They ran on, regardless of stitches and pains in the side; on along the river bank to where the concourse of people was gathered.

There was no great length of way between the Butter Cross and the harbour; in five minutes the breathless girls were close together in the best place they could get for seeing, on the outside of the crowd; and in as short a time longer they were pressed inwards, by fresh arrivals, into the very midst of the throng.

All eyes were directed to the ship, beating her anchor just outside the bar, not a quarter of a mile away.

The custom-house officer was just gone aboard of her to receive the captain's report of his cargo, and make due examination.

The men who had taken him out in his boat were rowing back to the shore, and brought small fragments of news when they landed a little distance from the crowd, which moved as one man to hear what was to be told.