Plebes were not supposed to hire boats, but they can very easily manage it if they have only the money. There was one lying in a designated and secluded nook for them, and a few minutes later the Seven were out in the middle of the river. The old tub was nearly under water with the load, but there was no one willing to stay and wait for a second trip. That of course excludes the frightened Indian, who was clutching the gunwale and gazing at the gurgling black waters in mortal terror.
Poor Indian’s peace of mind was not added to by the remarks he heard passed round. He was the heaviest in the crowd, and the cause of all the trouble. If the boat began to sink, over he’d have to be thrown! He was a regular Jonah anyhow. Dewey wondered if there were any whales in the Hudson, b’gee. He heard a story, b’gee, etc. Indian wouldn’t sink anyhow, for he was too fat; and therefore there wasn’t the least bit of reason for his moaning in that way. That only brought the sharks around.
This kept up all the way across. The boat grated on the beach just as Dewey was observing that Indian, in his full dress was such a heavy swell that it was a wonder he hadn’t swamped them, and that the reason it was called full dress was because it was so full of Indian. Then the crowd clambered out and made their way up to the road on which Grace Fuller’s house was known to be.
There were not many people about at that time of night, but the few there were stared in unconcealed amazement at that strangely accoutered group.
That did not tend to make them feel any more at ease, for they were desirous of attracting as little attention as possible.
Mark soon discovered that they had made a blunder which was destined to cause them quite some inconvenience. In order to have as short a row as possible, they had headed straight across the river and landed north of Garrisons. Grace Fuller’s home lay below the town. The result was that the seven masqueraders found themselves under the unpleasant necessity of passing completely through it in order to reach their destination.
The class of persons who hang about the streets at eleven o’clock at night are not the very best. The plebes soon discovered that all the young hoodlums of the place were apparently abroad and waiting for a chance to annoy some one. It is needless to say that many comments, more or less witty, more or less loud and coarse, were passed upon our queerly dressed friends.
To Mark this was a cause of no little alarm. He wished himself anywhere on earth except upon those streets. For he knew the excitable temper with which his wild Texas friend was blessed, and he feared a volcanic eruption any moment. Mark could restrain Texas up to a certain point; beyond that point a regiment of soldiers could not stop him.
They were passing at one time a saloon toward the lower end of the town. It was the lower part in more senses than one, ill-smelling and generally unpleasant. In front of this saloon three or four young fellows were lounging. No sooner did they catch sight of the plebes than instantly there was a cry.
“Hey, fellers! Come out an’ see de guys! Gee whiz, what togs!”