Part 23 (1/2)
The bateau ran up to the steamer, and Ben made her fast at the forward gangway. Mr. Sherwood still cheered, and the ladies continued to wave their handkerchiefs.
”Won't you come on board?” said Lawry to the party.
”I shall, for one,” replied Mr. Sherwood.
”I'm afraid of her,” added Miss f.a.n.n.y.
”There is nothing to fear, ladies. She is safe, and we are running her very slowly,” continued the young pilot.
”Lawry knows where the rocks are,” said Mrs. Wilford, ”and I'll warrant you there is no danger.”
With some misgivings, the ladies, who had suffered by the catastrophe when the _Woodville_ was wrecked, permitted themselves to be handed to the deck of the steamer.
”I congratulate you on your success, Lawry,” said Mr. Sherwood, as he stepped on board after the ladies. ”You have worked bravely, and succeeded n.o.bly;” and he grasped the hand of the pilot.
”Thank you, sir. I knew I could raise her, if I had fair play. I don't know but you are sick of your bargain, sir, in giving her to me.”
”By no means, Captain Lawry,” replied the rich man, laughing. ”If the ladies succeed in overcoming their terror of steamboats, I suppose I can charter the boat for our party when we wish to use her.”
”She's at your service always, sir,” replied Lawry.
”Oh, I shall take her on the same terms that others do. When I use her, I shall pay you.”
”That wouldn't be fair, sir. I couldn't take any money from you for the use of her,” added Lawry, blus.h.i.+ng.
”We will not talk about that now. When she is in condition for use, we will consider these questions. How did you find her this morning?”
asked Mr. Sherwood, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
”We found the water all pumped out of her; and we didn't know what to make of it,” answered Lawry.
All the visitors burst out laughing, and heartily enjoyed the astonishment and confusion of the young pilot.
”I don't understand it,” exclaimed Lawry.
”The fairies, knowing what a good boy you are, Lawry, must have pumped her out for you,” said Miss f.a.n.n.y.
”Perhaps they did.”
Mr. Sherwood then explained what he had done the preceding night, and the reason why he had done it. Ben Wilford, after fastening the ferry-boat at the stern of the steamer, had come on deck, and listened to the explanation. He saw in what manner his malice had been defeated, and he looked very much dissatisfied with himself and everybody on board.
”You were very kind, Mr. Sherwood, to take so much trouble upon yourself,” said Lawry.
”It was no trouble at all; it was a great pleasure to me. But I don't understand how the steamer happened to be on the other side of the lake.”
”I supposed the persons who bailed her out set her adrift. The casks were all knocked out from under the guards, and they are scattered all along the sh.o.r.e.”
”Before my men left her last night, I went all over the boat to satisfy myself that everything was right. I examined the cables very carefully, and I am sure they were well stoppered at twelve o'clock, when we went on sh.o.r.e.”
”I fastened the cable myself, and I don't think she could have broken loose herself.”