Porkington Hamm and the Lost Gold: Porkington's World, #4

By M. M. Rodeheaver

From the award-winning author of Porkington Hamm:

 

"It looks like a map." Porkington's eyes widened. "A treasure map!"

 

Porkington needs extra cash. He wants to leave the winter weather behind.

 

When he discovers an old treasure map – and is offered a free plane ticket to New Mexico – his search for gold begins.

 

But out in the wilderness, you're just a part of the food chain. Porkington doesn't trust the crew from Hector's Happy Trails, especially the mysterious One-Eyed Jack. And did someone mention snakes?

 

With all the danger the high desert holds, will Porkington make it home alive?

 

Hit the trail with Porkington Hamm and Duncan the donkey in Porkington Hamm and the Lost Gold, book 4 in Porkington's World.

 

Enjoy these other great books by M. M. Rodeheaver:

 

Porkington Hamm

Life is a struggle for Porkington after he's transformed from a piglet to a person. But someone is stalking him, and when his friends leave town Porkington finally meets his mysterious enemy. Book 1 in Porkington's World

 

Porkington Returns

Swinson has a secret. He left a brother behind, and now his brother's life is threatened. Porkington and Swinson embark on a daring rescue mission. Book 2 in Porkington's World

 

Bonny's Debut

Bonny can't wait to be independent - until Porkington and Swinson leave her alone for the summer. Can she get by with a little help from her friends? Book 3 in Porkington's World

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pares Forma Press
• Release date: Jul 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9781737020301

Book preview

Chapter 1.

Books

Porkington Hamm left Mugsy’s Café and crossed the street toward City Park. He hurried past the tall, silent fountain where slender icicles hung frozen in the act of dripping from tier to tier. The water pump had long ago been switched off and drained, and now the basin was filled with a dusting of snow.

Snowflakes gathered at the edges of the sidewalk, and the warmth from the kitchen where Porkington worked was quickly whipped away by the frigid February wind. The icy air made his small eyes water. He tugged his wool fedora down tighter over his floppy ears, and snugged the plaid scarf a little higher on his face to shield his round nose. By the time he reached the great limestone and marble building and pulled open the tall door he was chilled to the marrow.

It was warm in the basement of City Library where the fossils were hard at work. The Friends of City Library, or F.O.C.L, busily sorted books donated for the used book sale scheduled for the middle of the month. A large banner decorated with hearts and cupids stretched across one wall of the basement proclaiming February is Library Lover’s Month.

Porkington looked around for his friend and roommate, Swinson McHoag. Since Swinson’s promotion last fall he was busier than ever. The book sale was Swinson’s pet project, and he really wanted to make it a success. The more money they raised, the more new books they would be able to buy for the library. He was glad to have so many volunteers to help out.

Still snowing out? Swinson asked as Porkington shrugged off his coat and brushed the snowflakes from the top of his hat.

Just a few flurries, but it is getting colder. I almost froze my ears off. Which wouldn’t be so bad. Porkington was embarrassed by his large ears. Where would you like me to help, Swin?

Over here with the travel books. They’re all in a jumble and we need to get them sorted. He hoisted a box of books off the floor and unloaded them onto a long table.

Here are a couple of books on Alaska. Bonny, Swinson’s ward, placed two books on the table and gave Porkington a hug. Hi, Popo. When did you get here?

Just now. And you must have gotten out of school early!

I finished the test in under an hour, so they let me go.

How’s it coming with the picture books, Bonny? Swinson asked.

Great. I think they’re done. I was going to look at the foreign language books and see if I could find something for my Spanish project at school. I really need an A on it to keep my grades up. Bonny started toward another table but someone called her from across the room.

Bonny! Over here, please. It was Christine, the head of the fossils. We need your strong arms to lift these boxes.

Here I come.

Bonny’s been such a big help, Swinson said looking after her.

Alaska, Porkington said, putting the books Bonny had brought at the front of the U.S. section. That’s the last place I want to be right now. I’m feeling restless again, Swin.

You and your wanderlust!

But only for someplace warm, Porkington added quickly.

It may be winter here, but it’s summertime for half the globe. Pick a place!

Porkington laughed. You make it sound so easy.

Easier for you than me, Swinson said. With all the time I spent in training last summer, I won’t be able to take time off until a year from now.

He pulled a worn old pocket-size book out of the box, examined the cover, and handed it to Porkington. Here you go. How about New Mexico?

Hey, Tom and Beth are taking some students there over spring break. Something to do with Beth’s solar energy projects, and Tom is going along to help. Porkington glanced at the book. If you don’t mind I’ll take this to them. Maybe they can use it. How much do you want for it?

As beaten up as that is, I doubt we could even sell it. Take it as payment for helping get ready for the sale, Swinson said.

Porkington stuffed the book in his coat pocket, and continued sorting books until closing time.

Chapter 2.

Opportunity

As Swinson set the table in their dining room a short while later, Porkington lifted the lid on his crockpot and stirred the hearty soup inside. It had been simmering since early that morning, and was fragrant and ready to eat.

Bonny ran to the living room to answer a knock at the door, and led Tom and Beth into the kitchen. A loaf of bread was tucked under Tom’s arm, and Beth carried a pie. A can of whipped cream stuck out of the large purse slung over her shoulder.

Tom Major was Porkington’s oldest friend. He was the one who had brought Porkington home from the swine barn in City University’s animal science department. He had planned to return him eventually. But after Tom’s friend Morty slipped young Porkington a dose of experimental human stem cell serum, the piglet rapidly grew into a person and there was no turning back.

Swinson and Bonny had both received injections of another experimental serum at another university before the test program was stopped. Now the three piglets-turned-human lived together as a family.

Thanks for asking us over for dinner, Tom said handing Porkington the warm loaf. Something smells good.

"Something does smell good. Bonny took the pie from Beth and inhaled the aroma. Pumpkin! My favorite."

Of course. After all, this is your celebration dinner. Congratulations on being accepted into City University. Tom and Beth both worked at the university, and were delighted that Bonny had decided to go to college there. She would graduate from the City School for the Arts in a few months, and hoped to start at the university in the fall.

Now all I have to worry about is how I’m going to pay for it, Bonny said. Did you bring me the information about those scholarships?

You just reminded me. Beth pulled some papers out of her bag. Here are sample applications, and there are more online. You mostly have to fill in the blanks, and then you’ll need a couple of recommendation letters. Maybe Porkington can help you put your packets together, since Swinson is so busy.

Will you Popo? Bonny asked.

Of course, he said at once. Porkington and Swinson were both proud that Bonny had been accepted at the university. They just had to find a way to pay for it.

The group of friends enjoyed their delicious hot soup. Outside the cold wind beat against the old apartment building. As Porkington and Bonny carried dirty dishes to the kitchen, Porkington peered out the window into the darkness. Snowflakes swirled against the window pane.

At the table Swinson talked about preparations for the book sale at the library. Here are some flyers about the sale, he said, and gave a stack to Tom and Beth. Maybe you can hand them out around the university.

Give me another stack, Beth said. I’ll make sure Gloria and Melody get some.

That reminds me, Porkington said. We were sorting through travel books this afternoon and found something you and Tom might be interested in. He went to his coat which hung on a peg near the door, rummaged in the pocket, and handed a slim volume to Beth. You’re still taking a group of students to New Mexico over spring break, aren’t you?

Beth nodded. We’ll be doing some research and working on that solar energy installation outside of White Oak. I’ve promised myself a couple of days of sight-seeing too, since we’re going all the way out there. This book looks interesting. And old! Tom leaned closer to watch as she turned the pages.

Will the students all have to speak Mexican while they’re there? Porkington asked.

Bonny put her hands on her hips and looked at Porkington. Popo, you do know New Mexico is in the United States, right? And anyway, it would be Spanish, not Mexican.

Of course. I knew that, he said. Actually, he didn’t know that. His face turned red and he tucked his chin toward his chest. Well, they speak English in New England, he mumbled. It wasn’t that dumb of a question.

Porkington had been mostly self-taught, which meant he didn’t have the best of teachers.

It’s okay, Porkington, Tom said. I should have given you a better education.

A lot of places in New Mexico have Spanish names, Beth added, reading some of them out of the guidebook. Tijeras. Placitas. Los Cerrillos.

I’ve been learning a lot about the history of the Southwest in Spanish class, Bonny said. Did you know that Spanish people first settled in New Mexico in 1598? That’s over twenty years before the pilgrims got to New England in the Mayflower. It makes sense that a lot of the names of towns and rivers and mountains and things are in Spanish.

Of course, the indigenous peoples of the Southwest had names for all those places long before the Spanish people came along, Beth reminded her.

What will the weather be like when you’re out there? Porkington asked. Warmer than here, I hope?

Probably in the low seventies in the daytime. Beth said.

Porkington liked the sound of that. It sure would be nice to get away for a few days, especially to someplace warmer than here.

Travel with us! Beth said. She looked at Tom, who nodded.

You should, Tom agreed. You don’t have to go out in the field with us, you could stay in White Oak, or go to Santa Fe.

Porkington looked at Swinson. What do you think?

Don’t look at me, pal, Swinson said. "After