had been
decided, and the steward expected him to take his things on shore. The
ex-waiter evidently had other views, for he kept out of sight until
after the boat had left the wharf.

When the steamer reached Plattsburg, Dory Dornwood went on shore. He
visited all the hotels in the place, and endeavored to obtain a
situation as a waiter, or as any thing else--he did not care what--by
which he could earn some money to help support the family. He could
obtain no situation, though he heard of a place a few miles out in the
country where a boy was wanted. Dory had no money,--not a penny; for his
father collected his wages. He decided to visit the place at once, so as
to be the first to apply for the position.

After he had walked a couple of miles, and had one more to go, he came
to a piece of woods through which the road extended. He began to feel
very tired, for he had done a day's work before he landed from the
steamer. It was now nearly eight o'clock in the evening. He had eaten no
supper, and not much dinner; for the events in the cabin had taken off
his appetite. With no money and no friends, he was not very clear as to
where his supper was to come from. The question of a lodging was
involved in quite as much doubt.

The weather was warm; and, if he was compelled to lodge in the woods, it
would not be the first time he had slept in the open air. Though he had
rather more than his fair share of pride, any farmer would give him a
meal of victuals for the asking. But just now he was tired, and he
wanted rest. He walked a short distance from the road, and seated
himself on a rock. It was not comfortable; and he stretched his body
upon the ground, which was covered with a clean carpet of fine needles.

Of course he could not help thinking of the great event of the day; and,
while he was considering it, he fell asleep. Possibly his slumber
continued an hour; and it might have continued another hour, or even all
night, if he had not been disturbed by footsteps near him. The nails in
the heel of a heavy boot grated upon a flat rock, and this was the noise
that awakened the tired sleeper.

Dory half rose from his reclining posture, and discovered a man moving
stealthily towards the road. He was creeping with the utmost care: and
probably the scraping of his boot against the rock had admonished him to
be more careful; at any rate he acted as though such were the case.

The seeker for a situation was wide awake as soon as