one after one
These circumstances gave me hopes of finding the ring ; so I sat down at some little distance on the bank , pretending to be counting the money I had received , but in reality watching narrowly the spot where I thought it had fallen . I do not mean to say that I was indifferent to my good fortune , but I honestly believe I thought much more of the pleasure it would give the poor people who had charitably taken care of me in my destitution , than of the benefit I should myself derive from it . The tide had only run off a very little when the ring was thrown in , so that I had a considerable time to wait ; but though I grew very hungry , and felt that I might enjoy a plentiful meal , I would not quit my post ; indeed , I was accustomed to starve , so that did not incommode me much . Slowly the tide receded , and one after one the other boys went away . At last the bank appeared , and the intervening space was left with very little water over it . I was in hopes that none of the other boys would return to interrupt me in my search ; but , to my annoyance , just as the mud was left quite clear , two of them came back , and immediately tucking up their trousers , hurried into the mud . Now it so happened that I had carefully noted where the penny had fallen , and if I had been alone , I could have gone straight to the place .