l what he
had been to them, and what his example and teaching meant to them. There
was really a feeling amounting almost to jealousy on the part of the
people at home against the Professor, but it was not one of bitterness.

One who could exert such a healthy influence on the lives of the young,
as he possessed, was worthy of the adulation that the boys bestowed. But
John was not forgotten in these periods of happiness.

They were never happy when telling the tales of their adventures except
when John was present, and the latter was the most sought-for
individual, because when he once began to tell some of his vivid tales
the people would not let him stop.

Finally the time for departure came. A merry party gathered upon the
dock when the explorers were about to depart. They would write at least
once a month, as Blakely had assured them that he would arrange to have
a steamer run a round trip each four weeks, to take care of the
commodities which would be made up by the natives.

The steamship _Panama_ slowly moved out into the bay, and the boys
remembered the memorable event which took place at that same dock thirty
months before. Then they left with a sort of half joy in their hearts,
and now they were going away to finish up the great adventures which
they had started when they reached the island of Wonder.

All hearts were anxious as the ship neared Valparaiso, because there
they would leave the liner from New York, and again ship in the boat
they had built. They keenly scanned the pier as the vessel was being
warped in.

"Ah! there is Blakely on the dock," said Harry.

"But I don't see the _Pioneer_ here!" responded George.

_Pioneer_ was the name of the vessel they had built, and which brought
them to that port from their island home.

The moment the vessel came alongside the dock, George called to Blakely:
"Where is our boat?"

"At Wonder Island," was the reply.

"At Wonder Island?" said Harry, and the boys looked at each other in
amazement. And now they must wait several weeks, probably, until it
returns. This was disappointing, indeed.

The boys rushed off. "And where shall we go now?" asked Harry.

"Over to our ship," replied Blakely.

They followed his gaze to a dock beyond, where lay a beautiful vessel, a
steamer, all decked out with flags.

"Is that our vessel!"

"Yes, and I have been to Wonder Island on her since you left. We just
arrived two days ago. We are ready to steam out within t