CHAPTER XXX

HOME AGAIN

It was no easy matter for the _Ice King_ to push, her way through the ice and reach the shore, but at last this was accomplished, and a gangplank was put out, so that our friends could go aboard.

"Did you reach the Pole?" were Captain Williamson's words.

"We did," answered Barwell Dawson. "But it was a hard journey, I can tell you!"

"Good! I mean, I'm glad to know you got to the Pole," went on the captain. He looked over the party. "Look well, too."

"We look better than we did a few weeks ago," said Andy. "Then you might have taken us for a lot of starved cats."

"Have you been on a trip?" questioned Chet. He saw that the commander of the _Ice King_ was looking at him rather curiously.

"Yes, I left here eight days ago, after I had heard of a whaler that had gone to pieces in the ice. Some Esquimaux brought the word, and said that a crew of five white men and one negro were on the shore to the northwestward."

"And did you find them?" asked Chet, eagerly.

"I did, lad, and I've got news for you."

"About my father?"

"Aye, Chet."

"Was it the _Betsey Andrews_ that went down? Is my father among the men?"

"Yes, it was the _Betsey Andrews_ that was caught in the ice. She drifted for months before she got a squeeze that finished her. Then the crew went ashore, and did what they could to save themselves."

"But my father--is he--alive?"

"Yes,--or he was, the last that was heard of him."

"He isn't with the men you found?"

"No, they are on board, and you can listen to their story later. After the whaler went to pieces, another vessel came along--a small ship bound for Nova Scotia, the _Evans_, and she took six of the crew with her, and among those was your father."

"The _Evans_? What port was she bound for?"

"Halifax."

"And was my father all right when the _Evans_ sailed?"

"Yes, although he had suffered somewhat from exposure, as had all of the crew."

The fact that word had at last been obtained of his parent filled Chet's heart with joy. He lost no time in introducing himself to the sailors who had been rescued by Captain Williamson, and from them obtained a full account of the ill-fated trip of the _Betsey Andrews_.

The ship had been all over the whaling grounds, and had had almost a full supply of oil and whalebone, when the commander, against the wishes of the mate and many of the crew, had decided to turn northward in quest of another whale or two. The captain had acted queerly, as if out of his mind, and had run the ship into a situation among the icebergs from which it was impossible to escape.

Many months of anxiety had been passed on the whaler, and the climax had come when the awful squeeze crushed her as if she had been an eggshell. In that calamity the captain and two of the men had lost their lives.

After the disaster the mate had taken charge, and the men had transferred their supplies to the shore and gone to living there. They had had more than enough oil to burn, and during the winter had kept a beacon light going, hoping it might bring some one to their assistance. Several had proved themselves good hunters, so they did not suffer for something to eat, although their diet was a limited one.

At last the _Evans_ put in an appearance, and lots were drawn as to who should go aboard. Tolney Greene was one of the lucky ones, and the _Evans_ had left, promising to leave word regarding the others at Upernivik and other ports.

"Oh, I am so thankful to know that father is alive!" said Chet to Andy.

"I am glad, too, Chet," answered his chum. "I hope you meet him as soon as we get back."

"So do I. But it's a long sail, Andy!" And Chet heaved a sigh.

One day was spent in getting the things aboard the _Ice King_, and then the bow of the steamer was turned southward, and the long trip homeward was begun.

It was a slow and tedious journey, with many perils from icebergs and fogs, and during that time Captain Williamson had more trouble with Pep Loggermore. As a result, the sailor was put in irons. At Upernivik he was allowed to go ashore, and that was the last seen of him.

"If he has deserted, I am glad of it," said the captain, and Andy and Chet said the same.

At Upernivik the Esquimaux were paid off, and Barwell Dawson rewarded Olalola as he had promised. The native shook hands warmly with the boys.

"Nice boys," he said. "Olalola wish he had boys like you!"

"Take good care of yourself, Olalola," said Andy.

"And if you ever visit the States, come and see us," added Chet.

"No come to States," said the Esquimau. "Too big sun, fry Olalola like fat!" And this quaint remark made the lads laugh.

At Upernivik the _Ice King_ took on a fresh supply of coal, and then without delay continued on her journey southward. Chet had had a long talk with Barwell Dawson, and the explorer had promised to stop at Halifax to learn what had become of the _Evans_ and Mr. Greene.

"And I will do all in my power to see that your father gets a square deal," added Mr. Dawson. "Of course, if he is guilty, I can do nothing for him, but if he is innocent, then we'll do what we can to bring the guilty parties to justice."

"I know he is innocent," answered Chet, stubbornly.

"I trust that you prove to be right, Chet," was all the explorer could say.

As the steamer drew southward the weather became milder, until it was a real pleasure to be on deck. The boys discarded their furs, which they hung up as relics of the great trip.

"Looking back, it seems like a dream, doesn't it?" said Andy.

"A good deal that way," responded his chum.

"I suppose by this time the whole country is talking about what Dr. Cook and Commander Peary have done."

"More than likely."

At last they reached Halifax, and all in a quiver of excitement Chet made inquiries regarding his father. He learned that Mr. Greene had had a chance to ship for Portland, Maine, and had done so, eight days previously.

"I'll meet him there!" cried Chet.

"So you will," answered Andy. "For we are going to Portland instead of Rathley."

The run to Portland was made without special incident, and as soon as the _Ice King_ had tied up, Chet went ashore, with Andy, to hunt up the _Evans_.

He found that the craft lay at a dock three blocks away and soon covered the distance. She had come in the day before, and was busy unloading her cargo.

"So you are Tolney Greene's son, eh?" said the captain to Chet. "I've heard of you, for your father spoke of you several times."

"And where is he?"

"Started for home yesterday--to find you, he said, and to catch a rascal named Hopton, who had gotten him into trouble."

"Hopton!" ejaculated Andy, who was present. "Do you mean a man named A. Q. Hopton?"

"That's the fellow. Mr. Greene had it in for him good and proper. He committed some kind of a crime, and then fixed it on Mr. Greene, but Greene had the evidence against him--picked it up somewheres, just after signing to go on the _Betsey Andrews_."

This was all the captain of the _Evans_ could say, but it was enough, and without delay Chet arranged to go to Pine Run, and Andy said he would go along. Barwell Dawson agreed to meet them later, and insisted upon giving each youth a small roll of bankbills, for expenses.

It was midsummer, and hot,--a big contrast to the weather which the lads had so recently experienced. As the train rolled toward their home they discussed Mr. Greene's affairs, and wondered how Mr. A. Q. Hopton had gotten him into trouble.

"But he is equal to it," said Andy. "I know that by the way he tried to treat me, and how he tried to pull the wool over Uncle Si's eyes."

"Where do you suppose your Uncle Si is now?"

"Hanging around, most likely, waiting for something to turn up," replied Andy.

"I hope you're not going to let him have any of that money Mr. Dawson gave you."

"Not a cent. If he wants any money, he'll have to go to work and earn it."

At last the two youths reached Pine Run, and both walked to the general store, that being the center for information as well as supplies. The storekeeper looked at them in surprise.

"Back again, eh?" he cried.

"Have you seen my father?" questioned Chet.

"Yes, he was here this morning, Chet. He was full of business."

"Where did he go?"

"Up to your cabin. He was very much put out that you had gone away."

"Do you know anything of my Uncle Si?" asked Andy.

"Well, rather." The storekeeper laughed outright. "Richest thing ever was!" he chuckled.

"What?"

"The way the men around here treated him. They got tired of his laziness and habit of borrowing money, and told him he must go to work. He wouldn't do it at first, and they hauled him out of bed one night, and said they were going to tar and feather him. Then he got scared to death, and promised to go to work, and he's been at work ever since--over at Larrington's sawmill. He came in last Saturday and paid his bill in full, and bought some groceries for spot cash. I reckon he's turned over a new leaf."

"I'll be thankful if he has," said Andy.

"By the way," continued the storekeeper, "he was talking of some property that is coming to you."

"Property?"

"Yes,--some timber land in Michigan. I believe you had the papers and lost 'em. Well, one day some hunters found the papers in the woods--pretty well soaked, but all there--and they brought 'em to your Uncle Si. He's got 'em now, and he's waiting to hear from you. He told me a real estate fellow named Hopton wanted 'em, but he was going to hold on to 'em until he heard from you."

"Good for Uncle Si!" cried Andy. "He is coming to his senses at last! I am glad the papers have been found. I must see him at once!"