the gold fields,
they say. I--I----" and he choked again.

"We can't stand here talking," said Mr. Adams. "We must catch that
steamer. Come along out with us, and we'll talk on the way."

Charley clung pickaninny fashion to the back of the yellow boatman, who
waded with him into the surf. This was great sport. Staggering and
slipping, and wet almost to his shoulders by a swell, the boatman
landed Charley in one of two canoes that were being held ready. Mr.
Adams was landed in the same way; so was young Mr. Motte. Into the
other canoe were plumped Mr. Grigsby and the baggage. The
canoes--larger and heavier than those other dug-outs used on the
Chagres--were swung about and pointed out for the steamer. The smoke
from her stacks seemed thicker, as if she was on the very point of
leaving her anchorage. Charley, anxiously gazing, imagined that he
could see her move! Oh, thunder! Were they to be left behind, after
all? It was a long way, yet, to the steamer, and although Mr. Adams
urged the two paddlers to hurry, the canoes appeared only to creep.

But line after line of surf they skilfully surmounted--first rising
high, then sliding down, down, upon the other side, to meet the next
line. Gradually the shore receded; the white and gray buildings of
Panama, set amidst bright green, against the background of great Ancon
peak, outspread wonderfully behind the ruined battlements of the old
wall that fronted the harbor. And the _California_, smoking as if to
bid "Hurry!" still waited. Gangway stairs were still lowered, down her
side; and Charley kept his eyes on these. If they were hauled in, then
that would be a bad sign. Meanwhile Mr. Adams talked with the young
man, who impressed Charley more and more as being honest. Mr. Adams
was convinced of the fact, also, for he said:

"All right. If they'll take us on the ship you can come along with us,
and welcome; can't he, Charley? If they won't, we'll see what else is
to be done."

Presently the black steamer loomed over. From her high rails hundreds
of faces were peering curiously down; and the captain himself, in
uniform, was standing at the head of the stairs. He did not look
pleased, as the two canoes reached the stairs.

"Hello!" he bawled. "You can't come aboard. What do you want?"

"We want to go to San Francisco," replied Mr. Adams.

"You can't do it, in this ship. We're full up. Stand clear; we're
pulling out." And Charley, to his dismay,