e their own friends off. It was all excitement among
the passengers, and carriages kept coming and going.

Not so with the English officers and sailors of the "Majestic." They were
calm and ready for the homeward passage.

The last mail bag had been put aboard, and the receipts to the government
hurriedly signed. Mr. Searles had said good-bye, and last of all to
Colonel Harris. As the colonel went up the gangway, the bell rang and the
cries "All aboard" were given. For once, Colonel Harris felt a sense of
great relief to thus cut loose from his business, and take his first long
vacation, in twenty-five years from hard work.

"Now, I shall have a good time, and a much needed rest," he said. But
just as he stepped into the steamer's dining-saloon, Mr. Searles, who had
hastily followed, touched him on the shoulder and said. "Here, Colonel
Harris, is a telegram for you."

Harris quickly tore it open. It was from Wilson, his manager, and it read
as follows:--

Harrisville, June 9, 18--.
_Colonel Reuben Harris,
Steamer Majestic, New York_.

Our four thousand men struck this morning for higher wages. What shall
we do?

B.C. Wilson.

Harris was almost paralyzed. His wife and daughters ran to him. The
steamer's big whistle was sounding. All was now confusion. There was only
a moment to decide, but Harris proved equal to the situation. He stepped
to the purser, surrendered his passage ticket, kissed his wife and two
daughters, saying to his son, "Alfonso, take charge of the party as I go
back to Harrisville."

Gertrude, insisting, accompanied her father, and remained ashore. On the
dock stood Colonel Harris, Gertrude, and Mr. Searles, all three waving
their white handkerchiefs to Mrs. Harris, Lucille, Alfonso, and Leo. What
a bad send-off!

The best laid schemes o' mice an' men,
Gang aft a-gley,
And leave us nought but grief and pain,
For promised joy.

The Harrises on the steamer, and the Harrises on the pier had heavy
hearts, especially Colonel Harris and Gertrude so suddenly disappointed.
It was soon agreed that the three should start that evening for
Harrisville.

CHAPTER IV

ABOARD THE S.S. MAJESTIC

Mrs. Harris was naturally a brave woman, but the telegram, and the sudden
separation perhaps forever from her husband and Gertrude, unnerved her.
She sank back into an easy chair on the steamer, murmuring, "Why this
terrible disappointment? Why did I not turn back with my hus