When, at six o'clock in the evening, the travellers went down to the boat, not a soul did they find on board. Seven o'clock came, but no Captain Pierce, no minion of his. Burr made inquiry of the agent, the tavern-keeper and others, without obtaining information concerning any of the missing men.
Much incensed, he and Arlington were compelled to lodge another night in the best bedchamber of the Green Tree.
III.
PILLARS OF SMOKE.
On the morning after their provoking delay, when the travellers again appeared at the boat landing, impatient to resume their voyage, Aaron Burr was in a mood not to be trifled with. It scarcely mollified his anger to discover on the deck of the boat the slippery crew that had disappointed him.
"Here we are, sharp on time," bawled Captain Pierce audaciously. "How soon do you want to start?"
Burr, stepping aboard the vessel, confronted his plausible employee, and said in a tone of stern reprimand:
"You will be of no use to me unless you obey orders to the letter. You make a bad beginning. Why were you not here twelve hours ago?"