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Updated: June 7, 2025
Ben had lost it overboard when he landed, and it had floated off. There was another pair in the woodshed of the house, and Lawry went up for them. As he entered the shed, he met his mother, who had just risen, and gone out for wood to kindle the fire. The poor boy looked so sad and disconsolate that his long face attracted her attention. "What's the matter, Lawry?" she asked.
"Suppose the question should come up, whether or not the boat should take a certain job; who would decide the question you or I?" "I'm the oldest, and I think I ought to have the biggest voice in the matter." "But the boat is mine," added Lawry, with emphasis. "As to that, she is just as much mine as she is yours."
It was fortunate for Lawry that he was able to sleep well in the midst of the excitement in which he lived; otherwise his bodily frame must have yielded to the pressure to which it was subjected. He did not wake till seven the next morning, which invigorated his powers and prepared him for the duties of another day.
"The place will not sell for enough to pay his note, and he knows it. No matter about him the steamboat belongs to father, just as much as the ferry-boat does; and I think I ought to have something to say about her." "If you want to do anything for the family, why can't you run the ferry-boat, Benjamin?" "And let Lawry run the steamboat? Not if I know myself!" replied Ben, with savage emphasis.
"The steamer has sunk again," replied the son. "Sunk again!" exclaimed his mother. "She is not to be seen, and Ben says she has gone down." "Ben says so?" "Yes; he told us of it before we came down. We are going to look for her now," answered Lawry. What Lawry had said excited the suspicion of his mother, as she thought of the malicious words of her older son on the preceding evening.
The sheriff's encouraging words that it might be all right, had no force or comfort for him. Lawry knew that his father was guilty, and he was in despair. Mrs. Wilford had only heard that the money was lost, at first; and then, from her husband, that it had been found and restored to the owner.
"Perhaps you can; but we wish to have the steamer in working order as soon as possible, and we may hasten the joy by employing men of experience to do it." "Haste and waste," said Lawry, laughing. "Mr. Sherwood, I am satisfied we can raise the Woodville. We don't want any help. If we don't get her up by to-morrow night, I will let some one else take hold; but it will cost a heap of money."
Sherwood hinted that something more substantial than thanks would be bestowed upon him. "Thank you, sir; I don't need anything more," replied Lawry, blushing. "What will be done with the steamer, now?" he asked. "I have got enough of her," said Mr. Sherwood. "She has given me a shock I shall never forget." "I don't think it was the fault of the boat, sir," suggested Lawry.
"I'm willing to do what's fair and right; but I shall not have any captain over me in this boat," replied Lawry. "Lawry, you are my brother," said Ben angrily; "but I don't care for that. You set yourself up above me; you make me a nobody. I won't stand it!" "I don't set myself up above you, Ben." "Yes, you do. You offered me the place of deck-hand!" "I didn't ask you to take any place.
"I know you did, father," sobbed Lawry. "Do you accuse me of stealing?" demanded Mr. Wilford, with a weak show of indignation. "I don't accuse you of anything, father; but there it is." "You mean to say that I stole it?" "Oh, father!" "Stop your whining, Lawry! What possessed you to poke round after what did not concern you? Now, shut up, and go off about your business."
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