The scene he had witnessed while he was waiting for the _Lycoming_ to get into her pier was reënacted now, though with this difference. The throng that awaited the arrival of the _Lycoming_ was composed almost wholly of native Americans, and mostly of people of means and culture. They were quiet and self-contained. The crowd Willie saw now was largely made up of Greeks, Italians, Syrians, Turks, Armenians, and other strange peoples from strange lands. It was an interesting, picturesque crowd, and Willie was glad of a chance to see all these foreigners at such close quarters. But what a difference there was in their behavior! “My gracious!” thought Willie. “You might think there was a fire, or at least a prize-fight going on, the way they talk.” It was no wonder Willie was so amazed at the manner of conversation he now beheld. Such violent gestures, such excited explosive speech, he had never before witnessed. He could hardly believe that anybody could converse in that way except under stress of violent emotion. Yet what he saw now was hardly a circumstance to what he saw later, when the boat was docked, and these foreign folks were greeting their compatriots from far lands. But at first Willie had eyes for nothing but luggage. He had delivered his letter to Mr. Henderson, and found Mr. Easterly; and with him, he took up a position where he could watch the incoming baggage put ashore. Interesting enough was the manner of its delivery. Huge slings or nets made of rope were lowered into the hold, by a long derrick arm. The nets were filled with trunks and bags and boxes and bales. Then the donkey engines rattled and up through the open hatchways came the laden slings. A moment the loads dangled in air, while the cumbersome derrick arms swung round. Then the slings were lowered to the decks. Strong hands threw back the nets and, lifting the contents, sent trunk after trunk, box after box, and bundle after bundle, down an inclined conveyor to the pier, where gangs of freight handlers stood in line, with hand trucks, to wheel each piece of baggage to the proper place on the pier.