Having never been a home guard, I did not know whether the man was playing a practical joke on me or was telling the truth, but I did not want to be detained there for several days, and I was inclined to believe what he said was the truth. However, I did not betray this fact. Instead, I laughed and remarked that I was not afraid; but all three of the men stoutly maintained that they had tried to do me a favor, and seeing that I appeared to take it as a joke, one of the men finally got angry and wished me all sorts of bad things, and said he hoped I would be arrested as soon as the boat landed. The cabin was filled with passengers, and soon it was the topic of conversation, and some thought I would be held, while others took the opposite side. Sitting almost in front of me was a well dressed man, whom, I noticed, had taken no part in the conversation, and he, catching my eye for a moment, winked at me and arose and left the cabin. Soon after I followed him to a deserted part of the boat. "I am a Philadelphia drummer," he said, "and don't know which side to stand on, but if you will go to the engine room, I will follow soon with a sample grip of cheap clothing, and you may pick out a cheap suit free of charge, if you will cut the buttons off your khaki coat and give them to me," and I readily agreed and the change was soon effected. Whether I was the victim of a practical joke or not, I have never learned, but if so, I was ahead of the game in the clothing by a long sight, for I had selected a good, warm suit. And now the strangest part of all, I had decided not to land in Southport. It was seventy-two miles to Georgetown, and bad walking in the sand, I was told. The more I thought of it, the sicker I became, and now what was I to do? Turn tramp? Never! Beating the trains would be infinitely preferable, and I would go back to Wilmington and do so. The boat landed and discharged the passengers, when, to everyone's surprise, I remained on board, and just what they thought I am unable to say. Quite likely the Philadelphia drummer thought the joke was on him, for I had told him I was so eager to get to Georgetown. Passengers returning to the city now filed on, and in a short time the boat cast off and headed for Wilmington. On the return trip I noticed I was charged twenty-five cents more than when coming down, and I supposed the home guards were allowed this discount. We landed in Wilmington just after dark. My lodging, breakfast and dinner had deprived me of seventy-five cents, and the trip to Southport had cost $1.25, which left me the sum of $2.00, but I had no occasion to regret my trip down the river, for as a result I was now wearing an early spring suit. All of my fond hopes of reaching Jacksonville easily were now cast to the ground. Gathering up my bundles and the khaki suit, I made my way on shore. CHAPTER II.