Read Ebook: Lost on the Orinoco; or American boys in Venezuela by Stratemeyer Edward Shute A B Illustrator

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Ebook has 1796 lines and 61530 words, and 36 pages

"I wish it was anybody but Hockley--and Frank wishes the same."

"Well, all arrangements have been made, so we'll have to make the best of it. But I heard one thing that doesn't please me," went on Sam. "I got a letter from Dick Mason, and in it he said Glummy was talking of the trip to some of his chums, and said he was going just to show Frank and you a thing or two."

"Did he? I wonder what he meant?"

"He didn't mean anything very good, you can be sure of that, Mark."

"You are right. We'll certainly have to keep our eyes open and watch him," concluded Mark, seriously.

PREPARING FOR THE START

On the following morning Darry Crane came in, on the Limited Express direct from Chicago. He sent a telegram ahead, to Frank, who went up to the Grand Central depot to meet his chum.

"Had a fine trip," said Darry, "but, honest, I couldn't get here fast enough, I've been that anxious to see you. Heard from Beans yet? I'll wager he comes down with his grip loaded with beans, on account of the long trip, you know. What, didn't bring any beans? Must be a mistake about that."

"I guess he was afraid you'd forget the pork," answered Frank, with a laugh. "But how have you been since you left school?"

"First-class. Went West, you know, with my father and nearly rode a pony to death on the Lone Star ranch. Oh, it was glorious to get over the ground. Beats a stuffy old city all to bits. Hold on, I've got to look after my trunk. Wouldn't want to lose that, for it's got the whole outfit for the trip in it."

"Did I? Well, I just guess, Frank. What do you think? He actually paid me a visit--not very long, of course, but still he came to see me. Said he was passing through Chicago on a trip to St. Louis, and felt that he had to hunt up an old chum. I almost fainted when he said it. But he acted quite decent, I must admit, not a bit airish or sour either."

"Did he say anything about this trip to South America?"

"Not much, excepting that he would like to go if it went through. I didn't say much either, for I was thinking you and Mark wouldn't like to have him along. You don't, do you?"

"Not much, although I guess we can stand it if he lets us alone. We needn't have much to do with him."

Taking Darry's valise from him, Frank led the way to the street and hailed a passing auto-cab, and both were speedily taken to the home on Madison Avenue. A few minutes later they hurried across the way and joined Mark and Sam.

In anticipation of the good times ahead, all four of the lads were in a happy frame of mind, and the remainder of the day was spent by the New Yorkers in showing the visitors around Central Park and other points of interest. In the afternoon the four went downtown and crossed the Brooklyn Bridge. Then they came back to the Battery and took the little craft which plies hourly between that point and Bedloe's Island, where is located the Statue of Liberty, standing as a gigantic sentinel to New York Bay.

"How big it looks when one is close to it," remarked Sam, when they disembarked close to the base of the statue. "I thought climbing to the top would be easy, but I fancy it's going to be as tedious as climbing to the top of Bunker Hill monument."

And so it proved, as they went up the dark and narrow circular steps leading to the crown of the statue. They wished to go up into the torch, but the way was blocked owing to repairs.

Suddenly Mark, on looking around him, uttered an exclamation of surprise. "Glummy Hockley! How did you get here?"

His words caused the others to forget their sight seeing for the moment, and they faced about, to find themselves confronted by the freckled-faced youth, who had been gazing in the opposite direction.

"I'll thank you not to call me 'Glummy,'" said Hockley, coolly, although he too was taken by surprise. Then he turned to Darry. "How do you do, Darry? When did you arrive?"

Mark bit his lip and looked at Frank, who gave him a knowing look in return. Clearly it had been an ill beginning to the conversation. Somehow Mark felt as if he had not done just right.

"Excuse me, Glum--I mean Hockley, I'll try to remember your proper name after this," he stammered.

"I don't mind those things at school, but you must remember we are not at school now," went on Hockley, with something of an air of importance. Then he smiled faintly at Sam. "How are you, Beans?"

"Excuse me, but we are not at school now, and my name's not 'Beans,'" was the dry response.

There was a second of silence, and then Darry burst into a roar of laughter, and Frank and Mark were compelled to follow, the whole thing seemed so comical. Hockley grew red, but when Sam joined in the merriment he felt compelled to smile himself, although he looked more sour than ever directly afterward.

"All right, Sam, I'll try to remember," he said with an effort, and held out his hand.

The two shook hands and then the lank youth shook hands with Darry. After this there was nothing to do but for Frank and Mark to take Hockley's hand also, and this they did, although stiffly.

But the ice was broken and soon all were talking as a crowd of boys usually do. Hockley had brought a field glass with him and insisted on all using it.

"Bought it down in Maiden Lane this morning," he remarked. "Got the address of a first-class firm from a friend who knows all about such things. It cost me sixty-five dollars, but I reckon it's worth it. Ain't many better glasses around. I expect it will be just the thing in Venezuela."

"No doubt," said Darry, but felt somewhat disgusted over Hockley's air of importance. Nevertheless, the glass was a fine one, and everybody enjoyed looking through it. Ships coming up the Lower Bay could be seen at a long distance, and they could also see over Brooklyn and Long Island, and over Jersey City and Newark to the Orange Mountains.

"What are you fellows going to do to-night?" questioned Hockley, when they were going down the stairs again.

"I was thinking of going to Coney Island," went on the lank youth. "Supposing we all go there? I'll foot the bill."

"I shouldn't care to go to Coney Island, and I don't think Darry and Sam will care either," said Mark.

"Let us all go to Manhattan," broke in Sam. "I've often heard of the fireworks." He had not the heart to give Hockley too much of a cold shoulder.

So it was arranged, on the way back to the Battery, and then there was nothing to do but ask the lank youth to dine with them.

"We are bound to have Glummy on us, sooner or later," whispered Mark to Frank, while they were eating. "Perhaps it's just as well to make the best of it. It will be time enough to turn on him when he does something which is openly offensive."

When it came time to settle the bill, the lank youth wished to pay for everybody, but the others would not allow this.

"Let everybody pay for himself," said Darry. "Then there won't be any trouble."

"I can pay as well as not," said Hockley, sourly.

"So can any of us," returned Mark, dryly; and there the subject dropped.

The trip to Manhattan Beach and the fireworks were very enjoyable, and before the evening came to an end everybody was in a much better humor, although both Mark and Frank felt that they would have enjoyed the trip more had Hockley not been present.

Hockley was stopping at the Astor House, and left them near the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge. He had wanted them to have a late supper with him, and had even mentioned wine, but all had declined, stating they were tired and wished to go to bed.

"He must be getting to be a regular high-flyer if he uses much wine," remarked Frank when the four were on their way uptown. "What a fool he is with his money. He thinks that covers everything."

"He'll be foolish to take to drink," returned Darry. "It has ruined many a rich young fellow, and he ought to know it."

"I think Hockley would be all right if it wasn't for the high opinion he has of himself," came from Sam. "But his patronizing way of talking is what irritates. He considers nobody as important as himself. In one way I think he'd be better off if he was poor."

"The family haven't been rich very long--only eight or ten years, so I've heard," said Mark. "Poor Hockley isn't used to it yet. It will be a lesson to him to learn that there are lots of other rich folks in this world who aren't making any fuss and feathers about it."

In the morning came a message from Professor Strong, stating that he had arrived, and was stopping at the Hotel Manhattan. He added that he would see Mr. Robertson and Mr. Newton that morning, and would be at the service of the boys directly after lunch.

"Now we won't lose much more time," cried Frank. "I declare I wish we were to sail for Venezuela to-day."

"I fancy the professor has a good many arrangements to make," said Sam. "It's quite a trip we are contemplating, remember."

"Pooh! it's not such a trip to Caracas," returned Darry. "My father was down there once--looking at a coffee plantation."

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