the majority of
the company, who had reason and sense, looked on in indignation and
fear. The usual stopping places on the river were either recklessly
passed by, or only paused at, while, with indecent haste, passengers
were shuffled backwards and forwards at the risk of life and limb,
their baggage (or somebody's else) unceremoniously flung after them, the
panting, snorting engine in the meantime bellowing with rage at the
check thus unwillingly imposed upon its freedom.

Gertrude sat with her hand locked in Emily's, anxiously watching every
indication of terror, and endeavouring to judge from the countenances
and words of her most intelligent-looking fellow-travellers the actual
degree of their insecurity. Emily, rendered through her acute hearing,
conscious of the prevailing alarm, was calm, though very pale, and from
time to time questioned Gertrude concerning the vicinity of the other
boat, a collision with which was the principal cause of fear.

At length their boat for a few moments distanced its competitor; the
assurance of perfect safety was impressively asserted; anxiety began to
be relieved, and most of the passengers gained their wonted composure.
Emily looked pallid, and, as Gertrude fancied, a little faint. "Let us
go below, Emily," she said; "it appears now to be very quiet and safe."

Gertrude opened her travelling-basket, which contained their luncheon.
It consisted merely of such dry morsels as had been hastily collected
and put up at their hotel, in Albany, by Dr. Jeremy's direction.
Gertrude was hesitating which she could recommend to Emily, when a
waiter appeared, bearing a tray of refreshments, which he placed upon
the table.

"This is not for us," said Gertrude. "You have made a mistake."

"No mistake," replied the man. "Orders was for de blind lady and hansum
young miss. I only 'beys orders. Anything furder, miss?"

Gertrude dismissed the man with the assurance that they wanted nothing
more, and then, turning to Emily, asked, with an attempt at
cheerfulness, what they should do with this Aladdin-like repast.

"Eat it, my dear, if you can," said Emily; "it is no doubt meant for
us."

"But to whom are we indebted for it?"

"To my blindness and your beauty, I suppose," said Emily, smiling.
"Perhaps the chief steward, or master of ceremonies, took pity on our
inability to come to dinner, and so sent the dinner to us."

The sable waiter, when he came to remove the dishes, really looked sa