Up The Baltic Part 39

"Cheerfully, for there is no chance to get rid of it in this country."

"But you will want some in Russia, where everything is dear."

"I'm afraid my letter of credit will arrive by that time, and I shall be burdened with new trials."

"Poor fellow!"

The old rule of the s.h.i.+p had not been enforced on the present cruise, and the princ.i.p.al did not intend to renew it until it was absolutely necessary. It had caused much complaint among the wealthy parents of the former students, while it had wonderfully improved the discipline; but Mr. Lowington consented to make the experiment of permitting every boy to manage his own finances.

At noon the party took their places in a second-cla.s.s compartment of the carriage on the railway, and started for Wenersberg. Ole spoke Swedish as well as Norwegian, and acted as interpreter. Sanford had made peace with the waif, who was now as popular as ever with all the party. Each of them, in turn, had tried to induce Ole to tell how he happened to be in that boat at sea; but he still refused to explain.

The train moved off, and the tourists observed the country through which it pa.s.sed; but Scott could not help grumbling because the fare was only about a dollar and a quarter for fifty miles, declaring that he should never be able to get rid of his twenty sovereigns at this rate, and that he was threatened with a letter of credit for a hundred more at St. Petersburg. At Herrljunga, the junction of the branch to Wenersberg and the main line, the guard insisted that the tourists should leave the carriage.

"How's this, Ole?" asked Sanford.

"Change for Wenersberg; but the train don't start till five o'clock.

We must wait two hours."

"But what time does it get to Wenersberg?"

"About half past eight."

"That's a pretty go!" exclaimed the c.o.xswain. "You made a beautiful arrangement for this trip, Scott."

"What's the matter now?"

"We cannot get to Wenersberg till half past eight; and of course that will be too late to join the s.h.i.+p's company there."

"It isn't necessary to join them there. We shall meet them on the way, and go back with them. They will be at this place some time this afternoon."

"What did we come up here for?" asked Sanford.

"In the first place, to get rid of four or five rix-bunkers; and in the second, to see something of this part of Sweden. We have done both, and ought to be satisfied."

"O, I'm satisfied!"

"You ought to be; you have four and a half bunkers less to spend. We will loaf about this place till the princ.i.p.al comes with the crowd, and when he sees what good boys we have been to look him up, and see that he didn't get lost, he'll forgive Laybold and me for drinking 'finkel.'"

"All right. What time does the train leave for Gottenburg, Ole?" added the c.o.xswain, turning to the interpreter.

"Half past five," replied the waif.

No one took the trouble to examine the time-table in the station-house, which, though in Swedish, was perfectly intelligible so far as it related to hours and towns.

The tourists decided to improve the time they were obliged to wait by taking a walk about the country, examining Swedish houses and investigating Swedish agriculture. Doubtless this was a very interesting amus.e.m.e.nt; but at quarter past five, the party returned to the station. A long train was just departing in the direction of Gottenburg.

"What train's that?" demanded Sanford.

"I don't know," replied Ole, with a look of alarm.

"Inquire, then," added the excited c.o.xswain.

The party hastened into the little station. It was the regular train for Gottenburg.

"But how's that?" cried Sanford. "You said it left at half past five."

"Yes; I looked at the time-table in Gottenburg, and it said half past five," replied Ole. "Here is one, and I will look again."

"Better wait till morning before you look again," said Scott.

"Here it is; five--"

"That's all, Norway."

"I'm sure it was half past five in Gottenburg," pleaded Ole, whom the c.o.xswain had privately requested to make this blunder.

"What sort of chowder do you call this, son of Odin?" demanded Scott.

"He has made a blunder; that's all," laughed Burchmore, who, though not in the confidence of the c.o.xswain, at once suspected the trick, and, to tell the truth, was not sorry for the mistake.

The mishap was discussed for an hour, and poor Ole was severely blamed, especially by Sanford, for his carelessness; but he bore the censure with becoming meekness.

"What's to be done?" inquired Scott, at last.

"Here's another train at 8.56," replied Ole, pointing to the time-table. "We can return to Gottenburg in that."

"Right, Norway," added Scott.

They found a small hotel in the place, where they obtained a supper, and at the time indicated returned to Gottenburg, where they arrived at about one in the morning. It was too late to go on board of the s.h.i.+p, and they went directly to the little hotel in the lane, where Scott and Laybold had pa.s.sed the preceding night. It was closed, but they easily roused the landlord.

"So you have again come," said the good-natured host.

"Yes; we have again come. It is too late to go on board of the s.h.i.+p,"

replied Scott.

"Your s.h.i.+p have sail to-night to Copenhagen."

"No! Impossible!"

"I have seen her sail," persisted the landlord. "I have make no mistake."

"We are dished!" exclaimed Sanford.

"The young gentleman come down at seven o'clock, and the s.h.i.+p have sail at nine o'clock. I know it so well as I know how to speak the English."

"It must be so, then," laughed Scott; "for you have spoke the English more better as nice."

"What shall we do?" continued Sanford, who seemed to be positively distressed at the unfortunate circ.u.mstance.