The steamer anchored mid-stream, and waited for the usual fleet of little boats to dart out from the city and to carry the passengers ashore--not a sign of life appeared.
At last a signal-gun was fired in answer to their salute; and what was that tiny, fluttering beacon which mounted to a tall flagstaff in the dock-yard?
The captain gazing through his glass, grew suddenly silent; his face fell. The passengers, curiously watching the limp, yellow rag, wondered much what it might presage.
Presently tiny boat shot out from the cedar-fringed shore, with one man at the oars--a painted toy which moved upon the glassy water like a tiny bird and the man climbed aboard.
He was tall, and lank, and yellow-faced; his limbs trembled as he followed the captain to the cabin, and he shunned the passengers with half-fearful looks when they would have questioned him.
In three minutes the captain and the stranger emerged from the cabin, and the passengers pressed forward to hear what catastrophe had befallen the city.
"We must just right-about face, and get back to New York," said the captain, ominously. "Not a soul can go ashore."
"Is it the _plague_?" whispered the ladies.
"Yellow fever," said the captain; "the whole city is raging, half the people are escaped to the main land, and the other half are dying."
Madame Hesslein's small, eager face grew pale; the chevalier burst into a heartfelt imprecation, and Mr. Davenport clutched the white Margaret's hand with a shocked, "Heaven preserve us!"
But she tore her hand away, and ran to the gaunt stranger, who had brought such dire news.
He looked at her wild face, and shrank from her touch; he hurried to the stern to gain the boat.
"Don't come nigh," whispered he. "I've had it."
But she seized his arm and clung to him; she would not let him go.
Murmurs rose from her fellow-passengers; Mr. Davenport's eyes threatened to start from their sockets; but the captain interfered.
"No soul can leave the steamer," said he, resolutely.
"I must go!" returned Margaret, in a frantic voice.
"Miss Walsingham, you can't go," said the captain, sternly. "You would only fall a victim; and mind, I couldn't take you aboard again to carry the infection here."
"I won't come back!" she cried; "but I must go."