"Stratton; James Stratton?"
"Jim Stratton, the big, healthy, jolly boy! Everybody liked him. And you are his nephew?"
Then turning to Chief the Professor asked: "Do you remember when and how we captured him?" John looked and tried to recall the incident. "No, I do not now think of anything which is familiar, nor do I remember seeing him until a moment ago."
"But if you are not too much exhausted, we would be interested in the history."
"I do not suppose that my history, previous to reaching the island, would be very interesting, but as you have asked it I will briefly relate it."
CHAPTER XIV
JOHN'S WONDERFUL STORY
"I was born on the Atlantic seacoast in a small New England town. My parents were the richest people in the community, and it was their ambition, as it was mine, to finish my education at one of the great universities there; but shortly after my entrance as a student the entire fortune of my parents was swept away, and I was compelled to seek employment.
"I was provided with a place in a commercial house in which my guardian was interested, and the only consideration shown me during the six months I remained there was the amount of work they could get out of me. Like many other boys I ran away, and took a position on a sailing vessel. This was the turning point in my career.