CAPTAIN DAVID PORTER--CONCLUSION
“Gebauer and Poole! You don’t mean it!” exclaimed the young lieutenant.
“But I do mean it,” answered the senator’s son. “They are the ones who
attacked you and rolled you down one of the shafts of the mines. It’s a
great wonder you weren’t killed.”
“But how did you learn of this, Roger?”
“It’s a pretty long story, Dave; and as you look rather weak, perhaps
you had better sit down while I tell it.”
Roger and the others led the way to where our hero could be made
comfortable, and there, while he was treated to some refreshments,
they gave him many of the particulars of what had occurred during his
absence.
“I guess I had better tell you about Max Gebauer first,” said the
senator’s son. “During one of the advances of our army, he acted in
a most disgraceful manner, urging a part of his company to retreat.
They saw no good reason for doing it, and a sergeant led them in the
advance. For this Gebauer was accused of cowardice in the face of the
enemy.”
“Phew! that’s rather a serious charge.”
“But that isn’t the worst of it!” broke in Phil. “Do you remember the
German prisoner who saw Gebauer and talked to him--the fellow you
afterwards interviewed?”
“I do.”
“Well, it seems Gebauer visited that fellow while he was at a
prisoners’ camp, and the two got into a regular row. This, of course,
was before Gebauer showed his so-called cowardice.
“Well, the secret service men made an investigation and discovered that
Gebauer and this prisoner had once been in a questionable business deal
in Germany. Gebauer was wanted there for swindling several people, and
this chap had been bought off to keep silent, but had never received a
large part of the money promised to him by Gebauer. Then the American
authorities dipped deeper into the matter, and I understand they have
now come to the conclusion that Gebauer’s cowardice was largely put on,
and that he was in a plan with some German sympathizers to play into
the enemy’s hands. As a consequence Lieutenant Max Gebauer, pro-German,
is now languishing in a military prison.”
“And you can bet he isn’t a lieutenant any more!” declared Ben.
“Well, that explains some things, but it doesn’t explain how you
learned that he and Nat Poole attacked me,” said Dave. “Of course, I
imagined it might be them, but I wasn’t sure. I really didn’t think
they would go so far.”
“Nat says he was dragged into it. But, of course, that may be all talk.
Nat always did like to squirm out of a tight place,” went on Roger.
He then related how the money lender’s son had been in the great fight
and almost lost his life. His injuries had necessitated his being sent
to the hospital, and there, while in a fever, he had continually spoken
about Dave and of the attack on the young lieutenant.
“He went on so awfully that the nurse notified one of the doctors, and
he in turn called in an army officer. In his rational moments Nat was
closely questioned, and in the end he broke down and made a complete
confession.
“He said that he wanted to get square with you for the way he had been
treated, but he had not imagined that Gebauer would go so far. He had
struck you once, but it was only a light blow, and Gebauer had given
you the crack that almost finished you. And he insisted that it was
Gebauer who rolled you into the opening of the mine. He said he was
scared at this, and remonstrated, but Gebauer would not listen to him.
He even made a search for your body, but, of course, did not find it.
He said he was terribly worried, and I shouldn’t wonder but what that
was so.”
“It was a dastardly thing to do!” declared Dave. “And I am glad that
both Gebauer and Nat have been caught. I guess each of them will get
what is coming to him without my making any charge against them.”
“I don’t know about that, Dave. Perhaps you’ll have to see headquarters
on that point,” answered Roger.
Of course all the others were glad to see our hero. Captain Obray came
up to shake hands, and so did Frank Andrews and a number of the other
fighting engineers. All had their stories to tell, and all praised Dave
greatly for what he had accomplished at the German headquarters and
during the fight when he was trying to get back to the American lines.
“The authorities won’t forget you for what you have done,” said Captain
Obray. “It was simply great, and I congratulate you with all my heart.”
The captain himself had done some wonderful work during the last great
advance by the Americans, leading a wire-cutting detachment in person
over a stretch of territory where the bullets and shrapnel were flying
freely. For this the captain received special mention and was, later
on, advanced to the position of major of engineers.
Dave, of course, had been reported as missing, but now his name was
placed back on the roll. He lost no time in sending long letters to the
folks at home, acquainting them with what had taken place.
Awaiting him was a bunch of letters from his father and his sister, as
well as from Jessie, and these, my readers may rest assured, he read
with great eagerness.
“Dear, dear folks at home!” he murmured to himself, after he had read
one of Jessie’s letters a second time. “How glad I am that this war is
almost over. I’ll be mighty glad to get back to them once more!”
* * * * *
And now let us pass over a period of some months and then bring this
tale of Dave Porter’s war activities to an end.
As our hero had remarked, the war was almost over. Deserted by her
allies and beaten back on the fields of battle, Germany could hold
out no longer, and so begged for an armistice, which, when granted,
was so severe in its terms that its acceptance was equal to Germany’s
complete surrender. She gave up her entire navy, the second largest in
the world, abandoned all the territory she had invaded, and in addition
allowed the United States and the Allies to occupy a large portion of
her own country along the Rhine.
“It’s a complete collapse,” was the way Dave expressed himself when
this had taken place; and the young lieutenant was right. The signing
of the armistice was followed some time later by the opening of the
real peace negotiations.
And while all these things were taking place something occurred to
make our hero’s heart bound with pleasure. He was cited for special
bravery in obtaining the maps and the documents from the German field
headquarters, and also for his daring in the fight which had followed
during his endeavor to get back to the American lines. For these deeds
he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, and a little later
obtained a commission as a full-fledged captain of engineers.
“Dave, I congratulate you!” cried Roger, when he heard this news.
“And so do I,” added Phil. “And you deserve it, Dave, indeed you do!”
It may be added here that our hero was not the only one to obtain
promotion. For their heroic work in road building and in cutting wire
entanglements under heavy fire, both Roger and Phil were given medals
and made lieutenants, while Ben became a sergeant and Shadow and Buster
corporals.
“And now I’ve got to congratulate you fellows,” said Dave to Roger,
Phil, and the others. “I tell you, old Oak Hall can be proud of this
bunch!”
“That’s what!” answered Phil.
“What a shame Nat Poole had to act the way he did,” said Ben. “He’s the
one bad egg in the basket.”
It may be added here that later on, when he had recovered from his
illness, Nat Poole was dishonorably discharged from the army, and went
back home a sadder if not a wiser young man. Max Gebauer was tried for
his various misdeeds, and found guilty and sentenced to a long term in
prison.
“I hope Nat has learned his lesson and turns over a new leaf after
this,” remarked Dave, on hearing this news. “In spite of what he has
done against me, I bear him no ill will.” Later still he heard that Nat
had obtained a position as a traveling salesman for a hardware house
and was doing his best to make good in that capacity.
It was a great day for the young engineers when they set sail for home.
Other engineering units had come to France and were at the front,
and it was felt that those who had gone through so many thrilling
experiences had done all that could be asked of them.
“Home, sweet home, for me!” sang out Phil. “I never did think America
could mean so much to me!”
“It’s the best of all the places in which to live,” answered Dave. “The
very best!”
The home-coming was one long to be remembered. Jessie was at the depot
to greet Dave, and as soon as he alighted from the train she fairly
rushed into his arms.
“Oh, I hope you never have to go to another war, Dave--never!” she
cried, as he held her close.
“Well, I’m hoping, Jessie, that this war will prove to be the last
one,” he answered.
Roger, as well as Ben, had come on to Crumville with Dave, and the
greeting the senator’s son received from Laura was equally cordial,
while Ben was not forgotten by his folks and the others.
Dave kissed his sister several times and shook hands with his father
and his Uncle Dunston, and all finally got into the two Wadsworth
automobiles and drove to the mansion.
Here Mrs. Wadsworth awaited them, and kissed Dave over and over again,
and Mr. Wadsworth shook hands heartily. And there, too, was old Caspar
Potts, his eyes full of a kindly sympathy which could not be mistaken.
“My Davy! My Davy!” he murmured over and over again. “I knew you would
do it! Oh, Davy, how proud I am of you!”
“And just to think--it’s Captain David Porter now!” cried Uncle
Dunston. “Some pumpkins for this family, I do declare!”
“And Lieutenant Morr--don’t forget that!” added Laura, her face
beaming.
“And it’s Lieutenant Lawrence, too,” said Roger.
“Why didn’t he come along?” questioned Mr. Porter.
“Oh, he had a date with Belle Endicott. She and her folks came all the
way from Montana to New York City to greet him.”
That night there was a great celebration at the Wadsworth mansion, many
friends dropping in to greet Dave and Roger and congratulate them on
their promotions. Of course, the young captain and the young lieutenant
were in their new uniforms and Dave even wore a new wrist-watch his
father gave him to replace the one lost in France, and if Jessie and
Laura felt very proud of their fiancés, who can blame them?
The young engineers had to tell the particulars of many of the things
which had happened to them during the war and had even to show some of
the scars which had been inflicted.
“Oh, Dave, I am so very thankful that you didn’t come back minus an
arm or a leg!” cried Jessie. “I’m so very, very thankful! After this
whenever I meet a soldier who has been crippled I shall treat him with
the greatest consideration, for now I understand a little of what he
must have endured.”
“Yes, Jessie, they will deserve all the consideration you can give
them,” the young captain answered gravely. “They are the real
heroes--the fellows who will have to endure long after the shouting and
the excitement have died out.”
* * * * *
Some time later there was another gala affair at the Wadsworth mansion.
This was the occasion of a double wedding, when the beautiful Jessie
Wadsworth became the bride of Captain David Porter and the bewitching
Laura Porter paired off with Lieutenant Roger Morr.
At this double wedding Lieutenant Philip Lawrence was the best man for
Dave, and Sergeant Benjamin Basswood was the best man for Roger. Among
the bridesmaids was Belle Endicott, who had come all the way from her
home in the West to be present.
There was also present a large contingent from Oak Hall, including
Doctor Clay, the master, and Andrew Dale, his head assistant. Of course
Buster Beggs and Shadow Hamilton were on hand, as were also Luke
Watson, Sam Day, Bertram Vane, and some others of the old crowd.
The gifts to the brides were both numerous and costly, and both couples
received the heartiest congratulations of all present.
“We’ve got to do likewise pretty soon, Belle,” whispered Phil to the
girl from Montana, and at this she blushed and smiled. It was not long
after that when this couple was also married, a host of their friends,
including Dave and Roger and their wives, being present.
Dave and Jessie had already decided on where they were going to live.
Mr. Porter had purchased for them a beautiful house and grounds not far
from the Wadsworth mansion, and here they set up housekeeping and were
very happy.
Laura and Roger went to the old Morr homestead to live, the senator and
his wife at that time spending practically all their time in Washington.
Phil and Belle went to reside in Philadelphia, where the young shipping
master had most of his interests.
For Dave and Jessie and all their friends the future looked very rosy;
and here we will leave them and say good-bye.
THE END
DAVE PORTER SERIES
By EDWARD STRATEMEYER
12mo Cloth Illustrated $1.25 Net, each
“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 School Days 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
DAVE PORTER ON CAVE ISLAND
Or A Schoolboy’s Mysterious Mission
DAVE PORTER AND THE RUNAWAYS
Or Last Days at Oak Hall
DAVE PORTER IN THE GOLD FIELDS
Or The Search for the Landslide Mine
DAVE PORTER AT BEAR CAMP
Or The Wild Man of Mirror Lake
DAVE PORTER AND HIS DOUBLE
Or The Disappearance of the Basswood Fortune
DAVE PORTER’S GREAT SEARCH
Or The Perils of a Young Civil Engineer
DAVE PORTER UNDER FIRE
Or A Young Army Engineer in France
DAVE PORTER’S WAR HONORS
Or At the Front with the Fighting Engineers
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by
the publishers
Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co. Boston
_THE LAKEPORT SERIES_
By EDWARD STRATEMEYER
12mo Cloth Illustrated $1.25 Net, each
[Illustration]
“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
THE AIRCRAFT BOYS OF LAKEPORT
Or Rivals of the Clouds
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.