"'You don't look as though you had been brought up to such business as this,' said my new friend, scrutinizing me closely by the bright moonlight which shone in our faces. 'Are you sure now you didn't run away from home?'"
"'I did! I did!' I exclaimed, with a fresh burst of tears. 'And now I would give all the world to get home again!'"
"'Why don't you go, then?' was the natural question."
"'I have no money, and they watch me so closely that I have no chance to run away. They treat me dreadfully. I have not had anything to eat before, to-day.'"
"'What is your captain's name?' asked the stranger."
"I told him, and he shook his head."
"'You have got into a bad box, my lad. There is not a more desperate set on the whole canal.'"
"'Hallo, George!' shouted my tormentor from the boat. 'What are you about! Stop talking and mind your business!'"
"This admonition was accompanied with more threats and oaths than I care to repeat."
"'I dare not say any more now,' said I; 'but if you wish to save my life, write to Mr. George Stanton at H—, Massachusetts, and tell him that his son George is on the canal-boat Diamond, and cannot get away. Tell him I told you to say so; and oh! Do write at once, or it will be too late to do any good.'"