“Why, darn me if that a'n't himself!” cried the men; and they sung out three hearty cheers at the discovery.
“Were you there long, old fellow?” said Ben.
“About half an hour,” said I.
“Tarnation! and why did ye keep us a-waitin'? didn't you see the tide was on the ebb, and that Christy was making signals every five minutes or so?”
“I was waiting—waiting—”
“Waiting for what? I 'd like to know.”
“Waiting for my baggage,” said I, taking a long breath.
“An' it ain't come yet?”
“No; I 'm afraid they missed the road.”
“Be that as it may, master, I'll not stay longer. Come along without your kit, or stay behind with it, whichever you please.”