"Well, sir, I think I have very good reason to be so," returned Henry;
"for I have lain about this boat, like a dead dragoon, for three days,
in suspense."
"You don't say so!" responded Uncle Nathan, with interest. "When did
they tell you they should start?"
"The captain said in about ten minutes," answered Henry, with a smile.
"Good gracious! he told me the same thing!" said Uncle Nathan,
astonished at the coincidence.
"But I knew he lied, when he said so; yet the boat seemed full of
passengers, and I did not expect to wait so long."
"Don't you think they will get started to-morrow?"
"I cannot venture an opinion, having been so often deceived. The captain
is trying to get a freight of soldiers on deck. The city is full of them
now, returning to their respective states."
"Then he has taken me in most outrageously," said the New Englander,
with emphasis.
"A very common occurrence, sir," replied Henry, who now explained to his
companion some of the tricks of Western steamboat captains.
"Is there no remedy?" asked Uncle Nathan, anxiously.
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