boxes that hour and a half, we were taken on board the steamer, which
had been lying off a little way from the shore, and then we commenced
our journey. Of course there was a good deal of exertion and care
necessary in getting the packages off from the shore on to the boat,
and I observed that any one with half an eye in his head might have
seen that the mental anxiety expended on that one box which was marked
by the small hole in the canvas far exceeded that which was extended
to all the other six boxes. "They deserve that it should be stolen,"
I said to myself, "for being such fools." And then we went down to
breakfast in the cabin.

"I suppose it must be safe," said Mrs. Greene to me, ignoring the fact
that the cabin waiter understood English, although she had just
ordered some veal cutlets in that language.

"As safe as a church," I replied, not wishing to give much apparent
importance to the subject.

"They can't carry it off here," said Mr. Greene. But he was innocent
of any attempt at a joke, and was looking at me with all his eyes.

"They might throw it overboard," said Sophonisba. I at once made up
my mind that she could not be a good-natured girl. The moment that
breakfast was over, Mrs. Greene returned again up-stairs, and I found
her seated on one of the benches near the funnel, from which she could
keep her eyes fixed upon the box. "When one is obliged to carry about
one's jewels with one, one must be careful, Mr. Robinson," she said to
me apologetically. But I was becoming tired of the box, and the
funnel was hot and unpleasant, therefore I left her.