "I shall not be able +to settle my mind on a thing until it's done. Would you go home and see +Mr. Wadsworth and Professor Potts first, or go direct to that sailor?" + +"Why not send a long letter to your friends, telling them what you have +told me? You can add that I agree that the photograph resembles you +closely, and that you wish to talk the matter over once again with this +William Dill." + +As impatient as he was, Dave concluded to follow this advice, and a +letter of ten pages was sent to Mr. Wadsworth and to Caspar Potts the +next morning. In the meantime, it may be added here, Doctor Clay had a +closer watch than ever set on Shadow Hamilton's movements, and he also +began a quiet investigation of Gus Plum's doings. + +The letter that Dave sent to Crumville created a sensation in the +Wadsworth household, and was read and re-read several times by the +members of the manufacturer's family and by Professor Potts. + +"There is undoubtedly something in this," said the professor. "It +certainly is entitled to a strict investigation. If you will permit me, +I will run up to Oak Hall to see Dave, and then take him to see this +Billy Dill." + +"I will go with you," answered the rich manufacturer. "The outing will +do us both good, and I am greatly interested in Dave's welfare. I only +trust that there is a happy future in store for him." + +"And I say the same, sir, for no boy deserves it more," answered +Professor Potts. + +A telegram was sent to Dave, and on the following day Oliver Wadsworth +and Caspar Potts journeyed to Oakdale. Dave met them at the depot with +the Hall carriage. + +"There he is!" exclaimed old Caspar Potts, rushing up and shaking +hands. "My boy! my boy! I am glad to see you again!" And he fairly +quivered with emotion. + +"And I am glad to see you," cried Dave, in return. He shook hands with +both men. "Mr. Wadsworth, it was kind of you to answer my letter so +quickly," he added. + +"I knew you would be anxious, Dave. My, how well and strong you look! +The air up here must do you good." + +"It is a very healthful spot," answered the youth, "and I like it better +than I can tell." + +"A fine school--a fine school!" murmured Professor Potts. "You could not +go to a better." + +On the way to the Hall, Dave told his story in detail, and exhibited the +photograph, which he had brought with him, scarcely daring to leave it +out of his sight. + +"It is just as you have said," remarked Oliver Wadsworth. "A most +remarkable resemblance, truly!" + +"That man must be some relative to Dave," added Caspar Potts. "There +could not be such a resemblance otherwise. It is undoubtedly the same +strain of blood. He may be a father, uncle, cousin, elder brother--there +is no telling what; but he is a relative, I will stake my reputation on +it." + +The visitors were cordially greeted at Oak Hall by Doctor Clay and made +to feel perfectly at home. They were given rooms for the night, and in +the morning the doctor and his visitors and Dave had breakfast together. + +It had been decided that a visit should be paid to Billy Dill that very +afternoon, and by nine o'clock Mr. Wadsworth, Professor Potts, and Dave +were on the way to the town where was located the sanitarium to which +the sailor had been taken. Dave had the tar's satchel and clothing with +him, and the precious photograph was stowed away in his pocket. Just +then he would not have parted with that picture for all the money in the +world. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A GLEAM OF LIGHT + + +"I would advise that you keep that satchel and the picture out of sight +at first," said Professor Potts, as he rang the bell of the sanitarium. +"Talk to the old sailor and try to draw him out. Then show him his +belongings when you think the time ripe." + +Mr. Wadsworth and Dave thought this good advice, and when they were +ushered into the old sailor's presence, the boy kept the satchel behind +him. + +"Well, douse my toplights, but I'm glad to see ye all!" cried Billy +Dill, as he shook hands. "It's kind o' you to pay a visit to such an old +wreck as I am." + +"Oh, you're no wreck, Mr. Dill," answered Oliver Wadsworth. "We'll soon +have you as right and tight as any craft afloat," he added, falling into +the tar's manner of speaking. + +"Bless the day when I can float once more, sir. Do you know, I've been +thinkin' that a whiff o' salt air would do me a sight o' good. Might fix +my steerin' apparatus," and the tar tapped his forehead. + +"Then you must have a trip to the ocean, by all means," said Caspar +Potts. He turned to the rich manufacturer. "It might be easily +arranged." + +"Dill, I want to talk to you about the time you were out in the South +Seas," said Dave, who could bear the suspense no longer. "Now, please +follow me closely, will you?" + +"Will if I can, my hearty." The sailor's forehead began to wrinkle. "You +know my memory box has got its cargo badly shifted." + +"Don't you remember when you were down there--at Cavasa Island, and +elsewhere--how hard times were, and how somebody helped you." + +"Seems to me I do." + +"Don't you remember traveling around with your bundle and your satchel? +You had some money in bankbills and some loose silver, and a work on +navigation, and a Bible----" + +"Yes! yes! I remember the Bible--it was the one my aunt gave me--God +bless her! She, Aunt Lizzie--took care o' me when my mother died, an' +she told me to read it every day--an' I did, most o' the time." + +"Well, you had the Bible and your satchel and your bundle of clothes," +went on Dave, impressively. "And at that time you fell in with a man who +afterwards gave you his photograph." + +"So I did--the man who looks like you. But I----" + +"Wait a minute. Don't you remember his telling you a story about a crazy +nurse and a lost child?" + +"I certainly do, but----" + +Dave drew the photograph from his pocket and thrust it forward, directly +before the tar's eyes. + +"There is the man!" he cried. "Now, what is his name? Tell me his name, +at once!" + +[Illustration: "Tell me his name, at once!"--_Page 121._] + +"Dunston Porter!" fairly shouted the sailor. "Dunston Porter! That's it! +I knew I would remember it sometime! Dunston Porter, of course it was! +Funny how I forgot it. Better write it down, afore it slips my cable +again." + +"Dunston Porter!" murmured Dave, and the others likewise repeated the +name. + +"Ha! this is remarkable!" ejaculated Caspar Potts. "Dave, do you +remember what you called yourself when you were first found and taken to +the poorhouse." + +"I do, sir. I called myself Davy, and Porter, and Dun-Dun." + +"Exactly, and Dun-Dun meant Dunston. You were trying to repeat the name, +'Dunston Porter'!" + +"That would seem to be the fact," came from Oliver Wadsworth. "And if +so----" He paused significantly. + +"You think my real name is Dunston Porter?" + +"Either that, or else that is the name of some relative of yours." + +Dave's heart beat fast. He felt that he was getting at least a faint +glimpse of his past. He turned again to Billy Dill. + +"Then this Dunston Porter was your friend?" he observed. + +"He was, and he helped me when I was stranded," was the answer. "I can't +give ye all the particulars, cos some o' 'em is more like a dream than +anything to me. When I try to think, my head begins to swim," and the +sailor wrinkled his forehead as before and twitched his eyes. + +"Tell me one thing," said the rich manufacturer, "Do you think this +Dunston Porter is still at Cavasa Island, or in that locality?" + +"I suppose so--I don't know." + +"When did you come away from there?" asked Professor Potts. + +"It must be nigh on to a year ago. I came straight to 'Frisco, went up +the coast on a lumber boat to Puget Sound, and then took passage to New +York. Next, I drifted up here to look up some friends, and you know what +happened after that." + +"Was Dunston Porter alone out there?" questioned Oliver Wadsworth. + +"Why--er--I can't say as to that. He didn't say much about himself, that +I can remember. Once he told me about that child, but--but it's hazy--I +can't think! Oh, it drives me crazy when I try to think! The roar of the +sea gets in my ears, and the light from the lighthouse fires my brain!" +And the old tar began to pace the floor in a rolling gait. + +"He is growing excited!" whispered Caspar Potts. "It is too bad! Were he +in his right mind, he might be able to tell us a great deal." + +"Supposing we go out and have lunch together," suggested Oliver +Wadsworth. "And then we can go for a ride on the lake." + +He spoke to the sanitarium manager, and the upshot of the matter was +that the whole party went out to a hotel for dinner. Previous to going, +Dave gave Billy Dill the satchel and money and the bundle, which seemed +to tickle the tar immensely. + +"Douse my toplight, but I feel like old times again!" he cried, when +they had had a good dinner and were seated on the forward deck of one of +the lake boats, used to take out pleasure parties. "Oh, but I love the +water!" + +"I suppose this doesn't look anything like around Cavasa Island," +remarked Dave, trying to draw the sailor out. + +"Not much, my boy. Cavasa Island has a volcano in the middle of it, and +once in a while that volcano gets busy, and folks run for their lives. +An' they have earthquakes, too. Once I was out with Dunston Porter, and +along came an earthquake, and the other fellow, Mr. Lemington, almost +had his leg broken." + +"Who was Mr. Lemington?" asked Caspar Potts, quickly. + +"Why, he was Dunston Porter's partner in the treasure-hunting scheme. +Oh, I didn't tell you about that, did I? Funny, how it slipped my mind, +eh? They went to the volcano for the treasure. I guess that was when the +baby disappeared--and that other man--I don't remember much of him, he +was wild. It was misty, misty. But they didn't get any treasure, I know +that. And then Mr. Lemington got disgusted and sailed for Australia." + +"Did you ever see the baby?" asked Dave. + +"Did I? Why--I think so. I don't remember." + +This was all they could get out of the sailor, try their best, and, upon +Oliver Wadsworth's advice, they did not bother him any further. Before +returning to the sanitarium, the rich manufacturer called Dave to one +side. + +"Dave, do you want to go to Cavasa Island?" he asked, with a quiet +smile. + +"I do," was the prompt answer. "I was going to speak to you about it. +You know I told you that Phil Lawrence is going--on one of his father's +ships this summer. I'd like very much to go with Phil." + +"Then you shall go, if we can make the necessary arrangements. Now, what +I want to know is: Do you not think it would be an excellent thing to +take this Billy Dill along? The trip might cure him entirely, and he +might aid you greatly in clearing up this mystery." + +"Why, Mr. Wadsworth, you must have been reading my thoughts!" exclaimed +the country boy. "I was going to suggest that very thing." + +"Then we will speak to Dill about it before we leave him. Do you know +when your friend Lawrence is to join his father's ship?" + +"No, sir; but I can soon find out. And here is Mr. Lawrence's address, +if you want it," added Dave, and wrote it on a card. + +When the idea of sailing on the Pacific once more was broached to Billy +Dill, his eyes lit up with pleasure. + +"I'd like nothing better!" he cried. "I've been a-thinkin' I might ship +again. I can't stay an' be spongin' on you folks any longer, it wouldn't +be proper. I want to pay up, now Dave has found my money for me." + +"Keep your money, Dill," returned Oliver Wadsworth. "You may need it +later." And then he explained what Dave wished to do, and how the tar +might accompany the youth on his long trip. + +"I'll go--an' glad o' the chance," said Billy Dill, readily. "Just draw +up your articles, an' I'll sign 'em any time ye want." And so the matter +was settled. + +Dave returned to Oak Hall late that night in a very thoughtful mood. So +much had been done and said that he wanted time in which to think it +over. It was not until the next day that he got a chance to talk matters +over with Phil and Roger, both of whom listened attentively to his tale. + +"It seems to me you are learning something, Dave," said Roger. "I hope +the whole matter is cleared up before long. Then Plum and Poole will +have to stop casting slurs on you." + +"And now, Phil, I want to go out to the South Seas with you," continued +Dave. "And, what is more, I am going to ask your father to find a place +on the vessel for Billy Dill." + +"I fancy he'll do that, if I ask him," answered Phil. "I'll write and +tell the whole story, and I know he will be as much interested as I am." + +"I wish I was going on that trip with you," said Roger. "Such an outing +would suit me to a T." + +"I guess there will be room enough for another passenger," answered +Phil. "Why don't you ask your folks about it?" + +"I will!" burst out the senator's son. "They are going to Europe, you +know. I was to go along, but I'll see if I can't go with you two +instead." + +After that there was a good deal of letter-writing, and the boys waited +anxiously for replies. In the meanwhile, the final examinations for the +term began. Dave did his best to keep his mind on his lessons, and +succeeded so well that he came out second from the top, studious Polly +Vane heading the list. Roger came next to Dave, with Ben Basswood +fourth, Phil sixth, and Sam Day seventh. Gus Plum was almost at the end +of the list, and Nat Poole was but little better. In a lower class, Luke +Watson stood second, Buster Beggs fourth, and Chip Macklin fifth. Shadow +Hamilton, although generally a good student, dropped to tenth place in +his class. + +"I am more than gratified at this showing," said Doctor Clay, when the +examinations were over. "The general average is higher than usual. You +have done well, and I shall award the prizes with much pleasure." + +After that there was an entertainment lasting the best part of the +afternoon, and in the evening the students celebrated by a bonfire on +the campus and a general merrymaking. They sang the school song over and +over again, and gave the Hall cry: + + "Baseball! + Football! + Oak Hall + Has the call! + Biff! Boom! Bang! Whoop!" + +"To-night's the night!" whispered Phil, as he entered the school with +his chums. "Just wait and see!" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +WINDING UP THE SCHOOL TERM + + +"I must say, I don't feel much like fun to-night," observed Dave, as he +hurried up the stairs to dormitory No. 12. "I am anxious to get started +on that trip to the Pacific." + +"Oh, that will hold for one day longer," said Ben. "I wish I was going, +too. Roger, have you got word yet?" + +"No, but I expect a letter to-morrow. If it doesn't come, I'll have to +wait till I get home." + +Dave was in advance and was the first to throw open the dormitory door. +As he did so, a powerful smell of onions greeted him. + +"Great Caesar!" he ejaculated. "Smells like an onion factory up here. +Somebody must have been eating a dozen or two. Open the window, Phil, +while I make a light." + +"Hello, what's this!" spluttered Ben, and fell headlong over something. +"A decayed cabbage! Who put that on the floor?" + +"Look out, everybody!" shouted Roger. "I just stepped on something soft. +Phew! Some decayed sweet potatoes!" + +By this time Dave made a light, and all of the boys who had come up +gazed around the dormitory. Then a cry of amazement and anger arose. + +"This is a rough-house, and no mistake!" + +"Somebody has been heaving decayed vegetables all over the room!" + +"Yes, and ancient eggs, too! This is an outrage!" + +"Here is a rotten cabbage in my trunk!" called out Roger. He held the +object at arm's length. "I'd like to soak the fellow who did it!" he +added, savagely. + +With caution, all made an investigation. They found their clothing and +other belongings disarranged, and decayed vegetables, stale eggs, and +sour milk were everywhere in evidence. It was a mess bad enough to make +them weep. + +"We ought to report this," was Phil's comment. "I don't mind real fun, +but this is going too far." + +"This stuff must have come from the cellar," put in Buster Beggs. "I +heard the head cook telling Pop Swingly that the place must be cleaned +out, or he would report it to the doctor. Swingly said he didn't know +the bad stuff was there." + +"Well, Swingly didn't put the stuff here," put in Dave. "It's the work +of some of the other fellows." + +"I know where the janitor is!" cried Ben. "Shall I go down and question +him? Maybe he can give us a pointer." + +"Yes, go ahead," said Dave. + +"And I'll go along," added the senator's son, and a moment later the two +boys were off. + +While the pair were gone, the others surveyed the damage done. The most +of the decayed vegetables were swept into a corner, and then the boys +did what they could toward straightening out their things. + +"Here's a stale egg in my hat-box!" groaned Sam. "I'd like to throw it +at some fellow's head!" + +Dave had found his trunk open, and was searching the box with care. +Suddenly he gave a loud cry: + +"It's gone! It's gone!" + +"What's gone?" queried Phil. + +"The photograph! I had it among my books and papers, and the whole bunch +is missing!" + +"You mean the photo of the man who looks like you?" asked Sam, quickly. + +"Yes." Dave gave a groan that came straight from his heart. "Oh, boys, I +must get that back! I can't afford to lose it! I must get it back! It is +worth more to me than anything in the world!" He was so agitated that he +could scarcely control himself. + +"Let us hunt for the picture," came from Buster Beggs, who knew about +the photograph, and all started a search, which lasted until Ben and +Roger returned. + +"We've discovered the chaps who are responsible," said Ben, in triumph. + +"They are Gus Plum and Nat Poole," asserted the senator's son. "Pop +Swingly was throwing this stuff away in a hole back of the campus, when +Plum and Poole came up. He heard them talking about playing a trick, but +he didn't think they'd lower themselves by touching the mess. I suppose +they thought that they were doing something quite smart." + +"Dave's photo is gone," said Phil. "We have been hunting for it +everywhere." + +"You don't say! Dave, that is too bad." + +"We ought to make Plum and Poole clean up this mess," came from Buster. +"Let us try to capture them." + +The suggestion met with instant approval, and the boys started to locate +the bully and his crony. Plum and Poole were still below, but Shadow +Hamilton announced that they were preparing to come up by a side stairs. + +"We must get them, sure!" cried Dave. "I want that picture back, if +nothing else." + +Soon one boy, who was acting as a spy, announced the coming of Plum and +Poole. The pair were allowed to reach the door of their dormitory, when +they were pounced on from behind and made prisoners. They tried to +escape, but the crowd was too many for them, and towels pulled down over +their mouths kept them from raising an outcry. + +"What's the meaning of this?" spluttered Nat Poole, when he found +himself and his crony in dormitory No. 12, and with the door closed and +locked. + +"It means, in the first place, that I want my things back," said Dave, +"and especially a photograph that was between my books." + +"Humph! that photo is burned up," growled Gus Plum. + +"Gus Plum!" gasped Dave. He could say no more. + +"Plum, do you mean to say you burned that picture up?" demanded Roger. +"If you did, you ought to be tarred and feathered for it!" + +"He wouldn't dare to do it!" came boldly from Phil. "If he did, I know +what Dave will do--have him sent to jail for it." + +"Bah! You can't send me to jail for a little fun," blustered the bully. + +"That is no fun, Plum," put in Ben. "That photo was of great importance. +If you burned it up, you will surely suffer." + +"Is it really burned or not?" muttered Dave, hoarsely. "Answer me, +you--you cur!" and he caught the bully by the throat. + +"Le-let go--don't strangle me! N-no--it's all right. I was only +fooling." + +"Then, where is it?" + +"In the--the closet--on the top shelf." + +Dave dropped his hold and ran to the closet pointed out. True enough, on +the top shelf, in a back corner, were the books, with the precious +photograph between them. Dave lost no time in placing the picture in an +inside pocket. + +"You're a fine fellow, not to take a bit of fun without getting mad," +grumbled Gus Plum. He did not dare to say too much in such a crowd. + +"So you call this fun?" remarked Phil, sarcastically. "Fun! to play the +scavenger and bring this stuff up here? Well, I must say, I don't like +your preference for a calling." + +"Look here, you needn't call us scavengers!" howled Nat Poole. "I am a +gentleman, I am!" + +"Well, you brought this up here, you and Plum." + +"It was only a--re--a joke. Everybody has got to put up with jokes +to-night." + +"Well, you are going to put up with a little hard work," came from +Roger. + +"Work?" + +"Yes. You and Plum are going to clean up the muss and put this room in +apple-pie order." + +"Huh! I see myself doing it!" stormed the aristocratic youth. + +"You will do it," observed Ben. "Isn't that so, fellows?" + +There was a chorus of approvals. + +"So take off your coats and get to work," said Dave, who felt easier, +now that he had the picture back. "I guess you both need a little +exercise." + +"I'll be hanged if I do a stroke!" roared Gus Plum. + +Hardly had he spoken, when Ben caught up a pitcher of ice-water and held +it over the bully's head. + +"Take your choice, Plum!" he cried, and allowed a little of the +ice-water to trickle down the bully's backbone. There was a roar of +fright and a shiver. + +"Oh! Don't do that! Do you want to freeze me to death!" + +"Now, Poole, maybe you want some," added Ben, advancing. Poole tried to +retreat, stumbled, and sat down heavily on a decayed cabbage, which +squashed beneath him. He set up a roar. + +"Now see what you've done, Ben Basswood! My best gray suit, too! I'll +fix you for this!" + +"Both of you must get to work!" declared Dave. "We'll give you two +minutes in which to get started. If you don't start----" + +"We'll roll you in the decayed vegetables and kick you out," finished +Buster Beggs. With the term so nearly ended, he was growing reckless. +"I'll play timekeeper," and he drew out his watch. + +Plum and Poole begged and protested, but all to no purpose, and, badly +scared, took off their coats and cuffs, rolled up their sleeves, and +began to clean up the muss they had made. While this was under way, the +other boys of the dormitory came up and viewed the scene with amazement +and satisfaction. + +At last the dirty job was at an end, at least so far as Plum and Poole +could go. They had worked hard and were bathed in perspiration, and +their hands were in anything but a clean condition. Both were "boiling +mad," but neither dared to say a word, for fear the others would make +them do more. + +"Now you have learned your trade," said Phil, finally, "you can graduate +as full-fledged scavengers. When you go out, don't fail to place that +bag of nasty stuff in a corner of your own room. The smell will give you +both pleasant dreams." + +"Phil Lawrence----" began the bully. + +"Just wait till I----" came from Nat Poole. + +"Silence!" cried Dave. "Not a word, or you'll be sorry. Take up the bag. +Now, march!" + +The door was flung open, and with the bag of messy stuff between them, +Plum and Poole marched forth into the corridor and to the stairs leading +to the back yard. The boys of dormitory No. 12 watched them out of +sight, then returned to their room. + +"I'll wager they are the maddest boys in the Hall," said Dave, when the +door had been locked once more. + +"Will they come back, do you think?" questioned Roger. + +"I don't think so. But we can be on our guard." + +They remained on guard for half an hour, but Plum and Poole did not +reappear. They had had enough of their so-called fun, and they sneaked +out of sight at the first opportunity. + +But, without this, there was fun galore that night in the various +dormitories. Two crowds of boys held feasts, to which even the monitors +were invited, and dormitories Nos. 3 and 4 got into a pillow fight, in +the midst of which Job Haskers appeared. The teacher was knocked over by +a pillow, and then some other pillows were piled on top of him. After +that he was hustled out of the room, and, completely bewildered, he +rolled down the broad stairs, bumping on every step. Then Pop Swingly +came up, followed by "Horsehair," the carriage driver, to quell the +disturbance, and each received a pitcher of ice-water over his head, +which made both beat a hasty retreat. But by one o'clock the school +quieted down, and all of the pupils went to sleep as if nothing out of +the ordinary had occurred. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +PREPARING FOR A LONG TRIP + + +[Illustration: "Good-by to Oak Hall!"--_Page 137._] + +"Whoop! hurrah! Off we go! Good-by to Oak Hall!" + +The carryall belonging to the school was moving away from the campus. It +was loaded with students and behind it came two wagons, full of trunks +and dress-suit cases. Back on the campus a crowd was assembled to bid +the departing ones good-by. + +"Write to me often!" + +"Don't forget, Tom! Atlantic City, middle of August!" + +"Be sure and ask him to join the team!" + +"Yes, we are going to Casco Bay. Come up, if you can." + +"Tell Jack----Say, get off my toes, will you? Tell Jack to come up to +Lake Titus, back of Malone. We'll give him a dandy----" + +"_Toot! toot! toot!_ Now then, Horsehair, start 'em up, and be lively, +or I'll miss that connection for Albany!" + +"I'll start 'em up, all right, if you young gents will give me a show," +responded the driver. "Say, Buster, don't use the whip. Give me the +reins, Master Porter." + +"Don't you want me to drive, Horsehair?" + +"No, I want----Say, you in the back, give me my hat, will you?" shouted +the driver, turning around. "I ain't a-going a step till I git that +hat!" + +"All right, Horsehair, darling!" replied Sam Day. "I thought I'd keep it +to remember you by, but if you want----" + +"Which puts me in mind of a story," said Shadow Hamilton. He had caught +the humor of the occasion. "A lady once----" + +"No stories allowed," broke in Phil. + +"I can't tell a story unless I speak it aloud," answered Shadow, tartly. + +"Phew, what a pun!" came from Roger. "Somebody please dump him off for +that." + +"Hold tight, all of you!" called out the anxious driver, and with a +lurch the carryall made a turn and started out of the academy grounds +and along the broad highway leading to Oakdale. All of the boys shouted +themselves hoarse, and horns and rattles added to the din. Such a thing +as holding the students in was out of the question, and Doctor Clay and +his assistants did not attempt it. The doctor and Andrew Dale smiled +broadly and waved their hands, and only Job Haskers looked bored. The +other teachers were busy in the building and did not show themselves. + +This was the first load to leave, and another was ready to depart +directly after dinner. Nearly all of the boys were in high spirits, and +sang and "cut up" all the way to the town, much to the terror of Jackson +Lemond, known only to the lads as Horsehair, because he carried the +signs of his calling continually. + +If there was one boy in the crowd particularly sober at times, it was +Shadow Hamilton. Doctor Clay had communicated with his parents, and Mr. +Hamilton and the master of the school had had a long conference +regarding the pins and stamps that had been taken. Shadow's father had +agreed to pay for the missing articles, if they could not be recovered +inside of the next few months. In the meantime, a private detective was +to be called in to watch the movements of Gus Plum. + +At Oakdale the party split into three parts, one to go up the railroad +line, another to go down, and the third to take the connection for +Albany. Phil, Roger, Ben, and Dave took the same train, and managed to +get seats together. + +"I wish I had heard from my folks," remarked Roger. "But I think it is +all right," he added, hopefully. + +"Don't be too sure, Roger," said Dave. "I don't want you to be +disappointed." + +"I shall write to you as soon as I get home and can talk to my father," +said Phil to Dave. "We'll be able to arrange everything without much +trouble, I am sure." + +Near the end of their journey Dave and Ben found themselves alone, Roger +and Phil having said good-by at places further up the road. As they +neared Crumville, the heart of the country boy beat quicker. How many +things had happened since he had left that town to go to Oak Hall! + +"I see the old white church steeple!" cried Ben, as they came out of a +patch of timber. "Looks natural, doesn't it?" + +"I feel as if I had been away a year, instead of a few months," answered +Dave. He was peering anxiously out of the window. "Here we come to the +station, and, yes, there is Mr. Wadsworth's automobile, and Mr. +Wadsworth himself and Jessie!" + +Soon the train came to a halt, and they piled out, dress-suit cases in +hand, and walked over to the automobile. + +"How do you do?" cried Jessie Wadsworth, a beautiful miss of thirteen, +with soft eyes and golden curls. "I told papa you would be on this +train." + +"How do you do?" returned Dave, dropping his suit case to lift his cap +and shake hands. "I hope you are well." + +"Oh, I am," replied the miss, shaking back her curls. "How do you do, +Ben?" And then there was more handshaking. + +Both of the boys were invited to enter the automobile, and did so, and +in a few minutes Ben found himself at his own door. Then the machine was +turned toward the Wadsworth mansion. + +"I like to go riding with papa," explained Jessie. "I never go out with +our man, though. Not since--you know!" and she turned a pair of grateful +eyes upon Dave that made the boy color up. + +"The machine appears to be perfectly safe, since we have had it +repaired," put in Mr. Wadsworth. "But our man is better with the +horses." + +At the mansion Mrs. Wadsworth, an aristocratic but motherly lady, came +out to greet Dave, followed by Caspar Potts, whose face was wreathed in +smiles. All told, it was a homecoming that would have warmed the heart +of any lad, and it made Dave forget completely that he was a "poorhouse +nobody." + +"You must tell me all about everything," said Jessie, after a somewhat +elaborate supper had been served. "I don't want to miss a single thing!" + +"Seems to me you are cutting out a big job for Dave," laughed her +father. + +"Well, I guess I can tell all she'll wish to hear," answered the youth, +and seated at one end of a couch, with Jessie at the other, he told much +of his life at Oak Hall, with its studies, its pranks, and its athletic +sports. Dave could see the humorous side of a thing as well as anybody, +and some stories he told made Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth laugh as well as +Jessie. On his trials he touched but lightly, for he could not dream of +giving his little lady friend pain. + +On the following day Nat Poole came home, and Dave met the aristocratic +youth in one of the stores of Crumville. Poole gave him a glassy stare +and did not speak. A few minutes later Dave met Ben. + +"Just ran into Poole," said the latter, "and what do you think, he made +out that he didn't see me." + +"He was in Parsons' store, but he wouldn't speak to me, either," +answered Dave. "He must feel awfully sore. But I shan't mind." + +"Nor I, Dave. I never did like that fellow, and I don't like his father, +either. By the way, have you heard anything more about the farm that +belongs to Professor Potts?" + +"Yes, and I am glad, and so is he, that we didn't let Nat's father get +hold of it. The new trolley company is going to put a line past it, and +Mr. Wadsworth says it will be quite valuable in time." + +Two days passed, and then Dave got long letters from Phil and Roger. +Senator Morr had been to see Mr. Lawrence and had arranged to have his +son go on the long trip to the South Seas. Roger was almost wild with +joy, and said he was going to prepare for the trip immediately. + +The letter from Phil told Dave that the start for San Francisco was to +be made on the following Monday morning. All the boys were to meet at +the Grand Central Depot, in New York City, and take the limited express +which left for Chicago at noon. + +"I will go with you as far as New York," announced Mr. Wadsworth. "I +wish to see that your journey is safely begun." + +The last days of the week were busy ones for Dave. A steamer trunk was +procured for him, and into this was packed his outfit, including a +semi-nautical suit that fitted him to perfection and gave him quite a +sailor look. + +"I suppose you'll be a regular sailor by the time you come back," said +Jessie. + +"I don't know about that," answered Dave. "I am not going for that +purpose," and his tone grew serious. + +"Oh, I know that, Dave. I hope you find what you are going for. +But--but----" + +"But what, Jessie?" + +"Oh, I--I don't want you to leave us, Dave. If you find a father, or an +uncle, or brother, or somebody like that, I suppose you won't stay with +us any more." And the young miss pouted engagingly. + +"I'll certainly not care to leave you, Jessie," he answered, gently. +"But you cannot blame me for wanting to find out who I am, I am sure." + +"Oh, no, Dave!" + +"I don't want to remain a nobody and have folks shun me on that +account." + +"Who would do such a thing?" she asked, her eyes opening widely. + +"Oh, a good many folks." + +"It is very mean of them," came from the little miss, firmly. "But, +never mind, Dave, I'll not shun you," she went on, catching his hand and +squeezing it as hard as she could. "We're going to be just like a +brother and sister always, aren't we?" + +"If you say so." + +"Don't you say so, Dave?" + +"Yes, Jessie." + +"Then that is settled, and we won't talk about it any more. Shun you! I +just want to see them do it! I won't speak to anybody that does such a +thing!" And Jessie looked as tragic as a miss of thirteen can look. + +Among the things provided by thoughtful Mr. Wadsworth for Dave was a +money belt, and in this was placed a fair amount of bankbills, and also +a letter of credit. + +"Mr. Wadsworth, you are more than kind!" cried the country boy, and +something like tears stood in his honest eyes. "How can I ever repay +you?" + +"In one way only, Dave. By making a real man of yourself." + +"I shall do my best, sir." + +"Then that is all I ask." + +Billy Dill had been communicated with, and Caspar Potts went after the +tar and brought him to Crumville, where Oliver Wadsworth procured the +sailor a new outfit. Billy Dill's health was now restored completely, +and the only thing he suffered from was a slight loss of memory, and +even that defect seemed to be gradually wearing away. + +"I'll be the happiest tar afloat when I have the rolling ocean under me +once more," said he to Dave. "Cables an' capstans! but I do love the +salt breeze!" + +"Well, you'll soon get enough of it," answered the boy. "We have a long +trip before us." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE TRIP TO THE FAR WEST + + +"My stars! what a very busy place!" + +This was Dave's exclamation as he and Oliver Wadsworth hurried along one +of the streets of New York City, on the way to buy some small thing +which had been forgotten. They had arrived in the metropolis an hour +ahead of time, and the country boy had stared at the many sights in +wonder. + +"It is one of the busiest cities in the world," answered the +manufacturer, with a smile. "A fortune can be made or lost here in no +time." + +"I believe you. And the people! Why, there is a regular crowd, no matter +where you turn." + +"Don't you think you'd like the city, Dave?" + +"I don't know--perhaps I should, after I got used to it." + +Roger and Phil had not yet come in, and they had left Billy Dill at the +depot to watch out for them. On returning to the station, Dave and Mr. +Wadsworth met the three at the doors. + +"Here we are again!" cried Roger, shaking hands. "And not very much time +to spare, either." + +"Is the train in?" asked the manufacturer. + +"Will be in a few minutes, so the gateman said," answered Phil. + +They saw to it that their trunks were properly cared for, and a short +while after the cars came in and they climbed aboard. Seats had been +engaged beforehand, so there was no trouble on that score. + +"Now remember to write whenever you get the chance," said Oliver +Wadsworth to Dave. "And if you run short of funds, don't hesitate to let +me know." + +"I'll remember, and thank you very much," replied Dave, and then the +long train moved off, slowly at first, and then at a good rate of speed. +Dave's long journey to solve the mystery of his identity had begun. + +"Say, what mountain is this we're goin' under, anyway?" came presently +from the sailor. "I noticed it when I came to New York." + +"This isn't a mountain," laughed Roger. "It is New York City itself. We +are under the streets." + +"Great whales! Wonder they don't knock down the wall o' somebuddy's +cellar!" + +It was not long before they came out into the open, and then both Dave +and the sailor looked out of the windows with interest. Phil and Roger +were more used to traveling, and spent the time in pointing out objects +of interest and in answering questions. + +The fine coach was a revelation to Billy Dill, who, in the past, had +traveled exclusively in the ordinary day cars. + +"These here seats are better nor them in a barber shop," he observed. +"An' thet little smoking-room is the handiest I ever see. But, boys, we +made one big mistake," he added, suddenly. + +"What's that?" asked Phil. + +"Unless we tie up to an eatin' house on the way, we'll be starved. +Nobody brung any grub along." + +"Don't worry about that," said Roger, with a wink at the others. "I +think I can scrape up some crackers and cheese somewhere." + +"Well, that's better--although I allow as how we could have brought some +ham sandwiches as well as not." + +They had all had dinner, so nobody was hungry until about six o'clock, +when a waiter from the dining-car came through in his white apron. + +"First call to supper!" + +"Wot's thet?" queried Billy Dill. + +"Come and see," answered Dave, and led the way to the dining-car. When +the old sailor saw the tables, and saw some folks eating as if at home, +he stared in amazement. + +"Well, keelhaul me, if this don't beat the Dutch!" he ejaculated, +dropping into a chair pointed out to him. "Reg'lar hotel dinin'-room on +wheels, ain't it? Never heard o' such a thing in my life, never! Say, +Roger, better keep that crackers an' cheese out o' sight, or they'll +laugh at ye!" he added, with a chuckle. + +"You never saw anything like this, then?" asked Dave. + +"Never. I allers traveled in one o' them, plain, every-day kind o' +trains, an' took my grub along in a pasteboard box." + +Though amazed, Billy Dill was not slow about eating what was set before +him, and he declared the repast the finest he had ever tasted. After the +meal he went into the smoking compartment for a smoke, and then came +back to the boys. + +"Feelin' a bit sleepy," he announced. "I suppose there ain't no +objections to my going to sleep." + +"Not at all," said Phil. "Do you want your berth made up right away?" + +"Humph! that's a good one!" laughed the tar. "They may have an eatin' +room, but they ain't got no bedrooms, an' I know it. I'll do my best in +the seat, though I allow a reg'lar long sofy would be better." + +"Just you wait until I call the porter," said Roger, and touched the +push-button. "This gentleman will have his berth made up," he went on, +as the porter appeared. + +"Yes, sah." + +"Make it up with real sheets, messmate," put in Billy Dill, thinking it +was a joke. "An' you might add a real feather piller, while ye are at +it." + +"Yes, sah," answered the porter, with a grin. "Please step to another +seat, sah." + +"Come," said Dave, and arose and took Billy Dill to the opposite side of +the sleeping-coach. + +The old tar dropped into a vacant seat and watched the porter as he +began to make up the berths. From a smile his face changed to a look of +wonder, and when he saw the clean sheets, blankets, and pillows brought +forth he could scarcely control himself. + +"Cables, capstans, an' codfish!" he murmured. "Thet beats the +dinin'-room, don't it? Say, maybe they hev got a ballroom on board, an' +a church, an' a--a--farm, an' a few more things." + +"Not quite," answered Roger, with a laugh. "But there is a library, if +you want any books to read." + +"Beats all! Why, this here train is equipped like a regular ship, ain't +she?" + +"Almost," said Dave. "Here are two berths; you can take one and I'll +take the other." + +"Good enough, Dave. Which will ye have?" + +The boy said he preferred the lower berth, and Billy Dill swung himself +up in true sailor fashion to that above. + +"Makes me think o' a ship!" he declared. "I know I'll sleep like a +rock!" And half an hour later he was in the land of dreams, and then +the boys also retired. + +Morning found them well on their way to Chicago, and just before noon +they rolled into the great city by the lakes. Here they had two hours to +wait, and spent the time in getting dinner and taking a short ride +around to see the sights. + +"This is as far west as I have been," said Roger. "The rest of the +journey will be new to me." + +"I once took a journey to Los Angeles," said Phil. "But I went and +returned by the southern route, so this is new to me also." + +"I have never traveled anywhere--that is, since I can remember," put in +Dave. "But I am sure I am going to like it--that is, if I don't get +seasick when I am on the ocean." + +"Oh, I suppose we'll all get our dose of that," responded the senator's +son. + +"Maybe not," said Billy Dill. "Some gits it, an' some don't." + +Nightfall found them well on the second portion of their journey to San +Francisco. There was an observation car on the train, and the whole +party spent hours seated on camp-chairs, viewing scenery as it rushed +past them. Now and then, for a change, they would read, and Billy Dill +would smoke, and the boys often talked over what was before them. + +"My father said I might tell you the object of my trip," said Phil to +his chums. "But he does not want anybody else to know of it, unless it +becomes necessary for me to say something to the captain. The supercargo +of the ship is a man named Jasper Van Blott. He has worked for my father +for some years, and my father always thought him honest. But lately +things have happened which have caused my father to suspect this +supercargo. He sometimes disposes of certain portions of a cargo, and +his returns are not what they should be." + +"Then you are to act as a sort of spy," said Roger. + +"I am to watch everything he does without letting him know exactly what +I am doing. And when he makes a deal of any kind, I am to do my best to +ascertain if his returns are correct. If I find he is honest, my father +is going to retain him and increase his salary; if he is dishonest, my +father will discharge him, and possibly prosecute him." + +"Have you ever met this Van Blott?" asked Dave. + +"Once, when he called on my father two years ago. He is a smooth talker, +but I did not fancy his general style. He is supposed to be a +first-class business man, and that is why my father has retained him. I +do not believe Captain Marshall likes him much, by the way he writes to +father." + +"Have you ever met Captain Marshall?" + +"Oh, yes, twice. You'll like him, I know, he is so bluff and hearty. My +father has known him for many years, and he thinks the captain one of +the best skippers afloat. He has sailed the Pacific for ten years and +never suffered a serious accident." + +"In that case, we'll be pretty safe in sailing under him," observed +Roger. "It will certainly be a long trip--four thousand miles, or more!" + +"Do you know anybody else on the ship?" asked Dave. + +"I do not, and I don't know much about the ship herself, excepting that +she is named the _Stormy Petrel_. Father bought her about a year ago. +She is said to be a very swift bark, and yet she has great carrying +capacity." + +"Will you please explain to me just what a bark is?" said Roger. "I must +confess I am rather dumb on nautical matters." + +"A bark is a vessel with three masts. The front mast, or foremast, as +sailors call it, and the main, or middle, mast are rigged as a ship, +that is, with regular yardarms and sails. The back mast, called the +mizzen mast, is rigged schooner fashion, that is, with a swinging boom." + +"That's plain enough. Hurrah for the _Stormy Petrel_! Dave, we'll be +full-fledged sailors before we know it." + +"We must get Billy Dill to teach us a thing or two before we go aboard," +said the country boy. "Then we won't appear so green." + +This all thought good advice, and for the remainder of the journey they +frequently talked nautical matters over with the old tar. Billy Dill had +his book on navigation with him, and also a general work on seamanship, +and he explained to them how a ship, and especially a bark, was +constructed, and taught them the names of the ropes and sails, and many +other things. + +"You'll soon get the swing on it," he declared. "It ain't so much to +learn fer a feller as is bright an' willin' to learn. It's only the +blockheads as can't master it. But I allow as how none o' you expect to +work afore the mast, do ye?" + +"Not exactly," answered Phil. "But there is no harm in learning to do a +sailor's work, in case we are ever called on to take hold. Somebody +might get sick, you know." + +"Thet's true, lad--an' I can tell ye one thing: A ship in a storm on the +Pacific, an' short-handed, ain't no plaything to deal with," concluded +the old tar. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +SAILING OF THE "STORMY PETREL" + + +As soon as the party arrived at San Francisco, Phil set out to learn if +the _Stormy Petrel_ was in port. This was easy, for the firm of which +Mr. Lawrence was the head had a regular shipping office near the docks. + +"Yes, she is in and almost loaded," said the clerk at the office, as +soon as he learned Phil's identity. "I'll take you down to her, if you +wish." + +"Very well," answered the youth, and soon he and his chums and Billy +Dill were on board of the bark. A gang of stevedores were on hand, +bringing aboard boxes, crates, and barrels, and in the midst of the +crowd were Captain Frank Marshall and Van Blott, the supercargo, both +directing operations. + +"Well! well!" ejaculated the captain, on catching sight of Phil. "Got +here at last, eh? Glad to see you. So these are the young gentlemen to +go along? Well, I reckon you'll find the trip long enough. Glad to know +you, Porter, and the same to you, Morr. Yes, we are mighty busy just +now. Got a little of the cargo in the wrong way--tell you about it +later"--the last words to Phil. "I shall be glad of your company. Go +down into the cabin and make yourselves at home, and I'll be with you +presently." + +"Thank you," answered Phil. "But is that Mr. Van Blott over yonder?" + +"It is. Want to see him? Trot along, if you do." And the captain turned +to his work once more. + +By his general manner Captain Marshall showed that he did not wish to +come into contact with the supercargo just then, and Phil walked over to +that personage alone. The supercargo was a tall, thin individual with a +sallow face and a thin, yellowish mustache. + +"This is Mr. Van Blott, I believe," said Phil. + +"Yes," was the short and crusty answer, and the supercargo gave the boy +a sharp look. + +"I am Phil Lawrence. I guess you do not remember me?" + +"Oh!" cried the supercargo, and his manner changed instantly. "How do +you do? I didn't think you'd be here quite so soon. I hope your father +is well?" + +"Yes, sir. Then you got his letter, Mr. Van Blott?" + +"Yes, this morning. I haven't read it very carefully yet. He said +something about you helping me, if I needed help. Well, I won't bother +you much. I have done the work alone in the past, and I can do it now." + +"I am willing to do all I can to assist you," said Phil, politely. + +"I don't doubt it. But I won't trouble you--so you and your friends can +just lie back and enjoy yourselves," returned Jasper Van Blott, +smoothly. "No use in working, when you are on a vacation." + +"Oh, I shan't call it work. I want to learn a little about the business. +Some day, you know, I am to go into my father's office." + +At this a slight frown crossed the supercargo's face, but he quickly +smiled it off. "As you please," he said. "But excuse me now, I'm very +busy. We are trying to get ready to sail to-morrow by noon, and there is +still a great deal to do." + +In some way Phil felt himself dismissed, and he rejoined Dave and Roger, +who were standing by the companionway. All went below, to find the cabin +of the _Stormy Petrel_ deserted. + +"This is a fine cabin," remarked Dave, gazing around. "It's as cozy as +can be." + +"Where is Billy Dill?" asked Phil. + +"He said he'd go forward and await orders." + +"Did he say anything about the vessel?" + +"Said she looked to be a first-class sailer and in prime condition," +answered the senator's son. "He was delighted with her." + +"What do you think of the captain?" + +"I think I shall like him," returned Dave. "Roger thinks the same." + +"I don't like that supercargo," went on Phil, lowering his voice. "I am +afraid I shall have trouble with him before the trip is over. He doesn't +want me to know a thing about what he is doing." + +A little later Captain Marshall came in and showed them the staterooms +they were to occupy--one fair-sized one for Dave and Roger and a smaller +one adjoining for Phil. Then he introduced the boys to his first mate, +Paul Shepley, and to several others. When he got Phil by himself he +asked the youth if the supercargo had said anything about the loading of +the bark. + +"Not a word," answered Phil. "Why do you ask that question?" + +"We had some trouble just before you came on board. Mr. Van Blott wanted +some things done one way and I wanted them another. He thinks he can run +things, but I am going to let him understand that I am master here. I +tell you this, because I want you to understand how matters are going." + +"From what you say, I don't think you like Mr. Van Blott," said Phil. +"If so, let me say, I don't think I shall like him myself." + +"Oh, I can get along with him, if he will mind his own business and do +what is right," answered the captain of the _Stormy Petrel_. "But he +must not attempt to dictate to me, even if he is the supercargo." + +"Well, I trust we have no trouble," answered Phil, with a sigh. But the +trouble, he felt, was already in the air. + +Late that afternoon their baggage came on board, and the boys set to +work to establish themselves on the ship which was to be their home for +so many weeks to come. In the meantime Billy Dill reported to the +captain, and was assigned to his place in the forecastle as an extra +hand at full pay. The old tar was pleased mightily, and the smell of +oakum and bilge water appeared to act on him like a tonic. He was one to +make friends readily, and soon established himself as a favorite among +the foremast hands. + +In the morning the boys took a final run ashore, purchasing a few things +they thought they needed and mailing some long letters home. Coming back +to the bark, they caught sight of the supercargo coming, with another +man, from a drinking place on a corner. + +"Humph! that shows he drinks," muttered Phil. + +"I think most seafaring men do," answered Roger. + +"Captain Marshall does not." + +They had to pass the supercargo, who stood on the corner with his back +to them, talking to the other man. Just as they went by, they heard Van +Blott remark: + +"Don't worry; this trip is going to pay me big, Bangor, and when I come +back you shall have all that is coming to you." This was all the three +boys heard, but it set Phil to thinking. + +"I'd like to know how this trip is going to pay him big," said the +shipowner's son. "Father says he gets his regular salary and a small +commission." + +"Perhaps he has some private deal he wishes to put through," suggested +Dave. + +"No; by his agreement he has no right to do any outside work. His time +belongs exclusively to the _Stormy Petrel_ and her cargo." + +They returned to the bark, and quarter of an hour later the supercargo +followed, with a flushed face that showed he had been imbibing more +liquor than was good for him. + +"Are you ready to sail?" demanded Captain Marshall, striding up. + +"All ready," was the surly response, and the supercargo walked down to +his stateroom and disappeared. + +Orders were given to cast off, and in a very few minutes the bark was on +her way from San Francisco Bay toward the Golden Gate. It was a perfect +day, and by nightfall the harbor was left behind and land became a mere +speck in the distance. + +The first night on the bark passed pleasantly enough for the three +chums. At first the quarters on the vessel appeared small to them, but +they soon grew accustomed to the change. All slept soundly and they were +out on deck very shortly after sunrise. + +"Well, how do you like life on _Mother Carey's Chicken_?" asked Phil, +when they were gazing at the rolling ocean. + +"_Mother Carey's Chicken_?" repeated Dave, with a puzzled look. + +"Oh, I know what he means!" cried Roger, with a laugh. "A stormy petrel +is a bird that the sailors call a Mother Carey's chicken." + +"What a name! I think I like _Stormy Petrel_ better," observed Dave. +"But, I say, isn't this just grand! A fellow can open his lungs and +drink in ozone by the barrel!" + +"And hardly a cloud in the sky," added Roger. "If this is any criterion, +we'll have the finest kind of a trip." + +"Well, boys, I see you are up on time," came from a little behind them, +and now Captain Marshall strode up. "Fine sea this, and a fine breeze, +too." + +"How long will this nice weather last?" asked Roger. + +"Humph!" The captain humped his shoulders. "No man alive can tell that. +A few days, at least, maybe a week or more. But, sooner or later, we'll +pay up for it. The finer the weather, the bigger the storm to follow." + +"I shouldn't mind an ordinary storm," observed Dave. "But I don't want +to be wrecked." + +"No danger of that, lad. The _Stormy Petrel_ can outride any storm +likely to blow in these parts. She is one of the best vessels I ever +sailed in--a man couldn't ask for a better." + +"How much of a crew have you, Captain Marshall?" asked Phil. + +"I have sixteen men, all told, besides the tar you brought along." The +brow of the shipmaster wrinkled slightly. "They are all pretty fair men, +too, excepting four, and those four Mr. Van Blott brought in." + +"What's the trouble with the four?" + +"They drink, and they don't mind as they should." Captain Marshall +turned to Phil. "After breakfast, I'd like to talk to you on business in +the cabin," he added. + +This was a hint that Dave and Roger were not desired, and, accordingly, +after the meal they left Phil and the captain alone. + +"I've been studying your father's instructions to me," said Captain +Marshall to Phil. "As I view it, you are to be a sort of assistant to +Mr. Van Blott." + +"If he will allow it." + +"And if he won't?" The captain gazed at Phil sharply. + +"Then, perhaps, I'll do something on my own account." + +"Are you going to keep your eye on him?" + +"Yes, but you need not tell him so." + +"Don't worry--I shan't open my mouth, Philip. I am glad to hear of this, +for, I tell you privately, Van Blott needs watching. He is a sly dog, +and I am satisfied in my own mind that he has something up his sleeve." + +"Do you know a man named Bangor in San Francisco? He was with Mr. Van +Blott just before we sailed." + +"Ah! I thought so! Yes, I know him, and his reputation among shippers is +none of the best. He used to be a supercargo for the Donaldson-Munroe +Company, but they discharged him for some crooked work. What were he and +Van Blott doing?" + +Phil told of what he had overheard. + +"That confirms my idea exactly!" cried the captain of the _Stormy +Petrel_. "There is something in the wind. You must watch out, by all +means, and I'll do the same. This man must not be allowed to do anything +wrong, if we can possibly prevent it." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +DAYS ON THE OCEAN + + +The weather remained fine for a full week, and with favoring winds the +_Stormy Petrel_ bowled along merrily on her course. The ocean rolled +lazily in the warm sunshine, a few birds circled about the ship, and +once they passed a steamer coming from the Hawaiian Islands, and a +schooner from Manila, and that was all. + +"Shall we stop at Honolulu?" asked Roger, of the captain. + +"No. I thought of doing so at first, but now I shall make no stops until +we get to Christmas Island, and from there we will go direct to Cavasa +and then to Sobago. What we do after that will depend largely on what is +done about a cargo." + +So far none of the boys had experienced any seasickness, and they +congratulated themselves on their escape, but Billy Dill put a little +damper on their ardor. + +"This ain't no weather to judge by," was his comment. "Wait till we get +some cross-winds and the ships starts to roll. Maybe then ye won't be so +settled in the stomach." + +The few days on the ocean had done the old tar a world of good. His eyes +were brighter and he was physically in the best of health once more. His +mind, too, was clearer, and one day he announced to Dave that he had +something to tell. + +"I ain't quite sure as I have the exact straight on 't," he began. "A +little on 't is still like a dream. But I know enough to make a putty +straight story," and then he told his tale. + +A good portion of it was not unlike the story of many sailors. When very +young, he had had a strong desire to go to sea, and at his first +opportunity had shipped as a cabin boy. From cabin boy he had become a +foremast hand, and had been in such service more years than he could +count. He had visited nearly every portion of the globe, and had been +wrecked twice, once off the coast of Africa and once while trying to +round Cape Horn. + +Three years before had found him at Sydney, Australia, looking for a +chance to ship. While down among the wharves, he had discovered a tramp +vessel, the _Mary Sacord_, bound for Cavasa and other islands in the +South Seas, and had signed articles for a year's cruise. The captain +proved to be a brute, and there was fighting on the vessel from the time +she left Sydney until Cavasa was reached. There, at the main seaport, +Billy Dill went ashore and refused to go aboard again. + +The captain of the _Mary Sacord_ was very angry over the refusal of the +seaman to continue on the trip, and threatened Dill with imprisonment, +and even had the old tar arrested. But, at this juncture, two men came +forward and aided the sailor in his trouble, and, as a consequence, +Billy Dill was set free and the vessel went on her way without him. + +One of the men who had helped Billy Dill was Dunston Porter and the +other was Samuel Lemington. They were both Americans and fairly +well-to-do. At first, they did not tell the old sailor much about their +business, but they asked him if he wished to work for them, and he said +he was willing, and they offered him thirty dollars a month and all his +expenses. + +The two Americans, so the tar discovered later, were after a treasure of +precious stones, said upon good authority to have been hidden years +before in the mountains by a former cannibal king of Cavasa and some +other South Sea islands. The three journeyed into the interior of the +island and spent months in looking for the treasure, but without +success. Then came an earthquake and the volcano in the center of the +island began to grow active, and all three had to flee to the coast in +order to escape destruction. + +It was on this treasure hunt that Billy Dill heard, through Dunston +Porter, about the lost child that had been carried off by a nurse who +was not mentally sound, although usually good-hearted. Dunston Porter +had not said very much about the matter, for it seemed to hurt him a +great deal--so much, in fact, that the old sailor did not think it best +to ask for the particulars. But he knew one thing, that, try his best, +Dunston Porter could not learn what had become of the woman and the +little one, and he was half inclined to believe that both were dead. + +"Well, did he say that the child was his son?" asked Dave, with deep +interest. + +"No, it was some relative of his, I think. I don't believe Dunston +Porter was married." + +"When you came back to the coast, what did this Mr. Porter do?" + +"He and Mr. Lemington stayed in the town, trying to make up their minds +as to what they'd do next. I got a chance to ship, and, as they didn't +seem to want me any more, I sailed away, and then I did as I've told you +before." + +This was practically all the information Billy Dill could give +concerning Dunston Porter and the missing child, although he told much +more concerning the treasure hunt, and of several fights with the +natives of the interior. He said the natives were a bad lot, and he +wanted no more to do with them than was absolutely necessary. + +"How old should you judge this Dunston Porter to be?" asked Dave. + +"Forty to forty-five years old, my lad." + +"Did he ever tell you where he came from?" + +"Not exactly. But he was an American, and he knew a good bit about San +Francisco, Chicago, and New York, and I remember he once told about +hunting in the Maine woods and in the Adirondacks." + +"He didn't say a word about coming back to the United States?" + +"Not that I can remember." + +With this information Dave had to be content. The story had been a +strain on Billy Dill, and afterward he complained of a headache and of +feeling dizzy. But a good night's rest restored him completely. + +The sailor was at all times delighted to instruct the boys in the art of +seamanship, and under his tutelage they learned rapidly, so that any of +them could go aloft and make or take in sail whenever required. He also +taught them how to make knots of various kinds, and many other things +useful on board a ship. In the meantime Captain Marshall allowed them to +read his works on navigation, and gave them a few lessons in steering, +and in the use of the compass, sextant, and other nautical instruments. + +"We'll be full-fledged sailors before this voyage is over," remarked +Roger to his chums. "I declare, I almost feel as if I could handle a +small ship already." + +"Maybe you could, on the Leming River," rejoined Phil. "But when it came +to a big storm on the Pacific, I rather believe you'd find it a +different story." + +So far, Phil had had but little to do with the supercargo, but now he +asked the man if he could look over the books. Jasper Van Blott agreed, +but the scowl on his face showed plainly that the move was not to his +liking. Phil went over the accounts at his leisure, but could find +nothing wrong in them. There were a few entries that looked odd, but the +supercargo was ready with explanations concerning them. + +"Well, have you found anything wrong?" questioned Dave, after Phil had +spent three days over the books. + +"Nothing much, Dave," was the answer from the shipowner's son. + +"The supercargo isn't very friendly, I notice." + +"Oh, he hates it, that I am going on this trip," answered Phil. + +There seemed to be but one man on the ship with whom the supercargo was +thoroughly friendly, and that was Paul Shepley, the first mate. The pair +were together a large part of the time, and their conversation was +frequently an animated one. + +"I can't get it out of my head that those two are working together over +something," said Dave. "Why, they are as thick as bees in a sugar +barrel." + +"I've noticed that, too," came from Roger. "Perhaps they are hatching up +some mischief." + +On the following day the weather became more unsettled, and occasionally +the clouds showed themselves above the horizon. Captain Marshall gave +orders to his mate that a strict watch should be kept for a blow. + +"I guess we are in for it, now!" cried Dave, that afternoon. "It is much +rougher than it has yet been." + +"I know I am in for it," answered Roger. His face was white, and wore a +troubled look. + +"What's the matter, seasick?" + +"I--I fancy so. My head spins like a top and my stomach is starting to +do the same." + +"Better go below, lad," said Captain Marshall, coming up. "It won't do +you any good to remain on deck." + +Roger shuffled off to the companionway, and Dave went after him. The +senator's son was growing worse every minute, and it was not long before +Phil announced that he also felt sick. Both went to their staterooms, +and Dave did what he could to relieve their distress. + +"If the old tub would only stop for a minute--just one minute!" groaned +Roger. + +"That's what I say," responded Phil. "Oh, dear! I'd give a hundred +dollars to be on shore again!" + +"I think I'd make it a thousand," groaned the senator's son. "Why, Dave, +don't you feel it at all?" + +"Well, I feel a little strange," answered the country boy, but he did +not add that it was because he had to stand by and assist his friends. +He made them as comfortable as possible, and then rushed to the deck, to +get some fresh air and to get the matter off his mind. + +A storm was certainly brewing, and Dave wondered how soon it would +strike the _Stormy Petrel_ and how long it would last. The black clouds +were piling up in the sky and the wind came in unsteady puffs. Below, +the clear, blue water had turned to a dark green. + +The first mate was in charge of the deck and, so far, he had given no +orders to shorten sail. Ever and anon a sail would crack in the wind and +the bark would give a plunge in the sea. Dave walked forward to where +Billy Dill stood by the rail, watching the sky anxiously. + +"This looks stormy, doesn't it?" questioned the youth. + +"Stormy? Great dogfish! I should allow as how it did, lad. We're in for +a blow, an' a big one, too." + +"Then isn't it about time to take in sail?" + +"I should say it was." + +"Then why doesn't the mate do so?" + +At this question the old tar shrugged his shoulders. + +"Reckon he wants to take the benefit o' all the breeze he can," he +answered. "But it ain't the best thing to do--not to my way o' +reasonin'. If he ain't keerful, we may lose a topmast, or more." + +"I suppose you don't dare to say anything to him?" + +"No. He's in charge, an' thet's all there is to it." + +The storm continued to approach, and now several of the sailors looked +anxiously at the first mate. He was evidently in a savage mood, and paid +no attention to them. + +"Unless he does sumthin' soon, we'll lose a stick, sure," said Billy +Dill to Dave, in a low tone. "I never saw sech a contrary mate in my +life!" + +"Perhaps I had better speak to Captain Marshall," suggested the country +youth. + +"I wish ye would--it would be safer. But don't let Shepley know it--or +he'll be as mad as a hornet at ye," added the old tar. + +Leaving the bow, Dave hurried to the stern and toward the companionway. +Here he almost ran headlong into the first mate. + +"Hi! look where you are going!" ejaculated the man, roughly. "Have you +no manners?" + +"Excuse me," returned Dave. "Don't you think we are having a pretty big +blow, sir?" he added. + +"Oh, this won't amount to much," grumbled Paul Shepley. "Nothing to get +scared about." + +Dave said nothing to this. He hurried below, and a moment later stood in +front of Captain Marshall's stateroom door. The master of the _Stormy +Petrel_ was taking a nap, but at the boy's knock roused up instantly. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +CAUGHT IN A STORM + + +"Who is there?" + +"Captain Marshall, can I speak to you a moment?" + +"Oh, so it is you, Porter! What do you want?" + +"There seems to be a big storm coming up, and I thought I had better +tell you about it." + +"Why--er--isn't Mr. Shepley on deck?" + +"Yes, sir--but I thought I had better tell you, anyway," went on Dave. + +"Mr. Shepley knows what to do," answered the captain, rather shortly. He +did not fancy having his much-needed nap disturbed. + +"I suppose that is true, sir--but some of the sailors are getting very +anxious. I don't care to mention their names, but they think some sail +ought to be taken in." + +The master of the _Stormy Petrel_ arose and stretched himself. Then he +put on the shoes he had dropped on lying down, and came out into the +cabin. He gave one look at the barometer and his sleepiness vanished. + +"I should say there was a storm coming!" he exclaimed, and ran for the +companionway. He was soon on deck, and cast an anxious eye around. + +"Mr. Shepley, why haven't you shortened sail?" he demanded, in a low but +sharp voice. + +"I didn't think it necessary, just yet," was the cool response. + +"I don't agree with you," returned the master of the bark, shortly, and +then, without delay, gave orders to take in fully half the sails, while +the crew were ordered to remain in readiness to stow away still more of +the canvas at a moment's notice. The sailors, for the most part, worked +with a will, although there were several laggards, for laziness among +certain classes of men is not confined to the land alone. + +Captain Marshall was angry, and he did not hesitate to let the first +mate know it. + +"There is no sense in taking too many risks," he remarked, after his +orders had been obeyed. "That storm is coming, as sure as fate." + +"I wanted to make as much headway as possible before it struck us," +grumbled Shepley. "We haven't suffered any." + +"No, but we might have lost a topmast or a topsail. After this, you will +please be a little more careful." + +There was no time to argue the matter, for a little later the storm +began in earnest. All of the sails were taken in but the fore sheet, and +this was reefed down, allowing just enough canvas to fly to keep the +bark before the wind. The breeze was turning to half a gale, and from a +distance came the rumble of thunder. Then the sky grew still blacker and +a flash of lightning illuminated the angry waters. + +Dave had followed Captain Marshall on deck, but now he went below once +more, to learn how Phil and Roger were faring. He found them both out in +the cabin, having come from their staterooms in alarm. + +"Is it very bad outside?" questioned the senator's son. + +"Not yet, but I am afraid it is going to be," was Dave's reply. + +"Phew, that certainly means business!" burst out Roger, as another flash +of lightning was followed by a heavy peal of thunder. "I hope the ship +weathers it all right." + +"Captain Marshall is on deck, and he knows what he is doing," answered +Dave. "I am glad I called him up," he added. + +"Oh, so you called him up, did you?" came in a voice from the cabin +doorway, and, turning, Dave beheld Paul Shepley there. The mate had come +below to get his raincoat. + +"Yes, I did," answered the country boy, boldly. Now that the truth was +out, he did not mean to mince matters. + +"Thought you knew more about running a ship than I did, eh?" + +"I thought it was time to take in sail--and so did the captain." + +"Humph! This blow isn't going to kill anybody, and we want to take all +the advantage of the wind that we can. We are expected to make a quick +trip, but we can't do it if we are going to haul down sail all the +time." + +"I am sure Captain Marshall will do what is right," said Phil. + +"Really?" sneered the mate. "I didn't ask you to put in your oar." + +"I know you didn't--but my father owns the vessel, and I shall stand by +Captain Marshall and by my friend, Dave Porter." + +"Oh, so it's something of a plot against me, eh?" snorted the mate, more +angry than ever. "Well, don't let it go too far." And he turned into his +own room, banging the door after him. A minute later he came out, +wearing his raincoat, and hurried out on deck once more. + +"He's a real nice man, I don't think," was Roger's comment. "My, how he +would lord it over us, if he dared!" + +"He is certainly sore," said Phil. "I must say, in a way, he and the +supercargo are a team. When I get a chance, I am going to write to +father and let him know exactly the sort of fellows they are." + +The boys felt little like discussing the subject further just then, for +the storm had now burst over the vessel in all of its mad fury. The wind +was whistling through the rigging, making the masts and yards creak and +groan, and the rain came down in sheets, sweeping the decks by the +bucketful. It was with difficulty that the _Stormy Petrel_ could be kept +before the wind. The waves were running like so many big hills, with the +bark first on a crest and then down in a valley between. The sky was +almost black, lit up occasionally by flashes of lightning that were +blinding. + +"We'll go to the bottom, sure!" groaned Roger, for at least the tenth +time. "I'd rather be at Oak Hall any day than in such a storm as this." +He was still seasick, but the storm made him forget the ailment for the +time being; and what was true of the senator's son in this regard was +likewise true of Phil. + +"I think I'll take another look on deck," said Dave, as the bark gave a +pitch that sent them all against a partition. + +"Take care that you don't fall overboard," returned Phil. + +"I'll be on my guard, never fear." + +Putting on his raincoat, the country boy made his way cautiously up the +companionway. The moment he stuck his head into the open he realized +that it was blowing "great guns," and more. The rain dashed violently +into his face, drenching him completely. + +"This is no place for you, lad!" bellowed Captain Marshall, trying to +make himself heard above the wind. "Better go below again." + +"I'll be careful," pleaded Dave. "I love to watch a storm--I always did, +when I was on the farm. I never thought of hiding, no matter how hard it +thundered or lightened." + +The master of the bark gazed for a second at him in admiration. + +"Well, I was the same," he said. "But be careful, and don't go close to +the rail." + +[Illustration: Another flash lit up the scene.--_Page 179._] + +Dave remained in the vicinity of the cabin. When another flash lit up +the scene, he saw Billy Dill near the bow, stowing away some rope in the +most unconcerned fashion possible. The old tar was in his element, and +said afterward that the storm had done him more good than gallons of +medicine would have accomplished. "Saterated me with salt brine, an' +thet's wot I needed," were his words. + +"How do you like it, now?" asked Captain Marshall, coming up a little +later, while there was something of a lull. + +"I don't mind it," answered Dave, smiling. "It's a little excitement, +and that is what I like." + +"I am thankful that you called me when you did." + +"I did what I thought was best, sir. But I reckon it has put me into a +hole with your first mate." + +"Why, did you tell him anything?" + +"No, but he overheard me telling the other boys that I had called you. +He didn't say much, but he showed that he was angry." + +"Humph! Well, don't you mind, Porter. It was the right thing to do. +Shepley is a good sailor, but once in a while he takes risks that I +don't like. If he troubles you about this, let me know, do you hear?" + +"Yes, sir; but I am willing to fight my own battles." + +"I don't doubt it, for you are gritty, I can see that. Nevertheless, you +let me know." + +"How long do you suppose this storm will last?" + +"There is no telling, perhaps twenty-four hours and maybe two or three +days. We are paying up for that nice weather we had," concluded the +captain. + +Finding he could do nothing on deck, and that he was getting wet +through, Dave went below and to his stateroom. He found Roger and Phil +lying down as before, and as miserable as ever. A little later supper +was announced, but Dave had to eat alone, for neither the captain nor +the mate came to join in the repast. It was a meal under difficulties, +and Dave did not remain at the table long. He asked Roger and Phil if +they wanted anything, but both declined. + +"Why, the very idea of anything to eat makes me sicker than ever," +declared the senator's son. + +The storm did not abate during the evening, and the three boys spent +rather a dismal time of it in the cabin and the staterooms. As night +came on, none of them felt like going to bed, although advised to do so +by Captain Marshall. + +"We have seen the worst of the blow," said the master of the _Stormy +Petrel_, coming down about ten o'clock. + +It was not until morning that Dave fell into a troubled doze, from which +he did not awaken until Roger shook him. + +"Hello! I went to sleep, after all!" cried the country boy. "What time +is it?" + +"About seven o'clock, Dave. There is something unusual going on on +deck," continued the senator's son. + +"What is it?" + +"I don't know, but I am going up to see, and so is Phil." + +The three were soon ready, and crawled up the companionway and out on +the rain-drenched and slippery deck. + +"We must man the pumps," they heard Captain Marshall cry. "And, Scader, +report as soon as you can." + +"Aye, aye, sir!" came from Scader, who was the ship's carpenter. "But I +am afraid, sir, it's a bad leak to get at," he added. + +"Have we sprung a leak?" cried Phil. + +"We have," answered the captain. His face wore a serious look, and the +boys saw that he was much troubled. + +The sailors were at the pumps, and worked away with a will. Roger and +Phil still felt too weak to take part, but Dave leaped to Billy Dill's +side and worked as hard as any of the foremast hands. Leaving the ship +in charge of the first mate, Captain Marshall went below, to learn what +the ship's carpenter might have to say about the condition of affairs. + +"We are bringing up a good deal of water, are we not?" asked Dave of +Billy Dill. + +"You have it right, lad; more water nor I care to see," answered the old +tar. + +"That means the leak is a bad one, eh?" + +"Yes, some of the ship's seams must be wide open." + +"Will it sink us?" + +"I can't tell anything more about that than you, Dave. We must hope for +the best," replied Billy Dill. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +CAVASA ISLAND AT LAST + + +Phil and Roger heard the conversation between Dave and the old sailor, +and it worried them so much that they hurried below, to learn what might +be going on. + +"We must shift that part of the cargo first," came from the ship's +carpenter. "Then, I think, I can do something, but I am not sure." + +Captain Marshall at once ordered the cargo shifted as desired. This did +not please the supercargo, but the master of the vessel paid no +attention to Van Blott's objections. + +"It is a question of keeping the ship afloat, Mr. Van Blott," said he, +coldly. "If necessary, I'll have the whole cargo heaved overboard." + +"But, sir----" commenced the supercargo. + +"I can't talk about it now. My duty is to save the ship. Do you want to +go to the bottom of the ocean?" And Captain Marshall spoke in such a +decided way that Jasper Van Blott sneaked off and said no more for the +time being. + +A portion of the crew came below, and not without difficulty a number of +heavy boxes and casks were shifted. Then the ship's carpenter and an +assistant went to work to tighten up the seams, through which the water +of the ocean was spurting furiously. It was a difficult and dangerous +task, and it lasted the best part of three hours. But, at last, the +workers got the better of the elements, and then the water went down +steadily in the ship's well, as the men at the pumps continued their +labors. + +"Will the ship pull through?" asked Phil, of the captain. + +"Yes, my lad, I think we are safe now--unless the blow makes us open +some more seams." + +After the repairs below had been made and the alarm had passed, Captain +Marshall called the first mate to his side. + +"I thought you said those seams were all right when we were at the dock +at San Francisco," he began. + +"They looked all right," mumbled Paul Shepley. + +"You couldn't have examined them very closely." + +"I did." + +"Humph! After this I had better look to things myself," was the +captain's comment, and he moved away. + +A little later the supercargo and the first mate met in the waist. The +storm was now dying down rapidly, and it looked as if the sun would soon +break through the clouds. + +"Well, I see you had another run-in with the old man," remarked Van +Blott. + +"So did you." + +"You mean about the cargo?" + +"Of course." + +"Well, I didn't want him to nose around too much," and the supercargo +grinned. + +"Afraid he might run across some of that private stuff?" + +"Hush! Somebody might hear you, Shepley. What was your row about?" + +"He laid the opening of the seams on my shoulders--said I didn't inspect +things properly at San Francisco." + +"He seems to be getting harder than ever on us." + +"That's it, and I am done, after this trip," growled the first mate. + +"So am I--if I can make my little pile." + +"That's what I mean. Van Blott, we must do it, too." + +"I expect to, but it isn't going to be so easy as we thought. The owner +of the ship has sent his son to watch me, and he and those other lads +are rather clever." + +"Pooh! you are not afraid of those boys, are you?" + +"It isn't that. I'm afraid they'll discover something and take the news +to the old man." + +Here the talk had to come to an end, and the two men separated, +promising to meet in the evening. That they had some scheme they wished +to work, there could not be the slightest doubt. + +By nightfall the storm was at an end, and the sun set in a perfect blaze +of glory. Of the gale only a stiff breeze remained, and Captain Marshall +lost no time in setting his sails as before. All the loose seams had +been mended and the _Stormy Petrel_ now took in no more water than was +usual with her, and is usual with ordinary sea-going craft. + +"I am glad that is over," remarked Phil, the next day, after a fair +night's sleep. + +"So am I, and I never want to experience another such storm," came from +Roger. + +"How do you both feel?" asked Dave. + +"My seasickness is gone, thank goodness," answered Phil. + +"Ditto here," said the senator's son. "Dave, you are a lucky dog, to +keep so well," he added, a bit enviously. + +"Perhaps it will be my turn next time, Roger." + +After that the _Stormy Petrel_ continued on her course for many days +with but little out of the ordinary happening. Once or twice the boys +had some sharp words with the first mate, and Phil had a "tiff" with the +supercargo, but nothing like an open quarrel ensued. Yet the flames were +smoldering, ready to break out at the first opportunity. + +"Those two men hate us worse than poison," said Dave, one day. "I can +see it plainly." + +"That supercargo has it in for me," replied Phil. "I wish I could let my +father know just how he is acting. He'd soon lose his situation." + +They were now near the equator, and the weather was very warm, and would +have been unendurably hot, had it not been for the constant breeze that +was blowing. Nobody cared to do much in such an atmosphere, and the +three boys were content to sit around or loll in hammocks suspended in +shady portions of the deck. The broiling sun started the tar from the +seams, and the odor therefrom was almost overpowering. + +"I wish we had an ice-making machine on board," said Roger, as he fanned +himself. They had taken ice along, but the supply was running low, and +he could not get quite as much as he desired. + +"Never mind, we'll have a run ashore soon," said Dave. "That will be +something of a change." + +He had in mind the stop at Christmas Island, a small body of land +belonging to England and lying in the Pacific, close to the equator. The +island was sighted the next day, and they made a landing and roamed +around for three hours, while some fresh water and other things were +taken on board. Then, by nightfall, the bow of the _Stormy Petrel_ was +once more headed for the southwestward. + +"Now we are in southern seas," cried Dave, one day, after the equator +had been left behind. "I suppose we'll begin to sight some of the +numerous islands before long." + +"I shan't mind sighting the islands, but I don't want to run on some +hidden reef," returned Roger. "The charts show a great number of reefs +in this portion of the ocean." + +Once more the days slipped by. It was fearfully hot, and the boys did +not move, excepting when it was absolutely necessary. Occasionally they +would sit at the bow and Billy Dill would tell them stories of the sea +and of sights in foreign lands. He now said that he felt as of old. + +"I was born for the sea," he observed. "It was a mistake for me to +travel all the way across land to Oakdale, an' I reckon I got punished +fer it." + +"I am sorry you suffered, but I am glad I had the chance to meet you," +answered Dave. "It may mean a great deal to me, you know." + +"Thet's true, Dave. But take my advice an' don't depend upon it too +much. I'd hate awfully to see ye disapp'inted." + +"Yes--but I wish we were at Cavasa Island," said the country boy, +wistfully. + +The nearer the ship drew to the island mentioned, the more anxious did +he become, although he did his best to conceal his feelings. But Phil +and Roger understood. + +"I sincerely hope Dave isn't disappointed," said the senator's son, when +he and Phil chanced to be alone. "Think of coming such a distance as +this on a wild-goose chase!" + +"Well, it was the only thing to do," answered the son of the bark owner. +"You and I would have done the same." + +"I don't doubt it. But, look at it from every point of view, it is an +odd situation. I only hope this Dunston Porter is still at Cavasa +Island, or in that vicinity." + +At last came the day when Captain Marshall called the boys to him and +said they might sight Cavasa Island inside of the next twenty-four +hours. + +"You'll know the island at a glance," said he. "Approaching it from this +side, it looks exactly like a long loaf of bread with a hump in the +middle. The hump is the old volcano. The town at which we are to stop is +located at the western extremity of the island. There is where the real +shipping is done. There is a town at the eastern end, but the harbor is +poor, and most of the inhabitants are natives." + +"And what of the people where we are to stop?" asked Dave. + +"About one-half are natives and the others a mixture of Americans and +Europeans. The harbor there is a very good one indeed, and that is why +it is so popular." + +As they neared Cavasa Island, both the supercargo and the first mate +appeared to grow more than ordinarily anxious, and talked together by +the half-hour. Dave noticed this and so did the others. + +"They have something in mind," said the country boy to Phil. "You'll +surely have to be on guard when the cargo for Tolao is taken ashore." + +The next day the boys kept on the lookout, having borrowed Captain +Marshall's best glass. About noon Roger uttered a loud cry: + +"I see something! It must be the island!" + +"Let me look!" exclaimed Dave, and took the glass. "Yes, it is Cavasa +Island!" he went on, "for it looks exactly as the captain said." + +Inside of an hour they could see Cavasa Island quite plainly, and by +nightfall they were ready to enter the harbor. But this was not to be +accomplished in the dark, and so they had to remain outside until +daybreak, impatient as Dave was to get ashore. + +"What an odd collection of ships!" said Phil, as the _Stormy Petrel_ +made her way into the harbor. "They must have come from all parts of the +world!" And this remark was largely true. + +It had been arranged that Dave and Billy Dill should go ashore at the +first opportunity, and Roger was to go with them. + +"I am sorry I can't go," said Phil, to Dave. "But, you understand how it +is," and he jerked his thumb in the direction of the supercargo, who +was writing in one of his books. + +"Yes, I understand, Phil," answered Dave. "I hope you don't have any +trouble." + +The shipping of Tolao was very much huddled together, and the boys had +to depend upon Billy Dill to pilot them to the main thoroughfare of the +town. The old sailor declared that the place had changed but little +since his last visit, and said he would take them directly to the hotel +at which Dunston Porter had been in the habit of stopping. + +"All right," said Dave. "You can't get there any too quick for me," and +they walked on, with the heart of the country boy beating as it had +seldom beat before. To him, his whole future seemed to rest upon what he +might learn in the next few hours. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +ABOUT SOME MISSING MEN + + +The hotel proved to be a one-story building of Spanish architecture, +with numerous small windows and a rather low door. It was presided over +by a round-faced Englishman, who stared at Billy Dill curiously when the +old tar presented himself. + +"Do you remember me, Mr. Chadsey?" asked the sailor. + +"I do," was the answer. "You were here some years ago. But I cannot +recall your name." + +"Billy Dill." + +"Oh, yes, yes; you were with Mr. Porter and Mr. Lemington," returned the +hotel-keeper. + +"That's it. I am looking for Mr. Porter now." + +"Sorry, but he isn't here." + +"Isn't here?" cried Dave, and his heart sank. "Isn't he in town at all?" + +"No, he left the island a couple of months ago." + +"And where did he go to?" + +"I don't know. He said something about going to Sobago Island and +something about going to Australia, but where he really did go to, I +have not learned." + +"This young man is very much interested in meeting Mr. Porter," +explained Billy Dill. "His name is Porter, too, and I reckon they are +related. Have you any idea where we can find out where Dunston Porter +went?" + +"Might find out at the shipping offices." + +"Why, of course!" exclaimed Dave. "Let us go to the different offices at +once." + +Billy Dill was willing, and without loss of time led the way to the +street upon which the majority of the shipping of Cavasa Island was +booked. The offices were mostly small and rather dirty, and around them +hung sailors and other men, of various nationalities, and some of them +far from prepossessing in their general appearance. + +They visited two offices without success, and then came to a place +located on a corner, with doors on both streets. + +"Hello!" cried Roger. "There is Mr. Van Blott just ahead of us! Is this +the shipping firm with which Mr. Lawrence does business?" + +"I don't think it is," answered Billy Dill. + +"Then what is he doing here?" + +"Must have a little business of his own," said Dave. "But I don't care. +Come along." Just then he was thinking only of his personal affairs. + +They entered the office, which reeked of tobacco smoke and the smell of +rum. In the rear was another office, and they were just in time to see +the supercargo go into this, shutting a partition door behind him. + +Looking around, Dave saw a clerk at a corner desk looking over some +papers with an elderly German. + +"I will be at liberty in a few minutes," said the clerk, in broken +English. "Please to take seats," and he pointed to a couple of low +benches set against the wall and the partition. + +Billy Dill sat down on the bench along the wall and Dave and Roger upon +that next to the partition, which was not over seven feet in height. +Save for the rattling of the papers at the corner desk the office was +very quiet, and the boys readily heard the talk going on behind the +partition. + +"So you really have some goots on board?" came in a somewhat German +voice. "I vos afraid you vould not bring any." + +"Didn't I say I'd bring them, Baumann?" returned Jasper Van Blott. "I've +got them, and the only question is, how am I to get them here, and when +are you going to pay me?" + +"I pay so soon as de goots is here," said the German shipping agent. "I +not pay a dollar before." + +"But you will send your men down to the dock?" + +"Oh, yes, I do dot. Vot dime you vonts dem, hey?" + +"To-morrow morning at eight o'clock, sharp. Tell them to watch me, and +when I wave my handkerchief they can come forward and get the goods." + +"How many poxes vos dere?" + +"Sixteen, all told. You want to be careful and caution your men. I don't +want Captain Marshall to learn what I am----" + +The boys heard no more, for at this juncture the clerk came forward, +having finished his work at the corner desk. + +"What can I do for you?" he asked, blandly. + +"I am looking for a man who is supposed to have left Cavasa Island by +steamer, or sailboat, about two months ago," said Dave. "His name is +Dunston Porter. Can you tell me if he shipped from here?" + +The clerk looked over a book he drew from a desk. + +"I see nothing of the name," he said, after a pause. + +"You would have the name, if he had taken passage from here?" questioned +Roger. + +The clerk nodded. Then, when he found that he could do nothing more for +them, he dropped into an easy chair, lit a black-looking cigar and took +up a newspaper. + +"There is one more shipping office," said Billy Dill, as he led the way +to the street. "We'll go there." + +"Dave, did you hear that talk in the back room?" questioned the +senator's son, as they were hurrying down the street. + +"I did." + +"What do you think of it?" + +"I think the supercargo is up to some game, and we must tell Phil and +Captain Marshall." + +"That's just my idea, too, Dave. Let me see, the name of the firm was +Baumann & Feltmuller, wasn't it?" + +"Yes." + +They were soon at the last of the shipping offices. Here the clerk could +scarcely talk English, and they had to call in the services of a +gentleman who chanced to be present and who could speak the native +tongue. A booking list was consulted, and it was announced that Dunston +Porter had taken passage for Nanpi, on Sobago Island, just six weeks +before. + +"Six weeks!" cried Dave. "I hope he is there still. Now, how can I +communicate with him, Roger?" + +"You can send him a letter," answered Roger. "But you must remember that +the _Stormy Petrel_ is going to Nanpi as soon as her cargo for this town +is unloaded." + +From the shipping clerk they learned that Dunston Porter had gone to +Sobago alone--that is, without his partner, Mr. Lemington. A further +searching into the shipping lists revealed the fact that the partner had +sailed for Australia seven weeks past. + +"I reckon they dissolved partnership," observed Billy Dill, "an' one +went his way, an' tudder the other way. An' I likewise guess they didn't +git thet treasure." + +There was now nothing to do but to return to the bark, and this they did +without delay. The boys found that Captain Marshall had gone ashore on +business, and so called Phil aside and related to him what had been +heard in the office of Baumann & Feltmuller. + +"You are right--there is something in the wind," said the shipowner's +son. "I wish the captain was here, so I could consult with him." + +"He'll be back soon, won't he?" questioned Roger. + +"He said he might not be back until late this evening." + +Phil was interested in what Dave had to tell about Dunston Porter, and +said he would urge the captain of the _Stormy Petrel_ to set sail for +Nanpi at the earliest possible moment. + +It was not until ten o'clock that Jasper Van Blott came back to the +bark. He immediately walked up to the first mate and the pair engaged in +conversation for some time. Then the supercargo went to bed, and Roger +and Dave did the same. Phil sat up, reading and awaiting the captain's +return. + +It was almost seven o'clock when the country boy sprang up and awakened +the senator's son. Both hurried into their clothes and then into the +cabin, where they met Phil, whose face was full of worry. + +"What's the matter?" asked both. + +"Captain Marshall hasn't come back yet." + +"Hasn't come back?" ejaculated Dave. "Do you mean to say he stayed away +all night?" + +"Exactly; and I don't know what to make of it." + +"Did he say he might remain away?" came from Roger. + +"No." + +"Where did he go?" + +"I don't know, and neither does Mr. Shepley." + +"What will you do about----" began Dave, and cut himself short, as +Jasper Van Blott came into the cabin. + +"Mr. Van Blott, do you know anything about the captain?" questioned +Phil. + +"I do not," was the short reply. + +"It is queer that he should stay away all night." + +"Oh, captains like to have good times occasionally," continued the +supercargo, with a sickly grin. + +"If you mean by that, that Captain Marshall went off to have a good +time, as you put it, I do not think so," returned Phil, coldly. "He is +not that sort." + +"Perhaps you know him better than I do," flared up the supercargo. + +"I know that he is a man who sticks to his duty, Mr. Van Blott. +Something has gone wrong, or he would be back." + +"As you please." The supercargo paused. "Well, it doesn't matter much," +he continued. "I know what to do, and I am going ahead without waiting +for him." + +"You mean about unloading?" + +"Yes." + +"Would it not be better to wait until Captain Marshall returns?" + +"No, it would only be a waste of time." + +No more was said just then, and a few minutes later breakfast was +announced. As soon as it was over, Phil called his chums aside. + +"I wish you'd do me a favor," he whispered. "Go ashore and try to hunt +up the captain. He must be around somewhere. I will try to hold the +supercargo back as much as I can." + +Dave and the senator's son were willing, and in less than ten minutes +were on the dock and moving for the streets beyond. + +"Where are those boys going?" asked Jasper Van Blott, coming up to Phil. + +"They are going to look for Captain Marshall." + +"Humph!" muttered the supercargo, and said no more. + +"I think we had better wait until the captain returns," went on Phil. + +"I am not going to wait," snapped Van Blott. "I am going to get that +cargo ashore as quickly as it can be done." + +And fifteen minutes later the hatches were opened and the work of +getting out the boxes, barrels, and casks began. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +IN WHICH THE SUPERCARGO IS CORNERED + + +From one street corner Dave and Roger hurried to another, looking in +every direction for some sign of Captain Marshall. This hunt they kept +up for the best part of half an hour, but without success. + +"He is certainly nowhere in this vicinity," said the senator's son. "I +wonder where he can be keeping himself." + +They walked on more slowly, and at the entrance to a lane came to +another halt. Then, chancing to look into the lane, Dave uttered a short +cry: + +"There he is!" + +Coming along the lane was Captain Marshall. His step was an uncertain +one, and he pitched from side to side. As the two boys ran forward, the +master of the _Stormy Petrel_ gave a lurch and landed on some old boxes +with a crash. + +"Oh, Dave, can this be possible!" murmured Roger. "I did not think the +captain would do it." + +"Let us help him to the ship," answered Dave. He was as much shocked as +his companion, and he could not help but think of what the supercargo +had said. + +"Oh, is it you, boys?" mumbled the captain, as he espied them. "I want +to--to get back to the ship." + +"We'll help you," said Dave. + +"I've had an awful night--my mind is in a perfect whirl," went on the +master of the _Stormy Petrel_. + +"We'll soon have you safe on the bark," put in Roger. + +The two assisted the captain to his feet. His eyes had a peculiar stare +in them. Suddenly he clapped his hand to his pocket. + +"Funny!" he muttered. "Very funny! I've got my watch! And I've got my +money, too!" + +"Did you think they were gone?" queried Dave. + +"Well, I shouldn't be--be surprised. I thought they did it to rob me. +What time is it? Oh, but I am weak in the legs, boys!" + +"It is about eight o'clock." + +"In the morning?" + +"Yes." + +"Then I must get back to the _Stormy Petrel_ by all means. I--how did +you come to find me?" + +"We were out looking for you," answered Roger. "We were alarmed, and so +was Phil, because you didn't come back last night." + +"I--I meant to come back. Oh, how my head spins! I wish I had a drink of +water! That coffee they dosed me with was vile." + +"Coffee they dosed you with?" queried Dave. "Were you drugged?" + +"I must have been, lad. I met some men, and they wanted me to drink with +them. I refused. Then they offered me some coffee and native cakes, and, +to be sociable, I took the stuff. Directly afterward I began to grow +sleepy, and then I didn't know a thing until I woke up at the end of +that lane awhile ago." + +"Did you know the men?" asked Roger. + +"I did not, but they pretended to know me. It's queer they didn't rob +me. I wonder why they drugged me?" + +"I don't know," answered Dave, "unless----" + +"Unless what?" + +"I shouldn't like to say, Captain Marshall. But I'll tell you one thing, +you are wanted on board of the _Stormy Petrel_ at once." + +"Who wants me?" + +"Phil Lawrence. We have learned something about Mr. Van Blott which we +think you ought to know. But you must get your head cleared up, first of +all." + +They walked the captain back to the bark, and, by accident more than +design, managed to get the skipper on board without the supercargo +seeing the party. Then they called Phil into the cabin, and in the +meantime got the captain some fresh water and some other things they +fancied might do him good. They were glad to note that his dizziness +was fast leaving him. + +"This looks suspicious to me," said Captain Marshall, after he had heard +what the boys had to relate. "But I cannot accuse Van Blott of having me +drugged, as I have no proof of it. I do not know who those men were, +and, more than likely, they will keep themselves out of sight." + +"That is true," returned Phil. "But you can help me regarding this stuff +to be taken away by Baumann & Feltmuller, can't you?" + +"Certainly, Phil. I want to know all about that stuff before it leaves +this ship. Have you the records of the goods?" + +"No, sir; Mr. Van Blott has locked the books in the safe." + +"Then, if I were you, as your father's representative, I should demand +to see the records. I will back you up." + +"If you will back me up, I'll go to him at once. He is already getting +the goods out of the hold." + +"I'll put a stop to that," answered the captain. + +He was still feeble in the legs, but managed to climb to the deck, and +walked to where the supercargo and the first mate were directing the +unloading of a portion of the cargo. + +"Hello, so you are back!" exclaimed the supercargo, and his face paled a +little. + +"I am," returned the captain, coldly. "Mr. Shepley, did you give orders +to unload?" he went on, turning to the mate. + +"I--I--er--did," stammered the mate. "You said yesterday we were to +start first thing this morning." + +"I did--but I expected to be here when we began. Mr. Van Blott, Philip +Lawrence wishes to see you in your office." + +"I haven't time to bother with him now," growled the supercargo. "Go +ahead with those cases!" he shouted to some stevedores who were nearby, +and pulling out his handkerchief he gave it a flourish toward the dock. + +"Drop those cases!" roared Captain Marshall, his face growing red. "Drop +them, I say!" And the natives who were carrying the cases stopped short. + +"Captain Marshall----" began Jasper Van Blott. "I--what do you mean by +this--er--by this----" + +"I told you that Philip Lawrence wanted to see you in your office. You +had better see him before we move any more of this cargo." + +"Yes, but----" + +"I won't argue the matter, Mr. Van Blott. I was drugged last night. Do +you understand? Drugged! But my mind is clear now, and I want everything +on this bark to run smoothly. You had better go to your office, and I'll +go with you." + +The supercargo glared at the captain, and the latter glared in return. +Then Van Blott shrugged his shoulders. + +"As you please," he said. "But it is a strange proceeding." And he +walked to that part of the ship where was located his little office. As +he passed the first mate, he gave the man a wink and turned his eyes +toward the cases on the deck. Paul Shepley nodded slightly. + +In the office they found Phil awaiting them. Roger followed the pair, +but Dave had seen the wink that was passed, and remained on deck, and a +moment later seated himself on one of the very cases the stevedores had +been in the act of removing from the ship. + +"Ain't you going with them?" asked the first mate, coming up with a dark +frown on his face. + +"No, I think I'll stay here until they come back," answered Dave, +lightly. + +"Then please get off of that box." + +"I am not hurting the box, Mr. Shepley." + +"Get off, I say!" + +The boy from the country did so. + +"I believe Captain Marshall wanted nothing moved until he came back," +said Dave, gazing boldly into the mate's angry face. "Perhaps I had +better call him, if you are going to work again." + +"Who said I was going to move anything?" growled Paul Shepley, his +manner showing that that was just what he had had in mind to do. "Don't +you get too fresh around me, or there will be trouble!" + +"Well, if there is trouble, I'll do my best to stand up against it." + +"Aw! you make me tired!" grumbled the first mate, and strode away in +deep disgust, leaving Dave master of the field. + +In the meantime a stormy meeting was being held in the supercargo's +office. At first Van Blott flatly refused to allow Phil to look at his +books, but at last brought forth several, which the shipowner's son knew +were of little importance. + +"I want the books that relate to the goods to be landed here," said +Phil. "I want to know all about each piece before it is put ashore." + +"Humph! You are getting very particular, young man!" observed the +supercargo. + +"I do not deny it." + +"Did your father send you on this trip to spy on me?" + +"You may put it that way, if you wish, Mr. Van Blott. I am here simply +to learn this business and to see that everything is O. K." + +"If everything is all right, what have you to fear from an inspection +like this?" came suggestively from Captain Marshall. + +"I am not going to work here and be watched like a criminal!" stormed +Jasper Van Blott. "If old man Lawrence can't trust me, it is time we +parted company!" + +"I agree with you," returned the captain. + +"Do you?" came with a sneer. "Very well. I'll close up my accounts and +quit." + +"You'll not do it just yet," put in Phil. He was pale, but determined. + +"I won't?" + +"No. Before you quit you must make an accounting to me of goods and +money, and satisfy me, and also Captain Marshall, that everything is O. +K. in every particular." + +"Bah! Boy, who gave you authority to talk to me in this fashion?" + +"My father." + +"I don't believe it. Why, you are a mere boy--you don't know what you +are saying. I'll close up this business to suit myself and leave my keys +with Captain Marshall, and that will end it." + +"Mr. Van Blott, you must remember that Philip Lawrence is the +shipowner's son," said the captain, sternly. + +"I don't care if he is. He has no legal authority, and I don't propose +to let him drive me." + +"Just wait a minute, until I come back," said Phil, starting for the +door. + +"Where are you going?" asked Roger. + +"To my stateroom. I'll be back in a few minutes." + +"What is he going to do?" questioned the supercargo, uneasily. + +"I don't know," answered Captain Marshall, shortly. "But, if I were you, +Mr. Van Blott, I should listen to him. In a certain sense, he represents +his father on this vessel." + +"He doesn't represent him with me!" muttered the supercargo. His anger +had made him lose a good portion of his common sense. + +There was a minute of silence, during which Jasper Van Blott strode up +and down the narrow office. Then a step was heard outside, and Phil +reappeared, carrying a large envelope in his hand. + +"My father said I was not to use this unless it was necessary," he said, +drawing a paper from the envelope. + +At the appearance of a legal-looking document the supercargo started +back. + +"What's that?" he demanded, hoarsely. + +"This is a document authorizing Captain Marshall to take charge of your +affairs, Mr. Van Blott. He is to investigate everything, under my +supervision, and is to hold you strictly accountable for everything you +have done since starting on this voyage." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE CARGO MYSTERY EXPLAINED + + +There was a death-like silence for several seconds after Phil made his +announcement. Even Captain Marshall was astonished, for he had not +anticipated such a turn of affairs. + +"Let me see that paper!" demanded Jasper Van Blott, wildly. "I will not +believe a word of what you have said until I read that paper." + +"Then read it," answered the shipowner's son, and passed it over. + +With compressed lips, the supercargo perused the document. Then he +gritted his teeth. + +"So this is the game you have been playing on me, eh?" he snarled. +"Well, it doesn't work." + +"Doesn't work?" came from Roger, who was as much interested as any one. + +"No, it doesn't work. That paper isn't worth the ink it's written with. +It was drawn up in the United States, and we are not in the United +States now." + +"Perhaps not, but we are sailing under the United States flag, Mr. Van +Blott," said Captain Marshall, quickly. "Besides that, I think the +authorities here will respect a legal document drawn up in Uncle Sam's +country." + +"It's not worth a pinch of snuff!" roared the supercargo, and would have +torn the paper to bits, had not Phil and Roger leaped forward and +prevented him. + +"None of that!" cried Phil. "Let that alone, or I'll have Captain +Marshall place you under arrest." + +"Arrest? Me under arrest? I'd like to see you do it!" fumed the +supercargo. + +"I'll do it, unless you do what is right," said the master of the +_Stormy Petrel_, quickly. "Mr. Van Blott, your actions do you no credit. +Trying to destroy that document proves to me beyond a doubt that you +have something to conceal. I shall begin an investigation at once, and +the boys shall aid me." + +"I don't care!" roared Jasper Van Blott. "But I am done with the ship +and the whole crowd." + +"Please hand over the keys to your safe boxes." + +With bad grace, the supercargo did so. + +"Now you will please sit down and let us go through the accounts," +continued the captain. + +The supercargo squirmed and argued, and did his best to get away, but it +was all to no purpose, and, in the end, he had to remain in the office +until the captain, Phil, and Roger had examined all the shipping +accounts. Some of the entries were mixed up, and they could not obtain +any satisfactory explanation regarding them. + +"Now we will go on deck and examine that stuff that was to go ashore," +said Captain Marshall. + +"Especially the goods for Baumann & Feltmuller," put in the senator's +son. + +"Ha! What do you know about that firm?" gasped Jasper Van Blott. + +"Not much." + +"You--you have been spying on me--you must have followed me on shore," +gasped the supercargo. "But you are mistaken, you will find nothing +wrong," he added, suddenly, and then appeared to calm down. + +They went on deck, where they found Dave still on guard. The first mate +was sulking near the rail. As soon as the captain appeared Dave walked +up to him. + +"I am glad you are here," he whispered. "Mr. Shepley wanted to send the +goods ashore, but I told him that, if he did so, I would call you." + +"Is that so? Thank you, Dave, I am glad you went on watch," replied the +master of the _Stormy Petrel_. + +The inspection of the goods began, and in the midst of the work Jasper +Van Blott gave an exclamation. + +"Did anybody bring that brown book up?" he queried. + +Nobody knew anything about a brown book, and all looked puzzled. + +"That has this transaction in it in full," went on the supercargo. "I +remember now, I put the book in my stateroom. I will go below and get +it. That will prove everything is as straight as a string. Then I am +going to sue somebody for heavy damages," he added. + +He walked to the companionway and disappeared. Captain Marshall +continued to inspect the goods to go ashore, and the boys aided him. +That something was wrong they did not doubt, and they waited impatiently +for the supercargo to reappear with his brown book. + +"The first mate has gone below, too," announced Roger, presently. "Maybe +the pair are talking it over between them. They are certainly +hand-in-glove with each other, according to what Dave says." + +"Go below and tell Mr. Van Blott I want him to come up at once," +returned Captain Marshall. + +The senator's son disappeared down the companionway and was gone for +several minutes. He came up with a worried look on his face. + +"I can't find Mr. Van Blott anywhere!" he cried. + +"What!" roared the master of the _Stormy Petrel_. "He must be down +there." + +"Unless he has sneaked ashore!" came quickly from Dave. + +"Could he do that?" questioned Phil. + +"He might." + +"I will go below and look around," went on Captain Marshall. "You boys +scatter on the deck and watch for him. He must not be allowed to get +away!" + +The boys did as requested, and the captain went below, to be gone +quarter of an hour and more. When he came up, his face was much +downcast. + +"He has certainly gotten away," he declared. "His valise and some of his +clothing are gone, and his money box is wide open and empty." + +"Where is the mate?" asked Phil. + +"There he is!" exclaimed Dave, pointing to the bow. + +The captain ran forward. + +"Mr. Shepley, have you seen Mr. Van Blott?" + +"When?" inquired the mate, slowly. + +"Within the last ten or twenty minutes." + +"Why, yes." + +"Where is he?" + +"I think he walked ashore. I didn't notice, particularly." + +"Humph! Did he have his valise?" + +"I don't know but what he did. I wasn't paying any particular attention. +Are we to unload, or not?" went on the first mate. + +"We are to do nothing until Mr. Van Blott is found," answered the +captain, shortly. + +"All right; in that case, you'll wait a long time," murmured the mate to +himself. + +After that a regular hunt was instituted, and the boys went ashore, +along with Billy Dill. They even visited the offices of Baumann & +Feltmuller, but not a trace of the missing supercargo could be found +anywhere. + +When the boys got back to the bark, they found that Captain Marshall had +begun on an examination of the goods taken from the hold. He found a +number of cases mismarked--those which were to have been sent to Baumann +& Feltmuller. + +"This stuff seems to have been meant for some firm in +Australia--Featherstone & Harmsworth," said the captain. "How it came on +my ship is a mystery to me." + +"Wait!" shouted Dave. "I know something about that. Just before we left +San Francisco I heard some dock officials speaking about some costly +cases of goods which had disappeared from a neighboring dock. The goods +were for the firm of Featherstone & Harmsworth, I remember the name +well. The stuff was to go to Sydney. They said they had tried their +best, but could get no trace of the stolen cases." + +"That explains it!" exclaimed Phil. "Van Blott took the cases and had +them stowed away in the hold of this ship. He was going to sell the +stuff to Baumann & Feltmuller, in part or in whole." + +"I believe you have struck the truth," returned Captain Marshall. "And +now, fearing exposure, he has fled." + +"What can you do with the goods?" questioned Roger. + +"I don't know, yet. Either return them to their owners, or sell them and +forward the money. I'll have to think the matter over." + +"What a rascal Van Blott has proved himself to be!" was Phil's comment. + +"Yes, and I reckon that man in San Francisco, Bangor, was in with him," +said Dave, and he was correct in his surmise. It may be added here, +though, that Bangor never suffered for this crime, for he was caught, +shortly after the sailing of the _Stormy Petrel_, and tried for +something equally unlawful, and sentenced to prison for several years. + +The stolen goods were placed in another part of the ship, and then the +work of unloading a part of the regular cargo began. Paul Shepley had to +superintend this work, and did so in a thoughtful mood. + +"I wish I knew the truth about the mate," said Phil to Dave. "I am going +to watch him pretty closely after this." + +"He certainly had something in common with the supercargo," replied the +country boy. + +From Baumann & Feltmuller, Captain Marshall could learn but little. The +merchants said that the supercargo had offered to sell them some goods +which, he declared, had not been accepted by other parties because of +delay in shipment. They had agreed to take the same and pay on delivery, +and when convinced that all was fair and above board. + +"They are a tricky firm," said the captain to the boys. "But, as I have +no proof against them, I'll have to let them go." + +In spite of the excitement over the exposure of the supercargo, Dave was +anxious to sail from Cavasa Island and be on the way to Sobago. It was +with great satisfaction that he heard Captain Marshall say they would +set sail on the following Monday morning. + +"And how long will it take us to reach Nanpi?" he asked of the master of +the _Stormy Petrel_. + +"That will depend upon the wind, lad. If we have luck, we ought to get +there in four or five days. But sometimes the wind is mighty contrary +around these parts." + +While at Cavasa the boys spent one whole day ashore, and went out riding +in the direction of the volcano in company with Billy Dill. The old tar +showed them where he and Dunston Porter and Mr. Lemington had camped +out, and where they had hunted for the treasure. + +"I'd like to feel an earthquake once, just for fun," remarked Roger. "It +must be a queer sensation." + +"It is," answered Billy Dill. "An' one ye ain't apt to forgit in a +hurry." + +"If it was bad, I think I'd be scared out of my wits," said Phil. "What +do you think about it, Dave?" + +"I don't want any in mine." + +"Oh, what's a little earthquake!" cried the senator's son. "It would be +an experience worth talking about, that's all." + +"Well, maybe you'll have your wish gratified before we leave this region +of the globe," said Dave. "I understand that earthquakes are common for +thousands of miles around. Sometimes the quakes make new islands, while +other islands sink out of sight." + +"Excuse me from being on an island when it sinks out of sight," cried +Phil. "I'd rather be on solid ground any time." And in this statement +the others agreed with him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +SWEPT ONWARD BY A TIDAL WAVE + + +"Off at last, and I am glad of it!" + +"I suppose you are anxious to get to Nanpi, Dave?" + +"I am, Roger. Can you blame me?" + +"Not at all. In fact, if I were in your place, I think I'd be even more +anxious. Meeting this Dunston Porter means so much to you," went on the +senator's son. + +The two chums were on the forward deck of the _Stormy Petrel_ and the +bark was just leaving the harbor of Tolao. It was a clear day, with a +bright sun high overhead, and the boys felt in excellent spirits. + +Nothing had been seen or heard of Jasper Van Blott, and, with the +sailing of the bark, he was practically forgotten by Dave and Roger. But +Phil and the captain remembered him and were sorry that they had not +been able to bring the wicked supercargo to justice. + +Although he was in nominal authority, Captain Marshall turned over the +cargo books to Phil, and the shipowner's son did very well when it came +to straightening out the tangle left by Van Blott. Phil wished to make +a clean report to his father and worked with a will, until he "knew +where he was at," as he declared. + +"I rather think it will open my father's eyes," said Phil. "He has +suspected Van Blott for some time, but he didn't think of anything like +this." + +On the second day out the wind died down utterly, and this state of +affairs continued for several days. The sails flapped idly against the +masts, and scarcely any progress was made. + +"We are not going to make such a quick passage, after all," remarked +Roger. "My! but this is slow work, I must declare!" + +"And haven't you noticed the heat?" added Phil. "It seems to me to be +unusually hot." + +"It is," said Dave, who had been consulting a thermometer. "This is our +warmest day, by four degrees. If it gets much warmer, we'll certainly +melt." + +That afternoon the sea appeared to be strangely agitated, and toward +night the sailors noticed a large number of dead fish rising to the +surface. Dave discovered a large shark, and this proved to be dead, +also. + +"There has been some disturbance under the ocean's surface," said +Captain Marshall. "More than likely an earthquake." + +"An earthquake! And we never knew it!" ejaculated Roger, and his tone +showed his disappointment. + +In the morning the sea was more agitated than ever. One minute it would +appear to flatten out, the next, two waves would come together with a +clash that sent the spray flying upward for many feet. More dead fish +were in evidence on every hand. + +"I have never witnessed anything like this," commented Captain Marshall. +"I trust it gets no worse." + +When the breeze sprang up, it came from the wrong direction, and the +_Stormy Petrel_ had to tack as best she could. The breeze kept growing +stiffer and stiffer, until it was little short of a gale. Then a thick +mist settled down on the ocean, shutting out the view upon all sides. + +"I must say I don't like this," observed the senator's son. "Supposing +we should run into something?" + +"There isn't much to run into," replied Dave. "I just asked the captain, +and he told me we were a good many miles from land of any sort." + +"We might run into some other ship." + +"There seem to be very few ships in this locality." + +Morning found the _Stormy Petrel_ still surrounded by the mist, and +there was now little or no wind. The barometer had gone down, and the +captain ordered some sail taken in, in anticipation of a storm. + +At noon the mist appeared to lift a little, and once more the wind +sprang up. This continued for several hours, when, of a sudden, a +strange humming filled the air. + +"What can that be?" cried Dave, who was on the forward deck. + +"It's wind!" cried Billy Dill. "A reg'lar tornado, too." + +Captain Marshall was on deck, no longer disposed to trust his first +mate. He at once ordered all of the sails taken in and stowed away +securely. This was just accomplished, when the hurricane--for it was +nothing less--struck the _Stormy Petrel_, almost sending the bark on her +beam ends. + +"Better go below!" shrieked the captain to the three boys. "It's not +safe for you on deck." + +"I'll be careful," answered Phil, but the master of the bark shook his +head, and then the three lads started for the companionway, holding on +to first one thing and then another as they moved along. + +Phil had just reached the bottom of the steps, Roger was half-way down, +and Dave still at the top, when a wild cry from the bow reached their +ears. + +"Hold tight, all of ye!" came in the voice of Billy Dill. "Hold on, or +ye'll be swept overboard, sure!" + +Everybody on board the _Stormy Petrel_ realized that this could be no +idle warning, and all held on like grim death to anything that was +handy. The next moment there was a strange hissing and pounding of the +ocean, and, in a twinkling, the _Stormy Petrel_ was caught on what +seemed to be the top of a giant wave and carried along as if in the grip +of a demon of the deep! + +The upward and forward movement came with such a force that nearly +everybody was taken clean and clear off his feet, and had not each one +clung fast, as directed by Billy Dill, somebody must surely have been +flung overboard. The bark turned around and around on the top of the +wave, and then lurched forward and went on and on, the spray flying so +thickly that scarcely a thing of what was beyond could be seen. + +"My gracious!" gasped Roger, who had been flung down on top of Phil. +"What is this?" + +"Don't ask me!" returned Dave, who was sitting on the upper step with +his arms entwined around the companionway rail. "I guess it's an +earthquake and a hurricane rolled into one." + +"Has anybody gone overboard?" asked Phil, as he tried to stand up. + +"I don't know. Billy Dill gave the warning." + +The door to the cabin was open, and the three lads fairly tumbled into +the compartment. The bark was rocking to such an extent that to stand +upright was out of the question. Everything that was loose was on the +floor, shifting from one side to the other. + +The boys waited with bated breath, and a few minutes later heard a crash +on the deck, which told that a topmast, or one of the yards, had come +down. Then came a yell of alarm from one of the sailors. + +"We are going to sink! We are going to sink!" + +"Did you hear that?" ejaculated Roger. "He said the _Stormy Petrel_ was +going to sink!" + +"What shall we do?" put in Phil. "I don't want to drown!" + +Phil had scarcely spoken when a side door to one of the staterooms burst +open and a man came forth, wild with terror, his face scratched and +bleeding. Much to their amazement, they saw it was Jasper Van Blott. + +"Is the ship really going down?" cried the former supercargo, in a +trembling voice. + +"Where did you come from?" cried Dave. + +"I--er--I've been in hiding. But, tell me, are we going down?" + +"I don't know." + +"I--er--I must go on deck and see. It nearly killed me, the bark bounced +around so," went on Van Blott. + +He started for the companionway, but had not yet reached the top when a +big wave hit the _Stormy Petrel_ broadside, sweeping the deck from end +to end and sending some of the water into the cabin. The former +supercargo was washed off the steps and came down flat on his back, +screaming with terror. + +[Illustration: The former supercargo was washed off the steps and came +down flat on his back.--_Page 225._] + +The boys were nearly as much alarmed, and, as soon as it was possible to +do so, all three crawled up to where they could get a view of the deck +and the sea beyond. + +The outlook was truly startling. The ocean was whipped up into a +milk-white foam and was dashing and churning in all directions. One +tremendous wave was rolling straight to the southward, and on this the +bark was riding, like a monkey on a runaway race horse. The wind was +whistling through the rigging, and the sky was filled with dark clouds +and a strange, whitish dust. + +"What is this?" called Dave to the captain, as the latter passed. + +"It's a tidal wave!" yelled back Captain Marshall. "There has been +another earthquake, and, most likely, some of the volcanoes in this +vicinity have become active." + +"Are we going down, as that sailor said?" + +"Not yet. I will warn you, if there is any danger of our sinking." + +"You can't put out any small boats, can you?" asked Phil. + +"No, a small boat would not live a minute in such a sea as is now +running." + +"Has anybody been washed overboard?" asked Roger. + +"I believe not--but I am not sure. It came on so sudden, we had no time +to prepare for it," said Captain Marshall. + +"Mr. Van Blott is below," said Dave. + +"Van Blott! You must be dreaming!" + +"No. He had been in hiding, and the alarm scared him." + +"Humph! Well, we'll take care of him later--if we get out of this with a +whole skin." + +The boys could do nothing on deck, and so went below again, to find that +the former supercargo had disappeared. + +"It doesn't matter," observed Phil. "We know he is on board, and he +can't get away until we land, and I guess we can root him out before +that time." + +The _Stormy Petrel_ was still being carried forward, but now the motion +was a bit more steady than before. It was true that she had encountered +a tidal wave, due to a submarine earthquake, and also true that a +volcano on the island of Cholomu had become active. The fine volcanic +dust floated for miles over the ocean, covering the bark from stem to +stern as with flour. + +Half an hour later came another alarm. Somebody roared out: "Breakers +ahead!" and in a moment more the _Stormy Petrel_ was in the midst of a +choppy sea, and staggered from side to side, as if ready to go over. +Then came a scraping at the bottom. + +"We have struck a reef!" cried the first mate. "We are done for now!" +But, even as he spoke, the bark went on, over the reef and into what +seemed to be a large harbor. Far in the distance could be seen a +palm-fringed shore, with the waves dashing high up on the sands. + +It took Captain Marshall but an instant to consider the situation, and +he immediately gave orders to cast an anchor. The _Stormy Petrel_ +continued to rush onward, but quarter of a mile from the shore the +forward progress was checked. Then another anchor was dropped, and it +was seen that this had secured a good hold. In the meantime the waters +of the tidal wave began to recede, and by sunset the ocean was almost as +calm as ever. + +"Thank fortune, that peril is a thing of the past!" said Dave, +fervently; and the other boys and Captain Marshall echoed his +sentiments. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +EXPLORING A TROPICAL ISLAND + + +The night to follow was an anxious one for all on board the _Stormy +Petrel_. The sea was still too rough to think of venturing ashore, and +so it was impossible to learn to what harbor they had floated and what +was the prospect of continuing their voyage to Sobago Island. + +"We must be at least two hundred miles out of our reckoning," said +Captain Marshall, in reply to a question from Phil. "This may be Tapley +Island, but I am not sure." + +"Is Tapley Island inhabited?" + +"I am not sure about that, either. There was once a colony there, but I +think it died out. The natives on the other islands around here are very +fierce." + +"Then I hope we haven't landed on one of the other islands," remarked +Dave. + +"If we came over a reef, how are we to get out of this harbor?" +questioned Roger. + +"That remains to be learned, Roger," answered the master of the _Stormy +Petrel_, gravely. + +During the night the sea went down a great deal, and in the morning the +harbor could be plainly distinguished. A boat was lowered, and Captain +Marshall went ashore, taking Dave and Phil with him. + +It was an easy matter to beach the rowboat on the sands, and the boys +leaped ashore quickly and ran up to the nearest of the palm trees. A +look around showed all how the gigantic tidal wave had torn and twisted +everything growing near the water's edge. In some spots the sand lay a +foot thick on beds of grass and moss and small brushwood. + +"We can be thankful that our ship was not cast up high and dry on the +shore," remarked Captain Marshall, as he gazed around. "That wave must +have done the shipping for hundreds of miles around great damage." + +The party walked up and down the beach for almost a mile, but without +seeing the first sign of inhabitants of any sort. The shore was full of +dead fish and overturned turtles, and the sailors took some back to the +ship with them for eating purposes. + +It was nearly midday when they returned to the ship, and the boys were +so hungry that a mess of fried fish was particularly appetizing to them. +At noon the captain made some observations and got out his charts, and +finally announced that they must be at a small island, one hundred and +sixty miles to the southward of Sobago. + +"The island is not of great importance," said he. "It is shaped a good +deal like the letter B, and this harbor is formed by the double curve on +one side. The interior of each of the two portions is mostly marsh +land--a good place for tropical fevers. The reef outside of the harbor +is well defined on the chart, and extends in a semicircle for many +miles." + +"Isn't there any opening at all?" queried Dave. + +"For small vessels, yes." + +"But not for a bark the size of ours?" + +"That remains to be found out. I shall go this afternoon and make some +soundings." + +"If there isn't any opening in the reef, what are we to do?" asked Phil, +blankly. "Why, the _Stormy Petrel_ will have to remain here forever!" + +"Which puts me in mind of a story, as Shadow Hamilton would say," came +from Dave. "I once heard of a fellow who built a rowboat in the garret +of his house. After the boat was done, it was so large he couldn't get +it out of the door or window, and he had to take the boat apart again." + +"If the boys at Oak Hall could see us now!" cried Roger. "But about our +ship. We didn't build it here--the tidal wave sent it in, over yonder +reef. Now the question arises, how are we to get over the reef again?" + +"If there is no opening in the reef, maybe we can blow one out with +dynamite," suggested Phil. + +After dinner Captain Marshall went out in the largest of the rowboats, +taking with him his pick of the sailors. They took a lead line along, +and remained away until dark, taking as many soundings as they possibly +could. It was dangerous work, and those on the bark were glad when the +rowboat returned. + +"Well, did you find a channel?" asked the first mate. + +"No," was the short answer. "There are several openings, but none, that +I discovered, wide enough for the _Stormy Petrel_." + +"Of course, you didn't cover the whole reef?" + +"By no means. I will go out again to-morrow--or you may do so." + +The news the captain brought was very disheartening, and it was a gloomy +party that assembled in the cabin of the bark that evening. + +"We shall be perfectly safe in this harbor, so long as the weather +remains fair," said Captain Marshall. "But a heavy blow might cause us +to drag our anchors and either run ashore or on the reef. We must get +away in the near future, if it can possibly be accomplished." + +"You can't get away and to Sobago any too quick for me," replied Dave. + +That evening Jasper Van Blott came out of hiding and attempted to take +his place at the cabin table. But Captain Marshall would have none of +this and sent the former supercargo forward, where the sailors made room +for him in the forecastle. This angered Van Blott intensely, and he +gritted his teeth with rage. + +"Wait until I get the chance," he said to himself. "I'll get square for +this insult!" + +"He can't run away for the present," the captain explained to the boys. +"When we get to a regular stopping place, I'll put him in irons." + +On the following morning it was so fair all the boys begged to be +allowed to go ashore and do a little exploring. The captain was willing, +but told them to be careful. Billy Dill was to go with them, and they +took along a pistol, a shotgun, and some provisions. + +"If you get into trouble, fire two shots in quick succession," said +Captain Marshall. "If I want you to return, I'll fire two shots." + +The boys got into the boat, and Billy Dill took one pair of oars and +Dave the others. They were soon at the beach and landed in true nautical +style. Then the rowboat was drawn up out of the water and into the shade +of some palms, that the sun might not crack open the seams. + +"We must be extremely careful," observed Phil. "Remember, we do not know +what is on this island." + +"Sure, there might be lions," suggested Roger, with a wink and a glance +at Billy Dill. + +"You boys know better nor thet," rejoined the old tar. "None o' these +South Sea islands have much in the way o' wild beasts. But you may +strike a big snake." + +"Excuse me, but I don't want to be introduced to his snakeship," cried +the senator's son. + +After a little look around, they determined to start up the shore, and +did so, with their provisions on their backs and Dave carrying the +shotgun and Phil the pistol. Roger and the old tar armed themselves with +big sticks. + +A half-mile was covered, when they came to a hollow, in which were +basking a number of turtles, all of great size. Phil gave a shout, and +on the instant the turtles all headed for the ocean with clumsy, but +swift, strides. Billy Dill made after them and managed to catch the last +one and turn him over. + +[Illustration: Billy Dill managed to catch the last one and turn him +over. _Page 233._] + +"He will make fine turtle soup," said the tar. + +"So he will!" cried Dave. "I suppose I might have shot at them." + +"Not worth while, lad; one is enough." + +They soon came to a portion of the shore where the undergrowth was +exceedingly close, and they had to journey a short distance inland. The +palms were thick, and they saw numerous cocoanuts and great varieties of +beautiful ferns and gigantic creeping vines. Billy Dill also pointed +out three varieties of bread-fruit trees. + +"Well, a fellow wouldn't starve here, in spite of the scarcity of meat," +observed Dave. + +"And meat isn't especially good in hot weather," added Roger. + +"Natives down here eat very little meat," said the old tar. "They use +lots of yams and such stuff, besides bananas and plantains. Everything +grows of itself, and they have a lazy man's life of it." + +"Excepting when they fight each other," observed Phil. + +An hour later they came out on the shore again. They were now away from +the harbor and could look straight out on the ocean. + +"Look! look!" cried Roger, pointing seaward. "Am I mistaken, or do I see +a long canoe filled with men?" + +"It certainly is a canoe," declared Dave, after a look. + +"And it is filled with natives," added Phil. "What do you make of this?" +he added, turning to Billy Dill. "Are they coming here?" + +"I don't think they are, Phil. They seem to be headed away from this +island." + +The canoe was certainly a large one, and they counted at least twelve +natives at the paddles, or sweeps. Other natives were in the bow and +stern of the craft. In quarter of an hour the canoe was but a speck in +the distance, and then it was lost to sight altogether. + +"We'll have to tell the captain about this," declared Dave. "If there +are natives around, he will want to know it." + +"Perhaps they can tell us of a way out of the harbor," suggested Roger. + +"Like as not, if there is a way out," spoke up Billy Dill. "They +generally know the coasts putty well--bein' out so much in their +canoes." + +The little party continued on its exploring tour, but soon came to a +portion of the marsh land the captain had mentioned. Not wishing to get +stuck, they began to retrace their steps, until they were in the midst +of the thickets again. Then a strange rushing sound through the trees +broke upon their ears. + +"Wait!" whispered Billy Dill, "I know what that is. Don't make any +noise." + +"Is there any danger?" queried Roger. + +The old tar shook his head. Then he pointed upward, and the boys saw a +large flock of beautiful tropical birds settling down on all sides of +them. + +"What a sight!" murmured Dave. "How pretty they are!" + +"They get birds for ladies' hats from places like this," whispered Billy +Dill. + +"I know it. What a shame to shoot them down, too!" + +"It is a shame, lad; and ladies ought to stop wearin' sech finery," said +the old tar, soberly. + +They watched the beautiful birds for some time. Then the creatures +discovered the strangers, and off they went in a mad flight, and were +lost to sight. + +An hour later found the party passing down the shore once more. Here +they walked on the sand until they came to something of a cove, +surrounded by stately palms. + +"Might as well rest a bit----" began Roger, when Dave uttered a cry: + +"See, the remains of a campfire!" + +"Yes, and the remains of a feast, too!" added Phil. "Those natives must +have been here!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +A MAP AND A PLOT + + +The boys and Billy Dill viewed the surroundings with interest. Some +bones lay on the ground, and they kicked them over. + +"These can't be human bones, can they?" whispered the senator's son to +Dave. + +"No, Roger, they are nothing but the bones of some small animal." + +"I was afraid the natives might be cannibals!" + +To one side of the camp lay a fantastically carved stick, evidently cut +by somebody during his leisure. Dave picked this up and saw that it +contained a heart, an anchor, a cross, several links of a chain, and +some stars. At the big end of the stick was an American flag. + +"Hello, look here!" exclaimed the country boy. "This is strange, to say +the least. I don't believe any native would cut a stick in this +fashion." + +"Neither do I," declared Phil. "That must have been carved by an +American, and with his jack-knife. Perhaps some sailors were camping out +here." + +"To me this campfire, or what's left o' it, looks to be about a week +old," said Billy Dill. "The question is, where did the crowd go to from +here?" + +"Maybe there were some Americans with those natives in that canoe," +suggested Roger. + +"In that case, the natives must be friendly," returned Phil. + +They walked around the locality and down the shore half a mile further, +but could find nothing more of interest. Then they sat down to enjoy the +lunch they had brought, washing the meal down at a spring, close by +where the campfire had been. + +"It is wonderful that fresh water should be so close to the salt," +observed the senator's son. "You'd think it would all get salt." + +"Nature knew man wanted fresh water, and so it was placed there," +replied Billy Dill. "Trust a kind Providence to take care on us every +time." + +After the meal the party set off for the opposite shore of the island, +over a small hill which divided one end from the other. Here the jungle +was so thick they had to literally force their way through, and each of +the boys got his clothing torn more or less. Once the old tar became so +completely fastened that the lads had to go to his assistance and cut +him loose with their pocket-knives. + +"I'm jest about anchored!" remarked Billy Dill. "This is worse nor the +Sargasso Sea, ain't it?" + +By the middle of the afternoon they gained the opposite shore of the +island. Here the ground was very rough, but at one spot they found the +remains of a village--two houses of logs and half a dozen thatched huts. +The houses and huts were bare, and nothing of interest was to be found +around the remains of half a dozen campfires. + +"This shows that somebody lived here once upon a time," observed Phil. +"But it couldn't have been much of a population." + +"Can't tell as to thet," came from the old sailor. "These natives live +pretty thick sometimes, ten or a dozen in one hut--and a good many live +right out under the trees." + +Dave and Roger had passed into one of the deserted log houses, and the +country youth struck a match, that they might see around a little +better. Somewhat to their astonishment, they saw pinned up on a wall a +sheet of water-stained brown wrapping paper, upon which was drawn +something of a map, with a heavy cross where two lines met. + +"Here's a discovery!" cried Dave. "Wonder what this map was for?" + +The others came in, and a minute later a torch was lit, and all examined +the map with care. Then Roger uttered a cry: + +"Dave, look there!" and the senator's son pointed to one corner of the +map. In faint letters was the written name: + + _Dunston A. Porter._ + +"The very man I am looking for!" ejaculated Dave, and his heart gave a +bound. "Oh, boys, what can it mean?" + +"It means that Mr. Porter has been here," answered Roger. + +"He must have been hunting for that treasure," said Phil. "This may be +one of his maps." + +"That's a fact," said Billy Dill. "He was always drawing jest such +things when I was with him. He said he was bound to find that treasure +some day." + +"This map looks to be quite old," went on Dave, in disappointed tones. +"I wish it was fresh and he was here." + +"He must have come here after sailing to Sobago Island," said the +senator's son, "and that can't be so very long ago." + +After that they made a closer hunt than before in and around the camp, +but found nothing, outside of two buttons, a bit of lead pencil, and the +broken handle of a spade. + +"That spade proves there was some digging done," said Phil. "Undoubtedly +he came here looking for that treasure." + +"Did you ever get any of the particulars of that treasure?" asked Dave, +of the old sailor. + +"Not much, exceptin' that it was a treasure of pearls and precious +stones once hidden by some native king. Mr. Porter didn't want to tell +much about it, and I didn't feel as I had the right to ask him." + +It was now growing late, and all felt that it was time to return to the +ship. Before leaving the hut, Dave pinned a slip of paper over the map, +writing upon it as follows: + + "TO DUNSTON A. PORTER: + + "I am very anxious to meet you. I am on board the bark _Stormy + Petrel_, in the harbor of this island, and bound for Sobago + Island. Please see me, by all means. + + DAVID PORTER." + +To this the youth added the date, and also his home address, in case he +should fail to meet Dunston Porter and the man should wish to write to +him. + +"That certainly ought to interest him--especially if he is interested in +a lost boy," was Roger's comment. + +Dave was in a sober mood when he returned to the ship and did not feel +much like talking. He allowed the others to relate the day's experience, +to which Captain Marshall listened closely. + +"It is certainly a pity we didn't get a chance to talk to those +natives," said the master of the _Stormy Petrel_. "They might have shown +me some way out of this harbor." + +"Then you haven't found any passage through the reef?" + +"Not yet. The first mate was out with four of the crew, but they could +find nothing wide enough," answered Captain Marshall. + +The master of the bark thought he spoke the truth, but he was mistaken. +Unknown to the captain, the first mate had found a passage, rather +twisting in shape, but perfectly safe. It was near the northern end of +the reef--a locality Captain Marshall had not visited. One of the +sailors who had been out with the mate also knew of the passage, but +Paul Shepley had pledged him to secrecy for the time being. + +While the boys and Billy Dill were in the cabin of the _Stormy Petrel_ +relating their experiences, an interesting conversation was going on in +another part of the ship, between the first mate and Jasper Van Blott. + +"I have made an important discovery," said Shepley, in a low tone, so +that no others might hear. "I have found a safe passageway out of this +harbor." + +"Did you tell the old man?" demanded the former supercargo, quickly. + +"No; I told him that there wasn't any opening wide enough for the bark." + +"Good! Now, if we can only arrange this other matter, Shepley, we'll +make a fine thing of this," went on Jasper Van Blott. + +"I don't know about this other thing, as you call it," grumbled the +first mate. "I'll be running a tremendous risk." + +"Oh, it will be perfectly safe." + +"Don't you know that mutiny on the high seas is punishable by death?" + +"I do--if you get caught. But you won't get caught. Besides that, please +to remember that I am not going to suffer for this cargo affair alone. +If I have to stand trial, you'll have to do the same." + +"Then you really mean to drag me into it, eh?" said the first mate, +sourly. + +"Unless you consent to my plan. Why, man, it's dead easy," continued the +former supercargo, earnestly. "I know that at least four of the sailors +will stand in with us from the start, and we can easily win over the +others by the promise of a big reward. All we have got to do is to get +Captain Marshall, Billy Dill, and those three boys ashore, and then sail +away for some distant port. On the way we can change the name of the +bark and I'll fix up the clearance papers, and there you are. You and I +can become equal owners, and we can go into the regular Australian-New +Zealand trade and make a barrel of money in a few years." + +"But supposing some of the men raise a row?" + +"We won't give them a chance, until we are out on the ocean. We can tell +them--after the captain's crowd is gone--that you have orders to try to +clear the reef. When we are on the ocean, I don't think it will be so +hard to manage things. We can arm ourselves and lock up all the other +weapons, and tell the men they shall have big money if they ask no +questions and stick to their duty," added Jasper Van Blott. + +"Well, how do you propose to get that crowd ashore? They may not happen +to go of their own free will." + +"I think I can manage that, sooner or later. The main thing is, we must +watch our chances and strike as soon as the right moment arrives. Now +then, what do you say, Shepley?" + +The first mate hesitated, and an argument lasting a full hour ensued, +during which the former supercargo's plot was discussed from every +possible point of view. At last the first mate agreed to do as Jasper +Van Blott wanted, and then the two separated, to await the time for +making their first move. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +MAROONED + + +On the following morning Captain Marshall went out once more to look for +a passageway through the reef. Dave accompanied him, and so did Billy +Dill. In the meantime Roger and Phil rowed ashore, to see if they could +find any more traces of the natives. + +The captain and Dave had been out about an hour, when they noticed a +small boat coming toward them, containing two sailors and the first +mate. + +"Captain Marshall, you are wanted on shore at once!" cried Paul Shepley, +when within hearing distance. "Those two boys just sent word to the ship +by a native. They said to bring young Porter and Dill along." + +"They must have discovered something!" cried Dave, quickly. "Oh, let us +go, by all means!" + +"I will," answered the master of the _Stormy Petrel_. "Did they say +where they were?" + +"Near the interior of the island, I believe," answered the mate. + +No more was said, and, winding up his lead line, the captain had the +rowboat turned around and headed for the island. In the meantime the +first mate returned to the bark. Once on the deck of the ship he was +quickly joined by the former supercargo. + +"What did he say?" asked Jasper Van Blott, anxiously. + +"Said he'd go." + +"Then we must lose no time in getting up the anchors. Luckily the breeze +is just right." + +"Wait until they are ashore and have disappeared," answered the first +mate, nervously. He was really a coward at heart, and now fairly under +the thumb of Van Blott. + +It took but a few minutes for the captain, Dave, and Billy Dill to gain +the stretch of sand. Then those on the _Stormy Petrel_ saw them draw the +small craft up to a safe place and disappear in among the trees. + +"Now then, act as quickly as you can," said Jasper Van Blott. + +An order was issued for the sailors to come on deck, and all did so, and +the second mate, a young man named Bob Sanders, also appeared. Then Paul +Shepley issued orders to hoist the anchors and raise some of the sails. + +"What does this mean, Mr. Shepley?" asked the second mate, in surprise. + +"The captain has found a passageway and wants me to take the ship out +and around to the other side of the island," replied the first mate. "He +wants us to be lively, too." + +Bob Sanders was mystified, but, as he was not on particularly good terms +with the first mate, he asked no more questions. Soon the sails were up, +and Paul Shepley himself steered the bark toward the passageway he had +discovered. + +"You are sure of what you are doing?" asked Jasper Van Blott, coming to +the wheel. "We don't want to strike and go to the bottom." + +"I wish I was as sure of the future as I am of the passageway," answered +the first mate, somewhat grimly. + +"Oh, don't worry about the future," answered the former supercargo, +lightly. "In a few days we'll have everything in apple-pie order." + +There was a good breeze, and the bark cleared the reef with but little +difficulty. Then Paul Shepley had all the sails set, and soon the +_Stormy Petrel_ was leaving the island far behind. + +In the meantime Captain Marshall, Dave, and the old tar were looking +everywhere for Phil and Roger. They dove straight into the jungle and +called out as loudly as they could. But no answer came back. + +"It is queer that we can't locate them," was Dave's comment. "If they +wanted us, I should think they would be watching out, wouldn't you?" + +"Perhaps they are in trouble," answered the captain, gravely. + +He fired his pistol as a signal, and at last came an answering shot from +the lower end of the island. At once they hurried in that direction, +only to find themselves cut off by a stretch of impassable marsh land. + +"Reckon as how we'll have to go around," observed Billy Dill. "If we try +to go through thet we'll git stuck, fer sartin!" + +Going around was not so easy, and it took them nearly half an hour to +cover a mile. Then the captain discharged his pistol once more, and a +minute later came an answering shot but a short distance away. + +"I see them--at the top of the hill!" cried Dave, and, looking ahead, +the others discovered Phil and Roger at the top of the slight rise of +ground, waving their handkerchiefs to attract attention. Soon the two +parties were together. + +"What's the news?" cried Captain Marshall, looking around to see if +anybody else was present. + +"No news," answered Phil. He gazed at them curiously. "What's up? You +look rather excited!" + +"Didn't you send for us?" gasped Dave. + +"Send for you? What do you mean?" queried Roger. + +"The first mate said you sent a native to the bark, asking us to come +to you," said Captain Marshall. + +"We sent nobody--we have seen no natives to-day." + +There was a pause, during which each looked blankly at the others. + +"I can't understand this," said Dave, slowly. "Mr. Shepley certainly +delivered that message." + +"It is a trick of some sort!" burst out Captain Marshall. "The very best +thing we can do is to get back to the vessel without delay." + +The others thought so, too, and in a moment more all were on their way +to the shore, hurrying through the undergrowth as rapidly as the bushes +and vines would permit. Phil and Roger had managed to shoot two small +animals that looked like hares, but that was all. + +At last they came out on the sands, and a shout of dismay went up. + +"The ship is gone!" + +"The _Stormy Petrel_ has sailed away and left us!" + +The boys and the old sailor turned to Captain Marshall, whose face had +turned white. Now it grew dark and stern. + +"How could they get out of the harbor?" questioned Dave. + +"Shepley must have found a passageway," answered the captain. + +"But where has the ship gone to?" queried Phil. "I can't see her +anywhere." + +Instead of replying, the captain of the _Stormy Petrel_ clenched his +hands and compressed his lips. He was doing some deep thinking. + +"I must say, this looks to me as if somebody had run off with the ship!" +declared the senator's son. + +"And that is just what they have done!" cried the captain. "Oh, the +rascals! the scoundrels! If I ever catch them----" He could not finish, +so great was his rage. + +"Run off with the ship!" burst out Dave. "How could they do that? Do you +think there was a regular mutiny?" + +"There may have been--anyway, the bark is gone--and we are left to shift +for ourselves." + +"I think I see through it," said Phil. "The first mate and Van Blott +have hatched this up between them. I know they were as thick as peas--in +fact, I suspect Shepley helped the supercargo to hide away on board. +They must have bought over the crew and Mr. Sanders." + +"I don't think they could buy over Bob Sanders," declared the captain. +"I know him too well. He is very quiet, but I'd trust him with almost +anything. But I can't say as much for all the crew. Shepley got some of +the men to ship, and he most likely knew whom he was getting." + +"What are you going to do about it?" asked Roger. + +"I don't exactly know what to do, yet, lad. We are marooned, that is all +there is to it. And it doesn't look as if they had left us anything to +live on, either," added the captain, casting his eyes along the shore. + +"Do you mean to say they have deserted us?" cried Dave. + +"Doesn't it look like it?" + +"And stolen the bark?" + +"Yes." + +Dave drew a long breath. Here was another set-back, of which he had not +dreamed. If the _Stormy Petrel_ had really sailed away, not to return, +what were they to do, and when would they get a chance to leave the +lonely island? + +"This is positively the worst yet!" groaned Roger. "The fellows who +would do such a thing ought to be--be hanged! And they haven't left us a +thing!" + +"Let us separate and see if we can sight the bark," said the captain, +and this was done, one party going to the upper end of the island and +the other to the lower. But not a trace of the missing vessel was to be +seen. + +It was a decidedly sober party that gathered on the sands two hours +later to discuss the situation and decide upon what was to be done. Here +they were, marooned on a deserted island, with no food and but little +shelter, and with only two pistols and a shotgun between them. It was +certainly not a situation to be envied. + +"I used to think, when I was a small boy, that I'd like to play Robinson +Crusoe," remarked Roger. "But I've changed my mind, and I'd much rather +be back on the ship." + +"Humph! If you are going to talk that way, what will you say if we have +to stay here weeks, or months, or maybe years?" asked Phil. + +"Gracious!" burst out Dave. "You don't think we'll have to stay here +years, do you?" + +"We'll have to stay until we can git away," was the sage remark of Billy +Dill. "Captain, are we in the track o' any ships?" + +Captain Marshall shook his head slowly. + +"I don't think we are. That storm blew us far out of our course. I doubt +if a ship comes this way once in three months." + +"There, what did I tell you!" cried Phil. "But don't think I want to +stay," he added, quickly. "I am just as anxious to get away as any one, +and anxious to regain my father's ship, too. Why, to lose her would mean +a serious loss to my father!" + +They talked the matter over until nightfall, but without reaching any +satisfactory conclusion. Not one of the party could bring himself to +think that he would really have to stay on the island for any great +length of time. + +"If we do have to stay, we'll have to rassle around fer somethin' to +eat," remarked Billy Dill. "The mean sharks! They might at least have +left us a barrel o' salt horse an' some canned goods--an' a little +tobacco," he added, dolefully. His pipe was empty and so was his pouch, +and this added the last drop to his misery. + +As night came on they gathered some driftwood and lit a campfire, not +because they were cold, but because it looked more cheerful, and because +it also helped to keep away some obnoxious insects that had appeared. +Over the fire they cooked the game Roger and Phil had shot, and made a +supper of this and some crackers the boys had been carrying in their +pockets. Then they sat down to talk the matter over once more. As the +night advanced, the bright stars bespangled the heavens and all became +perfectly calm and quiet. Tired out by what had passed, one after +another sought a comfortable resting-place, and soon all were sound +asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE COMING OF THE NATIVES + + +When Dave awoke, it was with a start. The wind was blowing half a gale +and the rain was falling. + +"What a change since last night," he murmured to himself, as he sat up. +"Hello, are you up already?" + +"I am," answered Billy Dill. "Thought as how I'd better keep the fire +a-goin', if it's goin' to storm. This ain't so nice, is it?" + +"I should say not, indeed. My, now the wind is rising!" + +The others soon roused up, and all gathered under the shelter of some +dense tropical trees and vines. Soon the rain was pouring down in +torrents, shutting out the landscape on all sides. + +"Well, in one way, it's a good thing the _Stormy Petrel_ got out of the +harbor," remarked Captain Marshall. "This wind might make her shift, and +either throw her up on the island or on to the reef." + +They could do nothing with the fire, and so allowed it to die out, and +crawled still further into the jungle in an endeavor to keep dry. But +the rain followed them, until each one of the party was about soaked. + +"This is another one of the comforts of a Robinson Crusoe life," +remarked Phil. "Soaking wet, and nothing to eat. Oh, don't I wish I was +on the bark again and had hold of those mutineers!" + +The rain and wind kept up for the best part of that day. There was but +little thunder and lightning, and at nightfall the storm died away, +although the wind still kept up at a lively rate. During the afternoon +they managed to find a turtle in a hollow, and, after turning the +creature over, killed it and cooked it in its own shell. The meal was +not particularly appetizing, but all were exceedingly hungry and partook +of it without a murmur. + +"To-morrow we must gather some yams and some plantains, and also do some +fishing," said the captain. "We might go hunting, too, but I would +rather save our ammunition for emergencies." + +To keep from taking cold in their wet clothing, all slept close to the +campfire that night, and early in the morning they hung most of their +garments out in the bright sunshine to dry. Fishing proved good, and the +boys and Billy Dill caught over a score of good-sized fish, and also +discovered a bed of oysters, which, as Roger declared, "were not half +bad, even if they weren't particularly good." In the meantime the +captain, who knew not a little about tropical life, tramped around and +found some bread-fruit and some luscious berries, which he declared were +perfectly good to eat. + +"This solves the question of food, at least for the present," said Dave. +"Not a very extensive list of things to eat, but much better than +nothing at all." + +"What would the boys of Oak Hall say if they could see us?" asked Roger. + +"We'll certainly have a tale to tell--if we ever get back to tell it," +returned Phil. + +Having nothing in particular to do, they took their time about preparing +the next meal, and, when it was done, it proved to be a regular spread. +Some of the fish made particularly good eating, and the berries topped +the repast off in good style. + +"I do not believe that the _Stormy Petrel_ will come back to this +harbor," said Captain Marshall. "And that being so, I think we had best +take ourselves to the other side of the island, to those log huts and +shacks you mentioned. That is, most likely, the spot where the natives +land and where ships may stop. We can put up a flag of distress, and, +after that, there will be nothing to do but to wait and make the best of +it." + +"Shall you leave the rowboats here?" asked Dave. + +"We can leave one boat here and row around the island in the other. We +can carry the craft to some point beyond the reef." + +This advice was followed, and beyond the reef line the ocean was found +to be comparatively quiet, despite the storm of the day before. All +entered the rowboat, and the captain and Billy Dill took the oars, and +the voyage to the other side of the island was begun. + +By the end of the day they had reached the log houses, and they cleaned +out the larger of the two and gave to it as much of a homelike +appearance as possible. Then they set to work to gather all the +driftwood possible, for they had nothing with which to cut firewood. The +boys fell to fishing once more, and Phil began to manufacture a snare, +with which he hoped to trap some small animals that had been discovered +at a distance. + +Another whole day passed by slowly, and they began to feel a little more +settled, when, in the middle of the afternoon, Billy Dill, who was out +in the rowboat trying to catch some big fish, set up a loud shout. + +"What is it?" demanded Captain Marshall, who was busily at work breaking +up some of the driftwood. + +"I see a big canoe comin', loaded with niggers!" announced the old +sailor. + +This news brought all to the shore immediately, and they watched the +approach of the canoe with much interest. It was all of twenty-five feet +in length and manned by twelve dark-colored men, six on each side. The +natives in the craft numbered, all told, nineteen, and some of them had +guns, while others had bows and arrows and long spears. Each man had +also a long and sharp knife stuck in his girdle. + +"Do you think they will be friendly?" asked Dave, in a low tone. + +"I hope so," answered the captain. "They have nothing to gain by being +otherwise." + +When the natives discovered the whites, they stopped rowing and set up +an animated jabbering among themselves. They looked around, thinking a +ship must be close by, and, finding none, were much astonished. + +"Hello!" called out Captain Marshall, waving a welcome. "Glad to see +you!" + +To this the natives did not answer. But the canoe was sent closer and +finally beached, and the majority of the black men leaped ashore, each +carrying his weapons with him. + +"How do you do?" went on the captain, extending his hand and smiling. +"Glad to see you. Can anybody speak English?" + +At the question, one of the natives, a short, thickset fellow with a +peculiarly flat nose, came to the front and shook hands. + +"Soko speak Inglees," he said, and grinned. "Soko once on Inglees ship." + +"I am glad to know you, Soko," replied the captain. "I am Captain +Marshall, of the ship _Stormy Petrel_. What island is this?" + +"Dis Yam-kolo Island," answered Soko, still grinning. "How you come dis +way? Where he ship?" + +"Some rascals have stolen my ship. She is a fine-looking bark. She was +here a few days ago. Have you seen her?" + +"No see ship, no--no ship, so many days," and the native held up four +fingers, all stumpy and not overly clean. "Steal ship on you? Big thief, +yes!" + +"You are right. Where do you come from?" + +"Come from Waponu. Dat on Sobago Island." + +"Yes, I have heard of the place." The captain turned to the others. "It +is a native village some ten miles from the town for which the _Stormy +Petrel_ was bound," he explained. + +"Then perhaps they can take us to Sobago," said Dave, eagerly. + +"Perhaps they can," answered the captain. "But it must be a long trip in +such a canoe as that." + +"Tell me," said Dave, to the native. "Do you come here often?" + +"Sometime, not many time," answered Soko, still grinning. He was +evidently of a sunny disposition. + +"Did you ever come here with a man named Dunston Porter?" + +At this question the native shrugged his shoulders and looked perplexed. + +"I mean this man," went on the youth, and, taking the native by the +hand, led him into the hut and up to the map on the wall. Instantly the +face of Soko brightened. + +"Yes, Soko know," he said. "Dat man come, so many time here----" He held +up three fingers. "Look in ground, dig, not can find much, no. Go back +to Sobago, so." And he made a dejected face, at which Roger and Phil had +to laugh. + +"He means Mr. Porter didn't locate the treasure," said the senator's +son. + +"Is that man in Sobago now?" went on Dave, paying no attention to his +chum's remark. + +"Yes, him at big town, Nanpi!" + +"Good I Then I would like to get to Nanpi just as soon as I can," cried +Dave, enthusiastically. "Will you take me there? I can pay you well," he +added, for he still had his money belt and cash with him. + +"Yes, can take to Nanpi," answered the native. + +After that he explained that he and his companions had come to the +island to hunt for some rare birds and for turtles. They were quite +willing to return to Sobago Island immediately, if paid for so doing. A +bargain was struck, and it was decided that the voyage should be begun +in the morning. In the meantime all hands were to catch some fish and +cook them, and also gather in a supply of other eatables. The natives +had a number of hollow reeds with them, and these were filled with fresh +water, just previous to setting out. It was calculated that, weather +permitting, the distance would be covered in three days. + +"These fellows know how to handle their big canoes very well," explained +Captain Marshall. "They go out hundreds of miles, and sometimes weather +the worst of storms. Occasionally, of course, they get swept away, but +not often. They sail altogether by the sun and stars, and can strike +almost as straight a course as if they were using a compass." + +Dave questioned Soko further about Dunston Porter, but could learn +little, outside of the fact that the man was a treasure hunter and had +paid very well for what was done for him. Soko added, however, that he +thought the man expected to remain at Sobago for some time. + +The boys could sleep but little that night, so anxious were they +concerning the trip before them. They were up at dawn, but, early as it +was, found the natives ahead of them. A hasty breakfast was had by all, +the things to be taken along were packed in the bow and stern of the +canoe, and shortly after sunrise the craft was pushed from the shore, +whites and natives scrambled in, and the start from the lonely island +was made. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +THE RETAKING OF THE "STORMY PETREL" + + +For the whole of that day the natives kept at the sweeps of the long +canoe, one set of rowers relieving the other. The whites were willing to +assist, but Soko said the natives could get along best alone, they +having their own peculiar manner of handling the craft. + +The weather remained fair, with only a bit of a breeze blowing, and the +bosom of the ocean was as calm as they could wish. They were soon out of +sight of the island, and then all they could behold was the sky above +and the sparkling waters on every side. + +"It must be terrible to be lost on the ocean," remarked Phil, as he +gazed around. "I don't wonder that men go mad, after they have been out +days and days." + +"And think of having nothing to eat or to drink," said Dave. "Ugh! it +gives a fellow the shivers to think of it!" + +At noon the whole party partook of a lunch, and toward nightfall had +supper. Then the whites went to sleep, and so did half of the natives, +the remaining blacks keeping at the sweeps, guiding themselves by the +stars, now that the sun had gone down. + +When the boys awoke they were dismayed to see that a mist covered the +sea. + +"Hello! I didn't expect this!" cried the senator's son. "Why, a fellow +can't see a hundred feet in any direction." + +"What are the natives going to do now?" asked Dave of Captain Marshall, +who had been awake for some time. + +"Soko says they must rest and wait," answered the captain. "He cannot go +ahead, for he knows not in what direction to steer." + +"I've got a pocket compass!" cried Phil, bringing it forth. "How odd +that I didn't think of it before." + +The captain took the compass and showed it to the native who could speak +English. He had seen such things before, and, after a short talk with +the master of the _Stormy Petrel_, set the others to using the sweeps as +before. + +It was about ten o'clock of the forenoon that one of the natives, who +was watching in the bow, uttered a short cry. At once those at the +sweeps stopped pulling. + +"What is it?" asked Captain Marshall, quickly. + +"Big ship over dare!" announced Soko, a moment later. + +All of the whites looked in the direction pointed out, and through the +mist saw a large vessel drifting along, the sails flapping idly against +the masts. The wheel was lashed fast, and nobody was in sight on the +deck. + +"The _Stormy Petrel_!" ejaculated Captain Marshall. + +"Are you sure?" asked Dave and Phil, in a breath. + +"Sure it's the bark," cried Billy Dill. "Say, but this is great luck, +ain't it?" and his face brightened up. "Now we can teach them dirty +mutineers a lesson." + +"Dat you ship?" asked Soko. + +"It is," answered Captain Marshall. "See here, Soko," he went on, "can I +depend upon your helping me? I will pay you and your men for whatever +you do." + +The native shugged his ebony shoulders and then consulted with his +fellow-tribesmen. All decided that they would aid the captain, providing +he would give them each a piece of silver "so big," pointing out the +size of a trade dollar. Captain Marshall agreed on the spot, and +preparations were made for boarding the bark. + +"It is queer that nobody is in sight!" remarked Phil, as the canoe drew +closer. + +"Somebody is coming on deck now!" cried Dave, in a low tone, and Paul +Shepley appeared, followed by Jasper Van Blott and, close behind him, +one of the sailors. + +"Hello! what's this?" sang out the first mate, on catching sight of the +canoe. + +"Captain Marshall and the others!" muttered the former supercargo. "Hi! +keep away from here!" he roared. + +"Surrender, you villains!" called out the captain. "What do you mean by +running off with my ship in this fashion?" + +"You keep off!" warned Paul Shepley, without answering the question. +"Keep off, I tell you!" + +"We'll fire on you, if you don't keep off," called the former +supercargo, and he brought forth a big pistol. + +"Be careful, cap'n, or somebody will git shot!" whispered Billy Dill. +"Those fellers look like they was des'prit!" + +"Don't you dare to shoot!" called out Captain Marshall. "The first man +who fires shall swing from the yardarm!" + +The loud talking had brought several sailors to the deck, and they were +followed by the second mate, who stared at the canoe and its occupants +as if he could not believe his eyes. + +"Hello, Captain Marshall!" sang out Bob Sanders. "I am mighty glad you +have come." + +"Then you are not in this mutiny, Sanders?" + +"Not by a jugful! They tried to buy me up, but I wouldn't consent. +Podders, Diski, and McNabb are not in it, either." + +"I am glad to hear it. Sanders, take control of the ship until I get +aboard." + +"He will do nothing of the kind!" yelled Jasper Van Blott, and was about +to turn on the second mate, when the latter hit him a blow in the ear, +sending him headlong to the deck. + +"McNabb! Podders!" called the second mate. "Grab Mr. Shepley!" + +The sailors called upon understood, and before the first mate could +turn, one tar had him from behind, so that he could not raise his arms. +Then the other seized a pistol and, turning, faced the crew with the +weapon. + +The turn of affairs had been so sudden that Shepley and Van Blott were +taken completely by surprise, as were likewise the sailors who had sided +with the rascals, and, for the moment, none of them knew exactly what to +do. In the meantime the canoe bumped alongside of the _Stormy Petrel_, +and, catching hold of a trailing rope thrown overboard by the sailor +named Diski, Captain Marshall hauled himself to the deck, followed by +Billy Dill and the boys. + +"Do you surrender?" demanded the captain, striding up to the first mate, +revolver in hand. + +"Ye-yes!" burst out Shepley. "It's--it's all a mistake, Captain +Marshall--all a mistake!" + +"I reckon it was!" answered the captain, grimly. "What about you, Van +Blott?" And he turned on the former supercargo, who was struggling to +his feet. + +"I suppose I've got to give in," muttered Jasper Van Blott. + +"And what about you men?" demanded Captain Marshall, turning his stern +eyes on the portion of the crew that had mutinied. + +"We're with you, cap'n," said one, humbly. "Mr. Shepley led us into +this, without us knowin' what we was a-doin'. Ain't that so, mates?" + +"That's so," said the others, humbly. + +"Are you willing to obey me, after this?" + +"Yes! yes!" came in an eager chorus. + +After this a long talk took place, and Jasper Van Blott and Paul Shepley +were placed in irons and conducted to a closet in the bow of the ship, +used for the storage of oil and lanterns. The place was given a rough +cleaning, and then the pair were locked inside, Captain Marshall putting +the key in his pocket. Both of the prisoners wanted to protest, but the +master of the _Stormy Petrel_ would not listen. + +"You can do your talking later, when I have time to listen," said he. +"Just now I have other matters to attend to." + +From Bob Sanders and the three loyal sailors Captain Marshall got a +fairly accurate account of the mutiny. He was told that Jasper Van +Blott had done his best to get all hands to join in the plot. The former +supercargo was the prime mover in the affair, and the first mate was a +coward and had been little more than his tool. The sailors who had gone +in had done so rather unwillingly, and, after thinking the matter over, +Captain Marshall decided to read them a stern lecture and then forgive +them. + +It was now no longer necessary for the natives to take the whites to +Sobago Island, and, after a brief consultation, Soko and his men were +paid off and given some presents, and then, the mists rising, the canoe +was headed back for Yam-kolo Island. It was the last that Dave and his +friends saw of these black men, who had proven so friendly. + +With the first mate in irons, Bob Sanders was advanced to fill his +place. This left the position of second mate vacant, and, after a +consultation with the boys, the master of the _Stormy Petrel_ offered +Billy Dill the position, and he accepted gladly. + +"I always kind o' wanted to be a mate," said the old tar. "I'm tickled +to death!" And his face showed it. + +With the lifting of the mist a stiff breeze came up, and preparations +were made for continuing the voyage to Nanpi. It was found that the last +storm had slightly disabled the rudder, which accounted for the fact +that the bark had not made greater headway on her trip. But additional +parts were on board, and by nightfall the damage was made good, and then +the _Stormy Petrel_ answered her helm as well as ever. + +"And now for Sobago Island!" cried Dave, to his chums. "I hope I have no +more trouble in finding Mr. Dunston Porter!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +LIFTING THE CURTAIN + + +The second mate told the truth when he said Paul Shepley was a coward +and under the thumb of the former supercargo. That very evening Shepley +begged to see Captain Marshall alone, and, when given the opportunity, +actually fell on his knees before the master of the _Stormy Petrel_. + +"I am willing to do anything, captain!" he groaned. "Only don't--don't +swing me from the--the yardarm!" He had it firmly fixed in his mind that +he was to be executed. + +"You deserve to be hanged!" answered the captain. "I don't see why I +should spare you." + +"It was all Van Blott's fault--he fixed the whole thing from beginning +to end. He got the stolen cases on board and made me promise to help in +getting rid of them. And he got up the plan to run away with the ship." + +After that Paul Shepley told his story in detail, and the captain became +convinced that the first mate was more of a sneak than a villain. + +"I will let you off, upon two conditions," said Captain Marshall, at +last. "The first is, that you serve as a common sailor for the rest of +this trip. Will you do it?" + +"Yes, but it's pretty hard on me," whined Shepley. + +"The second condition is, that you promise to appear against Van Blott, +whenever called upon to do so." + +"Yes, I'll do that." + +"Then go forward and take Billy Dill's place in the forecastle." + +"Where is Dill to go?" + +"I have made him second mate and Sanders first mate." + +"Oh!" murmured Paul Shepley, and said no more. It cut him deeply to take +up quarters in the forecastle, where the men treated him any way but +kindly, yet he was glad to get off so cheaply. + +The next day was an anxious one for Dave, who was on the constant +lookout for land. Toward nightfall a speck was seen in the distance, and +in the morning, when he came on deck, the country youth saw before him +Sobago in all of its tropical beauty, with its cozy harbor, its long +stretch of white sand, and its waving palms. In the harbor were ships of +several nationalities, and also numerous native canoes, and the scene +was an animated one. + +The boys had no difficulty in getting ashore, but once on the streets of +Nanpi, they scarcely knew how to turn. They walked along slowly until +they came to a shipping office, in the window of which was a sign: + + _English Spoken Here._ + +"I am going in here to ask a few questions," said Dave, and entered, +followed by Phil and Roger. They found in the office a very stout and +very bald old gentleman, wearing big spectacles. + +"You speak English, I believe," said Dave, politely. + +"I speak English, and a dozen other languages, too," said the +bald-headed gentleman, peering at them curiously. "Why--er--how's this?" +he added, to Dave. "Is this some joke? Why did you shave so clean?" + +"Shave?" repeated Dave. His heart gave a sudden bound. "Why do you ask +that question?" + +"Why, I--er--this is most extraordinary!" ejaculated the man, still +staring at the country youth. "I don't understand it." + +"Don't understand what?" + +"You look so much like a man I know--a Mr. Dunston Porter. Maybe he is +some relative of yours?" + +"The very man I am looking for!" cried Dave. "Can you tell me where I +can find him?" His heart was almost in his throat as he asked the +question. Supposing Mr. Dunston Porter had left Sobago Island for parts +unknown? + +"Find him? I think so. He was here yesterday and said he was going out +to the ruins of the old temple on the Pokali Road. He expected to be +gone all day on the trip. He'll be back to town by night." + +"Then you'll have to wait, Dave," came from Phil. + +"Oh, I can't wait!" burst out Dave. "How far is that old temple from +here?" + +"About three miles." + +"Can I hire somebody to take me there? I want to see Mr. Porter as soon +as possible." + +"Certainly; you can get a boy for a few pennies," answered the +bald-headed man. "There is a boy now who wants a job." And he beckoned +to an urchin who sat on an empty box, eating a banana. + +When the lad came up the man explained in the native tongue, and soon +the party set off, Dave first thanking the bald-headed man for his +kindness. + +To Phil and Roger the walk on the tropical road was long, hot, and +dusty. But Dave was so busy with his thoughts that he did not notice he +was walking at all. How much the next hour or two might reveal! + +Presently they came in sight of a ruined pile, which the native boy +pointed out as the old temple. Dave forged ahead and hurried into the +ruins, and then around to the back. Here, from under some palms, could +be had a fine view of the surrounding country. + +A hasty glance around revealed to Dave the form of a man, lying on the +grass half asleep. The country youth hurried forward, gave a good look, +and uttered a little cry, at which the man sat up suddenly. + +"Who are you?" asked the man, and then he began to stare at Dave very +hard. + +"Is this Mr. Dunston Porter?" asked Dave, in a voice he tried in vain to +steady. + +"Yes, that's my name. But you----" The man paused expectantly. + +"I am Dave Porter. I have come about seven thousand miles to see you." + +[Illustration: "I have come about seven thousand miles to see +you."--_Page 274._] + +"Dave Porter! Seven thousand miles to see me! I must be dreaming!" The +man leaped to his feet and came up to Dave. "How is this? Won't you +explain?" + +"I will try, Mr. Porter." + +"They do look exactly alike!" said Phil to Roger, in a whisper. "What an +extraordinary likeness!" + +"No wonder Billy Dill was startled when he first met Dave," added the +senator's son. + +Dunston Porter heard the talk and looked at the others. At this Phil +took a step forward. + +"We are Dave Porter's school chums," he explained. "My name is Phil +Lawrence, and this is Roger Morr." + +"Glad to know you. Did you travel seven thousand miles to see me, too?" +went on the man. + +"Hardly that, but we took the trip with Dave," answered Roger. + +"He wanted to find the man who looked like him," continued Phil, for he +saw Dave could hardly speak for his emotion. "And he has found him. You +two look exactly alike--that is, you would, if your mustache was shaved +off." + +"Yes?" Dunston Porter paused. "Is that all?" + +"No! no!" cried Dave, struggling to keep calm. "I came to--to find out +something about myself, if I could. It's a long story, and I'll have to +start at the beginning. When I was a youngster about three years old, I +was picked up alongside a railroad track by some farming people. They +supposed I had been put off a train by somebody who wanted to get rid of +me. They asked me my name, and I said something that sounded to them +like Davy and Dun-Dun and Porter, and so they called me Dave Porter." + +"Ah!" cried Dunston Porter, and he was all attention. "Go on." + +"I was taken to the poorhouse, and then went to live with some other +folks who were very kind to me, and one rich gentleman sent me to a +boarding school. While there I helped an old sailor named Billy +Dill----" + +"Billy Dill! Well, I never! Go on, please." + +"He was struck when he saw me--said I was somebody else with my mustache +shaved off, and a lot more. He finally told me about you, and said you +had told him about a crazy nurse and a lost child, and so I made up my +mind to find you, if I could, and see if you knew anything about my +past." Dave's lips began to quiver again. "Can you tell me anything?" + +"I--I--perhaps so." Dunston Porter's voice was also quivering. "Can you +prove this story about being found near a railroad?" + +"Yes." + +"About thirteen years ago?" + +"Yes." + +"In the eastern part of the United States?" + +"Yes, near a village called Crumville. They say I said something about a +bad man who wouldn't buy some candy for me. It may be that that man put +me off the train." + +"He did!" almost shouted Dunston Porter. "It was Sandy Margot, the +worthless husband of the crazy nurse, Polly Margot, you just mentioned. +She took the child and turned the boy over to her husband. Margot wanted +to make money out of the abduction, but, during his travels with the +little one, he learned that detectives were after him, and, when the +train stopped one day, he put the child off and promised it some candy +to keep it from crying. He got away, and we never heard of him for about +six years. Then he was rounded up in a burglary and badly wounded. He +confessed at the hospital, but he could not tell the name of the place +where the child had been dropped. We made a search, but could discover +nothing. Margot died, and so did his crazy wife; and there the whole +matter has been resting." + +"But who am I?" cried Dave, unable to restrain the question any longer. + +"Oh, you don't know that? I thought Billy Dill knew. If what you have +told me is true, you are the son of my twin brother, David Breslow +Porter." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +HOMEWARD BOUND--CONCLUSION + + +"I am the son of your twin brother?" repeated Dave, while Roger and Phil +listened with intense interest. + +"Yes," answered Dunston Porter. "He lost his son exactly as described, +and the baby was said to resemble me very strongly." + +"And where is your brother now?" + +"He is traveling for his health. The last I heard of him he was in +Europe, at one of the well-known watering places." + +"Is his wife alive?" + +"No, she died years ago. But he has a daughter with him, Laura--about a +year younger than you." Dunston Porter took Dave's hand. "This is simply +marvelous! I can hardly believe it! My nephew Dave! Why, it sounds like +a fairy tale." + +"It is marvelous, Mr. Por----" + +"Hold on! If we are relatives, you'll have to call me Uncle Dunston," +and the man smiled pleasantly. + +"Well, then, Uncle Dunston, are my father and my sister alone in the +world?" + +"They are, excepting for me. We used to have other brothers, and a +sister, but all of them are dead. I am alone here--an old bachelor." + +"But you used to live with my father, is that it?" + +"Yes, we were once in business together--owned a chemical works in New +York and another in Chicago, and we also had some patents for +manufacturing gas by a new process. But both of us liked to travel +around, and so we sold out, and since that time we have been roaming +around the world, sometimes together, and then again alone, although he +always takes Laura with him, no matter where he goes. He is afraid to +leave her behind, for fear she will be lost to him just as you were." + +"Do you know his exact address now?" + +"No; but I think a letter sent to a certain address in Paris will be +forwarded to him. To tell the truth, I have been out here so long I have +partly lost track of him. He will be amazed to hear from you, I am sure, +and Laura will be surprised, too." + +"I shall write to him as soon as possible," answered Dave. + +"Of course! of course! And I will write too," rejoined Dunston Porter. + +After that, sitting in the shade of the old temple and the palm trees, +Dave and his chums told their story from beginning to end, and then +Dunston Porter related some of his own experiences and told much more +concerning Dave's father and sister Laura. He said that he and his twin +brother looked somewhat alike, which accounted for Dave's resemblance to +himself. He was glad to add that both he and his brother were +well-to-do, so they could come and go as they pleased. + +"As you know, I am hunting for a treasure of pearls and precious +stones," said Dunston Porter. "So far, I have been unsuccessful, but I +feel sure that I shall find them some day. And, even if I don't, the +task of looking for the treasure pleases me and gives me the chance to +visit many of these beautiful islands of the South Seas." + +The boy who had brought Dave and his chums to the old temple had been +dismissed, and Dunston Porter took them back to Nanpi, where he had +accommodations in the best public house the place afforded. Here Billy +Dill visited him. + +"Does my heart good to see ye again!" cried the old tar. "An' ain't it +jest wonderful about Dave? Now stand up, side by side, an' look into +thet glass. As like as two beans, say I!" And Dunston Porter agreed with +him. + +Of course the old sailor had to tell all he knew, and Dave brought out +pictures of Caspar Potts and the Wadsworths which he had brought along. +In return, Dunston Porter gave Dave pictures of his father and his +sister Laura. The boy gazed at the photographs a long while, and the +tears filled his eyes as he did so. + +"Well, there is one thing sure!" he murmured to Roger. "At any rate, I +am no longer a poorhouse nobody!" + +"That's right, Dave," returned the senator's son, warmly. "Let me +congratulate you. By that picture, your father must be a nice man, and +your sister is handsome." + +"And to think that they are rich," added Phil. "That's the best of all." + +"No, the best of all is to find that I belong somewhere in this +world--that I am not a nobody," answered Dave, earnestly. + +"Won't Nat Poole and Gus Plum stare when they hear of this!" went on +Roger. "I believe it will really make them feel sore." + +"Ben and Sam and the others will be glad," said Phil. "And I am sure +Doctor Clay will want to congratulate you. Dave, it paid to take this +trip to the South Seas, after all, didn't it?" + +"I should say it did!" cried Dave. "I shouldn't have wanted to miss it +for the world!" + +For several days Dave felt as if he was dreaming and walking on air, his +heart was so light. The more the boy saw of his uncle Dunston the more +he liked the man, and Dunston Porter was equally pleased. Both had long +talks regarding the past and the future, and it was agreed that the man +should return to the United States for the time being and, instead of +hunting for the treasure, trace up the present address of David Porter, +senior, and Dave's sister Laura. + +"I wish to meet this Caspar Potts, and also the Wadsworths," said +Dunston Porter. "If I can, I wish to repay them for all they have done +for you." + +"I am sure they will not take any money," answered the boy. "But they +will be glad to meet you." Later on Dave took his uncle on board the +_Stormy Petrel_, where Captain Marshall gave the newly found relative a +very enthusiastic welcome. + +The captain of the bark had thought to bring Jasper Van Blott before the +authorities at Nanpi, but was prevented by an accident, which came close +to terminating fatally and sending the bark up into smoke and flames. +Jasper Van Blott attempted to break out of the oil closet in the bow of +the _Stormy Petrel_, and, in so doing, lit a match. This fell on some +oily waste in a corner and, before an alarm could be given, the former +supercargo was seriously burned, and the whole bow of the bark was on +fire. Jasper Van Blott had to be taken to a hospital, where it was said +he would lose the sight of one eye and be disfigured for life. Under +such circumstances, it was decided to let the case against him drop. +The damage to the _Stormy Petrel_ was so serious that the bark had to be +laid up for repairs, and, in such an out-of-the-way place, it was said +these would take a month or six weeks. + +"This has certainly proved to be a strange voyage," said Roger. "I must +say, I don't like the idea of staying here six weeks. I'd like to get +back home." + +"Just what I say," answered Dave. + +In the port was what is known as a "tramp" steamer, that is, one picking +up any cargo to be found, from one port to the next. This steamer had +secured a cargo for San Francisco, and was to sail on the following +Saturday. + +"We might secure passage on her," suggested Dunston Porter, and inside +of twenty-four hours it was arranged that he, with Dave and Roger, +should sail on the steamer. Phil was to remain with Captain Marshall, to +straighten out the mess left by Jasper Van Blott. + +"But never mind," said the shipowner's son, when the chums came to +separate, "I'll see you again, sooner or later--and then we'll talk over +all the many adventures we have had." + +Dave and Roger found the accommodations on the steamer fully as good as +those on the bark, and the voyage to San Francisco passed pleasantly +enough. As soon as the boys went ashore, they hurried to the +post-office, where they found half a dozen letters awaiting them. One, +from Ben Basswood to Dave, interested them greatly: + + "You will be glad to learn that Shadow Hamilton is cleared of + the trouble that was laid at his door," so ran the + communication. "Doctor Clay had somebody set a watch, and, as a + consequence, it has been proved beyond a doubt that Gus Plum + took the stamps from where Shadow placed them in his sleep. + When Plum was accused, he said he didn't know they were the + doctor's stamps. It seems he needed money, as his father is + down in the world and has cut off Gus' spending allowance. + There was a big row, but the Plum family is hushing the matter + up, and I understand Doctor Clay has agreed to give Gus one + more chance at Oak Hall." + +"It is just like Doctor Clay to give him another chance," was Roger's +comment. "He is as kind-hearted as any man in the world." + +"If I ever go back to school, I hope I have no more trouble with Gus +Plum," said Dave. But he did have trouble, of a most peculiar kind, and +what it was will be told in another volume of this series, to be +entitled: "Dave Porter's Return to School; Or, Winning the Medal of +Honor." In this new volume we shall meet all our old friends once more, +and learn something further of Dave's father and sister Laura. + +Dave did not depend on the mails, but, as soon as he could, had +telegrams flashed to Crumville and to Doctor Clay, stating he had found +an uncle and soon expected to meet his father and sister. Then the party +of three took a Pullman train for the East. + +"I can tell you it feels good to get back to the United States once +more," said the senator's son, as the boys sat by the car window, +looking at the scenery as it glided by. + +"Do you know, it seems an age to me since we went away," declared Dave. +"And yet, it is only a little over two months!" + +"That is because so much has happened in the meantime, Dave. It was +certainly a remarkable trip!" + +"And the trip brought remarkable results," said Dunston Porter, with a +quiet smile. + +When Dave arrived at Crumville there was quite a gathering to receive +him and the others. All the Wadsworths were there, including Jessie, who +rushed straight into his arms, and Caspar Potts and Ben Basswood. + +"Oh, I am so glad you are back!" cried Jessie. + +"We are all glad," added Ben. + +"We cannot bear to think of losing you, Dave," said Mrs. Wadsworth, +anxiously. "You have become very dear to us all." + +"You are not going to lose me; that is, not altogether," answered the +boy. "No matter what happens, I shall never forget all my old friends!" + +And all shook hands warmly. And here, kind reader, let us take our +departure. + +THE END + + + + +DAVE PORTER SERIES + +By EDWARD STRATEMEYER + +12mo Cloth Illustrated $1.50 Net, each + +"Mr. Stratemeyer has seldom introduced a more popular hero than Dave +Porter. He is a typical boy, manly, brave, always ready for a good time +if it can be obtained in an honorable way."--_Wisconsin, Milwaukee, +Wis._ + +"Edward Stratemeyer's 'Dave Porter' has become exceedingly +popular."--_Boston Globe._ + +"Dave and his friends are nice, manly chaps."--_Times-Democrat, New +Orleans._ + + + DAVE PORTER AT OAK HALL + Or The School Days of an American Boy + DAVE PORTER IN THE SOUTH SEAS + Or The Strange Cruise of the _Stormy Petrel_ + DAVE PORTER'S RETURN TO SCHOOL + Or Winning the Medal of Honor + DAVE PORTER IN THE FAR NORTH + Or The Pluck of an American Schoolboy + DAVE PORTER AND HIS CLASSMATES + Or For the Honor of Oak Hall + DAVE PORTER AT STAR RANCH + Or The Cowboy's Secret + DAVE PORTER AND HIS RIVALS + Or The Chums and Foes of Oak Hall + DAVE PORTER ON CAVE ISLAND + Or A Schoolboy's Mysterious Mission + DAVE PORTER AND THE RUNAWAYS + Or Last Days at Oak Hall + DAVE PORTER IN THE GOLD FIELDS + Or The Search for the Landslide Mine + DAVE PORTER AT BEAR CAMP + Or The Wild Man of Mirror Lake + DAVE PORTER AND HIS DOUBLE + Or The Disappearance of the Basswood Fortune + DAVE PORTER'S GREAT SEARCH + Or The Perils of a Young Civil Engineer + DAVE PORTER UNDER FIRE + Or A Young Army Engineer in France + DAVE PORTER'S WAR HONORS + Or At the Front with the Fighting Engineers + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +publishers + +Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co. Boston + + + + +THE LAKEPORT SERIES + +By EDWARD STRATEMEYER + +12mo Cloth Illustrated $1.50 Net, each + +"The author of the Lakeport Series, Mr. Edward Stratemeyer, is well +known for his delightful boys' stories."--_Philadelphia Ledger._ + +"The Lakeport Series, by Edward Stratemeyer, is the lineal descendant of +the better class of boys' books of a generation ago."--_Christian +Advocate, New York._ + +"The Lakeport Series will be fully as popular as the author's Dave +Porter Series."--_San Francisco Call._ + + + THE GUN CLUB BOYS OF LAKEPORT + Or The Island Camp + THE BASEBALL BOYS OF LAKEPORT + Or The Winning Run + THE BOAT CLUB BOYS OF LAKEPORT + Or The Water Champions + THE FOOTBALL BOYS OF LAKEPORT + Or More Goals Than One + THE AUTOMOBILE BOYS OF LAKEPORT + Or A Run for Fun and Fame + THE AIRCRAFT BOYS OF LAKEPORT + Or Rivals of the Clouds + +LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., Publishers, Boston + + + * * * * * + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Table of Contents, "278" changed to "288" + +Page 193, "preposessing" changed to "prepossessing" (far from +prepossessing) + +Page 271, "forcastle" changed to "forecastle" (place in the forecastle) + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dave Porter in the South Seas, by +Edward Stratemeyer + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE PORTER IN THE SOUTH SEAS *** + +***** This file should be named 34347.txt or 34347.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/3/4/34347/ + +Produced by Sharon Verougstraete, Curtis Weyant and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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