_Same as in Act III., with the addition of a hammock slung near the wheel-house, containing the baby. Enter_ MARY _from the wheel-house with a small sailor hat and reefer on. She takes them off, and lays them on a chair as she talks._ MARY. Here we are at last, safe at New Orleans. I wish I could hear from Washington; and why _don’t_ I hear from William? I sent home the last money I had saved up, and I shall have no more if they take the boat away. I can’t give her up! And I can’t do anything else to earn a living. This is my business—my life. (_Enter_ PHUS, L.) PHUS. Oh, mis’! Pats he say he won’t help unload de boat; an’ I can’t get nobody to help, as you tole me. Dey all say dey won’t be bos’ by no woman. MARY (_sighs_). Well, Phus, _you’re_ willing to work for me, ain’t you? _You_ won’t leave your mistress, will you? PHUS. Neber! No, mis’! I allus work for you an’ de cap’n an’ de baby. Hank, too, he stay. He ben hawlin out de cargo like sixty. He say wimmin good ’nough for him. He ruther be cook to wimmin bos’; cos dey knows more ’bout de fixin’s, an’ dey neber sez, “darn dat stuff.” MARY. Phus, you run and tell Patsy he can go. He’s all paid up; and I don’t want him any more. And, here! take my reefer and hat down into the cabin. I shan’t want them at present. PHUS. Yes, mis’. (_He goes out_, R.) MARY (_swinging the hammock gently_). Must I leave my happy home, where I came a bride? (_Leans over the baby_) My baby’s birthplace? Why! I love every timber in this tight little steamboat. She is as dear to me as one of the biggest houses on the river is to the fine lady who lives in it. PHUS (_re-entering_). Oh, mis’! Pats he say he _will_ go wid you up riber a piece, to where he woman lib, an’ get off dar. MARY. Very well. I’ll see him by and by; but I don’t know as I shall want him. Oh! if my license would only come! PHUS. You licens’, mis; wot’s you licens’? MARY (_sadly_). Why, Phus, I have asked the big men at Washington to give me a license; same as the other river-captains have. PHUS (_whimpering_). Oh, Lor’, mis, bress de Lor’! I hope it’ll cum. (_Sits on floor at_ R., _and sings softly_.) Bring ’long de licens’,—’Lijah cum down. (_Takes a book from his pocket, sits on floor at_ R., _and reads with a great deal of action_.) MARY (_looking at him_). Poor Phus! If the big men at Washington could only see me as he sees me, and know, as he knows, how well I can handle a boat, they would very soon say yes to my application. (_Enter_ MR. ROMBERG, L.) MR. R. Good-day, Mrs. Miller. I am sorry to be obliged to proceed against you, and ask you to deliver up your husband’s papers. _I_ might be willing to wait a little longer; but the other owners are not satisfied. They say that as you cannot get a captain’s license, some man must take the boat. MARY. Cannot get a captain’s license? How do you know that? I have applied for one; and am expecting every minute to hear from Washington.