Haste and Waste Part 29

"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 ash.o.r.e," said Lawry to the deckhands, as he pointed to the "stores" of the party.

The basket was tumbled on the wharf, to the imminent peril of the gla.s.sware it contained. Ben Wilford stood on the pier, 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 sh.o.r.e."

"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 n.o.body out of me."

"You will do it yourself."

"You see."

"Will you go on sh.o.r.e?"

"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 sh.o.r.e; but he was in that frame of mind which seemed to make opposition a necessity to him. "Do you want any a.s.sistance, 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 sullenly walked up the gangplank when that formidable individual intimated his readiness to relieve the boat of her unwelcome pa.s.senger.

"Haul in the plank, and cast off the bow-line," said Lawry.

He rang the bell to back her, and when her bow pointed out from the sh.o.r.e, 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 enjoyment 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 psalm tunes, in which the sweet voice of f.a.n.n.y Jane Grant was so prominent that Ethan was once enticed 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 pa.s.sengers. 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 a.s.sure 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 bestowed upon her taste and skill in the culinary art.

The _Woodville_ reached Whitehall at two o'clock, where the party went on sh.o.r.e 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 Sat.u.r.day, 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.