A number of moving figures were perceptible on the upper deck; two smokestacks belched forth a vast quantity of black smoke, sweeping in clouds along the water surface, and a large flag flapped conspicuously against the sky.

I stared at the apparition, scarcely comprehending the reality of what I beheld.
"Yer bettah stoop down more, sah," Sam urged.

"Fer sum o' dem fellars might see yer yit.

Ah nebber heerd nuthin', ner saw no smoke till she cum a puffin' 'round de end 'o dat p'int.

Ah cudn't dare go fer yer then, sah, fer fear dey'd see me, so Ah jus' nat'larly lay down yere, an' watched her go by." "Is it a government boat ?" "Ah reckon maybe; leastwise thar's a heap o' sojers aboard her--reg'lars Ah reckon, fer dey's all in uniform.