Then, again, if they did not throw him overboard, which he regarded as a possible contingency, what would he do at Liverpool without a friend or a cent in the world?
The more he thought over the situation the more grave did it appear.
He was standing nearly amidships on the side of the rope which divides the steerage and the saloon passengers.
It was no use to look imploringly at people who passed him; he was nobody's child, as it were.
The huge ship seemed like a town to him, it was so vast, and held such a number of people.
After a while the crowd on deck decreased, as the land receded from view, for everyone wished to put his state-room in order, and get ready for dinner.
They neared the Hook, Coney Island was on the left, and the Highlands of Navesink, vested in a blue mist, were lying gracefully on the right.
A slight swell began to be perceptible in the motion of the vessel, which showed that there was a stiff breeze and a rising swell in the Atlantic.
A bell rang. The deck was soon deserted by the few who had remained up to the last minute to enjoy the breeze and get an appetite for dinner.
A lad about sixteen came up to Tommy and exclaimed: