He had refused to pilot the steamer under the new order of things, not because he wished to be spiteful to his brother, but because he was smarting under a sense of injustice5, which unfitted him for the duty. Though he did not comprehend the legal measures which had been taken, he felt that there was something wrong. The Woodville belonged to him, not to his father; and though he was willing to give all his earnings6 for the support of the family, and even to pay off the mortgage on the place, he felt that it was not right to take the steamer from him.
He stood on the wharf, paralyzed by the calamity7 which had overtaken him. He wanted to do something, but he did not know what to do. The sheriff, by his caution, had defeated the plans of the new captain, and Lawry was waiting to see what would happen next. He wished to see Mr. Sherwood, and he would have hastened up to his house if he could have endured the thought of losing sight of the steamer even for a moment. Ethan was still on deck, for though he refused to run the engine, he felt it to be his duty to stand by and see that no accident happened, for the steam was up, and the fireman was an unskillful person.
Ben Wilford and Taylor were disappointed and chagrined9 at their failure to get off. They stormed and swore, till it was apparent that storming and swearing would not start the steamer. The sheriff positively10 refused to let the boat depart without a competent pilot and engineer.
"What shall we do, Wilford?" said Taylor. "Can't you persuade your brother to take hold again?"
"Offer him twenty dollars for his day's work," added Taylor.
"I may be able to compromise with him, if you're willing."
"Anything you please, if you can make him and the other fellow go with us."
"Lawry, Mr. Taylor will give you twenty dollars if you will pilot the steamer to-day," said Ben.
"I wouldn't go for a hundred," replied the young pilot. "I won't go with you at any rate."
"Don't be so obstinate, Lawry."
"I engaged the boat to Mr. Sherwood, and I will not go with anybody else."
"Mr. Sherwood won't care when he finds out that you are not to blame. You can't resist the law, and it isn't your fault."
"Ben, I wouldn't do what you have done for all the steamers on the lake. You have got this man to attach the property, and take the house away from mother, just because you wanted to be captain of this steamer."
"What's the use of talking about that, Lawry?" replied Ben impatiently. "I'm going to be captain of this steamer, anyhow; and the sooner you make up your mind to it, the better it will be for you."
"I can't help myself."
"I know you can't, and for that reason you had better submit with a good grace. If you will take your place in the wheel-house, Mr. Taylor will remove the attachment13."
"Will he?"
"I will," replied Taylor.
"And put everything where it was before?" asked Lawry.
"Of course I am to be captain, and Mr. Taylor is to have the boat to-day," added Ben.
"Mr. Taylor can't have her to-day," said Lawry firmly. "I engaged her to Mr. Sherwood, and if anybody has her to-day, he must. That's all I want to say about it now."
The young pilot turned on his heel and walked away. His brother and the creditor14 were conspirators15, and he wanted nothing to do with them. He might have been less resolute16, if he had not seen Mr. Sherwood's carriage stop at the head of the wharf.
"Are you all ready, Lawry?" asked Mr. Sherwood.
The poor boy could make no reply; he burst into tears, and turned away from his kind friend.
"What's the matter, Lawry?" demanded Mr. Sherwood.
"I suppose he feels bad, sir," interposed the sheriff. "The boat has been attached for his father's debts."
"For his father's debts!" exclaimed the rich gentleman.
The officer gave him a full explanation of the case.
"This will never do," added Mr. Sherwood indignantly. "This boat is
Lawry's property in his own right."
"I think not," added Taylor. "Here's my lawyer; he can explain the matter to you."
"No explanation is needed," replied Mr. Sherwood.
"The boy is a minor," said the legal gentleman.
"Perhaps you are more familiar with the law than I am, Mr. Sherwood," said the legal gentleman pompously18. "You gave this boat to the boy."
"I did."
"While she lay at the bottom of the lake she was worth nothing. She was an abandoned wreck19. If you had any property at all in her, it was subject to the salvage20. Lawry Wilford raised her. I suppose you are willing to believe that the boy's father is entitled to his earnings?"
"I grant that."
"Well, sir, whatever the boy earned in the way of salvage belongs to his father; and we sue to recover that."
"This is a ridiculous suit!" exclaimed Mr. Sherwood.
"Perhaps it is, sir, but we shall hold the boat, subject to the decision of the court."
Mr. Sherwood was vexed21 and perplexed22; for, whether the claim could be substantiated23 or not, the Woodville could be held until a decision was reached. Lawry then took him aside, and told him what his brother had done, in order to make himself captain of the steamer.
"Is that it, Lawry? I'm more sorry for your brother's sake than I am for yours. I pity him, because he has been capable of doing so mean a thing. Don't distress24 yourself, my boy. We will make this all right in the course of ten minutes."
"But they have taken the steamer away from me, and given her up to
Ben, who is to take charge of her."
"Never mind, Lawry. They shall give her back to you," replied the rich man, as he walked up to the lawyer. "How much is your claim against Mr. Wilford?"
"One thousand and sixty-four dollars," answered the legal gentleman.
"Will you take my draft or check for the amount?"
"No, sir."
"I see you are not disposed to be accommodating."
"I intend you shall not," said Mr. Sherwood.
Unfortunately he had not money enough with him to discharge the claim against the ferryman, which, as it was a just debt, whatever might be said of the means taken to recover it, he had decided26 to pay, rather than give bonds for the steamer, and contest the attachment. He had invited several gentlemen to accompany him up the lake in the Woodville, who were now on the wharf, and from them he borrowed enough to make up the sum required. The money was given to Mrs. Wilford, with instructions to go to a certain lawyer and employ him to see that the mortgage on the house and land was properly canceled.
"When we get our money, the attachment on the boat can be dissolved, not before," said the lawyer. "Mr. Sheriff, the debt is not paid yet."
"I will put the money in your hands, if you desire," added Mr.
Sherwood to the sheriff.
"I am satisfied. You may go where you please with the boat, and as soon as you please," replied the official.
"She will not go till this claim is settled, Mr. Sheriff," remonstrated27 the legal gentleman.
"She may go now," responded the officer. "Ben Wilford, your services will not be needed. Now, gentlemen, we will go up to the village and settle the bills."
The lawyer protested that the attachment could not be removed till the debt had been paid, but the sheriff was willing to take the responsibility of releasing the boat.
"All aboard, Lawry!" shouted Mr. Sherwood.
"I didn't expect you to do this, sir," said the young pilot; "but I will pay you every dollar, if the steamer ever earns so much."
"We will talk about that some other time, my boy. We are all ready to be off now."
Lawry, with a light heart, sprang to his place in the wheel-house; Ethan was already at his post in the engine-room, and the ladies and gentlemen of the party hastened on board.
"Put that basket ashore28," said Lawry to the deckhands, as he pointed8 to the "stores" of the party.
The basket was tumbled on the wharf, to the imminent29 peril30 of the glassware it contained. Ben Wilford stood on the pier31, leaning against one of the posts to which the steamer was fastened. He looked sour and disappointed.
"Cast off the bow-line," said Lawry, when all was ready.
At this moment Ben jumped on board.
"Stop her!" said Mr. Sherwood sharply, as Lawry rang the bell to back her.
"What's the matter, sir?" asked the pilot.
"Young man," said Mr. Sherwood, stepping up to Ben Wilford, "you will oblige me by going on shore."
"What for?" demanded Ben crustily.
"We do not need your company."
"But I want to go."
"I do not wish you to go."
"I think it is rather steep for you to tell me I can't go in my brother's boat."
"Steep as it may seem, you can't go," added Mr. Sherwood firmly.
"Can't I go, Lawry?" continued Ben.
"It is not for him to say. I have engaged this boat for my party to-day, and, beyond his crew, it is not for him to say who shall go."
"I'm going, anyhow," replied Ben stubbornly.
"No, you are not."
"Yes, I am! if you want to fight, I'm all ready."
"Young man, you wanted to be captain of this boat; you have made a mistake."
"No, I haven't. You and Lawry can't make a nobody out of me."
"You will do it yourself."
"You see."
"Will you go on shore?"
"No, I won't."
The sheriff stood on the wharf with Mrs. Wilford, waiting to see the departure of the Woodville. Ben's mother begged him to come on shore; but he was in that frame of mind which seemed to make opposition32 a necessity to him. "Do you want any assistance, Mr. Sherwood?" asked the sheriff, as he stepped on deck.
The reckless young man would have been very glad to have Mr. Sherwood put his hand upon him, for it would have afforded him an opportunity to revenge himself for his disappointment. It was another thing to raise his hand against an officer of the law, and he sullenly33 walked up the gangplank when that formidable individual intimated his readiness to relieve the boat of her unwelcome passenger.
He rang the bell to back her, and when her bow pointed out from the shore, the stern-line was cast off, and she moved slowly away from the wharf.
"I'm sorry your brother behaves so badly, Lawry," said Mr. Sherwood, after the steamer started.
"It makes me sick to think of it, sir," replied the pilot. "I'm really afraid of him, for I don't know what he will do next."
"Do your duty, faithfully; that is all you need do."
"I feel almost sorry I didn't let him be captain, when I think the matter over."
"He is not fit to be captain; and you did quite right in not consenting to it. I'm sorry for you, Lawry, and sorry for your mother, for he must be a sore trial to both of you."
"If he wasn't my brother I wouldn't care," added Lawry, restraining the tears.
"Never mind it, my boy; we won't say anything more about it. Let us hope your brother will grow better."
"I hope he will, sir."
The Woodville was now going at full speed up the lake. The party on board consisted of twenty-four ladies and gentlemen, most of whom were summer visitors at Port Rock. They were delighted with the beautiful little craft, and glad to know that she could be obtained for pleasure-parties during the summer. They wandered about the deck, saloon, and cabin till they had examined every part of her, and then they gave themselves up to the enjoyment35 of the sail, and of the magnificent scenery on the borders of the lake. They seated themselves on the forward deck, and Lawry pointed out the objects of interest as the steamer proceeded; and in this occupation he forgot the conduct of Ben, and was as happy as the happiest of the party before him. The ladies and gentlemen sang songs and psalm36 tunes37, in which the sweet voice of Fanny Jane Grant was so prominent that Ethan was once enticed38 from the fascinating engine which occupied all his thoughts.
In the meantime, Mrs. Light was busy with the dinner. Captain Lawry was a little uneasy on this subject, for it was out of his line of business. In the middle of the forenoon he gave the wheel to one of the deck-hands, and went down into the kitchen to satisfy himself that this important matter was receiving due attention. The cook was so confident and enthusiastic that he was quite sure she would realize the expectations of the passengers. In the cabin he found the girls busy at the tables. Both of them had seen service in hotels, and there was no danger of a failure in their department. At one o'clock dinner was on the table, and the young captain went down again to assure himself that it was all right.
"Come, Lawry, can't you dine with us?" said Mr. Sherwood, when the bell had been rung.
"I can't leave the wheel, sir."
"But don't you want some dinner?"
"I'll have my dinner when we get to Whitehall. Haste makes waste, you know; and if I should be in a hurry to eat my dinner we might get aground, or be smashed up on the rocks."
"I suppose you are right, Lawry, and I will do the honors of the table for you," laughed Mr. Sherwood.
The dinner was not only satisfactory, but it was warmly praised; and Mrs. Light was made as happy as the captain by the enthusiastic encomiums bestowed39 upon her taste and skill in the culinary art.
The Woodville reached Whitehall at two o'clock, where the party went on shore to spend an hour. While they were absent Lawry and all hands had their dinner, the cabins and the deck were swept, and everything put in order. Quite a number of people visited the little steamer while she lay at the pier; and a gentleman engaged her to take out a party the next Saturday, with dinner for twenty-four persons. When Mr. Sherwood returned, he had let her for another day.
At three o'clock the Woodville started for Port Rock. The party were still in high spirits, and the singing was resumed when the wheels began to turn. On the way down, she stopped at Ticonderoga, while her appearance so delighted a party of pleasure-seekers that she was engaged for another day, and a dinner for twenty spoken for.
"Lawry, you must have an engagement-book, or you will forget some of your parties," said Mr. Sherwood, who stood by the pilot, in the wheel-house, when the steamer started.
"I have put them all down on a piece of paper, sir. I will get a book when I go to Burlington."
"Which will be to-morrow. I had engaged her for four days when you came up with her from Port Henry; but I'm afraid we shall work you too hard."
"No fear of that, sir. I only hope I shall be able to pay you that money you advanced this morning."
"Don't say a word about that. Let me see: you are engaged in Burlington to-morrow, to me the next day, and in Whitehall on the following day."
"I will get a book and put them down, sir."
"But you must be in Burlington by eight o'clock tomorrow morning."
"We can run up to-night."
"You will get no sleep if you run all night."
"I think we shall want another fireman."
"You will: for in order to keep your engagements you will occasionally have to run nights."
At eight o'clock the Woodville landed her passengers at Port Rock, and as the gentlemen went ashore, they gave three cheers for the little steamer and her little captain.
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1
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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disconsolate
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| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
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peremptory
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| adj.紧急的，专横的，断然的 | |
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wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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earnings
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| n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得 | |
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calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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8
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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chagrined
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| adj.懊恼的，苦恼的v.使懊恼，使懊丧，使悔恨( chagrin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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13
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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14
creditor
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| n.债仅人，债主，贷方 | |
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15
conspirators
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| n.共谋者，阴谋家( conspirator的名词复数 ) | |
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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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pompously
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| adv.傲慢地，盛大壮观地；大模大样 | |
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19
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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salvage
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| v.救助，营救，援救；n.救助，营救 | |
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vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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substantiated
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| v.用事实支持（某主张、说法等），证明，证实( substantiate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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27
remonstrated
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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pier
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| n.码头；桥墩，桥柱；[建]窗间壁，支柱 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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35
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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36
psalm
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| n.赞美诗，圣诗 | |
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37
tunes
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| n.曲调，曲子( tune的名词复数 )v.调音( tune的第三人称单数 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调 | |
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38
enticed
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| 诱惑，怂恿( entice的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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