And I stood in wonder and delight.
As I left the dock for my walk I had observed the name _Illinois_ on a boat that had all the appearances of being brand new.

I walked leisurely toward the dock so as to avoid the touters as much as possible while I was overlooking the boat.

I liked it, but would it take me to Chicago?
The gangplank was lying on the dock and near it stood what seemed to me to be the captain and the pilot, around them touters and others.

I edged around to the captain and asked him if the _Illinois_ would take me to Chicago.

"In about an hour," he said with a laugh.