Part 28 (1/2)
”He's as obstinate as a mule; but I'll try,” replied Ben.
”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 attachment.”
”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 creditor were conspirators, and he wanted nothing to do with them. He might have been less resolute, 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.