Part 47 (1/2)
”And I a heavily the party did not waste tie of the cliff, but moved back to a small hut built on the uide Here they found the others of the exploring party, and here Mr Porter and Dave were served with a hot meal and made as comfortable as possible
The snow lasted until noon of the next day, and then it grew clear andday Dave and his father and the guide went down the mountain to the sheep-station Before they left they bade the Laphaood-bye, and Mr Porter said he would leave the question of locating the e
”You can draw on me for my full share of the expenses,” said Mr Porter
”And if nothing comes of the venture I won't complain” It may be added here that, later on, several mines of considerable importance were located, and when Mr Porter sold out to a syndicate that was formed he realized a profit of about fifteen thousand dollars
At the sheep-station Dave found Roger anxiously awaiting his return The senator's son was delighted to reat friends
As the weather remained fine it was decided to start on the return to Christiania without delay Mr Porter took Granbury Laphaood stock of provisions The journey was not without excitement, for they met and killed tolves, and once they rolled down a small hill and were dumped in the snow, but in the end they arrived safely at the nearest railroad station, and from that point the reian capital a long cablegra of their er would return to the United States at once They also wanted to send a cablegram to Laura, but could not, for they did not know her exact address
”I shall have to wait until I hear froet on the other side,” said Mr Porter ”More than likely she is somewhere out West,--perhaps on Mr Endicott's ranch with Belle Endicott, her friend
I had the address of the ranch, but I lost it while I was up in the mountains” From Christiania, or rather the seaport, Drobak, they obtained passage on a swift-sailing vessel to Hull, and then took a train across England to Liverpool They had already telegraphed ahead for staterooms on a Cunard stea at Liverpool were on board and leaving the dock
”This is fast traveling,” re the shi+pping scene around them ”In less than a e'll be home Dave, in some respects our trip to Norway seeer--but what a happy dream!” And Dave's face fairly beamed with thankfulness
When they took the train from Boston to Crumville Dave could scarcely control himself Word had been sent ahead to the Wadsworths and Caspar Potts, and at the depot the travelers found all of their friends awaiting them Mr Porter was quickly introduced, and shook hands warlad to see you back!” cried Jessie ”And to think you have really found your father at last! Isn't it splendid!”
”Yes, Jessie; and if I'ht to be, that's all”
”And what a fine man he is--and looks very much like your Uncle Dunston, and looks like you, too,” added the girl She lowered her voice and it trembled a little ”I am so happy--for your sake, Dave!” And the tears stood in her deep, honest eyes
It was truly a great ho, and Dave's father was told to make himself perfectly at ease by Mr Wadsworth
”You have been more than kind to Dave,” said Mr Porter ”You and your family, and Professor Potts Dave has told me all about it I do not know if I can ever repay you, but I shall try ain
On the very day that Dave reached Crumville came a letter fro ho smoothly at Oak Hall
Sam Day and Ben Basswood had had some trouble with Nat Poole, and the dude had received a well-deserved thrashi+ng Gus Plu very quiet, and had made a few more friends
”You will be surprised to hear the news about Link Merwell,” wrote Phil ”I cannot tell you the start of it, but it ended in a great roeen Merwell and Mr Dale Merwell is very bitter about it, and claiot him into trouble He went home for a vacation, and before he left he shook his fist in et even with that friend of yours, Dave Porter, too' He was fearfully ugly, and acted as if he wanted to eat soer, after Dave had shown him the letter ”Dave, you want to watch out for Merwell”
”I certainly will, Roger Don't you remember what I once said? In soood deal worse than Gus Plum ever was” And that Dave was correct will be proved in the next volume of this series, to be entitled, ”Dave Porter and His Classmates; or, For the Honor of Oak Hall” In that voluain, and also Laura Porter, and learn how Dave met the underhanded work of Link Merwell and as the result
On Friday evening following Dave's return to the Wadsworth home he was surprised to receive a visit from Phil, Ben, Sam, and Shadow They burst into the house like a cyclone and nearly hugged hi Dave's father, as quickly introduced
”We simply couldn't stay away,” said Phil ”We stormed Doctor Clay's office and he let us off until Monday ”
”We want to hear all about your adventures in the far north,” added Ben ”How you discovered the North Pole, and shot bears and wolves----”
”And gave Nick Jasniff his set-back,” interrupted Sam ”And how you found your father”
”Which puts me in mind of a story,” said Shadow ”A fellow once----”
”Hold hard, Shadow!” interrupted Phil ”Dave has the floor this tih”