"What shall I do!" cried she, so troubled that I felt very bad myself. "The steamer cannot have gone without me."
"She went more than half an hour ago," I added. "I suppose they thought you were on board."
"She will come back after you when they find you have been left behind."
"Why did she go so soon? They have always stopped three or four hours in a place."
"I suppose the boat had more business to do at other landings than here. She only stopped here for wood. She whistled and rang her bell half an hour before she started. Didn't you hear the whistle?"
"I did hear it, but not the bell, which I supposed was the signal to call the passengers. It was such a pretty place in the forest that I enjoyed it very much, and I did not think of such a thing as the steamer starting for several hours. The boat whistles so much that I am used to it, and don't heed it. What will become of me!"
"I don't think you need trouble yourself much about it. The steamer will come back as soon as they miss you," I continued, very much moved when I saw the tears starting in her eyes.
"Why, certainly they will," I protested, earnestly. "Won't you ride down to the landing?"
She glanced at the dirty wagon. She appeared to be tired after her long walk, and the invitation was a temptation to her; but the character of the vehicle did not please her. I had put a clean box on the wagon to contain the small stores I had purchased.
"You can sit on this," I added, pointing to the box.
"I don't think I can get into the wagon."
I jumped upon the ground, and placed the box near the vehicle, so that she could use it as a step. I did not understand the rules of gallantry well enough to offer to assist her when she really needed no assistance. She stepped upon the box, and, grasping one of the stakes, easily mounted the platform. I placed the box in the middle of the wagon, and she seated herself. I drove slowly to the landing-place, so that the motion of the rude vehicle might not disturb her.
"I am afraid they won't come back to-night," said she, as she strained her eyes in gazing up the river.
"Your friends on board would compel the captain to return; but he is a very good man, and I think he will be willing."
"But they may not miss me. There are very few passengers on board, and I have a state-room all to myself. I have been in it half the time, reading, and they may think I am there."