"That settles all. You are forgiven, and if Thompson dares to enter my door again I shall give him to the police." "But if he claims me and Tommy?" "You can refuse to accompany him. The law will protect you," replied Smithers. "Oh! my dear, dear husband," exclaimed Mrs. Smithers, smiling gratefully through her tears, "you are the best of men." "And with all your faults you are good enough for me," replied Smithers. Then peace was restored between them. Meanwhile Tommy sought his friend, Charley Barker, who was standing near an express wagon in the yard. "Here's fun," exclaimed Charley. "Father's got a body which is to go to England, and I'm to go with the expressman and see it on board the steamer. Have you ever been on board a liner?" "Never." "Wouldn't you like to go?" "I'll bet yer!" replied Tommy. "That settles it. We've got to hurry up, as the steamer sails this afternoon. It's the _Umbria_, of the Cunard line, and their docks are in Jersey City," said Charley. Tommy, boylike, was delighted at the chance of a little amusement of a novel nature, and waited with impatience for the appearance of the undertaker and the expressman, who at length came down the stairs with a handsome, polished, elm coffin. It contained the body of an Englishman, whose friends were desirous of having it sent to the old country, so that he might rest with his forefathers. "Hurry with this to the _Umbria_, Charley," said the undertaker. "Are you going along, Tommy Smithers?" "Yes, sir, if I may." "All right--up she goes." The coffin was put in the wagon, and the boys got up behind, while the driver said "Git up" to his team, and "rattled his bones over the stones" to the Cunard docks. When the steamer was reached, the steam was up, and, as usual on such occasions, the greatest confusion prevailed. The body was hoisted on deck, and the boys were permitted on board to see it safely stowed away; but once on the ship, they took advantage of the confusion to wander through the ship, being hugely pleased with all they saw. Suddenly a bell rang. "Ship off!" cried Charley. "Make haste--this way; we shan't get ashore if we don't look sharp." Friends were taking leave of friends, and passengers were rushing about in all directions. In the crowd Tommy was separated from Charley Barker, and, as might have been expected, from him, he took the wrong turning and got lost in the saloon. While he was trying to find his way out the gang-plank was drawn up, the cable slipped, and the huge ship began steaming down the bay. He had started on a voyage to England without intending it, and could not help himself. When he did reach the deck Jersey City was only visible in the distance, and the _Umbria_ was gradually leaving the Battery behind. The tears came to his eyes, and he exclaimed, "Charley! Charley!" But his call met with no response. The great ship steamed past Staten Island and into the upper bay without anyone taking any notice of Tommy.