I went directly to the captain of the boat and asked him if he could
carry me to the States. He said he should go as far as Ogdensburg, and
would carry me there, if I wished; or he could set me off at some place
where he stopped for wood and water. When I told him I had no money to
pay him, he smiled, and asked if I was a run-a-way. I frankly confessed
that I was, for I thought it was better for me to tell the truth than
to try to deceive. "Well," said the captain, "I will not betray you; but
you had better go to my state-room and stay there." I thanked him, but
said I would rather stay where I was. He then gave me the key to his
room, and advised me to go in and lock the door, "for," said he, "we are
not accustomed to have ladies in this boat, and the men may annoy you.
You will find it more pleasant and comfortable to stay there alone."
Truly grateful for his kindness, and happy to escape from the gaze of
the men, I followed his direction; nor did I leave the room again until
I left the boat. The captain brought me my meals, but did not attempt to
enter the room. There was a small window with a spring on the inside; he
would come and tap on the window, and ask me to raise it, when he would
hand me a waiter on which he had placed a variety of refreshments, and
immediately retire.
CHAPTER XII.
STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND.
That night and the next day I suffered all the horrors of sea-sickness;
and those who have known by experience how completely it prostrates the
energies of mind and body, can imagine how I felt on leaving the boat at
night. The kind-hearted captain set me on shore at a place where he left
coal and lumber, a short distance from the village of Ogdensburg. He
gave me twelve and half cents, and expressed regret that he could do no
more for me. He said he could not direct me to a lodging for the night,
being a stranger in the place, and this the first time he had been on
that route. Should this narrative chance to meet his eye, let him know
that his kind and delicate attentions to a stranger in distress, are and
ever will be remembered with the gratitude they so richly merit. It
was with evident reluctance that he left me to make my way onward as I
could.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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