Hatchie, the Guardian Slave; or, The Heiress of Bellevue. Warren T. Ashton

some appearance of indignation on his honest features. The worthy officer very coolly informed him that, owing to the non-arrival of the mail, he should be unable to get off till the next morning.

      Uncle Nathan uttered a very peculiar "O!" and, seemingly perfectly satisfied with this explanation, asked to be shown his berth. The captain consulted the clerk, and the clerk consulted the berth-book, which conveyed the astounding intelligence that the berths were all taken!

      "All taken!" exclaimed Uncle Nathan, aghast. "Haven't I paid for one?"

      The gentlemanly clerk acknowledged that he had paid for one, and kindly offered him a mattress on the floor, assuring him that there would be plenty of berths after the boat got off.

      Uncle Nathan did not see how this could be, and was informed that many berths taken were not claimed.[1]