Haste and Waste; Or, the Young Pilot of Lake Champlain Part 38

He was astonished at the operations of his son, and surprised at the prosperity which had attended his family during his absence. The cottage had been enlarged, repaired, painted, and partly refurnished.

It was a new home to him; and, profiting by the experience of the past, he resumed his labor as a ferryman, striving to be contented with his lot.

Ethan French does not tire of his pet, the engine of the _Woodville,_ though it must be acknowledged that he has a divided heart when f.a.n.n.y Jane is on board.

Mrs. Wilford, her confidence in her "smart boy" fully justified, and rejoicing in the prosperity which attends him, is still happy and contented in doing a mother's whole duty to her large family of little ones, hoping that all of them will "turn out" as well as her second son.

During the _Woodville's_ second business season, she was employed by a party of wealthy gentlemen, for a week, in going round the lake. She had descended the Richelieu to St. Johns, from which the party ran up to Montreal for a day, returning to the boat in the evening. 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 pa.s.sengers.

The party continued to insist upon their point, adding that if he was a competent pilot there could be no difficulty in complying with their wishes. They were gentlemen of wealth and influence, and the little captain did not like to disoblige them. He argued the question with them, and pointed to the motto in the wheel-house. They laughed at him and his motto. There was to be a "trot" between two celebrated horses, at Burlington, and they were too anxious to witness the race to be entirely reasonable.

Captain Lawry was firm, and the gentlemen were angry and indignant.

While they were debating the question in excited tones, another steamer left the wharf, bound up the river. Her departure seemed to spoil the young pilot's argument. The party tried to hail the steamer in the fog, wishing Lawry to put them on board of her; but her people did not hear their demand, or would not stop for them, and the party were highly incensed at what they called the obstinacy of Lawry.

"Haste and waste, gentlemen," replied the little captain. "The river is narrow and crooked, and there is great danger of getting aground if I attempt to run in this fog."

"That other steamer has gone, and if she can run, you can, if you know your business," replied one of the gentlemen.

"I'm very sorry; but I don't think we should gain anything by starting now," added Lawry.

Finding it was useless to insist any longer, the party took supper, and turned in, when their anger had partially subsided. The little captain did not retire that night; he "planked the deck," and watched the weather. It was a seven hours' run to Burlington, and the "trot"

was to come off at nine o'clock in the forenoon. He still hoped that he should be able to satisfy his unreasonable party.

At midnight the wind chopped round to the westward, and blew the fog over. At one o'clock the _Woodville_ was going up the river at full speed. At three o'clock she came up with the steamer which had started from St. Johns four hours before, hard and fast aground. She hailed the little _Woodville_, and requested a.s.sistance. Lawry took a hawser on board, and gave her a few pulls; but she was too hard on the sand to be started, and he was compelled to abandon her.

The commotion caused by these operations awoke some of the gentlemen in the cabin of the _Woodville_, and they came on deck to learn the occasion of it.

"What's the trouble, Captain Lawry?" asked one of them.

"Haste and waste," replied the young pilot sententiously.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing, only the boat which left St. Johns four hours before us is aground, and can't get off."

"Well, haste and waste does mean something, after all," laughed the speaker.

The gentlemen went to bed again; the _Woodville_ continued on her course, and when the party came on deck, at seven in the morning, she was in sight of Burlington. Of course, the excursionists were delighted to be able to attend the "trot." At four o'clock in the afternoon, the steamer which had grounded reached Burlington. Some of Lawry's party came on board in the evening to settle their accounts with the boat. They were gentlemen, and they acknowledged their error, and apologized for the strong language they had used.

"Well, gentlemen, I am very glad you are satisfied," said Lawry, as he put their money in his pocket. "I shall still believe in and follow my motto--HASTE AND WASTE."

THE END