Frank was at once astonished and amused at the noise and confusion.
"What on earth do they all want ?" he asked Mr.Goodenough.
"The great proportion of them don't want anything at all," Mr.
Goodenough answered, "but have merely come off for amusement.

Some of them come to be hired, some to carry luggage, others to tout for the boatmen below.

Look at those respectable negresses coming up the gangway now.

They are washerwomen, and will take our clothes ashore and bring them on board again this afternoon before we start." "It seems running rather a risk," Frank said.
"No, you will see they all have testimonials, and I believe it is perfectly safe to intrust things to them." Mr.Goodenough and Frank now prepared to go on shore, but this was not easily accomplished, for there was a battle royal among the boatmen whose craft thronged at the foot of the ladder.

Each boat had about four hands, three of whom remained on board her, while the fourth stood upon the ladder and hauled at the painter to keep the boat to which he belonged alongside.