Adrift in the Wilds | Page 2

The
position in which the two men were placed proved so favorable to the
former that in a few years he found himself almost as wealthy as in his
palmiest days, when his name was such a power in Wall Street. He had
come to like the young and growing State of California, and ere he had
been there two years both himself and wife had lost all longings for the
metropolis of the New World.
In the meanwhile, Elwood and Howard were doing well at their studies
in Brooklyn. They had been inseparable friends from infancy, and as
their years increased the bonds of affection seemed to strengthen
between them. They were the only children of twin sisters, and bore a
remarkable resemblance in person, character and disposition. Both had
dark, curling, chestnut hair, hazel eyes, and an active muscular
organization that made them leaders in boyish pastimes and sports. If
there was any perceptible difference between the two, it was that
Elwood Brandon was a little more daring and impetuous than his
companion; he was apt to follow out his first impulses and venture
upon schemes without deliberating fully enough. Both were generous,

unselfish, and either would have willingly risked his life for the other.
Thus matters stood until the summer when our young heroes had
completed their preparatory course, and were ready to enter college. It
was decided by their parents that this should be done in the autumn,
and that the summer of this year should be spent by the boys with their
parents in California. They had been separated from them for five years,
during which they had met but once, when the parents made a journey
to New York for that purpose, spending several months with them.
That visit, it may be said, was now to be returned, and the boys meant
that it should be returned with interest.
And so Tim O'Rooney, a good-natured, trustworthy Irishman, who had
been in the employ of Mr. Lawrence for eight years, almost ever since
his arrival in America, was sent to New York to accompany the boys
on their visit home.
Howard and Elwood were standing one afternoon on the corner of
Montague Street, in Brooklyn, chatting with each other about their
expected trip to California. They had closed their school studies a week
before, and boy-like were now anxious to be off upon their journey.
Suddenly an Irishman came in sight, smoking furiously at a short black
pipe. The first glance showed them that it was no other than Tim
O'Rooney, the expected messenger.
"Isn't that good?" exclaimed Elwood, "the steamer sails on Saturday,
and we'll go in it. Here he comes, as though he was in a great hurry!"
"Don't say anything, and see whether he will know us!"
"Why shouldn't he?"
"You know we've grown a good deal since he was here, and the beard
is getting so stiff on my chin that it scratches my hand every time I
touch it."
"Yes; that mustache, too, is making you look as fierce as a Bluebeard;
but here he is!"

At this instant Tim O'Rooney came opposite them. He merely glanced
up, puffed harder than ever and was passing on, when both burst out in
a loud laugh.
"Be the powers! what's the mather with ye spalpeens?" he angrily
demanded. "Can't a dacent man be passing the sthrats widout being
insulted----Howly mother! is it yerselves or is it your grandfathers?"
He had recognized them, and a hearty hand-shaking followed. Tim
grinned a great deal over his mistake, and answered their questions in
his dry, witty way, and assured them that his instructions were to bring
them home as soon as possible. Accordingly, they embarked on the
steamer on the following Saturday; and, passing over the unimportant
incidents of their voyage, we come back to our starting point, where all
three were within a day's journey of their destination.
CHAPTER II.
FIRE.
"To-morrow we shall be home," said Elwood Brandon, addressing his
companion, although at the time he was looking out on the moon-lit sea,
in the direction of California.
"Yes; if nothing unexpected happens," replied his cousin, who was
pushing and drawing a large Newfoundland dog that lay at his feet.
"And what can happen?" asked his cousin, turning abruptly toward
him.
"A hundred things. Suppose the boiler should blow up, we run on a
rock, take fire, or get struck by a squall----"
"Or be carried away in a balloon," was the impatient exclamation. "One
is just as likely to happen as the other."
"Hardly--heigh-ho!"

Howard at that moment had twined his feet around the neck of Terror,
the Newfoundland, and the mischievous dog, springing suddenly to his
feet, brought his master from his seat to the deck, which, as a matter of
course, made both