Just as she reached it a great covered wagon came lumbering down to the dock.
“Here she comes at last! Here’s the ‘Black Maria!’” cried the captain; then he gave some orders and at once all was activity.
Marion’s eyes were widely opened when she saw what followed, for there were fourteen prisoners in the “Black Maria,” two of the worst ones being handcuffed together.
In the quickest possible manner they were driven on to the boat, a guard standing at each side of the gangplank to keep them from jumping overboard.
As soon as they were all on, the order was given to start, and the boat was soon ploughing its way up the East River and among the craft that dotted the water.
“Is this a strange sight for you, miss?” asked a voice behind Marion.
The young girl turned quickly and confronted an elderly woman.
“It is, indeed,” said Marion promptly, “and it is about the saddest sight that I ever dreamed of,” she added.
“Are you a nurse?” asked the woman again in a courteous manner.
“Not yet,” answered Marion, “but I am accepted on probation. I am on my way to the Charity Hospital.”