Part 5 (1/2)

They spent many days going over old scenes and visiting friends. They enjoyed to the utmost the reunion with their families, but they could not cease talking about the Professor. They now realized in full what he had been to them, and what his example and teaching meant to them. There was really a feeling amounting almost to jealousy on the part of the people at home against the Professor, but it was not one of bitterness.

One who could exert such a healthy influence on the lives of the young, as he possessed, was worthy of the adulation that the boys bestowed. But John was not forgotten in these periods of happiness.

They were never happy when telling the tales of their adventures except when John was present, and the latter was the most sought-for individual, because when he once began to tell some of his vivid tales the people would not let him stop.

Finally the time for departure came. A merry party gathered upon the dock when the explorers were about to depart. They would write at least once a month, as Blakely had a.s.sured them that he would arrange to have a steamer run a round trip each four weeks, to take care of the commodities which would be made up by the natives.

The steams.h.i.+p _Panama_ slowly moved out into the bay, and the boys remembered the memorable event which took place at that same dock thirty months before. Then they left with a sort of half joy in their hearts, and now they were going away to finish up the great adventures which they had started when they reached the island of Wonder.

All hearts were anxious as the s.h.i.+p neared Valparaiso, because there they would leave the liner from New York, and again s.h.i.+p in the boat they had built. They keenly scanned the pier as the vessel was being warped in.

”Ah! there is Blakely on the dock,” said Harry.

”But I don't see the _Pioneer_ here!” responded George.

_Pioneer_ was the name of the vessel they had built, and which brought them to that port from their island home.

The moment the vessel came alongside the dock, George called to Blakely: ”Where is our boat?”

”At Wonder Island,” was the reply.

”At Wonder Island?” said Harry, and the boys looked at each other in amazement. And now they must wait several weeks, probably, until it returns. This was disappointing, indeed.

The boys rushed off. ”And where shall we go now?” asked Harry.

”Over to our s.h.i.+p,” replied Blakely.

They followed his gaze to a dock beyond, where lay a beautiful vessel, a steamer, all decked out with flags.

”Is that our vessel!”

”Yes, and I have been to Wonder Island on her since you left. We just arrived two days ago. We are ready to steam out within two hours.”

”Then don't let us waste a moment's time,” said Harry.

”I thought you might want to take a look over the town,” said Blakely.

”I have no wish to do so, as long as we have the islands in view,”

remarked George. ”And how is the Professor,” he continued in an eager tone.

”He is well and happy. But I have no doubt he longs for you, as he frequently goes over to your rooms, and wanders around the shop, a thing which he never did while you were there.”

This was joyful news to the boys. How they longed to sail up Enterprise River. The steamer which Blakely had bought, and which was destined to ply between Wonder Island and the nearest trans-s.h.i.+pping point, was called the _Wonder_, a thing which the boys had not noticed until they were nearing the vessel.

It was a saucy little steamer, and as they drew near Blakely said: ”What speed do you think she will make?”

”Fifteen miles at least,” remarked Harry.