"Yes, that would be a good idea, and then I'll not have to stop, and I can earn more."
As Nat was about to leave, the freight agent called to him:
"Where you going, Nat?"
"Home to get some supper for Mr. Miller."
"All right. See me when you come back. I have an errand for you, and I'll give you a quarter if you do it."
"Sure I will. What is it?"
"I want to send a message and some papers to a firm uptown. It's about some freight they're expecting, and the office is keeping open late on account of it. Now hurry home and come back, and I'll have the message ready for you."
Nat was soon back at the pier, with a lunch for Mr. Miller. Then, with the note and papers which the freight agent had ready for him, he started off uptown.
As he was on his way back from the errand, he walked slowly along the water front. He decided he would call at the pier and see if he could help Mr. Miller, so that his benefactor might get through earlier.
Nat reached a wharf some distance away from the one where he had been employed during the day. It seemed to be deserted, though there was a large vessel tied up on one side of it, and two barges on the other.