Then Tom sought out Captain Mosher, to whom he had a letter of introduction.
“Humph!” exclaimed the seaman, when Tom had made known his mission, and his desire to set out in search of his parents. “It’s a slim chance, boy, and it’s going to cost——”
“Never mind the cost!” cried Tom.
“All right, then. You’re the doctor. If you want me to fit out a small steamer and go to some of the islands around Tongatabu I’m your man. Only—don’t hope too much!”
“I’ve got to hope!” cried poor Tom. “I’m going to hope until the—the last!”
“Well, maybe you’re right after all,” assented Captain Mosher. “Now to business, ways and means, a steamer, a crew, fitting out and then—well, I’ve got to get busy.”
He did, to such good advantage that inside of a week all was in readiness for the start. Tom had communicated with his father’s agent in Sydney, and, as our hero had papers to prove his identity, there was no lack of money from the inheritance Mr. Fairfield had come so far to claim.
A steamer, the Sea Queen, was fitted out; a small but competent crew was hired, stores and provisions for a month’s cruise were put aboard, and one sunny day Tom took his place with the captain on the bridge.
“Well, Tom, shall we start?” asked Captain Mosher, a kindly light in his eye, for he had taken a great liking to our hero.