The Last Cruise of the Spitfire; or, Luke Foster's Strange Voyage

r & Co. were situated, was crowded with people. My uncle made such a show of what he was doing t

how of the poor boy," said Mr. Banker. "

usiness," snarle

le of natural meekness in his nature. He resented my

dious to me. I could fancy myself in a dark, damp cell, surrounded by criminals of every degree, awaiting a heari

more determined I became that I would

re now on the corner of Fulton Street, and to cross here was all but impossible. My uncl

ker, I'm off!" I c

se from my uncle's grasp, and was dashing

d out Mr. Banker after

m!" yelled my uncl

ed on all sides, and soon it seemed to me that I was being followed by at least

to be captured. I was a good block ahead, and by skillf

came in sight of the docks and the ferry slips. At one of the

hed into the ferry-house, paid the ferry fare, and in

fe from being followed. Once in Brooklyn there would

forward deck. But few people were on board, and quite undis

in answering it. I was half inclined to think that I had acted very foolishly in running away. N

sion of the cell, and I shuddered, and resolved, now I had undertaken to escape, to continue as I h

lection of the present, and in company with the other passengers I went ashore. I had something of a notion

ew the streets quite well. But fearful of being seen, I passed close

was forced to seek the shade. Close at hand was

of wood. I found a seat on some ends of planking in a cool corner

seemed to be going on in the lumber

was about to make my presence known, but their appearance was such tha

at she is fully insured?" a

well!" laughed the other. "You can bet

this cargo

s than a hundred thousand, I gue

ocker, somewhat slowly. "I can't pick up

ruck you right. Are

board now, and Mammy Brown hinted last nigh

gave a short

said the man called Lowell. "I've got to mak

t you

mber, not

I didn't understa

. Come and

nd headed for a saloon that

y lucid one, yet I was certain they were up to no good. One of them had spoken of making a thousan

ce. It seemed a pity to let the matter rest where it stood, but for the present I did not feel inclined to investigate

ond, a number of stately vessels rested at anchor, large and small, among which

and soon I walked out upon the en

pier!" called a burly watchman;

public, and walked out to one side of it. Here it w

without being noticed, I leaped into her. There was

r a moment I thought how pleasant a life on the ocean must be. Alas!

d within the last few hours. Early in the morning my mind had been free from care tha

could work my way in the world. But I was worried about clearing my fair name o

above me on the dock, and a w

he cried, on cat

I was not in a talkative humo

down there?" he went

ing m

w that that

and then jumped to my feet. "Excus

are you do

d bit to-day and I am tired. I'l

want the boat for a couple of hou

nk y

, but a sudden thought se

ked a good bit to-day

t's

of work and on th

'm out of work and as I can't pay to

mething before long. It's not plea

I must confess I gazed after him longingly. I war

mber of packing-cases on the pier, and walk away. I had not noticed them befor

me in a drowsy mood. My time was my own, and I felt in no humor to move away. I allo

ch, nearly precipitating me into the water. I tried to scra

this mean--" I be

ome back in

ms, and in five seconds I found myself a pr

could not. The bag was thick, and, being ti

as quickly gave up this idea. They would never treat me in this strange fashion, I fe

r craft. Then I was thrown on my back and something

ng for perhaps ten minutes or quarter of an hour. I trie

a voice cry. "You can't escap

nd I wondered if I had not been chloroformed when first assaulted. I was hoisted up by several

. I was on shipboard, with t

!" shouted a v

med up in front of me, and I was tumbled down into utter dar