Up The Baltic Part 53

"We will take three places in one room," added the c.o.xswain.

"Have you pa.s.sports?" asked the clerk.

"No, sir."

"We cannot sell you tickets then."

"Not without pa.s.sports?" exclaimed Sanford, appalled at this new difficulty.

"No; and pa.s.sports must be _vise_ by the Russian consul before we can issue a ticket."

"We are down then," added the c.o.xswain. "My pa.s.sport is on board of the ship."

"So is mine," added Stockwell.

"And I never had any," said Ole.

The party left the steamer's office, and were unable to devise any means of overcoming the obstacle. They went to the Hotel Rydberg again, and consulted the porter, who had been very kind to them before. This functionary is entirely different in European hotels from those of the same name in the United States. He stands at the entrance, usually dressed in uniform, to answer all inquiries of guests, and to do all that is required of the clerks in American hotels. He a.s.sured the anxious inquirers that, even if they got into Russia, their pa.s.sports would be immediately demanded, and that no one could remain in any city there over night without one. The American minister in Stockholm would give them the required doc.u.ments.

"But Ole, here, is a Norwegian," suggested Sanford.

"No matter. Have him put into your pa.s.sport as your courier or servant."

"All right; we will see him to-morrow," replied the c.o.xswain; and the problem seemed to be solved.

The next day they went to the American legation, but the minister had gone to Upsala for a week, and the secretary declined to issue the pa.s.sports, because the boys could not prove that they were citizens of the United States. Vexed and discouraged, they wandered about the city till Friday noon, when an English steamer came into port. They stood on the quay, watching the movements of the pa.s.sengers as they landed.

They had almost concluded to take a steamer to Stettin, Lubeck, or some other port in Germany; but Russia was a strange land, and they were not willing to abandon the idea of seeing its sights.

"I wonder whether this steamer goes any farther," said Stockwell.

"I don't know," added Sanford.

"Perhaps she goes to St. Petersburg. It may be her officers are not so particular about the confounded pa.s.sports."

"But you can't stay in Russia over night without one, even if you get there."

"The American minister will fit us out with them. I expect to find a letter of credit in St. Petersburg, and that will prove that I am an American."

"Let us go on board of the steamer and ascertain where she is going,"

continued Sanford, as he led the way across the plank, which had been extended from the deck to the stone pier.

The boys went upon the hurricane deck, where they had seen an officer who looked as though he might be the captain.

"Do you go to St. Petersburg, captain?" asked the c.o.xswain.

"No; we return to London, touching only at Copenhagen," replied the officer.

"That's too bad!" exclaimed Stockwell.

"So it is," said a tall man, who had followed the runaways up the steps from the lower deck. "But you are not going to St. Petersburg without the rest of us--are you?"

Sanford was startled, and turning sharp around, saw Peaks, who had come out of the cabin as the boys stepped on board. He had followed them to the hurricane deck, and suspecting that something was wrong, he had waited till the c.o.xswain's question betrayed their intention.

"No, we are not going to St. Petersburg; we are waiting for the ship,"

replied Sanford, recovering his self-possession in an instant.

"O, you are? All right, then. But the last I heard of you was, that you were all on your way to Copenhagen to join the ship," added the boatswain.

"So we were, Mr. Peaks; but after we had taken breakfast at a station on the railroad, we went to have a little walk, and see something of the country. We thought we had time enough, but the train--confound it!--went off without us. We were terribly provoked, but we couldn't help ourselves, you know; so we made our way back to this city."

"I think you must have been very badly provoked," said Peaks.

"O, we were,--honor bright."

"But you thought you would go over to St. Petersburg before the ship arrived?"

"Certainly not; we had no idea of going to St. Petersburg."

"And that's the reason you asked whether this steamer was going there,--because you hadn't any idea of going."

"We know very well that we can't go to St. Petersburg without our pa.s.sports, which are on board of the ship," protested Sanford.

"Yes, I understand; but who is this?" asked Peaks, as he glanced at Ole.

"That's Ole Amundsen; don't you remember him?"

"I think I do. And he is on a lark with you."

"We are not on a lark. We have been trying with all our might to find the ship, for the last fortnight; and we are bound to do so, or die in the attempt," said Stockwell.

"And Ole has been with you all the time?"

"Yes, sir; we couldn't have done anything without him."

"And would have been on board the ship long ago, if you hadn't had him to speak the lingo for you."

"When we tell you our story, you will see that we have done our best to find the ship."

"I don't know that I care to hear any more of your story; it's too much story for me, and you can tell it to Mr. Lowington, who will be here by to-morrow, I think. Very likely you can take me to a good hotel."

"Yes, sir; we are staying at the Hotel Rydberg, which is the best in Stockholm."

"Heave ahead, then."

The runaways led the way.

"Do you talk the Swedish lingo, Ole?" asked the boatswain.