$48 ISLHS OF SUMMER, 
he escorted us to the best and largest carriage at the landing, 
and loaded us up. Soon a man appeared who claimed ours was 
his carriage, and that from the bows of the steamer he had en- 
gaged it before any one had a chance to put a foot on the dock, 
and had put his bundles in it while he went for the other mem- 
bers of his party. ‘‘Can’t help dat,” said Sampson; <‘ dis car- 
riage belongs to dis gentleman—why, he spoke for dis carriage 
las’ year! Driver, you take dis gentleman and dese yere ladies 
to der hotel,”—and he did so before we had fully time to con- 
sider and decide the doubtful question of our right to keep pos- 
session of the vehicle. 
