Part 2 (1/2)
”What are we stopping here for?” Neal inquired of his father.
”Doesn't the odor give you any idea?” Mr. Emery asked with a smile.
”None except that the sooner we get away the more comfortable I shall feel.”
”When I tell you that we are likely to find as the cause of your discomfort something nearly as precious as gold, it may be a trifle more bearable.”
Both Neal and Teddy looked perplexed, and the latter said laughingly:
”It is strong enough to be worth a good deal; but do you really mean what you say, sir?”
”Every word. Mr. Walters thinks he can find ambergris which has been washed up on the rocks, and that is quoted at ten dollars per ounce. Now you boys have been at school long enough to know exactly why it is so valuable.”
”I have heard of it as being the base of the finest perfumes,” Neal said slowly; ”but that must surely be a mistake if it smells anything like this,” and he did violence to his stomach by inhaling a long breath of the disagreeably laden air.
”It is true, nevertheless. Ambergris is believed to be the product of a sort of ulcer or cancer which has formed in the bowels of a whale. After a certain length of time, or because a cure has been wrought by change of feeding place, the ma.s.s is dislodged. It floats, and is often found far out to sea; but more particularly among the cays in the Turks islands. It is the foundation of nearly every perfume, and in ancient times was used for spicing wine.”
During this conversation the boat had been lowered, and, with Mr.
Walters as steersman, was being pulled toward the land. Now Neal and Teddy were sorry they had not accompanied the sailing master; but it was too late for regrets, and the odor did not seem to be nearly as disagreeable since they knew from what it proceeded.
”Never mind how much the stuff is worth,” Teddy said, as he and Neal leaned over the rail in company with Jake, who had come on deck to ascertain why the yacht had been brought to a standstill, ”it isn't a nice thing to smell of, and I shall remember this afternoon whenever I see perfume.”
”It isn't always the most agreeable things which are of the most service,” Jake replied with an air of wisdom; and then as a loud shout was heard from the sh.o.r.e, the boat having reached the land some time since, he added, ”It's ambergris for a fact, or they wouldn't be makin'
such a fuss.”
Five minutes later the little craft was seen approaching the yacht, and each instant the odor became stronger until both the boys were forced to cover their organs of smell.
In the bow of the boat was a black ma.s.s looking not unlike c.o.ke, and weighing, as was afterward ascertained, forty ounces.
”I thought I couldn't be mistaken, although I never run across anything of the kind but once before,” Mr. Walters said triumphantly, as he handed the precious substance up to one of the sailors, who took it very unwillingly.
”We shall be driven out of the yacht if you try to carry it home,” Mr.
Emery replied, moving aft as far as possible.
”It won't trouble us many hours. We will sell or s.h.i.+p it at Na.s.sau, and I reckon all hands can manage to live until we arrive there.”
The valuable substance was wrapped carefully in several thicknesses of canvas, and placed in the hold where it is not probable any odor from it could have been perceptible on deck, although both the boys were quite positive the yacht was thoroughly permeated.
After this short delay the Sea Dream continued on her course at a higher rate of speed, for now that she was so near land the heat seemed unbearable, and when night came Neal and Teddy stretched themselves out in the hammocks which had been slung under the after awning, wis.h.i.+ng, not for a glimpse of Na.s.sau; but that they were off the New England coast instead of being so near the tropics.
Then, despite the profuse perspiration, both fell asleep, not to waken until the rattling of the cable through the hawse-holes told that they were in the harbor.
CHAPTER III.
Na.s.sAU.