It was by no means hard work for Joe to wait for the gentleman; in the
bustle and confusion everywhere around him he found plenty to occupy
his mind, and, forgetting how hard he had. struggled to get the baggage
down there, he thought he had been particularly fortunate in being
assigned to the work.

The moments went by so fast that, when the last bell sounded, and Joe
heard the cry of "All ashore that's going," he could hardly believe it
possible that he had been on the boat more than an hour, waiting for
the gentleman and his sick friend.

" He's got to come pretty soon, or else his stateroom won't do him
much good," Joe said
to himself as he stood close by the gang-plank with the key in his
hand, ready to deliver it
without delay.

But although carriage after carriage was driven up just in time for its
occupants to get on the boat, Joe's employer did not come, and the boy
began to understand that, unless he made some decided move at once, he
would be carried away.

"He told me to look out for the baggage until he came; but I don't
s'pose he meant for me to go to Providence if he didn't come."

The sailors were pulling the gang-plank ashore, and Joe saw that his
time was indeed
limited. Since he had been ordered to care for the baggage until the
gentleman came, he
had no idea of leaving it on the steamer, neither did he propose to