Chapter XXXII: Back to Taku--Conclusion

Now that he had confessed so much, Nuggy Polk seemed anxious to relate all the particulars; and it was a good hour before Gilbert could get away from the sick man. By that time Nuggy was very weak, and the doctor forbade him to talk longer.

Gilbert returned to the encampment with a heart that was as light as a feather. He now knew exactly how matters stood with the Richmond Importing Company; and he felt certain that sooner or later he should come into every dollar which had belonged to his father’s estate.

Nuggy had agreed to put everything into writing; and this document was drawn up two days later, in the presence of Gilbert, Mrs. Bartlett, and one of the prison doctors. At this time Nuggy was feeling fairly well, and the doctor said that it was likely he would be as well as ever in the course of a month or six weeks. The charge made against him by the Bartletts was dropped.

While calling upon Nuggy, Gilbert asked him about Jerry Nickerson, and was told that Nickerson had gone back to Taku, to take the first ship he could get for home. “He is sick of affairs here,” said Nuggy; “and as soon as I got to feeling bad he deserted me. I never want to see him again.”

Shortly after Gilbert and the Bartletts had obtained Nuggy Polk’s confession, the young lieutenant was ordered to Taku, to take charge of some goods which were arriving by transport. He journeyed by rail from Tien-Tsin to Tongku, and was glad to note that the country was now free from Boxers and Chinese troops, and that the natives were going to work again, almost as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

“This campaign is about over,” he reasoned. “The Chinese have been taught a lesson; and they’ll be only too glad to negotiate, through Li Hung Chang, for peace.” And this surmise was correct.

Arriving at Taku, almost the first man Gilbert met was Captain Ponsberry of the _Columbia_. The captain was as hale and hearty as ever, but rather doubtful concerning the disposition of the cargo he had on board of his vessel.

“We had a mighty reesky time a-gittin’ here,” said the captain. “Run up agin’ two Chinese junks full o’ pirates; but we showed ’em a clean pair o’ heels.”

Gilbert told him of the condition of affairs at Tien-Tsin, and of how he could find Amos Bartlett and Nuggy Polk. The next day the captain journeyed to Tien-Tsin, and spent two days with the Bartletts, paying a visit to Nuggy Polk each day. What was said and done never reached Gilbert’s ears in detail; but later on he found out that the whole matter had been turned over to Amos Bartlett for adjustment, and that Nuggy had written a long letter to his father concerning the state of affairs. This letter came as a thunderbolt to Ramsey Polk; and reaching him as it did, immediately after an interview with the lawyer Gilbert had appointed to take up his case, he found himself so hedged in that he was compelled to bow to the inevitable.

“There has been a great mistake made,” he wrote back. “I am willing to do what is right, and both Mr. Bartlett and Lieutenant Pennington shall have all that is coming to them. I hope you will not make the whole affair public. If necessary, I will resign from the company.” And this he did; and other men, who were strictly honest, came to the head of the concern.

“We owe you a great deal, Lieutenant Pennington,” said Amos Bartlett one day, when Gilbert was calling at the home in Tien-Tsin. “You are a smart young man.”

“And a good soldier, too,” put in Mrs. Bartlett.

“Yes, and the best of it is that he is one of our American soldiers,” put in Jennie. “I believe all our American soldiers are brave.”

At this Gilbert felt compelled to smile. “If they are not, they ought to be,” he answered. “It’s an honor to fight for Uncle Sam.”

“It’s a pity Mr. Polk didn’t become a soldier,” observed Mrs. Bartlett.

“He has already told me that he is going to join the army just as soon as he is well enough,” answered Gilbert.

“I am glad to hear it,” came from Amos Bartlett. “It will probably be the making of him.”

* * * * *

Here let us draw to a close this tale of adventures in China. We have been with Gilbert during an exciting time in Manila, along on an interesting journey to Nagasaki and Taku; and we have followed the young lieutenant’s stirring adventures while the Boxers and Chinese troops were being driven first from Tien-Tsin, then from Peitsang, Ho-Si-Wu, and Tung-Chow, and lastly from Pekin and the Imperial City itself. He had had no easy time of it; and now, when Pekin was in the hands of the Allies, and the diplomats of the various nations were trying to arrange for permanent peace, he was perfectly willing to rest, and to attend to the personal affairs which had cropped up so unexpectedly. Many adventures were still in store for him, which will be related in another volume, entitled: “Under the Mikado’s Flag; or, Young Soldiers of Fortune.” In this tale we shall also meet many other old friends, including the Russell brothers and those faithful comrades in arms, Carl Stummer and Dan Casey.

Gilbert did not forget that Captain Banner was on a sick-bed; and he went to see his superior officer often, and also the other men of Company A who had dropped out of the ranks for one reason or another. He was glad to find the captain improving, although it was doubtful if the officer would assume his position for a long time to come.

“But never mind,” said the captain to Gilbert one day. “I know my company is in good hands. The boys tell me you led them splendidly.”

“I only did my duty,” answered the young lieutenant. “I came here to fight, not to sit still and think about it. But I am glad we have captured Pekin.”

“Yes, so am I. It will be a lesson that China will never forget. After this, foreign flags will have a new meaning to the Celestials; and our ministers and missionaries will come and go without molestation.”

At the end of the week Gilbert was ordered back to Pekin. The great capital was now comparatively quiet, and the shops were beginning to open once more for business.

“I don’t believe we’ll have to remain in China much longer,” said Major Morris to Gilbert. “The war is over.”

“Let us hope so,” answered Gilbert. “But, even if it isn’t, I don’t believe we’ll have any more lively times than we had when the cry was: ON TO PEKIN!”

SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE SERIES

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER

VOLUME ONE

_ON TO PEKIN_
_Or Old Glory in China_

Cloth 330 pages Illustrated by A. B. Shute $1.25

The hero, Gilbert Pennington, goes from the Philippines with the Ninth Regiment to take part in the rescue of the beleaguered British Embassy at Pekin by the international forces. Mr. Stratemeyer has risen to the occasion by giving, in addition to one of his very best stories, a store of information concerning China and the Chinese, conveyed in a natural and entertaining manner.

The demands of boy readers are peculiar, and the author who can satisfy them, not once or twice, but uniformly, must possess rare ability in an extremely difficult field. Such an author is Edward Stratemeyer.--_Sunday News, Newark, N. J._

VOLUME TWO

_UNDER THE MIKADO’S FLAG_
_Or Young Soldiers of Fortune_

320 pages Cloth Illustrated by A. B. Shute Price $1.25

“Under the Mikado’s Flag” relates the adventures of two young Americans in Korea and Manchuria during the outbreak of the great war between Russia and Japan, one of the leading characters being Gilbert Pennington, the hero of “On to Pekin,” and the other, Ben Russell, who with his brothers, Larry and Walter, is so well known to the thousands of readers of the famous “Old Glory Series.” It closes with the great Battle of Liao-Yang, and is as valuable for the information conveyed as it is interesting as a story.

Mr. Stratemeyer is undoubtedly improving very greatly on the average book for boys.--_Star, St. Louis, Mo._

He knows how to attract and hold boy readers.--_Evening Standard, New Bedford, Mass._

VOLUME THREE

_AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR_
_Or A Young American in the Japanese Navy_

300 pages Illustrated by A. B. Shute Price $1.25

This story relates, primarily, the adventures of Larry Russell, who is on board his old ship, the _Columbia_, which is carrying a cargo for the Japanese government. The young sailor joins the Japanese navy, and under Admiral Togo assists at the bombardment of Port Arthur. Life in the Japanese navy is described in detail, and also life in Port Arthur during the siege and bombardment, which has few parallels in history.

“At the Fall of Port Arthur” is very well told.--_Chronicle, San
Francisco._

A rattling good story for boys.--_Republican, Denver, Col._

VOLUME FOUR

_UNDER TOGO FOR JAPAN_
_Or Three Young Americans on Land and Sea_

310 pages Illustrated by A. B. Shute 12mo Cloth, 1.25

The “Soldiers of Fortune Series” is a continuation of the famous “Old Glory Series,” and enjoys equal popularity. The principal characters are Ben and Larry Russell, Gilbert Pennington, and the fine old gunner, Luke Striker, all of whom are well known to thousands of readers. The climax of the book naturally deals with the battle of the Sea of Japan and Admiral Togo’s wonderful victory, in which Larry and Luke Striker bear an honorable part. The fortunes of Ben and Gilbert Pennington on land also furnish much that is of interest.

The youth who finds a good story of war adventure on the sea
to his liking will gain his heart’s desire in “Under Togo for
Japan.”--_Philadelphia Press._

Young readers will find the volume entertaining from first to
last.--_News, Baltimore, Md._

Will undoubtedly prove a favorite with the boys.--_Advertiser,
Newark, N.J._

No more popular book for boys could be imagined just at this
time.--_Christian Endeavor World._

DAVE PORTER SERIES

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER

12mo Cloth Illustrated $1.25 per volume

Mr. Stratemeyer has seldom introduced a more popular hero than
Dave Porter. He is a typical boy, manly, brave, always ready for a
good time if it can be obtained in an honorable way.--_Wisconsin,
Milwaukee, Wis._

“Edward Stratemeyer’s ‘Dave Porter’ has become exceedingly
popular.”--_Boston Globe._

“Dave and his friends are nice, manly chaps.”--_Times-Democrat, New
Orleans._

DAVE PORTER AT OAK HALL
Or the Schooldays of an American Boy

DAVE PORTER IN THE SOUTH SEAS
Or The Strange Cruise of the Stormy Petrel

DAVE PORTER’S RETURN TO SCHOOL
Or Winning the Medal of Honor

DAVE PORTER IN THE FAR NORTH
Or The Pluck of an American Schoolboy

DAVE PORTER AND HIS CLASSMATES
Or For the Honor of Oak Hall

DAVE PORTER AT STAR RANCH
Or The Cowboy’s Secret

DAVE PORTER AND HIS RIVALS
Or the Chums and Foes of Oak Hall

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., Publishers, Boston

THE LAKEPORT SERIES

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER

12mo Cloth Illustrated $1.25 per volume

“The author of the Lakeport Series, Mr. Edward Stratemeyer, is well
known for his delightful boys’ stories.”--_Philadelphia Ledger._

“The Lakeport Series, by Edward Stratemeyer, is the lineal descendant
of the better class of boys’ books of a generation ago.”--_Christian
Advocate, New York._

“The Lakeport Series will be fully as popular as the author’s Dave
Porter Series.”--_San Francisco Call._

THE GUN CLUB BOYS OF LAKEPORT
Or The Island Camp

THE BASEBALL BOYS OF LAKEPORT
Or The Winning Run

THE BOAT CLUB BOYS OF LAKEPORT
Or The Water Champions

THE FOOTBALL BOYS OF LAKEPORT
Or More Goals Than One

THE AUTOMOBILE BOYS OF LAKEPORT
Or A Run for Fun and Fame

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., Publishers, Boston

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:

Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_.

Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.

Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.

Archaic or variant spelling has been retained.