Part 17 (2/2)
Several of the casks were now removed from the bow to the stern, until the hull sat even on the water. All the heavy articles on deck, including the contents of the ”chain-box,” were transferred to the raft, and the laborers were ready to commence the long and trying operation of pumping her out. It was now six o'clock, and it was plain that this job could not be finished that night. The wind was beginning to freshen, and there were indications of bad Weather.
Lawry had at first intended to move the _Woodville_ up to the ferry-landing as soon as she floated; but Ethan, for certain reasons, which were satisfactory to his fellow laborer, wished to pump her out where she was; and it was found to be a very difficult thing to tow her up to the ferry in her water-logged condition.
It was not safe to leave her, with the prospect of a heavy blow, so near the Goblins, and they carried out the anchors in the wherry, and with the a.s.sistance of the capstan on the forward deck heaved her out into a secure position. The _Woodville_ was safe for the night, and the supper-horn was sounding at the ferry-house. Nearly exhausted by their severe exertions, the boys returned to the cottage.
”I'm so glad that you have done it!” exclaimed Mrs. Wilford, when they went in to supper.
She had been a deeply interested observer of the operations of the young engineers, and her heart had bounded with emotions of joy, in unison with theirs, when she saw the steamer rise to the surface of the lake.
”I knew we should do it, mother,” replied Lawry. ”Where is Ben?”
”I don't know where he is. He went away just after dinner, and I haven't seen him since,” added the mother.
”But I saw the ferry-boat go over in the middle of the afternoon.”
”I know you did.”
”But who went over with her?”
”I did,” answered Mrs. Wilford quietly.
”You, mother?”
”Yes, Lawry; there was no one else to go, unless I called you, and I couldn't bear to take you away from your work. I've been over in the ferry times enough to know how to manage the boat.”
”Ben said he would take care of the ferry.”
”He doesn't always do as he promises,” said Mrs. Wilford sadly.
Lawry thought it was very kind of his mother to run the ferry-boat, rather than disturb him at his work; but he did not like to have her do such labor. When he went out after supper, he found the wind was still quite fresh, and he was afraid that some accident might happen to the steamer in the night. If the casks got loose, she would sink again. While he and Ethan were talking about it, Ben Wilford returned home; and it was evident from his looks and actions that he had been drinking too much.
CHAPTER XI
ME. SHERWOOD AND PARTY
”Well, Lawry, I don't see the steamer at the ferry-landing,” said Ben Wilford. ”You know, you promised to have her up here to-night; but I knew you wouldn't.”
”We thought we wouldn't bring her up to-night,” replied Lawry coldly.
”I knew you wouldn't, my boy. You didn't keep your promise.”
”And you didn't keep yours.”
”I didn't make any. If I'd promised to fetch that steamer up, she'd been here.”
”You promised to run the ferry, and you left it.”
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