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"You promised to run the ferry, and you left it." "No, I didn't, Lawry. Don't you talk so to me. You know too much," added Ben angrily. "You never will raise that steamer in two thousand years." "There she is," replied Lawry quietly, as he pointed in the direction of the Goblins. Ben looked at her; he did not seem to be pleased to find her on the top of the water.
Though the time for which the boat was engaged was not up till the next evening, some of the gentlemen were very anxious to be in Burlington on the following morning, and insisted that the steamer should immediately proceed up the river on her return. It was a very dark and foggy night, and Lawry declined to start, declaring that he could not run with safety to the boat and passengers.
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 ashore," 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 glassware it contained.
Having disposed of his crew for the night, Lawry returned to the wheel-house, where he was soon joined by his passengers, who spent an hour with him before they retired. At half-past ten they went to their rooms, and Lawry was alone. Not a sound was to be heard except the monotonous clang of the engine, and the lake was as silent in the gloom as though the shadow of death was upon it.
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.
I should not be willing to trust him. You cannot place much confidence in a young man who is in the habit of getting drunk. I don't want to hurt your feelings, Lawry, but I must be frank with you."
"I will not," said Lawry firmly, as he dried his tears. "The boat is engaged to Mr. Sherwood, and he has invited a party to go with him. They were to start at nine o'clock, and they will be down here soon." "Can't help it. I promised to take Taylor and his friends out, and they are all here now.
His enthusiastic fellow laborer needed no second call, and leaped out of bed. Ben was still awake, and the lapse of the hours had in some measure sobered him. "It's a fine day, Ethan," said Lawry. "Glad of that. How long do you suppose it will take to pump her out?" "All day, I think; but we are to have four men to help us.
They were coming out to welcome and congratulate Ethan and himself upon the triumphant success of the enterprise. Mrs. Wilford was with them, and Ben held the steering oar. Lawry informed his friend, through the tube, of the approach of the party. The ladies in the ferry-boat were waving their handkerchiefs, and Mr. Sherwood was swinging his hat.
While the excursion-party were going on shore at the gangway abaft at the wheels, and all hands had gone aft to witness their departure, Ben had called them from their hiding-place, and sent them on the wharf, where he soon joined them. From a point near the head of the pier, where they were not observed, they waited till Mr. Sherwood and Lawry had gone, and all was quiet on board of the steamer.
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