Lost in the Wilds of Brazil

  CHAPTER VII

  New York--And On

  The trip to New York, while interesting, was without incident, andthey were glad to stretch their legs in the Pennsylvania Terminal,where hundreds of people from all parts of the country were assembled.

  "Now what?" asked Joe, after a bountiful lunch.

  "Better get to a hotel," replied Mr. Holton, picking up his bags.

  The party walked outside and hailed a taxi, the driver of which agreedto take them to a comfortable hotel near the waterfront.

  "An outside room," observed Bob, as he glanced at his ticket andfollowed the others to an elevator.

  Their sleeping quarters were on the seventeenth floor, where awonderful view of lower Manhattan and the waterfront could be had.

  "Fairly high, but could be a lot higher," observed Joe, as he gazedout at the scores of other tall buildings that were grouped aboutthem.

  "The trend is upward," remarked Mr. Lewis. "Imagine how old New Yorkwill look fifty years from now, when there may be buildings twohundred stories high!"

  "Suppose we go down and see how things look from the street,"suggested Mr. Holton. "Been a long time since we've been here."

  The remainder of that day was spent exploring Manhattan Island. Theyturned in early in the evening, for they were very tired.

  "Tomorrow," said Bob, as he threw himself on the bed, "we'll seesights for sore eyes."

  And they did. The scene at the dock was one of absorbing interest toall, even as much as the men had witnessed it. Ships from allcountries were anchored in dense rows, their crewmen busy loading andunloading cargoes. Boxes and bales were being piled in great stacks,awaiting transfer by motor truck. Passengers and spectators crowdedclosely around the sections where passenger liners were anchored.

  "Here we are," said Mr. Holton, pointing to a medium-sized shipbetween two other smaller boats. "The _Empire_. Looks staunch enough."

  The others agreed and then made their way up the gangplank. Awhite-clad officer came out to meet them and upon receipt of theirtickets directed them to their staterooms.

  "Large and comfortable," commented Bob, as he set down his baggage andlooked about.

  "All you could ask for," said Joe, who was to share the room with hischum.

  The youths spent several more minutes in examining the articlesfurnished them for the voyage. Then Bob turned toward the door.

  "Let's go out on deck," he suggested. "It won't be long until the shiplifts anchor."

  On deck they found everything in readiness for the voyage, and thescene of action below was interesting to the extreme. Crewmen hurriedback and forth with ropes, boxes, bales, and other objects, intentupon a purpose. Visitors scurried off the ship and stood by to witnessthe leaving.

  "Everyone probably wishes he were going with us," said Bob, as thecrowd grudgingly stepped back for the gangplank to be pulled in.

  The next instant the long-drawn, deep whistle of the boat sounded,and with the ringing of gongs the engines started. A streak of foamarose between the hull and the dock, and the ship started moving.

  "Good-bye, America!" shouted Joe, leaning far out over the rail.

  "Yes," affirmed Mr. Holton. "It's the last we'll see of good old NewYork for many weeks to come."

  Mr. Holton, Mr. Lewis, and Professor Bigelow turned and walked to theother end of the deck. Bob and Joe remained where they were.

  Neither of the youths said anything, for they were busy with theirthoughts.

  Who knew what perils might befall them before they would again seethat land they so dearly loved?