Tom urged and plead in vain. The boys were firm in their determination that the rules should not be suspended, even in the case of the son of the richest man in Newport, and the grand commander finally left them in disgust, mentally resolving that he would never speak to them again as long as he lived.
"I'll study up a plan to fix them for that," said he, to himself. "The first thing those fellows know, I'll start a society of my own; and every time I catch one of them in my end of the village, I'll see that he don't get off without a good beating."
Tom had so long been allowed to hold prominent positions among his companions, that the idea that they could get along without him had never once entered his head. He believed that in a few days the boys would see how necessary he was to them, and that then they would think better of their decision, receive him into their new society, and bestow upon him an office equal in rank to the one he had held among the Night-hawks.
"Suppose they should want to make 'Squire Thompson another present," soliloquized Tom, "who would pull the wagon out of the barn-yard, and go into the pasture to catch the horse? Or, what if some of them should take it into their heads to go to sea on their own hook! Is there one among them who could manage affairs as nicely as I did, when we academy fellows run away in the Swallow? I was the strongest and bravest boy in that society, and we'll see how they will get along without me. They will be after me in a few days."
But, contrary to his expectations, two weeks had passed away without bringing any overtures from the boys, and during this time Tom had been as miserable as can well be imagined. When he left the academy, his father had taken him into the office, so that he might have him always under his eye; and, at first, this arrangement had pleased Tom exceedingly. He was free from the strict discipline of the military school; there was no orderly sergeant to keep an eye on all his movements; no boy officers to trouble him; no teacher to scold him for inattention to his duties; and during his first day's experience in the office, Tom thought it was just the place for him. He suddenly took it into his head that he would like to be a commission merchant. He resolved that he would pay strict attention to his work, so that in a few weeks he would be promoted to book-keeper. Then his troubles would all be over. He would have nothing to do but stand at his desk all day, and that was the easiest work in the world. At the end of the second day, however, Tom began to take less interest in his duties, and before a week had passed away, he had become thoroughly disgusted with his situation. He heartily wished himself at the military academy, at sea, on a farm with Mr. Hayes and his big boys—in fact, anywhere in the world, rather than in his father's office. He was obliged to build fires and run errands—two things that he did not like to do. Tom thought he could not live long if he was required to do such work, and he straightway came to the determination to get out of the office as soon as possible. In order to accomplish his object, it was necessary that he should decide upon some other business; and he finally resolved to try his hand at trading again. The question then arose, How should he get a suitable vessel? He intended to go into business on a grand scale this time, and he wanted a boat exactly like the Swallow, which would cost him two or three hundred dollars. Then he would want at least a hundred dollars more to invest in produce. Tom knew that it would take him a long time to save so much money, for his wages amounted to only five dollars a week, and the forty-eight dollars he had earned by his voyage in the Savannah had slipped through his fingers, one by one, until he had not a cent remaining. But he had thought the matter over thoroughly, and he had come to the conclusion that if he only "kept his eyes open," he could make money besides his wages. Tom was busy for several days turning this matter over in his mind, and so completely wrapped up was he in his financial schemes that he had no time to waste in studying up a plan to revenge himself on the Night-hawks, and but very little to devote to his duties in the office. To the no small astonishment of his father, he spent the greater portion of each day in poring over the columns of newspapers; and so interested did he appear to be in them, that the merchant began to be encouraged. But Tom was not looking for news; he was reading the advertisements; and one day he was seen to cut out a piece of a newspaper and put it carefully away in his pocket. What it was no one knew or cared to ask; but all the clerks in the office noticed that, from that day, Tom was one of the happiest fellows they had ever seen. The secret was, he imagined that he had at last discovered the very thing he had been looking for so long—the road to fortune. It was something that has deceived more than one grown person, but still a sensible boy of fifteen ought not to have paid any attention to it. But then, Tom was different from almost any body else, and those who were acquainted with him were not surprised at any thing he did. It gave him something to think about, and when he had got his plans all matured he paid a visit to Fishertown, for the purpose of laying the matter before Bob Jennings.
"Now, then," he exclaimed, as the fisher-boy ran the bow of his scow upon the beach, "come ashore, quick. I've got something to tell you that will make you open your eyes."
"What is it?" asked Bob.
"Well, you come with me, and I'll tell you. It's too good for every body to hear."
Bob made the Go Ahead fast to the wharf and followed Tom, who walked down the beach until he was certain that there was no possible chance of his being overheard, when he stopped, and said in a whisper:
"Bob Jennings, our fortune's made."