Part 29 (1/2)
”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,”
remonstrated 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 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.