True to the prophecy of the sailor the boat drew alongside a dock within
the half-hour. Again assuring themselves that the vessel would not depart
within six hours, the boys at once leaped ashore and started together up
the wide street upon which they now found themselves.
There were low buildings on each side and to their surprise the boys were
soon aware that many people were moving about the street although it was
not yet three o'clock in the morning. Among these strangers they noticed
numbers of Indians. This fact, together with the decorations of many of
the buildings which were to be seen, indicated that either a festival or
a holiday of some kind had been celebrated the preceding day, or that the
city was preparing for some event of importance.
"We didn't pay the captain anything for bringing us up here," suggested
John, as he and his companion slowly walked up the street.
"That's right," said Fred. "Besides," he added hastily, "I haven't a cent
of money in my pocket, have you?"
"Not in these pockets," laughed John, whose spirits now had returned.
"We'll have to go back and get some money if we are going to get any
breakfast."
"But I haven't any money in my other pockets," said Fred ruefully.
"And I haven't either," added John laughing as he spoke. "I didn't think
we would want any money yesterday so I didn't take any with me."
"My mother would say that this is another good lesson. She says I am all
the while out of money and I ought to have enough with me to provide for
what I want."
"That's the difficulty," said John. "It isn't so much getting the money
as it is keeping it. But this is no joke, Fred. Neither of us has any
money and I don't believe up here even at Sault Ste. Marie they will give
us something to eat unless we pay for it."
"I put my watch in my pocket," said Fred. "I don't see anything for us to
do except to hock that."
"Maybe some fellow that keeps a restaurant will take it as security and
hold it until we can redeem it."
"We'll try that," said Fred quickly. "I wish we could find some place
open now."
"Perhaps we can, there are so many people on the street," said John.
"Come on let's go further on and try it."
In accordance with John's suggestion the boys walked rapidly up the
street and soon to their delight they discovered a restaurant which
evidently was being patronized at that early hour. Several people could
be seen seated at the small tables within the room, and, encouraged by
the sight, the boys at once entered.
At the cashier's desk a woman was seated, but evidently she had been
there throughout the night. There were moments when her head nodded and
she plainly was greatly in need of sleep.
At once approaching her Fred said, "We have been unfortunate."
"I'm afraid you're not the only ones," said the woman sitting quickly
erect as she heard the unexpected statement.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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