I was learning by experience how to take care of myself and mine; besides, I wanted to be awake early so as to take passage by ferry-boat "before soon" as the Hoosiers say, in the morning.
That April morning was still only a gray dawn when I drove down to the ferry, without stopping for my breakfast.

A few others of those who looked forward to a rush for the boat had got there ahead of me, and we waited in line.

I saw that I should have to go on the second trip rather than the first, but movers can not be impatient, and the driving of cattle cures a person of being in a hurry; so I was in no great taking because of this little delay.

As I sat there in my wagon, a black-bearded, scholarly-looking man stepped up and spoke to me.
"Going across ?" he asked.
"As soon as the boat will take me," I said.
"Heavy loaded ?" he asked.

"Have you room for a passenger ?" "I guess I can accommodate you," I answered.