"You seem a leetle out o' sorts," returned Uncle Nathan, piqued at the coldness with which his intelligence was received.
"Well, sir, I think I have very good reason to be so," returned Henry; "for I have lain about this boat, like a dead dragoon, for three days, in suspense."
"You don't say so!" responded Uncle Nathan, with interest. "When did they tell you they should start?"
"The captain said in about ten minutes," answered Henry, with a smile.
"Good gracious! he told me the same thing!" said Uncle Nathan, astonished at the coincidence.
"But I knew he lied, when he said so; yet the boat seemed full of passengers, and I did not expect to wait so long."
"Don't you think they will get started to-morrow?"
"I cannot venture an opinion, having been so often deceived. The captain is trying to get a freight of soldiers on deck. The city is full of them now, returning to their respective states."
"Then he has taken me in most outrageously," said the New Englander, with emphasis.
"A very common occurrence, sir," replied Henry, who now explained to his companion some of the tricks of Western steamboat captains.