AUTHOR'S NOTE: Ok ok ok ok!!!! I will continue writing this story, because there are people who would like me to continue it. I will try my best to keep up, and to update, which I haven't done in like…forever!! Lol, sorry bout that!! But it is now the summer, and I have more time on my hands to listen to the voices, which haven't been very talkative lately, but maybe…if they had some encouragement…like reviews…they would speak up a bit more ;-). Lol. (Take a hint??) And by the way, I will be on vacation soon, so don't be expecting an update for about 2 or 3 weeks…. sorry but I need the sanity in my life of a vacation!! Lol :-)

While waiting for the man to get back, Hayden had fallen asleep. The man in charge of the booth came back and shook him gently. "Hey there young man. It's time to wake up." The man said quietly. "And that ship full of 'cargo' is leaving in a few minutes." He added with a grin. At that Hayden gave a start and was fully awake instantly.

"You mean you really got me a place on the cargo boat?"

"Wouldn't say so if I didn't." Seeing the shocked face on the boys face, the man chuckled, making the laugh lines in his face play. "Now c'mon, can't have 'em leaving without you!"

Hayden got up quickly and followed the man to where a few ships were docked and loading up their cargo. "You see that one that's full of mail?" The man asked, and continued when Hayden nodded. "Well that is the one that you will be going up the river on. The captain knows that you will be there, but not the crew, so keep low so as not to give 'em all a scare and think you are a stow away." He chuckled, giving Hayden the feeling that he had done this before. "Just make sure not to fall asleep on there, cause you gotta be wary as to when your stop comes up, not all this cargo is going to Norristown ya know."

"Ok, I can stay awake." Hayden said rubbing his eyes. "I can!" He added when the man gave him a skeptical eye.

"Hope so, for your sake, cause I think the next stop is about 30 miles up the river. And I don't think you will be able to find a nice old man at the Pottstown ports who could get you a ride back down the river. It is going to be a long boat ride though, so you could probably get a few winks now, but be sure to stay alert when you come into ports. Cause that's when the crew is moving around and such. Just listen to what they are talkin' about to find out what port you are in."

"Ok." This was all a little mind-boggling for Hayden. He wasn't used to people being this nice. And this was the last thing that he expected to be happening. "How long does it take to get to Norristown from here?"

"About a day or so. More or less." He stated simply.

Hayden was shocked. "Good thing I decided not to walk."

The man, giving a hearty laugh, said. "You bet it's a good thing! That is a long way for a boy of your age to be walking without an adult. Say, where are your parents?"

Hayden flushed and put his head down. "I don't have any parents, they died in a fire last year." He lied quickly.

"Oh, sorry to hear that." The man replied, looking at him sidelong. He had a feeling that the boy wasn't being entirely truthful to him, but he shrugged it off. "Well, that boat is bound to take off in a few minutes, so you better get moving."

Hayden looked up, the redness gone from his face. "How am I supposed to get up there without them seeing me?"

"Well the crew is below decks right now, sorting the mail. So I can take ya up, and the captain can put you in the captain's cabin. No one will be goin in there, so as long as you keep quiet, nobody but the captain will know that you're there."

"Ok."

"Alright then. Let's go." He led the boy up the ramp leading to the boat's deck, and from there to the cabin built on the top where the captain was. Opening the door, he caught the captain's attention. "Heya Mr. Butterworth. Got some cargo here." He said patting Hayden on the back.

The captain was an old man, with white hair sprouting it seemed from everywhere on his head, but the top which was as bald as an egg. He looked up, adjusting his eyes to look at the man and the boy that he had with him. "This the boy you were talking about?" He asked gruffly.

"Yep, this is the one."

"As long as he stays out of my way, I'm fine with it. Ya hear that boy? Don't get in my way, or I might just be tempted to throw ya overboard!" The captain threatened. Hayden turned white under his stare, nodding.

The man laughed quietly to himself. He had known the captain for a long time, and knew that he was just blowing hot air. "Well, I got to be getting back to my work now. You two have fun."

Hayden looked up at him; he plainly did not want the man to leave. "Thank you." He stuttered, which he didn't usually do. The man gave him a warm smile.

"No problem, you ever come back to town, you come down to the docks ya hear?"

"I will."

"Alright then, hope to see you again." He said. "And don't worry bout him." He added in a whisper, pointing to the captain, "His barks worse than his bite." With a wink to Hayden, and a wave to the captain, he strode out the door and out of sight, leaving Hayden alone with the captain.