The steamer was on the point of leaving, and the passengers lounged on the deck and waited for the start. At length one of them espied a cyclist in the far distance, and it soon became evident that he was doing his level best to catch the boat.
Already the sailors' hands were on the gangways, and the cyclist's chance looked small indeed. Then a sportive passenger wagered a sovereign to a shilling that he would miss it. The offer was taken, and at once the deck became a scene of wild excitement.
"He'll miss it."
"No; he'll just do it."
"Come on!"
"He won't do it."
"Yes, he will. He's done it. Hurrah!"
In the very nick of time the cyclist arrived, sprang off his machine, and ran up the one gangway left.
