of deck hands and dock hands, the _Panama_ came to rest. After considerable
delay the gangplank was placed. The passengers began to disembark, facing
the din much as they would have faced the buffeting of a strong wind. This
was the cream of the entertainment for which the crowd had gathered; for
which, indeed, the Sherwoods had made their excursion. Each individual
received his meed of comment, sometimes audible and by no means always
flattering. Certainly in variety both of character and of circumstance they
offered plenty of material. From wild, half-civilized denizens of
Louisiana's canebrakes, clinging closely to their little bundles and their
long rifles, to the most polished exquisites of fashion they offered all
grades and intermediates. Some of them looked rather bewildered. Some
seemed to know just what to do and where to go. Most dove into the crowd
with the apparent idea of losing their identity as soon as possible. The
three magnificent hacks were filled, and managed, with much plunging and
excitement, to plow a way through the crowd and so depart. Amusing things
happened to which the Sherwoods called each other's attention. Thus a man,
burdened with a single valise, ducked under the ropes near them. A paper
boy happened to be standing near. The passenger offered the boy a fifty-
cent piece.

"Here, boy," said he, "just carry this valise for me."

The paper boy gravely contemplated the fifty cents, dove into his pocket,
and produced another.

"Here, man," said he, handing them both to the traveller, "take this and
carry it yourself."

One by one the omnibuses filled and departed. The stream of passengers down
the gangplank had ceased. The crowd began to thin. Sherwood gathered his