"If we can get one. Oh, how cold it is down here!"
The boys crept closer together for warmth, and with their heads on their knees tried to sleep; and after much turning and twisting, and grumbling at the hard seat, and shivering in the cold night air as it blew across the water, they at last fell asleep.
CHAPTER XIII.
ON BOARD THE "UNA."
It was broad daylight when the boys waked again, cold and cramped from their uncomfortable position, and they found the men beginning to stir about on the vessels at the wharf, washing the decks and overhauling rigging.
It was some time before Ralph and Ben could find courage to venture forth from their hiding-place.
"But it is no use to wait. We must go. Unless we can get away before the steamboat comes, we will have to skulk off and try another plan. Come on; I'll ask."
Dire necessity gave Ralph courage; and motioning Ben to follow, he went on the wharf and hailed the first man he saw: "Are you the captain of that ship?"
"It ain't a ship, sonny, and I ain't the cap'n by a long chalk. Why?"
"I wanted to know when you expect to sail."