"And now for Sobago Island!" cried Dave, to his chums. "I hope I have no more trouble in finding Mr. Dunston Porter!"
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 theStormy 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 youserve 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 theforecastle."
"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 knewhow 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."
"I have come about seven thousand miles to see you." Page 274."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 tolive 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 ofthe 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."
"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 theirstory 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 hisfather 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 pastand 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 theStormy 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 theStormy 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 himdrop. The damage to theStormy Petrelwas 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 adozen 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."
"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
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DAVE PORTER AT OAK HALLOr The School Days of an American BoyDAVE PORTER IN THE SOUTH SEASOr The Strange Cruise of theStormy PetrelDAVE PORTER'S RETURN TO SCHOOLOr Winning the Medal of HonorDAVE PORTER IN THE FAR NORTHOr The Pluck of an American SchoolboyDAVE PORTER AND HIS CLASSMATESOr For the Honor of Oak HallDAVE PORTER AT STAR RANCHOr The Cowboy's SecretDAVE PORTER AND HIS RIVALSOr The Chums and Foes of Oak HallDAVE PORTER ON CAVE ISLANDOr A Schoolboy's Mysterious MissionDAVE PORTER AND THE RUNAWAYSOr Last Days at Oak HallDAVE PORTER IN THE GOLD FIELDSOr The Search for the Landslide MineDAVE PORTER AT BEAR CAMPOr The Wild Man of Mirror LakeDAVE PORTER AND HIS DOUBLEOr The Disappearance of the Basswood FortuneDAVE PORTER'S GREAT SEARCHOr The Perils of a Young Civil EngineerDAVE PORTER UNDER FIREOr A Young Army Engineer in FranceDAVE PORTER'S WAR HONORSOr At the Front with the Fighting Engineers
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THE LAKEPORT SERIES
By EDWARD STRATEMEYER
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THE GUN CLUB BOYS OF LAKEPORTOr The Island CampTHE BASEBALL BOYS OF LAKEPORTOr The Winning RunTHE BOAT CLUB BOYS OF LAKEPORTOr The Water ChampionsTHE FOOTBALL BOYS OF LAKEPORTOr More Goals Than OneTHE AUTOMOBILE BOYS OF LAKEPORTOr A Run for Fun and FameTHE AIRCRAFT BOYS OF LAKEPORTOr 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)
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)