An noon he came across a restaurant where “meals at all hours” were served, and he went in. The bill of fare was rather perplexing; for, though he had twenty-one dollars in his pocket, he was not inclined to spend it any faster than it was necessary to do so. “Baked Beans, 10 cents,” seemed to fit his case best; and he made his dinner of this substantial diet. He wandered about all the rest of the day, and went on board of the steamer about dark. He was tired after the day’s work, and the mate told him he might make his bed upon some bales of wool. He went to sleep; and his slumbers were so sound that he did not even know when the boat started. He did not wake till the steamer was fast to the wharf in New York. The sun was shining brightly when he turned out, and he had no suspicion that the boat had stirred from the place where she was the night before. “What time are we going to start?” asked Wade, when he saw the good-natured mate about his work. “Start? where do you want to go now?” replied the mate, who saw how it was with the passenger. “To New York. I thought you told me the boat would leave last night,” added Wade. “Well, she won’t leave again till to-night,” said the man, with a laugh. “You must have slept very sound, my lad, for the boat did start last night: we have been in New York more than an hour.” “Is that so?” exclaimed Wade, looking out at the forward part of the boat. “That’s so, my boy; and you must look out sharper than that in New York, or the swindlers will skin you alive.” “I guess I can take care of myself,” said Wade confidently. “I’m much obliged to you for looking out for me as you have, Mr. Mate.” “Take care of yourself, my boy: there are a great many bad places in a big city like this.” Wade Brooks went on shore. He was bewildered by the sights that met his gaze; and all he could do was to stare at the wonders that surrounded him. He walked till he thought it was about time for breakfast, and then he returned to a restaurant he had noticed near the steamboat-landing. The prices he saw posted at the door of the place suited him, and he went in. Fish-balls were only ten cents, with bread and butter: though he found the quantity was hardly up to his standard. He was not used to high living, and the quality was not so important to him. It was a good deal better than he had ever had at Obed Swikes’s. Opposite to him at the table sat a very seedy-looking man. He wore black clothes, and had worn them about out. He looked at Wade several times: he even seemed to be taking his measure. Like Wade, he was eating fish-balls; but he did not seem to enjoy the meal as did the boy from the country. “You are a stranger in the city,” said the man, after he had looked Wade over to his satisfaction. “Yes, sir: I got here this morning in the steamboat from Bridgeport,” replied Wade, who did not think it at all strange that the gentleman should speak to him. [Illustration: WADE AND THE “MISSIONARY.”--Page 113.]