“Hey? it does, does it? What d’ye mean, then?” she demanded, turning again upon Jock. “Then it was you that wanted to rob me! I’ll turn you over to the police, I vum I will!”
It was some time before it was explained that there was a little junction not far from the St. Lawrence which rejoiced in the same name as its larger sister in the adjacent state; but at last all was made plain, and covered with confusion Jock took his seat once more, hardly daring to look around upon his fellow-travellers, who evidently had been hugely enjoying the scene.
But the troubles were not yet ended. As the porter volunteered to make ready the old lady’s berth at once, the boys vacated their seats for their neighbor, who watched with evident consternation the preparations for the night.
The berths were speedily prepared, and then the porter said, “I’ll take your tickets, madam, and you can retire when you please.” As he took the slip the porter glanced once more at her in amusement as he said: “Yours is the upper berth, madam. Wait a moment and I’ll get the steps for you.”
“What!” exclaimed the excited woman. “Up there in that garret? Me? well, I guess not. Jerushy Jenkins don’t climb up into any sech hole as that! Not much; I’ll ride on yer old cow-catcher afore I’ll do that.”
“You may have the lower berth, madam,” said Jock, quickly. “I’ll be glad to give it up to you.”
“Ye will, will ye?” said Jerusha, suspiciously. “Well, I don’t know whether ye will or not. Do ye think it’s safe, perfectly safe?” she inquired of the porter.
“Yes, madam.”
At last the trembling traveller was mollified, and soon afterward all in the car were asleep. With the coming of the dawn our boys hastily dressed and soon were gazing out of the windows at the silver-like strips which here and there could be seen in the distance, and in a moment knew that they were drawing near to the waters of the majestic river, which already were reflecting the light of the coming day.