“Who is he?” questioned Hockley, as he put the money away, after counting it.
“He is a Western sharp,” replied the professor. “Years ago he was mixed up in a stock company that proved to be little better than a swindle. I had some shares in it but managed to get my money back. I tried to help others in the company, but they wouldn’t listen to my plan and went ahead on their own account and lost. I met Umbler in Brazil once and tried to get more money out of him, for the other stockholders, but he laughed at me, for at that time it would have been a hard matter to have a man transported from Brazil to the United States on such a charge as I could make.”
“I—I am much obliged for getting the money back, sir.”
“It was rare good luck, Jacob, nothing else, and now you have it again I want you to turn it over to me.”
“But, sir——.”
“I will not argue the matter.” Professor Strong’s voice grew stern once more. “You can either give the money to me, or pack your trunk and go home. And if you get into any more such scrapes I shall notify your father and send you home anyway. I want no more gambling and no more ‘seeing the sights’ on your own account. You have got to turn over a new leaf.”
For half an hour Amos Strong “laid down the law” to Hockley and at the end of that time the bully felt very humble indeed. He did not wish to be sent home, and he promised faithfully to do better in the future; and there the affair was dropped.
CHAPTER XXIV
SOMETHING ABOUT EARTHQUAKES AND VOLCANOES
For four days the boys traveled around Ponce with the professor, taking in all the sights. They also took a trip on the railroad to Guayanilla and Yauco, and likewise down to several small villages along the seacoast. They were particularly interested in the American government of the island, and spent several hours at the various departments. Here the professor met two officials whom he knew, and all were made to feel thoroughly at home.
In those trips Hockley had little to say, and the other boys noticed the change in his manner.