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+} + +/* Illustration classes */ +.illowp48 {width: 48%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp48 {width: 100%;} +.illowp75 {width: 75%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp75 {width: 100%;} +.illowp44 {width: 44%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp44 {width: 100%;} +.illowp95 {width: 95%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp95 {width: 100%;} +.illowp96 {width: 96%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp96 {width: 100%;} + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76892 ***</div> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp48" id="cover" style="max-width: 105.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Book Cover"> +</figure> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="title"> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_i"></a><a id="Page_ii"></a>[ii]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp44" id="i_f002" style="max-width: 55.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_f002.jpg" alt="Illustrated title page."> +</figure> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="title"> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_iii"></a><a id="Page_1"></a>[1]</span></p> + +<p class='center mt2'><i>THE LAKE SHORE SERIES.</i></p> +<hr class='r20'> + +<h1 class='ltsp1'>LIGHTNING EXPRESS;</h1> + +<p class='center mt2 fs80'>OR,</p> +<p class='center mt1h fs150'>THE RIVAL ACADEMIES.</p> + +<p class='center mt4 fs80'>BY</p> +<p class='center mth ltsp1 fs120'>OLIVER OPTIC,</p> + +<p class='center mt1 fs65'> +AUTHOR OF “YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD,” “THE ARMY AND NAVY STORIES,”<br> +“THE WOODVILLE STORIES,” “THE BOAT-CLUB STORIES,”<br> +“THE STARRY FLAG SERIES,” ETC.</p> + +<div class='mt4'> +<hr class='r20'></div> + +<p class='center mt4'>BOSTON:</p> +<p class='center ltsp1 mtq'>LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS.</p> +<p class='center fs90 mtq'>NEW YORK:</p> +<p class='center fs80 mtq'>LEE, SHEPARD AND DILLINGHAM.</p> +<p class='center mtq fs120'>1871.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[2]</span></p> + +<p class='center mt4 fs80'> + Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1869, by</p> +<p class='center mth ltsp1'><span class='allsmcap'>WILLIAM T. ADAMS,</span></p> +<p class='center mth fs80'> + In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. +</p> + +<p class='center mt10 fs55 ltsp2 sans bold'><span class='allsmcap'>ELECTROTYPED  AT  THE</span></p> +<p class='center fs55 ltsp2 sans bold'><span class='allsmcap'>BOSTON  STEREOTYPE  FOUNDRY,</span></p> +<p class='center fs55 sans mtq bold'>No. 19 Spring Lane.</p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[3]</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="title"> +<p class="center mt4 fs80">TO</p> +<p class='center mt1h'>MY YOUNG FRIEND</p> +<p class='center mt2 ltsp2'><i>JAMES DEWITT CARSON</i></p> +<p class='center mt1 fs120 ltsp1 blackletter'>This Book</p> +<p class='center mt1h'>IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="title"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span></p> + +<p class='center bold fs120 mt4'><i>THE LAKE SHORE SERIES.</i></p> + +<hr class='r30'> + +<ol class='ls-series'> +<li><cite>THROUGH BY DAYLIGHT</cite>; or, The Young Engineer +of the Lake Shore Railroad.</li> + +<li><cite>LIGHTNING EXPRESS</cite>; or, The Rival Academies.</li> + +<li><cite>ON TIME</cite>; or, The Young Captain of the Ucayga +Steamer.</li> + +<li><cite>SWITCH OFF</cite>; or, The War of the Students.</li> + +<li><cite>BRAKE UP</cite>; or, The Young Peacemakers.</li> + +<li><cite>BEAR AND FORBEAR</cite>; or, The Young Skipper of Lake +Ucayga.</li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="PREFACE"> + PREFACE. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lightning Express</span> is the second volume of the <span class="smcap">Lake +Shore Series</span>, and has been published in Oliver Optic’s +Magazine, Our Boys and Girls. The story, like its predecessor, +relates to the Lake Shore Railroad, though the war +between the rival academies occupies a considerable portion +of the book. Waddie Wimpleton and Tommy Toppleton, as +they appear in these volumes, are not strangers, in real life, +to the writer; and probably all his readers are familiar with +similar young gentlemen in their own spheres.</p> + +<p>The author has endeavored to keep the moral movement of +the story up to the proper standard, and is not afraid that +any reasonable young man will like either Tommy or Waddie +well enough to imitate their conduct, while he is satisfied that +all will be pleased with the moral heroism of Wolf Penniman, +and will indorse his views of Christian duty.</p> + +<p class='mth'><span class="smcap">Harrison Square, Mass.</span>,</p> +<p class='pl10'>July 21, 1869.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6"></a><a id="Page_7"></a>[7]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak ltsp3" id="CONTENTS"> + CONTENTS. + </h2> +</div> + +<table class='toc'> +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc-first'><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdpage'>PAGE</td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">A Stockholders’ Meeting.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_11'>11</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_II'>CHAPTER II.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">The Stockholders in Council.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_22'>22</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_III'>CHAPTER III.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">The President of the Road.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_34'>34</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_IV'>CHAPTER IV.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Off for the Camp.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_45'>45</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_V'>CHAPTER V.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">A Breezy Prospect ahead.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_57'>57</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_VI'>CHAPTER VI.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">A Mission of Peace.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_69'>69</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_VII'>CHAPTER VII.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Major Tommy gets mad.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_81'>81</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span></p> + + <a href='#CHAPTER_VIII'>CHAPTER VIII.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Charge Bayonets!</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_93'>93</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_IX'>CHAPTER IX.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Feathers and the Engineer.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_104'>104</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_X'>CHAPTER X.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Keeping the Peace.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_116'>116</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_XI'>CHAPTER XI.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">At the Horse Shoe.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_128'>128</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_XII'>CHAPTER XII.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Up the Lake.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_139'>139</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_XIII'>CHAPTER XIII.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">If thine Enemy hunger.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_150'>150</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_XIV'>CHAPTER XIV.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Colonel Wimpleton bids High.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_162'>162</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_XV'>CHAPTER XV.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">The Impending Battle.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_174'>174</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_XVI'>CHAPTER XVI.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">The Battle of the Horse Shoe.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_186'>186</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_XVII'>CHAPTER XVII.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">The Prisoner of War.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_198'>198</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span></p> + + <a href='#CHAPTER_XVIII'>CHAPTER XVIII.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Rescuing a Prisoner.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_210'>210</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_XIX'>CHAPTER XIX.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">A Tyrannical Son.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_222'>222</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_XX'>CHAPTER XX.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">The Lightning Express Train.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_233'>233</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXI'>CHAPTER XXI.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Making up Time.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_244'>244</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXII'>CHAPTER XXII.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">The New Fireman.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_254'>254</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXIII'>CHAPTER XXIII.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">The President and the Engineer.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_266'>266</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXIV'>CHAPTER XXIV.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">The President has a Fall.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_278'>278</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXV'>CHAPTER XXV.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">The President in Trouble.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_290'>290</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan='2' class='tdc'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXVI'>CHAPTER XXVI.</a></td> +</tr><tr> + <td><span class="smcap">The New Steamer.</span></td> + <td class='tdr'><a href='#Page_300'>300</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10"></a><a id="Page_11"></a>[11]</span></p> + +<p class='center mt2 fs150 bold ltsp1'>LIGHTNING EXPRESS;</p> +<p class='center mt1 fs90 bold'>OR,</p> +<p class='center mt1 fs130 bold ltsp3'>THE RIVAL ACADEMIES.</p> + +<hr class="r21"> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I"> + CHAPTER I. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>A STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first kern-extra'><span class='allcaps'>“Order</span>, gentlemen, order!” said Mr. Tommy +Toppleton, rapping his gavel on the desk +before him. “While I am president of the Lake +Shore Railroad, I will have order!”</p> + +<p>Tommy was the son of his father; on this question +there could be no dispute. Not only was his +father a great man, but Tommy, in his own estimation, +was a great man also; on this question, +unfortunately, there was some dispute. Perhaps it +was the young gentleman’s misfortune, certainly it +was not his fault, that he was the only son of a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span> +very rich father, and had been indulged until he +was, so far as the circumstances would admit, a +spoiled child. He had many excellent qualities; +but he had come to think that among the boys he +was the central figure, and that without him they +were nothing, and could do nothing.</p> + +<p>Tommy regarded other boys, even the students +of the Toppleton Institute who were his equals in +wealth and social position, as in some sense footballs +for his capricious toes. Many of his companions +did not like him, because he “put on airs,” +because he was overbearing and tyrannical to his +inferiors, and because he always claimed the highest +position and the loftiest dignity among them. +When the Lake Shore Railroad Company was organized, +he was elected one of the board of directors, +and then by them was chosen president. He +had filled this office from the beginning, and he +expected always to fill it.</p> + +<p>The company had been in operation about a year, +during which time it had dealt mainly with imaginary +certificates of stock, bonds, rolling stock, and +other material, the object being to give the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span> +students a knowledge of railroad business. The actual +building of the road had rendered the company +somewhat more real; but, as all the property was +in fact owned by Major Toppleton, who held the +bonds of the company for its full value, it was still +to the students an educational rather than a practical +business enterprise. The real owner, therefore, +was the real manager of the road. He told +the directors what votes to pass, and they were +pliant enough to obey. All the forms of electing +officers, appointing the superintendent, road-master, +engineers, and other officers, were punctiliously adhered +to.</p> + +<p>The capital stock of the company was two hundred +thousand dollars, represented by two thousand +shares of one hundred dollars each, which had been +apportioned among the students of the Institute, in +unequal parts. Some owned one hundred shares, +others only two or three. Tommy Toppleton was +the happy possessor of a quarter part of the capital +stock of the concern, and threw five hundred votes, +each representing a share, in a stockholders’ meeting. +An account was kept with each owner of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span> +stock, and transfers from one to another were frequent. +I am sorry to detract from the dignity of +the enterprise by confessing that a share, whose par +value was one hundred dollars, was frequently bartered +away for a pint of pea-nuts, though, as the +road, like many others, was mortgaged for its full +value, perhaps the compensation was adequate.</p> + +<p>Two thousand mortgage bonds of one hundred +dollars each had been issued, duly signed by the +officers, and bearing interest at seven per cent. As +the company had no receipts for the first quarter +of the year, the railroad was heavily in debt, and +the students were not likely to be burdened with +any extra spending money from their dividends. I +had run the dummy during the fall and winter, +carrying passengers as far as Grass Springs; not for +the fun of it, but at regular fares—twenty cents +to Spangleport, five miles distant, fifty cents to the +Springs, thirteen miles, and between the two latter +points, thirty cents. There had been considerable +travel, enough to make a breeze with the steamboat +company, though not enough to pay the interest +and expenses of running.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span></p> + +<p>As the students were not permitted to neglect +their studies for the purpose of serving as conductors +and engineers, outsiders had been employed +to some extent. Major Toppleton did not regard +the Lake Shore Railroad as a mere plaything. During +the winter he had procured his charter, and he +had expended an immense sum of money on the +road since he commenced, for his ideas had enlarged +as he progressed, and he intended to have a regular +line to Ucayga, at the foot of the lake. In a quiet +way he had bought up the stock of the steamboat +company, and a report was circulated in the spring +that the boats would run only between Middleport +and Hitaca, at the head of the lake, when the railroad +was completed. The Centreporters were filled +with horror and indignation, for this scheme would +leave them no means of communication with Ucayga, +on the great lines of railroad, except by the way +of Middleport, and would compel them to patronize +the hated Lake Shore line. But this project was +only rumored; it had not yet been developed.</p> + +<p>The assembly in which Mr. Tommy Toppleton +insisted that order should be preserved while he +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> +was the president of the Lake Shore Railroad, was +the annual meeting of the stockholders, at which the +election of officers was to take place. By permission +of Major Toppleton I was allowed to own five +shares in the road, though, as I was not a member +of the Institute, I was not eligible as a purchaser +of stock. But I felt an interest in the enterprise, +and an interest in the method of conducting the +business, and I had purchased my stock at a fearful +depreciation from the par value. One of the +fellows, by the name of Limpenfield, had run out +of pocket money, and being sorely tempted to enjoy +a feast of cream cakes, I had taken advantage +of his necessities, and bought five shares for twenty-five +cents!</p> + +<p>The meeting threatened to be rather stormy, for +I happened to know that there were two tickets +in the field for a board of directors, on one of +which the name of Tommy Toppleton did not appear, +though the canvassing had been so carefully +conducted that the person principally concerned had +no suspicion of his own unpopularity, and least of +all that the stockholders would have the audacity +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span> +to tip him out of his exalted position. But this +question had not yet come to an issue. The excitement +was over another matter.</p> + +<p>“I move you that we proceed to the election of +officers at once,” said Barnscott.</p> + +<p>“I move you that we adjourn to Grass Springs!” +shouted Wetherstane.</p> + +<p>“Second the motion!” added Putnam.</p> + +<p>“Order, gentlemen! What motion do you second, +Putnam?” demanded the president.</p> + +<p>“The motion to adjourn to Grass Springs, of +course.”</p> + +<p>“What do we want to adjourn to Grass Springs +for?” demanded Barnscott.</p> + +<p>“Question! Question!” called the crowd.</p> + +<p>“There is no motion before the stockholders!” +roared Tommy, hammering the desk vigorously with +his gavel, for he was a model presiding officer, and +would no more have served in this capacity without +a gavel than he would have gone to meeting without +a coat.</p> + +<p>“Mr. President, I made a motion,” said Barnscott.</p> + +<p>“So did I,” added Wetherstane.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span></p> + +<p>“Neither of them is before the house. Gentlemen, +you interrupt the company’s business by your +disorder. I insist that the proceedings be conducted +with parliamentary propriety.” Tommy had been to +the legislature with his father when the charter was +obtained, and indulged in technical phrases which +all the students did not fully comprehend.</p> + +<p>“I move you—”</p> + +<p>“Order!” screamed Tommy, at the top of his +lungs, and as savage as a yellow wasp.</p> + +<p>“I move you—”</p> + +<p>“Order!” repeated the vigorous president, indicating +each of the movers by pointing at them +with his gavel. “Take your seat, Barnscott! Sit +down, Wetherstane! This business shall be done +in an orderly manner, or not at all;” and Tommy +swelled up till he was as big as the presiding +officer of the Senate of the United States.</p> + +<p>“I thought this was a free country, and that +the stockholders of the Lake Shore Railroad had +a right to speak in the meetings,” growled the irrepressible +Barnscott.</p> + +<p>“Sit down!” thundered Tommy.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span></p> + +<p>“I have a certificate for ten shares; and that +gives me the right to speak and to vote in this +meeting,” added the indignant Wetherstane.</p> + +<p>“Take your seat, or I will have you put out of +the hall!” yelled the president.</p> + +<p>“I’ll sell my stock to any fellow that wants it +for a stick of molasses candy,” continued the wrathy +Barnscott. “What is the use of owning stock if +you are to be muzzled like a mad dog?”</p> + +<p>“Shall we have order, or not?” cried the president, +disgusted with the irregular proceedings of +the turbulent stockholders.</p> + +<p>“Order! Order!” shouted a respectable majority +of the assembly.</p> + +<p>Tommy was evidently out of breath, and disposed +to resort to disagreeable measures. The meeting +was held in the chapel of the Institute, and the +principal, if not the major, was within calling distance. +Rather than have a lecture from either of +them, the violent makers of motions subsided for a +time, and permitted the president to do the lecturing. +Tommy took a swallow of water from a +tumbler on the desk, and then looked majestically +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span> +around the room, as if to satisfy himself that no +further disorder was intended, and that the turbulent +ones were disposed to listen to his remarks.</p> + +<p>“Gentlemen, order is Heaven’s first law, and it +must be the first law of the Lake Shore Railroad +Company, especially in a meeting of its stockholders,” +Tommy began, and then paused, looking as +solemn as an owl at noonday, to note the effect of +his impressive words.</p> + +<p>As no one objected to this proposition, Tommy +took another swallow of cold water, and proceeded +with his remarks.</p> + +<p>“No business can be done while we are in confusion,” +he continued, with due seriousness, as he +straightened back his neck. “This is a parliamentary +assembly, like the legislature of the state, and +we purpose to do all things in a parliamentary +manner. Such bodies, met together for purposes +of debate, are subject to certain well-established +rules, sanctioned by usage, and governed by precedents.”</p> + +<p>“Whew!” whistled Briscoe. “I wonder what +book he stole that from.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span></p> + +<p>“I beg your pardon, Mr. President, but I made a +motion, which was properly seconded,” interrupted +Wetherstane, quite mildly now. “I don’t think any +other business can be brought before the house till +that one has been settled.”</p> + +<p>“The motion was in order,—a motion to adjourn +is always in order,—but it was not properly before +the stockholders. The motion does not become a +question, and is not before the house, until it has +been stated by the presiding officer. A motion cannot +be entertained until it has been seconded; and +made and seconded, it does not become a question +until it has been stated by the president. One question +must be disposed of before another can be entertained. +Gentlemen, I insist upon order. I am +now ready to hear any motion;” and Tommy, having +laid down the law, intended that everybody +should abide by it.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II"> + CHAPTER II. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>THE STOCKHOLDERS IN COUNCIL.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first kern'><span class='allcaps'>Mr. Tommy Toppleton</span> had reduced the +riotous assembly before him to a tolerable +degree of subjection. The president was obliged to +embody in his own person the dignity of the Lake +Shore Railroad, since those in front of him refused +to be conscious of the glory of being stockholders. +He was ready to hear any motion, and it was evident +that he intended to keep the peace. But the +boys were really excited. They had been discussing +the interests of the road, and some of their +projects would certainly prove to be treasonable to +the house of Toppleton. It must be confessed that +a great many of them could not see the difference +between their own interests and those of the road; +and being excited, they did not set a good example +to their elders in Congress and other deliberative +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span> +bodies, but behaved very much like full-grown +men on similar occasions.</p> + +<p>“Mr. President,” said Wetherstane, springing to +his feet, as soon as it was evident that a motion +was in order.</p> + +<p>“Mr. President,” called Barnscott, almost at the +same instant. “I move—”</p> + +<p>“Wetherstane has the floor,” interposed the impartial +presiding officer, vigorously pounding the +desk with his gavel; and I must say he made +noise enough to entitle him to preference as one +of the gentlemanly conductors on our road, where +noise seemed to be at a premium.</p> + +<p>“What sort of way is that?” demanded Barnscott. +“I have the floor.”</p> + +<p>“Wetherstane attracted my attention first, and +he has the floor,” replied Tommy, decidedly.</p> + +<p>“I was up first,” persisted Barnscott.</p> + +<p>“Take your seat, sir!” roared the president; and +the pine boards of which the lid of the desk was +composed were in imminent danger of being fractured +by his gavel.</p> + +<p>“Mr. President, I rise to a point of order,” said +Lennox.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp95" id="i_p023" style="max-width: 79.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p023.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + A STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING.—<a href='#Page_23'>Page 23</a>. + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span></p> + +<p>“Order, gentlemen!” roared Tommy. “I have +decided that Wetherstane has the floor. If any +stockholder is so disposed, he can appeal from the +decision of the chair.”</p> + +<p>Under ordinary circumstances, Tommy Toppleton +did not permit any appeal from the decision of the +chair, and always insisted upon having his own way; +but it was in the nature of a triumph for him to +direct the deliberations of his fellow-students, and +to introduce forms and methods of which the majority +of them had never heard.</p> + +<p>“I appeal from the decision of the chair,” added +Lennox.</p> + +<p>“Points of order necessarily take precedence of +all other questions,” said Tommy, with the utmost +dignity and self-possession.</p> + +<p>“Ahem!” coughed a fellow in the crowd, which +brought down a regular board-splitter from the +gavel.</p> + +<p>“The chair decided that Wetherstane had the +floor. An appeal is taken. The question now before +the house is, Shall the decision of the chair +stand as the decision of the stockholders? This +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> +question is debatable, and the presiding officer may +participate in the discussion. You will all see that, +occupying a position where I can see all the members +of the assembly, I could not very well make +a mistake in regard to who spoke first. I am quite +confident that Wetherstane had said ‘Mr. President’ +before Barnscott opened his mouth.”</p> + +<p>Various opinions were expressed by individual +stockholders, and they were about equally divided +on the merits of the question. Each claimant for +the floor had half a dozen advocates, who were +confident that their man had spoken first. It was +really a matter between Tommy and the stockholders, +which they were likely to decide as they +loved or hated the president.</p> + +<p>“Question! Question!” called the students, when +they began to be weary of the fruitless debate.</p> + +<p>“Those in favor of sustaining the decision of the +chair will manifest it by saying, ‘Ay.’”</p> + +<p>“Ay!” shouted many voices.</p> + +<p>“Those opposed say, ‘No.’”</p> + +<p>“No!” responded the determined opponents of the +president.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span></p> + +<p>“It is a vote!” said Tommy, who was not quite +willing to believe that one of his decisions could +be reversed by a majority.</p> + +<p>“A vote!” exclaimed Lennox. “Why, Mr. President—”</p> + +<p>“Silence, sir! A vote cannot be debated,” thundered +Tommy, with awful dignity. “Any member +has the right to doubt the vote, and call for a +count.”</p> + +<p>“I doubt the vote, Mr. President, and call for a +count,” added Lennox.</p> + +<p>“The vote is doubted,” said Tommy, rapping violently +to repress the noise and confusion. “Those +in favor of sustaining the decision of the chair will +rise and stand uncovered till counted.”</p> + +<p>“Uncovered?” demanded Briscoe. “Shall we take +our things off?”</p> + +<p>“Order!”</p> + +<p>Tommy’s friends, and those who had not backbone +enough to vote against his decision, rose and +were counted. I voted with this side because I +really believed that Wetherstane had spoken first.</p> + +<p>“Twenty-one,” said the president, after he had +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span> +counted the affirmatives; and I noticed that his +lips were compressed, as if to subdue some angry +emotions which he felt at the result.</p> + +<p>“Those opposed stand till counted.”</p> + +<p>A large majority, obtaining pluck from mere numbers, +sprang to their feet.</p> + +<p>“All up! All up!” shouted the more demonstrative +of the rebels, who had doubtless been to town +meetings in their day.</p> + +<p>“Order!” screamed Tommy, more fiercely than +ever; for the vote, to him, looked like factious +opposition. “Eighty-six in the negative,” he added, +when he had completed the count.</p> + +<p>Silence reigned in the hall then, and perhaps +many of the students were appalled to think of +what they had done. They had actually voted +down the high and mighty Tommy Toppleton, +whose word was law. The experience of the nations +that deliberative bodies are not favorable to +the rule of tyrants was in a fair way to be realized +by the heir of the house of Toppleton. The boys +watched the president, expecting an outburst of +indignation and wrath at his defeat; but, happily, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span> +the dignity of the presiding officer prevailed over +the feelings of the individual, and with a mighty +struggle he repressed his emotions. As I have had +occasion to say before, Tommy was in the main a +good fellow; he would have been a first-rate one +if he had not been spoiled by the weak indulgence +of his father and mother. He had been taught to +have his own way, and his passions were a volcano +within him, ready to break out whenever he was +thwarted. I am inclined to think this was the first +time he had ever conquered himself, and restrained +his wrath when defeated.</p> + +<p>“The decision is in the negative,” added Tommy, +with admirable self-possession for one of his temperament. +“Barnscott has the floor.”</p> + +<p>“Mr. President,” said the lucky claimant, “I move +that we proceed to the election of officers for the +ensuing year.”</p> + +<p>“Second the motion,” added Faxon.</p> + +<p>“It is moved and seconded that the stockholders +proceed to the election of officers,” continued Tommy, +who could not see why all this storm had been +created on so simple a proposition. “The question +is now before the house.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span></p> + +<p>“Mr. President!” shouted Wetherstane, loud +enough to have been heard on the other side of +Ucayga Lake.</p> + +<p>“Wetherstane,” replied Tommy, indicating that the +speaker had the floor.</p> + +<p>“I move you that we adjourn to Grass Springs +at two o’clock this afternoon,” added the young gentleman, +who, beyond the possibility of a doubt, had +the floor now.</p> + +<p>“Second the motion,” added Putnam.</p> + +<p>“It is moved and seconded that we adjourn to +Grass Springs at two o’clock this afternoon,” repeated +the president, wondering what this movement +meant.</p> + +<p>“What’s to be done with my motion?” demanded +Barnscott. “I thought one thing had to be settled +before another was brought up.”</p> + +<p>“A motion to adjourn is always in order,” said +the president.</p> + +<p>“Mr. President, I rise to a point of order,” interposed +Skotchley, a quiet kind of fellow, who had +studied deeper into parliamentary law than even +Tommy Toppleton, for he had been the presiding +officer of a juvenile debating society.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span></p> + +<p>“State your point, Skotchley.”</p> + +<p>“I respectfully submit that the motion to adjourn +is not in order, for the reason that, to entitle it to +precedence, it should simply be a motion to adjourn +without fixing a time.”</p> + +<p>Tommy was nonplussed. The question took him +out of his depth. He had Cushing’s Manual in his +pocket, but it would not be dignified to consult it +in the presence of the stockholders. However, he +knew that Skotchley was well posted, and he deemed +it prudent to follow his lead.</p> + +<p>“The chair decides that the point is well taken, +and that the motion to adjourn is not in order,” +said he, though probably he would not have been +so pliant if he had not been opposed to the substance +of the motion. “By the ruling out of this +motion, Barnscott’s is now in order.”</p> + +<p>“That’s a pretty how d’ye do!” exclaimed Putnam.</p> + +<p>“Order! The motion to proceed to the choice +of officers is now before the house.”</p> + +<p>“Mr. President, I move to amend the motion by +the addition of the words, ‘at Grass Springs at two +o’clock this afternoon,’” said Wetherstane.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span></p> + +<p>“Second the motion,” added Putnam, who was +evidently “in the ring,” for he seconded only the +Grass Springs motions.</p> + +<p>Tommy stated the amendment, and there was a +silence of a minute or two, for a wonder. Then +Barnscott did not see why the amendment had +been brought forward, and wanted to know what +Grass Springs had to do with election of officers. +He evidently was not “in the ring.” He should +vote against the amendment, and he hoped all the +rest of the stockholders would do the same.</p> + +<p>“Mr. President,” said Briscoe, who had more +pluck than most of his companions, “who ever +heard of the stockholders of a railroad holding a +meeting for the election of officers right in the +place where they do their business? It is contrary +to custom, and I protest against any innovations. +They always have a free train, and take the +stockholders to a place where there is a good hotel. +After they have voted, they have a first-rate supper +at the expense of the corporation. If they don’t +always do it, they always ought to do it. I am +in favor of having this meeting at the hotel in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span> +Grass Springs, and, after the business is done, of +eating as good a supper as the landlord can get +up for us.”</p> + +<p>“Question! Question!” shouted the stockholders, +who seemed to be unanimously in favor of +following the precedent.</p> + +<p>Barnscott made a speech in favor of an immediate +election. He did not believe stockholders +usually had a dinner; but, as he continued his remarks +rather longer than prudence justified, he was +interrupted by calls for the question.</p> + +<p>“Are you ready for the question?” said Tommy, +who did not know what to make of the remarkable +proceedings of the company. “You can vote what +you please, fellows; but carrying out the vote is +quite another thing. You can vote that Lake Ucayga +dry up if you like, but it won’t dry up.”</p> + +<p>“Dry up!” shouted some of the ruder ones. +“Question!”</p> + +<p>“Those in favor of amending the motion will say +‘Ay,’” added the president.</p> + +<p>The motion was carried by a majority of three to +one. The original motion was then passed by a vote +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span> +of the same ratio. Briscoe then moved that the +directors be instructed to make the arrangements +for the meeting and the dinner in the afternoon, +which was also carried. The meeting then adjourned; +but it was clear enough to Tommy Toppleton +that the stockholders were taking things into +their own hands, and that his father would have +something to say in regard to the astounding vote.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III"> + CHAPTER III. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>THE PRESIDENT OF THE ROAD.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first kern'><span class='allcaps'>“What</span> does all this mean, Wolf?” said Mr. +Tommy Toppleton to me, after the stockholders’ +meeting had adjourned.</p> + +<p>“What does it mean?” I repeated, moved by the +condescension of the high and mighty scion of the +house of Toppleton in addressing me, and, in some +sense, making a confidant and adviser of me.</p> + +<p>Probably he came to me because he was rather +confused in regard to the identity of his friends. As +president of the Lake Shore Railroad, he had rendered +a decision from which the stockholders had +appealed, and he had been beaten by a vote of four +to one. He was vexed and mortified at the result, +and was disposed to regard it as a personal insult. +He had always had his own way, and could see no +reason why he should not always have it. In the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span> +excitement of building the road, the students had +regarded him as the representative of his father, +who was doing an immensely great thing to add to +the popularity of the Toppleton Institute; and his +offensive manner, his domineering, haughty, and even +tyrannical conduct, had hardly been noticed. But, +after the road had lost its novelty, the lordly demeanor +of the little magnate was not relished, and +he was beginning to feel the effects of his conduct.</p> + +<p>I did not like to tell Tommy even as much of the +real truth as I knew myself, and the leaders of the +opposition had not taken me into their confidence. +It was an ungracious task to inform the high-spirited, +uncurbed, and wilful young gentleman that his +fellow-students were dissatisfied with him, and that +an attempt to run him out of his office was to be +made. But Tommy put the question squarely to +me, and I could not well avoid the issue. He evidently +regarded me as a dependent of the house of +Toppleton, whose will could only be the reflection +of that of his employers.</p> + +<p>“What does it mean? That’s what I want to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span> +know,” added Tommy, his face lighted up with an +excitement which threatened a storm.</p> + +<p>“The fellows seem to be disposed to do things +as other corporations do,” I replied, cautiously, for +I did not wish to rouse the sleeping lion in the +little lord.</p> + +<p>“Wasn’t I fair and impartial?” demanded he.</p> + +<p>“I think you were,” I replied; and I did not lose +sight of the fact that he had decided against Barnscott, +whose motion he favored, when he gave the +floor to Wetherstane.</p> + +<p>“The stockholders voted me down just as though +they meant to insult me,” continued Tommy, smartly. +“Do you know why they want to go to Grass +Springs to elect officers?”</p> + +<p>“For the sake of the dinner, I suppose,” I answered. +“But, Tommy, there is going to be an +opposition to you, at this election.”</p> + +<p>“An opposition to me!” exclaimed the president, +amazed at the intelligence.</p> + +<p>“I have only heard it whispered among the fellows.”</p> + +<p>“What have I done that the fellows should be +down upon me?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span></p> + +<p>“I don’t know that I ought to say anything +about it, Tommy. It is really none of my business. +I shall vote for you.”</p> + +<p>“If you know anything about it, tell me,” continued +Tommy, rather imperiously.</p> + +<p>“I only know that there is another ticket for +directors in the field.”</p> + +<p>“And my name is not upon it?”</p> + +<p>“No, it is not.”</p> + +<p>Tommy stamped his foot upon the floor, and +looked decidedly ugly. I was rather sorry that I +had said anything, though it was better for him to +be prepared for the result before it was announced.</p> + +<p>“Wolf, I don’t blame you for this; but I want +you to tell me all about it,” said he, after he had +partially choked down his wrath. “What have I +done to set the fellows against me? What do they +say about it?”</p> + +<p>“They say you put on airs—that you order them +around as though you were their master.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I am president of the road,” said he, as +if this were a sufficient explanation; and I think he +really considered it very unreasonable in the students +to object to his conduct.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span></p> + +<p>“I only tell you what the fellows say.”</p> + +<p>“Wolf, do <em>you</em> think I have put on airs?” demanded +he.</p> + +<p>“So far as I am concerned myself, I haven’t a +word of fault to find,” I replied, evasively.</p> + +<p>“You! Well, you are only a hired hand,” added +he, with refreshing candor. “Do you think I have +treated the fellows badly?”</p> + +<p>“Not badly; but you know they are rich men’s +sons, and consider themselves as good as you are.”</p> + +<p>“But my father built this road, and pays for everything. +Not a single one of these fellows ever gave +a cent for anything.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t believe the money makes any difference.”</p> + +<p>“Why don’t you say I’m to blame, if you think +so?” snapped he, impatiently.</p> + +<p>“I believe if you had not been quite so sharp with +the fellows they would have liked you better,” I answered, +desperately. “You tell them to do this and +that, and order them just as though they were servants +in your father’s house. They won’t stand it. +They are not paid for their work, as I am.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you; you are very complimentary. I suppose +you will call me a tyrant next,” sneered he.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span></p> + +<p>“I am only telling you what I have heard the fellows +say,” I meekly responded.</p> + +<p>“Why didn’t you tell me this before?” snarled +he; and I was fully convinced then, if I had not +been before, that honest counsel to such a person +is a thankless task.</p> + +<p>Tommy walked up and down the hall precisely as +his magnificent father would have done, if he had +been vexed and disconcerted. I had told him wholesome +truth, for which he was not grateful to me.</p> + +<p>“Come with me, Wolf,” said he, imperiously, after +he had considered the matter a while.</p> + +<p>The rest of the students were scattered about +the building and play-ground of the institute, talking +over the meeting, or electioneering for the great occasion, +in the afternoon, if Major Toppleton did not +veto the proceedings. I followed Tommy over the +lawn, where many of the students were assembled +in groups. He took no notice of them, unless it +was to cast angry and scornful glances at them. He +led the way to his father’s house, where we found +the major in his library.</p> + +<p>“Father, we may as well burst up the Lake Shore +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span> +Railroad, so far as the students are concerned,” said +the irate and disgusted president of the company.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter now, Tommy?” asked the +major, looking up from the newspaper he was reading.</p> + +<p>“They are going to run me off the ticket for +directors,” growled Tommy, dropping heavily into +an arm-chair, as though the end of the world had +come, and there was nothing more to live for. “They +say I have been putting on airs.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps you have, Tommy!” suggested the +major, who, for some reason or other, was disposed +to receive the intelligence very good-naturedly.</p> + +<p>“I am the president of the road, and have only +done my duty. I’m not going down on my knees +to those who are under me.”</p> + +<p>“But a certain degree of gentlemanly forbearance +and consideration is prudent in business relations,” +added the major. “Now let me hear what the matter +is, and we will see what can be done.”</p> + +<p>Between Tommy and myself we told the great +man what had transpired at the hall, and announced +the vote of the stockholders, relating to the adjourned +meeting and the dinner. The major actually +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span> +laughed at the impudence of the boys. He +was a politic man when policy paid better than +violence. There was certainly a breeze among the +stockholders of the Lake Shore Railroad. Tommy +was in peril of losing his office, which would leave +the owner of the road without a suitable representative +in the board of directors. The movement must +be checked, or the connection of the Institute with +the road must be dissolved.</p> + +<p>The major was ready to act. The vote of the +stockholders was to be carried out in substance. A +free train to Grass Spring was to be run at one +o’clock; and, at the invitation of the president, a +supper was to be served at the hotel after the +meeting. This course would conciliate the refractory +stockholders, and save the present directors from +the accident of being turned out of office. Tommy +seemed to be of the opinion that the stockholders +ought to be compelled to vote for him, rather than +coaxed into it; but he yielded to the superior experience +of his father, and consented to feast the electors. +He was instructed to invite all the students +to the supper, and to have it specially understood +that it was his entertainment, not the company’s.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span></p> + +<p>There was yet another question to be settled by +the students, but not in their capacity as stockholders. +The military department of the Institute was +still maintained, in spite of the novelty of the railroad. +The boys were organized as a battalion of +two companies, and it is hardly necessary to say +that Tommy was the major. It was the custom of +the Institute to camp out for a week during what +was called the home vacation, because the students +did <em>not</em> generally go home during this period. The +stockholders’ meeting was held on the Saturday preceding +this vacation, and it was necessary to determine +where and when the camp should be formed, +for this question was left to the students. It was +proposed to hold the meeting after the stockholders +adjourned, when the major would call the battalion +to order.</p> + +<p>It was possible, if not probable, that the camping +out would be dispensed with the present year, for the +new locomotive and cars had just arrived, and were +lodged in the houses erected for them. The major +had instructed me—or rather the board of directors +had done so—to run the new engine on Monday. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span> +It was thought that the students would not be inclined +to camp out with this new excitement in +store for them.</p> + +<p>The road was in order as far as Grass Springs, +and in a few weeks it would be completed to Ucayga. +I ran regular trips to the former place, every +two hours, on the dummy, which was now so degraded +by contrast with the locomotive, that it was +of small account. But the students did not seem +to feel that degree of interest in the new order of +things which had been expected. They were excited +when the locomotive and cars arrived; shouted, +yelled, and screamed till they were hoarse; but the +fact that the engine was not to be used as a plaything +by any one who desired to do so, operated as +a damper upon the boys. Perhaps Tommy, more +than any one else, was responsible for this state of +things; for his domineering spirit had disgusted his +fellow-students.</p> + +<p>In my next trip on the dummy Major Toppleton +went to Grass Springs, and ordered the supper for +the stockholders. At one o’clock I was in the cab +of the new locomotive, which, in compliment to the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span> +occasion, was to make its first trip to the Springs. +It was a beautiful machine, of about two thirds of +the ordinary size. The cars were of a corresponding +size. Never was an engineer prouder and happier +than I was when I ran the engine out of the +house. I had borrowed some flags and decorated it +for the great occasion. Faxon was with me in the +cab, though Lewis Holgate, the son of Christy, who +had robbed my father, was employed as fireman.</p> + +<p>At the appointed time the students appeared, and, +after giving sundry cheers for the train, took their +seats, and I started the locomotive. I felt like a +real engineer then. The boys screamed as the train +moved off, and in half an hour we put on the brakes +at Grass Springs. The students hastened to the +hotel where the meeting and the supper were to +take place. Leaving the engine in charge of Lewis, +I hastened to the meeting, where I intended to +electioneer for Tommy Toppleton.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV"> + CHAPTER IV. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>OFF FOR THE CAMP.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first kern'><span class='allcaps'>“The</span> time to which this meeting was adjourned +has arrived, gentlemen, and you are requested +to come to order,” said Tommy Toppleton, rapping +on the table with the gavel, which he had been +careful to bring with him.</p> + +<p>“Mr. President,” said Barnscott, springing to his +feet, with half a dozen others, all anxious to make +the first motion.</p> + +<p>“Barnscott,” replied Tommy, giving him the floor.</p> + +<p>“I move you we proceed to the choice of officers.”</p> + +<p>“Second the motion,” added Putnam.</p> + +<p>“It is moved and seconded that we proceed to +the election of officers,” repeated the president.</p> + +<p>“Question! Question!” shouted the stockholders; +for there was now no difference of opinion on this +point.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span></p> + +<p>The motion was carried without opposition. I +had intended to make a little speech myself before +any business was done. Indeed, it had been arranged +by Tommy and his father that I should do +so; but Barnscott was too quick for me.</p> + +<p>“Mr. President,” I shouted, as soon as the vote +was declared, “I have a word to say to the stockholders, +if you will allow me to speak directly to +them.”</p> + +<p>“Go on! Go on!” yelled the students.</p> + +<p>“Gentlemen, though what I have to say does not +exactly belong to the business on hand, I hope it +won’t be taken amiss,” I began. “By the vote of +the stockholders this morning, the expenses of the +supper to be provided for the company at this hotel +were to be paid for out of the treasury of the corporation. +It is well known that the company is in +debt, that the interest on its bonds has not been +paid. The president, therefore, in consultation with +the munificent patron of the road, did not think it +right to use the funds of the company in paying +for a supper.”</p> + +<p>“Are we to have no supper?” demanded Wetherstane.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span></p> + +<p>“We are,” I replied, earnestly. “The liberality +of the president of the road is well known to all +of you, and I have the pleasure of informing you +that he has decided to provide the supper at his +own expense. It is my pleasant privilege, therefore, +to invite you, in behalf of President Toppleton, +to a supper at this hotel, after the adjournment. +I wish the stockholders especially to understand that +this invitation is extended by the president in his +private capacity.”</p> + +<p>Some applause followed my speech; but it was +by no means as general and hearty as I desired. +It was an electioneering movement, and with this +invitation before them, I did not see how the stockholders +could well avoid reëlecting Tommy. I saw +the leaders of the opposition looking significantly at +each other, as though they regarded my movement +as a diversion against their scheme. A committee +to collect, count, and declare the vote was appointed +by the chair, and indorsed by the meeting; and I +had the honor to be one of the three.</p> + +<p>During the voting, intense excitement prevailed +in the hall. It was a general jabber. As far as +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span> +my duties would permit, I had been at work for +Tommy. I had used all my powers of persuasion +to induce certain large stockholders to vote for him; +but, as fast as I made an impression, it seemed to +be removed by the opposition, and when the meeting +assembled I was not sure that I had converted +a single share, for each of which a vote was given. +But Tommy was reasonably confident of an election. +He threw five hundred votes for himself to begin +with, as the representative of so many shares; and +one more than the same number, in addition, would +elect him. If he could not get so many votes, he +was more unpopular than any of his friends suspected.</p> + +<p>“Have all the stockholders voted?” shouted Tommy. +“If so, I declare the poll closed!”</p> + +<p>The committee retired to sort and count the ballots, +taking with us the stock book, in order to +detect any illegal voting. I do not think any +similar occasion among full-grown men excited more +interest and anxiety than this election. Tommy +Toppleton was really on trial for insolence and +tyranny, and the result was to be his acquittal or +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span> +conviction. We counted the votes; and Faxon, who +was the chairman, and a friend of the president, led +the way to the hall, with the result written on a +piece of paper in his hand.</p> + +<p>“Order, gentlemen!” called Tommy; and his unsteady +voice indicated the anxiety with which he +waited the issue. “You will listen to the report +of the committee.”</p> + +<p>“Whole number of votes, two thousand,” read +Faxon, while breathless silence pervaded the hall. +“Necessary to a choice, one thousand and one. +Thomas Toppleton has eight hundred and eighty-two;” +and the chairman read the rest of the names +on the same ticket, who had nearly all the vote. +“Edward Skotchley has twelve hundred and eighteen.”</p> + +<p>The chairman then declared that Edward Skotchley, +and the others on both tickets, except Tommy, +were elected. Some faint applause followed the +announcement; but most of the students appeared +to be appalled at what they had done. The president’s +face was as red as a blood beet, and I expected +his wrath would boil over. Even the supper +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span> +had not saved him, and certainly it was a hard case. +I was sorry for him, while I could not approve of +his haughty and overbearing manner. I went up +to the desk with the intention of giving him what +I considered good advice.</p> + +<p>“Don’t get mad, Tommy,” said I, in a low voice, +but so that he could hear me.</p> + +<p>“It’s an insult,” added he, between his closed +teeth.</p> + +<p>“Never mind if it is. Don’t let them see that +they are punishing you,” I added.</p> + +<p>This last remark of mine had the desired effect; +and, to my astonishment, he smiled as blandly as +though nothing had happened. He did not relish +the idea of letting his enemies triumph over him, +and though he now looked like peace itself, I was +satisfied that the punishment of the rebels was reserved +for another occasion.</p> + +<p>“Mr. President!”</p> + +<p>Both Tommy and myself looked to see who had +the audacity to break the impressive silence that +still reigned in the hall. It was Skotchley—Edward +the Silent, as he was often called, on account +of his quiet way.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span></p> + +<p>“Skotchley,” said Tommy, who, though he did +not regard his successful rival very favorably, was +hypocrite enough to smile sweetly upon him.</p> + +<p>“Mr. President, I wish to say that my name was +used without my knowledge or consent. I voted +for the old board myself, and am so well satisfied +with the president, that, even if I considered myself +qualified for the position,—which I do not,—I +could not accept it.”</p> + +<p>“Toady!” snuffed some of the students.</p> + +<p>Skotchley glanced at the knot of stockholders +from whom the offensive word had come. The +quiet dignity of his manner silenced them.</p> + +<p>“Under no circumstances could I, or would I, +accept this office,” added Skotchley, as he seated +himself, amid the applause of Tommy’s friends.</p> + +<p>The speaker was not excused; but he adhered +to his purpose, and the students were obliged to +ballot again. Tommy’s singular conduct in not getting +mad made a sensation. The students could +not comprehend it. While the second ballot was +in progress, he sat at the table, cool and smiling. +I am satisfied it was this conduct alone which +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span> +created a reaction in his favor; for on the second +ballot he was elected by a majority of one hundred +and eleven. He accepted the position, and thanked +the stockholders for their continued favor, as coolly +as though nothing had occurred to disturb the current +of his thoughts.</p> + +<p>The present incumbents of the other elective +offices were chosen without opposition, and the +flurry was over; but it was clear enough, if Tommy +did not mend his ways, he would never be +elected again. The affairs of the railroad were +finished, and those of the battalion were taken +up. Tommy was chosen major by a small majority, +and the other officers were elected. The +location of the encampment caused considerable +discussion. Those who had been the leaders of the +opposition in the railroad company were in favor +of pitching the tents on the Horse Shoe, an island +on the lake, opposite Grass Springs, and two miles +from the west shore.</p> + +<p>Tommy’s party advocated the Sandy Bay Grove, +because the railroad passed near it. They urged +that the Wimpletonians usually encamped on the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span> +Horse Shoe. One of the other side was bold enough +to say that was the reason why he wished to go +there. I do not know how long the discussion +would have lasted if the landlord of the hotel had +not given the president a broad hint that the +supper was ready. This brought the matter to a +crisis, and when the vote was taken, there was +a large majority in favor of the Horse Shoe. +A committee was appointed to wait upon the +owner of the island, who was a resident of Grass +Springs.</p> + +<p>The landlord of the hotel did justice to himself, +and to the great occasion with which his house +had been honored. Tommy sat at the head of +the middle table, and presided with dignity and +discretion. Some very good speeches were made, +for boys, and the festival was a decided success. +I left the table before the party broke up, in order +to have the locomotive ready for the return. At +six o’clock we started. Faxon informed me that +the Horse Shoe had been engaged for the encampment, +and that the sum of ten dollars was to be +paid for the use of the island.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span></p> + +<p>“But I can tell you one thing, Wolf. There will +be one of the jolliest rows over there that you +ever heard of,” added Faxon.</p> + +<p>“I hope not.”</p> + +<p>“The Wimpleton fellows were going there; and +if there isn’t a fight before the week is out, I never +will guess again.”</p> + +<p>“Well, do our fellows know it?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“Know it!” exclaimed Faxon. “Of course they +do, and that is the particular reason why they want +to go there.”</p> + +<p>“Have the Wimps engaged the island?”</p> + +<p>“No; there is where we have the start of them. +They have always used it without leave or license.”</p> + +<p>It did look like an exciting time for the next +week. As soon as Tommy Toppleton understood +the reason why his battalion had selected the +Horse Shoe, he joined heartily with them; for +no one hated the Wimpletonians more thoroughly +than he did. He entered heart and soul into the +project, and issued his order for the march at +seven o’clock on Monday morning, so as to reach +the island before the enemy could take possession +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span> +of it. I was directed to have the train ready +at that hour.</p> + +<p>Though it was rather late when we arrived, the +boys went to work in making the preparations for +the camp, and before they retired, the tents, baggage, +and cooking utensils were loaded upon one +of the platform cars. Neither the major nor the +principal opposed the plan, and at the appointed +time on Monday morning, I had the train drawn +up on the road at a convenient point near the Institute, +ready to furnish the “transportation” for +the battalion.</p> + +<p>Major Tommy, intent upon being ahead of the +enemy on the other side of the lake, was on time +with his force. The battalion was to be reviewed +by the principal of the Institute before its departure, +and the two companies marched by the train, +on their way to the green where the ceremony +was to take place. As they passed me, I saluted +them with the steam whistle, and in return the +warlike heroes cheered the train. I witnessed the +impressive formalities of the review, and having +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span> +moved the cars forward, I heard the speech of the +principal at the close of the performance.</p> + +<p>The students then entered the cars. I gave a +tremendous whistle, and off we went, the students, +true to their noisy natures, yelling like madmen. +As we moved on, we discovered a fleet of boats, +loaded with Wimpletonians, sailing down the lake.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp95" id="i_p055" style="max-width: 79.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p055.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + THE TOPPLETON BATTALION.—<a href='#Page_55'>Page 55</a>. + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V"> + CHAPTER V. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>BREEZY PROSPECT AHEAD.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first'><span class='allcaps'>I am</span> not quite sure that Major Toppleton did not +know the Wimpletonians had selected the Horse +Shoe for their camp ground, and that a collision was +likely to occur between the students of the rival +academies. If he did know it, he was certainly to +blame, even though the Toppletonians had legal possession +of the land; for a man is morally responsible +far beyond the letter of the law. It was plain +enough to me that the wire-pullers on our side had +selected the Horse Shoe simply because it was the +usual encampment of their rivals.</p> + +<p>The Toppletonians were highly excited and intensely +belligerent. The jealousy between the two +sides of the lake and between the two schools had +thoroughly infected them. There were only a few +who were not ready to fight for the banner under +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span> +which they marched. While I confess that I was to +some extent a partisan for the Toppletonians, I could +not help feeling that there was something undignified +and unmanly in this senseless quarrel. I could realize +this sentiment, even while I was anxious that the +Wimpletonians should not “get ahead” of our side. +I was not in love with Colonel Wimpleton and his +son, but I should have preferred to treat them with +dignified contempt, rather than pick a quarrel with +them.</p> + +<p>The Wimpletonians had a whole fleet of boats, +including the dozen or more that belonged to the +Institute, and several bateaux, loaded with tents and +baggage. The wind was light early in the day, and +as they had to sail a dozen miles before they reached +their destination, they were not likely to arrive at +the island before us. Major Toppleton had ordered +the tug steamer to be at Grass Springs to convey +the students to the Horse Shoe, and she had towed +a number of boats for the use of the battalion.</p> + +<p>“We must hurry up, Wolf,” said Faxon, who, as +usual, was on the engine with me, after glancing at +the aquatic procession on the lake.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span></p> + +<p>“It will take the Wimps three hours to reach the +Horse Shoe with this breeze,” I replied. “Our party +will arrive in an hour.”</p> + +<p>“There may be some delay at the Springs. We +don’t know that the steamer will be there when we +arrive.”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t Major Toppleton send her to the Springs?” +I asked, not being aware that there was any contingency.</p> + +<p>“He sent her to Ucayga last night with a freight +of flour, and told Captain Underwood to be at Grass +Springs at eight o’clock, if possible. She may be +late. She did not leave Middleport till dark, and of +course she must discharge her cargo this morning. +If there should be no steamer ready for us, what +shall we do?”</p> + +<p>“Where are our boats?” I inquired.</p> + +<p>“I suppose Captain Underwood left them at the +wharf at the Springs, as he passed, or possibly at the +Horse Shoe. I only know what Tommy told me, +just before we started.”</p> + +<p>“There is a chance for a slip, after all,” I added.</p> + +<p>“I think there is a big chance for a slip. If the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span> +Wimps get to the island first, there will be a big +fight, for our fellows don’t wish for any better fun +than driving them off.”</p> + +<p>“And perhaps the Wimps would like no better +fun than that of driving the Tops off.”</p> + +<p>“Possession is nine points, you know, and the side +which gets a footing on the island first has the best +chance,” replied Faxon, cheerfully; and though he +did not bluster so much as some others, I knew that +he was “ready to go his length” in opposition to +the enemy.</p> + +<p>“It looks like a fight, any way you can fix it,” I +added. “Why couldn’t our fellows have chosen some +other place to encamp?”</p> + +<p>“Because the Horse Shoe suits them best. There +is a good wharf at the island, and plenty of dry +wood for the fires.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t see the use of quarrelling when there are +a hundred other places just as good as that.”</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter, Wolf? Have you no stomach +for a fight?” laughed Faxon.</p> + +<p>“No; I have not.”</p> + +<p>“But you are regarded by the fellows as a regular +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span> +fighting-cock. Your affairs with Waddie and with—” +Faxon checked himself, as he glanced at Lewis Holgate, +the fireman—“you know whom, are the foundation +of your popularity with them.”</p> + +<p>“I am willing to fight in a good cause; but I don’t +believe in bringing on a quarrel.”</p> + +<p>“The Wimps are always picking upon us, and +doing us mischief whenever they can. They have +torn up our track once, and we haven’t paid them +off for that.”</p> + +<p>“You sunk all their boats for that; and I think +you are about even.”</p> + +<p>“Not quite; but if they will let us alone, we won’t +meddle with them. We have hired the Horse Shoe +for the week, and we mean to have it. We have +the legal right to the island, and we are ready to +fight for possession.”</p> + +<p>“I think it is all nonsense to quarrel for nothing.”</p> + +<p>“We shall have the fun of licking them.”</p> + +<p>“Or the fun of being licked,” I suggested.</p> + +<p>“No danger of that. We have one hundred and +fifteen students now, and I was told that the Wimps +had fallen off to less than a hundred,” chuckled +Faxon.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span></p> + +<p>“The tables may be turned by and by, when the +colonel’s plans are in operation.”</p> + +<p>“What plans?” asked my companion, anxiously.</p> + +<p>“You did not suppose Colonel Wimpleton would +permit this railroad scheme to go on without doing +something to offset it—did you?” I replied; and +I had received some positive information from my +father, the night before, on this interesting topic.</p> + +<p>“What can he do? He can’t build a railroad on +his side of the lake.”</p> + +<p>“No; but at this moment Waddie Wimpleton is +the president of a corporation.”</p> + +<p>“What corporation?”</p> + +<p>“A steamboat company.”</p> + +<p>“Is that so?”</p> + +<p>“My father was over at Centreport yesterday, and +found out all about it.”</p> + +<p>“But what have the Wimps to do with it?”</p> + +<p>“The colonel is building a magnificent little steamer +at Hitaca. She is to be very long and narrow, +and good for fifteen to eighteen miles an hour. The +Institute fellows on the other side are to own and +manage her, just as you do the railroad.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span></p> + +<p>“That is news, certainly,” said Faxon, musing, and +apparently not at all pleased with the plan.</p> + +<p>“They say Major Toppleton has bought up the +steamers which now run on the lake, and means to +take them off between Ucayga and Middleport as +soon as the Lake Shore Railroad is completed.”</p> + +<p>“Of course; what’s the use of having the boats +after the road is finished? We are to run a <span class="smcap">Lightning +Express</span> twice a day then, and I think it is +very good-natured of the major to buy up the boats, +and thus save the owners from loss.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps it is; but is it good-natured for him to +deprive the Centreporters of the means of getting to +Ucayga, as he will when the boats are taken off?”</p> + +<p>“They can go by the railroad, the same as others,” +laughed Faxon.</p> + +<p>“They can, but they won’t. Do you think Colonel +Wimpleton would come over here and ride in these +cars? He would hang himself first.”</p> + +<p>“Then he can hang himself, if he likes. The Middleporters +wouldn’t cry if he did.”</p> + +<p>“But he intends neither to hang himself nor to +ride on the Lake Shore Railroad. Of course you +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span> +can’t blame him for kicking against the movements +of the major.”</p> + +<p>“See here, Wolf; are you a Wimp or a Top?” +demanded Faxon, coloring a little, as we looked into +each other’s face.</p> + +<p>“Why do you ask that question?” I inquired, +quietly.</p> + +<p>“Just now you seemed to stick up for the Wimpleton +side.”</p> + +<p>“I was only stating the case just as it is. My +sympathies are on this side; but I don’t blame +Colonel Wimpleton for not being willing to have +his facilities for going to and from Ucayga cut off.”</p> + +<p>“You don’t blame him!”</p> + +<p>“Certainly not.”</p> + +<p>“I believe you are only half a Top now, Wolf. +Just now you were condemning us for standing up +for our own rights. Be on one side or the other, +old fellow.”</p> + +<p>“I am willing to fight for the side that gives +me bread and butter, as long as it stands by the +right.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t like this making reservations. I go the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span> +whole figure. My country, right or wrong—that’s +what I go for.”</p> + +<p>“So do I. My country, right or wrong; if wrong, +to set her right.”</p> + +<p>“There you spoil all the poetry of the thing. If +you had stopped before you put the last sentence +on, it would have been just the thing. I go for +Toppleton, right or wrong.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t,” I replied, decidedly. “I am for keeping +Toppleton right, and then I go for Toppleton.”</p> + +<p>“What’s the use of talking, Wolf! You can’t +make me believe you are not right on the goose,” +added Faxon, good-naturedly. “When will that +magnificent steamer be launched?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know; but father said the hull was nearly +completed. I suppose they can’t get her ready for +service before August or September; perhaps not till +next spring.”</p> + +<p>“And then she is to run in opposition to the +Lake Shore Railroad?”</p> + +<p>“That’s the idea, I believe.”</p> + +<p>“There will be jolly times then; but she can’t do +anything against our lightning express.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span></p> + +<p>“I’m not so sure of that.”</p> + +<p>“Come, Wolf! You are a Wimp at heart, after +all. The fellows would mob you if they should hear +you sticking up for the other side,” added Faxon.</p> + +<p>“I’m not sticking up for the other side,” I replied, +smartly, for I did not relish this charge. “I’m only +looking the facts fair in the face. The Wimps’ +steamer will give you a hard run. Look at it for +yourself.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t believe the Wimps can get ahead of us, +any how—I won’t believe it!” persisted Faxon.</p> + +<p>“How far is it from Middleport to Ucayga?” I +asked.</p> + +<p>“Twenty miles, to a rod.”</p> + +<p>“How long will it take the lightning express to +go through?”</p> + +<p>“Half an hour,” replied Faxon, sharply.</p> + +<p>“Not much! We should have a smash every day +at that rate. The track is not stiff enough to make +that time upon. Call it forty minutes; and that is +high speed for this light rail.”</p> + +<p>“Well, forty minutes. You don’t mean to say any +steamer can make twenty miles in that time?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span></p> + +<p>“Hold on a minute! How wide is the river at +Ucayga?”</p> + +<p>“Half a mile.”</p> + +<p>“Good; we have to land our passengers on this +side of the river. To take the trains east and west, +they must cross the river, and do the same when +they visit the town. How long will that take in +the old sail-boat ferry?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know,” replied Faxon, nettled by the +force of the argument, which he could not answer.</p> + +<p>“Half an hour, at least, on an average. That +will make an hour and ten minutes; and the steamer +will do it in an hour and a quarter. I think the +colonel has a pretty good show,” I continued, as the +train reached Spangleport, and I blew some desperate +whistles to warn idlers about the track.</p> + +<p>“You are a Wimp!”</p> + +<p>“No. I’m a Top.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t talk so before the other fellows. If +you do they will think you have sold out to the +enemy.”</p> + +<p>“Can’t a fellow express an honest opinion?” I +asked, warmly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span></p> + +<p>“Not when it don’t jibe with the public sentiment.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know about that. I’m not afraid to tell +Major Toppleton what I think.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t you do it.”</p> + +<p>“If he wants to come out ahead, as of course he +does, it would be better for him to look the facts +and contingencies fairly in the face.”</p> + +<p>Faxon was thinking of the matter, and by mutual +consent both of us were silent.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI"> + CHAPTER VI. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>A MISSION OF PEACE.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first'><span class='allcaps'>I could</span> not exactly see that I was a traitor to +the Toppletonian interest because I believed that +a steamer could successfully compete even with a +“lightning express.” I intended to serve my employers +faithfully, and believed that I had done so. +Perhaps it was imprudent for me to express an +opinion; but I knew that Colonel Wimpleton was a +man of energy and determination, and that he would +not be content to remain long in the shade.</p> + +<p>I observed that Lewis Holgate listened very attentively +to all that was said, though he made no +remarks. Since his father had run away with the +money he had stolen, the family were hard pressed +to get a living. Lewis was about my own age, and +was regarded as a smart fellow. The intimacy between +our families had brought us together somewhat, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span> +and I knew that he aspired to be a “young +engineer.” He had worked with his father a great +deal, and knew an engine very well. It was necessary +for him to go to work, to assist in supporting +his mother and his brothers and sisters. He had +told me how sorry he was for what his father had +done, and I pitied him. Through my influence he +had obtained the place to “fire” on the new locomotive, +and now received a salary of three dollars +a week.</p> + +<p>Lewis worked with me a while on the dummy, and +was competent to run it. The crime of his father +had to some extent broken his spirit, and thus far +he had behaved very well, better than his antecedents +led me to expect—for he had been rather +noted in Ucayga as a bad boy. My mother commended +me warmly for what I had done to help +him, and declared she was very glad to see me +manifest a Christian spirit towards him. My father +said I was foolish to try to serve such a fellow; +but I was best satisfied with the judgment of my +mother.</p> + +<p>Something had already been said about another +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span> +locomotive, and an additional number of freight and +passenger cars, which the business of the road would +eventually demand. Lewis Holgate gave me to understand +that the height of his ambition was to be +the engineer of the new locomotive when it came. +I assured him that if he did his duty faithfully, I +would do all I could to further his purpose. We +were, therefore, good friends, and I gave him every +facility for learning the business. If I had had any +doubts about the propriety of what I had said to +Faxon, for which he had accused me of being a +Wimp, I should not have restrained my speech on +account of the presence of Lewis; for, after all I had +done for him, I did not think him capable of injuring +me.</p> + +<p>“The tug steamer is not here,” said Faxon, as I +shut off the steam when the train approached Grass +Springs.</p> + +<p>“It isn’t eight o’clock yet. We have been only +half an hour on the road,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“I don’t believe it will be here,” added Faxon, +anxiously, as he looked out upon the waters of the +lake. “There is a stiff breeze now, and the Wimps +will be here by nine o’clock.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span></p> + +<p>I could not see why my partisan friend should +manifest any anxiety, since he and the rest of the +Toppletonians, with a few exceptions, were absolutely +spoiling for a fight with their rivals on the other +side of the lake. The train approached the Grass +Springs station, and I whistled to put on the brakes. +As soon as we stopped, Faxon left the engine, and +the battalion came out of the cars. The two companies +formed on the wharf, and I heard sharp and +imperative orders of Major Tommy, which led me +to conclude that his experience in the stockholders’ +meeting had not been very profitable to him, though +some of the harshness of his tones was doubtless +attributable to his military enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>From my place in the cab I could see the end +of the lake, with the steeples of Ucayga in the distance; +but the steamer was not on the way; she +had not even started for the Springs. The Horse +Shoe was two miles from the shore. The wind +had freshened a little, and was fair for boats coming +down the lake. The battalion from Centreport +must arrive in an hour, or an hour and a half at +the farthest, for the boats had had only ten miles +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span> +to make half an hour before. Major Tommy had +formed his lines; the quartermaster had placed all +the baggage and stores on the wharf, and everything +was in readiness to embark. It was eight o’clock by +this time, and the steamer had not yet appeared. +The Toppleton boats had probably been left at the +island, for they were not to be found at the main +shore, and the steamer could have left them with +less delay than at the Grass Springs Wharf.</p> + +<p>“What’s to be done?” asked Major Tommy, impatiently, +after he had surveyed the ground over +and over again.</p> + +<p>“We must get to the island some how or other,” +replied Faxon.</p> + +<p>“That steamer won’t be here for an hour,” growled +the commander of the battalion. “Father said it +might be late; but he didn’t understand exactly +what was up.”</p> + +<p>“The Wimps are coming,” shouted an officer in +the line.</p> + +<p>“They are five miles off,” replied Faxon, as he +looked up the lake. “I want to be on the island +when they come.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span></p> + +<p>“So do I,” replied Tommy, casting an anxious +glance at the approaching enemy.</p> + +<p>“Can’t you help us out, Wolf?” asked the major, +jumping on the foot-board of the engine.</p> + +<p>Of course I was well pleased to be called upon +in the emergency, for it was manifesting a great +deal of confidence to ask advice of a boy who was +not a member of the battalion. The Toppletonians +had the legal right to use the Horse Shoe; and it +seemed to me that, if they had possession of the +island when the Wimpletonians arrived, the anticipated +fight, at least as a brutal struggle, might be +averted. Both bodies were armed with small muskets, +having bayonets upon them; and though they +were not allowed any ammunition, they might make +the combat more dangerous than they intended. +The interests of peace, therefore, appeared to require +that our battalion should be transported to the +island without delay.</p> + +<p>“I hope you are not going to get up a fight over +there,” I ventured to say.</p> + +<p>“Of course we are not, if the Wimps let us +alone,” replied Tommy. “If they don’t let us alone, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span> +it will be the worse for them. I want to get over +there before they do, and that steamer, confound it, +won’t be here this hour.”</p> + +<p>“If I were you, Tommy, I would send one company +over to the island, and take possession of it, +leaving the baggage and tents to be carried over +when the steamer comes.”</p> + +<p>“How can I send one company over?” snapped +Tommy. “We haven’t a boat, or even a mudscow.”</p> + +<p>“There comes the ferry-boat,” I replied, pointing +to a sloop-rigged craft which was now approaching +the shore from Ruoara, on the other side and above +the island.</p> + +<p>“That’s the idea!” exclaimed Tommy, as he leaped +down from the cab, and ran with a speed entirely +beneath the dignity of the major of a battalion to +the ferry pier.</p> + +<p>In three minutes more he had made a trade with +the ferryman to land as many of the force as his +boat would accommodate on the Horse Shoe. The +craft was one peculiar to the lakes in that region. +It was an ordinary sloop, though rather longer than +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span> +similar vessels are built; but the stern was open just +above the water-line, so that teams could be driven +on board. It depended upon the wind as its propelling +agent, though it was provided with a pair +of steamboat wheels, with a horse-power machine to +turn them, which could be used when the wind was +not available.</p> + +<p>Major Tommy ordered Captain Briscoe, with Company +A, to embark in this ferry-boat, and to hold +the Horse Shoe, at any peril, until the other company +could be sent over. I was sorry to leave the +exciting scene; but I had to run the trip from +Middleport at nine o’clock. Satisfied that the Toppletonians +would secure possession of the island +before the arrival of the enemy, I turned the locomotive, +and ran back to the other terminus. The +fleet of boats was off the South Shoe, not more than +a mile from the Horse Shoe, when the train went +through Spangleport; but the ferry-boat was within +half that distance of its destination.</p> + +<p>We did not yet run the new locomotive and cars +on the regular trips, because the travel was light, +and the dummy could be used at half the expense. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span> +We housed the engine and cars, and, firing up the +dummy, we had steam enough to start her at the +appointed hour. Just before we left, Major Toppleton +came into the station, and asked me what had +become of the students. I told him I had conveyed +them to Grass Springs.</p> + +<p>“I did not know they were going so early,” added +he.</p> + +<p>“They were in a hurry,” I replied, with a smile, +when I saw that the great man did not comprehend +the strategy of the battalion, “My orders from +Major Tommy were to start at seven o’clock; and I +set them down on the wharf at the Springs at half +past seven.”</p> + +<p>“You look wiser than you speak, Wolf,” said the +major, gazing earnestly into my face. “Is there any +mischief brewing?”</p> + +<p>“I think there is,” I replied, candidly, though I +could not help smiling at the puzzled look of the +magnate of Middleport.</p> + +<p>“What is it? Why didn’t you tell me about it? +They say the students of the Wimpleton Institute +went down the lake this morning.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span></p> + +<p>“Yes, sir; we passed them on the way, and the +students of both Institutes are bound to the same +place.”</p> + +<p>“Then there will be a quarrel!” exclaimed the +major; but I think he would not have cared if he +had been sure that his side of the lake would be +victorious.</p> + +<p>“I am afraid there will; but the Toppletonians +have the weather-gage, both on the rights of the +case and in the situation.”</p> + +<p>I explained fully what had transpired at the +meeting of the battalion on Saturday, and the state +of the affair when I left Grass Springs, an hour +before.</p> + +<p>“Why didn’t they tell me what they were doing?” +demanded the major. “I did not know they +were in a hurry; if I had, the steamer should have +been at Grass Springs without fail. If our boys +have hired the Horse Shoe, and pay for it, they +have a right to use it.”</p> + +<p>The great man was unequivocally on the side of +the boys, and they might just as well have taken +him into their confidence. I was sorry to see him +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span> +so willing to permit a collision, even while our students +had the letter of the law in their favor.</p> + +<p>“Wolf, don’t you want a vacation?” said the +major, suddenly turning to me, after musing on the +facts I had given him.</p> + +<p>“No, sir; I don’t care about any,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“But I prefer that you should take one. Your +pay shall go on as usual,” he continued; and of +course it was of no use for me to protest. “Can +Lewis run the dummy?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir; he understands it very well.”</p> + +<p>“All right, Wolf; I want you to be with those +boys. You have an influence with them, and they +want some help such as you can give them.”</p> + +<p>“Am I to fight with them, sir?” I asked, laughing; +for I did not exactly relish the kind of vacation +he intended to give me.</p> + +<p>“Certainly I don’t want any fighting if it can be +avoided. I want you to help keep the peace. If +things don’t work well, or any help is needed, come +to me at once.”</p> + +<p>I started the dummy, and then gave it up to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span> +Lewis. I did not exactly like my mission; for, +though I was sent to keep the peace, I knew that +the major simply expected me to see that the Toppletonians +were not whipped in the expected encounter.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII"> + CHAPTER VII. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>MAJOR TOMMY GETS MAD.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first kern'><span class='allcaps'>Though</span> I was nominally sent to the Horse +Shoe as an ambassador of peace, I fully understood +the real object of the magnate in giving +me a vacation. The mission was certainly complimentary +to me, for I was really expected to do +the “engineering” for the Toppletonians. I was +not to permit them to be whipped by their great +enemy: if I could not prevent it myself, I was to +call in the assistance of Major Toppleton. Whatever +instructions he may have given me, this was +precisely what he meant. I was, in some sense, to +be his representative.</p> + +<p>I desired to keep the peace, and I hoped to +have influence enough to accomplish something in +this direction; but it would not be an easy matter +to do this, and at the same time escape the wrath +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span> +of the belligerent Toppletonians. The Wimpleton +battalion, under command of Major Waddie, would +be ten times as reckless as the Toppletonians under +Major Tommy. My late enemy on the other side +was not restrained either by fear or by principle. +No violence or destruction appalled him. His +father had so often paid for damage done by him, +that he never hesitated to gratify his malice and +revenge by smashing a boat, firing a building, or +even discharging his pistol at any one who thwarted +him. He was a dangerous enemy. But Waddie +was reckless only when he was personally in a safe +position. He was prudent enough to keep his own +body out of the way of harm, except when his +wrath completely mastered him.</p> + +<p>Lewis Holgate was glad enough of an opportunity +to run the dummy alone, for it would enable +him to prove his fitness for the position to which +he aspired. I cautioned him carefully in regard +to keeping up the water in the boiler, and the +pressure of steam he might carry. He was very +passive and tractable, and, for the sake of his own +reputation, I had no doubt he would be faithful and +careful in the discharge of his duty.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span></p> + +<p>When I arrived at Grass Springs in the dummy, +the steamer was just approaching the wharf. The +company sent over to the island under Captain Briscoe +had landed, and thus far had held peaceful possession. +The Horse Shoe was the most western of +four islands, just below Ruoara. The two largest +of them lay east and west of each other, while the +one to the north of them was called the North +Shoe, and the one to the south the South Shoe. +They bore some resemblance to shoes; and the +western island having a bay which made into its +southern side, gave it the shape of a horse shoe. +The eastern island, and the nearest to the shore, +looked more like a pistol than either of the others +did like the articles for which they were named. +But the person who had christened the group, having +probably named the others first, calling each a +shoe, designated the fourth the “Shooter,” instead +of the Pistol, which would have been more appropriate. +“Shoe” and “Shooter” seemed to jingle +well with him, and, as he was satisfied, I shall not +complain.</p> + +<p>The squadron of boats from Centreport lay +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span> +between the Horse Shoe and the South Shoe when +I came upon the ground. So far as I could judge +by seeing them at the distance of two miles, the +Wimpletonians were consulting upon their next +movement. If they intended to take possession +of the island, they had permitted the favorable +opportunity to pass. Doubtless they were also +waiting for the arrival of the bateaux, on which +their baggage was transported.</p> + +<p>“Has anything happened?” I asked of Faxon, +as I joined the students on the wharf.</p> + +<p>“Not a thing!” exclaimed he. “The Wimps +smell a mice, and don’t seem to be inclined to +pitch in. If I had been Waddie Wimpleton, I +would have landed on that island before this time.”</p> + +<p>Faxon appeared to be disappointed because the +row had not come off, and more, perhaps, because +the Wimpletonians did not display a belligerent spirit. +The steamer came up to the wharf, and the students +embarked. Major Tommy stormed at Captain +Underwood for his delay, and the poor captain +defended himself very modestly and gently. He +had discharged his cargo as speedily as possible, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span> +and he had not been told to be at the Springs at +eight, but as soon as he could. His bread and +butter depended upon keeping the right side of +the magnate, and to prejudice the son was to influence +the father.</p> + +<p>“What are you doing here, Wolf?” asked Tommy, +as he saw me standing on the forward deck, +after the steamer started.</p> + +<p>“Your father has just given me a vacation,” I +replied, very quietly; for I did not deem it prudent +to put on any airs about my mission. “I +thought I would come over and see how this thing +was coming out.”</p> + +<p>“It’s coming out all right, Wolf. What did my +father say?” asked the little major, with some show +of anxiety. “Was he mad because we came away +so early?”</p> + +<p>“O, no! I told him where you were going, and +that the Wimps were bound to the same place. +He was very glad you had obtained permission +of the owner to use the island.”</p> + +<p>“Then it is all right—is it, Wolf?” added +Tommy, with an apparent feeling of relief. “I +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span> +didn’t know but my governor sent you here as a +spy. If he did, you can return as fast as you +came.”</p> + +<p>Perhaps, according to Tommy’s interpretation of +my mission, I might be a spy. I had really been +sent to act as a check upon the students, who were +very jealous of any interference when they were on +camp duty, or any other military service. The +steamer sped on its way, and as the deep water +was between the Horse Shoe and the Shooter, we +had to round the southern point of the former in +order to reach the landing-place. The Wimpleton +boats still lay off the South Shoe, and Captain +Underwood said they were in the channel through +which he must pass.</p> + +<p>“Can’t you get to the landing without going +near them?” I asked privately of the captain, +though I knew the navigation of the lake as well +as he did.</p> + +<p>“I can go to the north of the Horse Shoe, and +come down the channel in that way,” he replied.</p> + +<p>“These fellows are spoiling for a fight, and I am +afraid there will be some broken heads before the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span> +day is finished. If you can prevent a row, it will +be better to do it.”</p> + +<p>“Very well,” said he, ringing the bell to stop +her, just as he was entering the channel between +the Horse Shoe and the South Shoe.</p> + +<p>“What’s that for?” demanded Major Tommy +from the forward deck.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you think we had better go in at the +northward of the island?” inquired Captain Underwood, +with the utmost deference.</p> + +<p>“No, sir! I don’t think so!” replied Tommy, +warmly. “Are you going the other way because +those boats are here? Go ahead, sir! Run them +down, if they don’t get out of the way!”</p> + +<p>Captain Underwood felt obliged to obey this imperative +order. If he had refused to do so, it is +quite likely he would have been compelled to return +to the skippership of a canal boat, from which +he had been promoted to his present more dignified +and lucrative position.</p> + +<p>“Don’t run them down, captain,” I ventured to +say, in a low tone, as the master rang the bell +to go ahead again.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span></p> + +<p>“It is hard work to please that boy without getting +into trouble,” added the captain. “The good +book says no man can serve two masters, but I +have to serve two.”</p> + +<p>“Blow the whistle, captain!” I suggested.</p> + +<p>He blew the whistle till the shores resounded +with the echoing screeches; but the Wimpletonians +evidently believed the steamer had come this way +on purpose to annoy them, and they stood upon +their dignity. Not a boat moved, and the students +in them looked as resolute as though they +meant to be smashed rather than change their position. +We were almost upon them, and I was afraid +the captain intended to execute the barbarous threat +of Major Tommy. I begged him again not to run +into the boats; and seeing the enemy did not mean +to move, he stopped and backed in season to avoid +a calamity.</p> + +<p>“What did you stop for, captain?” shouted Tommy; +but I was charitable enough to believe that +the words were intended for the benefit of the +Wimpletonians, rather than the person to whom +they were addressed.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span></p> + +<p>Captain Underwood made no reply, but rang to +go ahead again, though he permitted but two or +three turns of the wheels.</p> + +<p>“I can shove the boats out of the way without +hurting any one, I think,” said he, as the steamer +moved slowly forward.</p> + +<p>“Look out, or you will run into us!” shouted +my old enemy, Ben Pinkerton, who was in the +nearest boat.</p> + +<p>“Out of the way, then!” replied Captain Underwood.</p> + +<p>“Go ahead, full steam, captain!” called Tommy; +but again I wished to believe that his order was +a threat to the enemy rather than an indication of +a wicked purpose.</p> + +<p>Instead of obeying this rash command, the captain +rang the bell to back her, fearful that some +of the boats might be smashed.</p> + +<p>I saw Tommy rush aft, and I supposed he intended +to come upon the hurricane deck, where +he could bully Captain Underwood more effectually. +I left the wheel-house, where I had been during +the conversation with the captain, that he might +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span> +not implicate me in the disobedience. But Tommy +did not appear, and it was plain that he had adopted +some other tactics.</p> + +<p>“Wolf Penniman!” shouted some one at the +gangway. “You are wanted below!”</p> + +<p>“What is wanted?” I asked of the messenger, +who could hardly speak, he was so excited.</p> + +<p>“Major Toppleton wants you.”</p> + +<p>I went below, and found Major Tommy standing +at the door of the engine-room, foaming with wrath; +indeed, he had steam enough on to carry a forty-horse +engine.</p> + +<p>“Will you do as I tell you, or not?” stormed +Tommy, addressing his energetic words to the engineer.</p> + +<p>“You must excuse me, Mr. Tommy; but I must +mind the bells. It won’t do for me to disobey the +captain’s orders,” protested the engineer, gently and +respectfully.</p> + +<p>“Here, Wolf!” shouted Tommy. “Come here!”</p> + +<p>I presented myself to the little magnate, and I +was conscious that I was already in a bad scrape.</p> + +<p>“Go in there, and start up that engine! Go ahead, +full steam!” continued he.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span></p> + +<p>I looked at him, but I did not move to obey. +I smiled, and looked as good-natured as possible, +for I did not wish him to think that I was +ugly about it.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you hear me, Wolf? I tell you to start +up that engine!” repeated Major Tommy.</p> + +<p>“It won’t do for me to step in between the man +and his engine,” I remonstrated, mildly.</p> + +<p>“Yes, it will! I tell you to do it; and if you +don’t do it, you shall suffer for it.”</p> + +<p>“Let us argue the point a little, major,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“Will you do what I tell you, or not?” roared +he, swelling up as big as a major general.</p> + +<p>“You must excuse me, major, but I can’t take +the engine out of the engineer’s hands, without the +captain’s orders.”</p> + +<p>“I will let you know that this boat is my +father’s, and I can do with it as I please. If +you won’t start it, I will do so myself!” said +the juvenile magnate, desperately, as he rushed +into the engine-room, and seized hold of the +working-bar.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span></p> + +<p>“You musn’t touch the engine,” said the man +in charge, as he took hold of Tommy’s arm, and, +with as little force as was necessary, thrust him +out of the room.</p> + +<p>Tommy was the maddest major I ever saw.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII"> + CHAPTER VIII. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>CHARGE BAYONETS!</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first kern'><span class='allcaps'>Major Tommy</span>, in my judgment, was more +inclined to have his own way than he was +to annihilate the Wimpletonians by crushing them +under the wheels of the steamer. He had been irritated +because the captain did not obey his order; +but, I think, if the boat had gone ahead at his imperial +command, he would have been the first to +stop her. I could not believe that he was so diabolically +wicked as to run over the boats, and sacrifice +the lives of a dozen or more even of his enemies. +If it had been Waddie, the matter would have been +different, and I should have been more credulous.</p> + +<p>When the captain opposed him, he flew to the +engineer; but I am confident that, if the man had +given the wheel a single turn, Tommy would have +ordered him to stop her. Neither the captain nor +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span> +the engineer knew that he did not intend to do all +he threatened; and I am afraid, if the wheels had +been started, the mischief would have been done, +whatever the little magnate meant, or did not mean. +I was very sorry to be dragged into the difficulty, +for Tommy and I had thus far been very good +friends. However, I had no doubts in regard to the +correctness of my position.</p> + +<p>Forbush, the engineer, had gently, very gently, +thrust Tommy out of the engine-room. By this +time, all of Company B had gathered around the +little major, intent upon beholding the row. The +juvenile magnate was boiling over with rage, and +threatened Captain Underwood, the engineer, and +myself with total annihilation. Every one of us +should lose his situation, and be forever deprived of +the power to obtain further employment.</p> + +<p>“Come, Tommy, keep cool,” said Faxon, trying +to smooth down the wrinkled fur on the badger’s +back.</p> + +<p>“I won’t keep cool! I have been insulted, and I +will teach the fellows who and what I am. If I +tell the captain of this boat to run over the island, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span> +he shall do it,” stormed Tommy, so angry that he +could hardly keep from crying.</p> + +<p>“Be reasonable, Tommy,” added Skotchley, with +his usual quiet dignity. “We don’t want to kill +anybody.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, we do! We want to kill the Wimps if +they don’t get out of the way.”</p> + +<p>It was useless to say anything to the irate major +while he was so inflamed with wrath, and by general +consent the students kept still; but they were +disgusted with the commander of the battalion, and +doubtless most of them were sorry that they had not +tipped him out of both of his offices. While Tommy +was still raving like an insane person, the bell rang +again to go ahead, and the engineer promptly started +the wheels; but only a few turns were made before +the signal came to stop her. Finding I was not +needed on the main deck, and that the wrathful +major would cool off sooner if left to himself, I went +up to the wheel-house. All on board, except the +captain and one man at the wheel, had been attracted +to the vicinity of the engine-room by the +exciting scene. There was no one on the forward +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span> +deck, for even the two men employed there were +listening to the howls of Tommy.</p> + +<p>Captain Underwood had started the boat ahead +again, and when I reached the wheel-house, she was +gently crowding her way through the fleet of boats, +a dozen in number, containing the whole force of +the Wimpletonians, over ninety of them. She struck +the boats as gingerly as though they had been eggs. +She did them no harm, beyond scraping the fresh +paint upon them, as she slowly forced her way +through them. I watched the movement with interest, +for I was curious to know what the Wimpletonians +intended to do.</p> + +<p>The fleet lay in the deep water, so that there +was no room on either side for the steamer to pass +to her destination without getting aground. Captain +Underwood was a prudent man, and worked his +craft very carefully. He had given her headway +enough to carry her through the squadron of boats; +but, as they swarmed along her bow, and under her +guards, the students in them fastened to her with +their boat-books, so that they could not be shaken off.</p> + +<p>“Back her quick, and you will shake them off +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span> +without harming any of them,” I suggested to the +captain, when I saw that he was nettled by the +failure of his plan.</p> + +<p>“Out of the way there! Your boats will be +smashed under our wheels!” shouted he to the +enemy.</p> + +<p>At that moment half a dozen of the Wimpletonians +leaped over the rail of the steamer upon the +forward deck, with their muskets in their hands.</p> + +<p>“What’s that for?” said the captain, quietly.</p> + +<p>“They mean mischief,” I replied, as I saw a dozen +more follow the six; and among the latter was +Waddie Wimpleton, glittering with gold lace, for +he was in the full uniform of a major of infantry.</p> + +<p>“Stand by those two doors!” shouted he, drawing +his sword and pointing to the entrances near +which the Toppletonians were still listening to the +howlings of Major Tommy. “Hurry up, there!” he +added to those in the boats.</p> + +<p>The Wimpletonians poured in over the rail, until +the deck was crowded. Company B had stacked +their muskets on this deck, and except the officers, +our boys were unarmed, while every Wimpletonian +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span> +presented a musket with a fixed bayonet upon it. +As the enemy were boarding the steamer, the captain, +amazed at the audacity of the young ruffians, +rang the bell to back the boat; but before she had +headway enough to shake off the fleet, which clung +to her like swarming bees, all the Wimpletonians, +except one in each boat, were on our deck.</p> + +<p>“Up there, twenty of you!” said Major Waddie, +indicating the hurricane deck with a flourish of his +sword.</p> + +<p>“What are the rascals going to do?” added +Captain Underwood, who had not given the enemy +credit for the skill and daring they now displayed.</p> + +<p>“Don’t let a single Top go on the hurricane +deck!” shouted Waddie; and the twenty students +he had sent up stationed themselves at the head of +the stairs, to prevent any of our party from leaving +their prison; for such it had now become to +them.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp96" id="i_p098" style="max-width: 80.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p098.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + CHARGE BAYONETS!—<a href='#Page_98'>Page 98</a>. + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Captain Underwood began to think the frolic, as +he had at first regarded it, was becoming a serious +affair, and I saw that he looked somewhat anxious. +Our fellows had left their muskets on the forward +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span> +deck, and they were now in possession of the enemy. +I am inclined to think it was fortunate they were +there, rather than in the hands of their owners, or +some of the students on both sides would doubtless +have been seriously injured. As the matter now +stood, the Wimpletonians had entire possession of +the Middleport, for that was the name of the steamer. +Twenty of them stood in the act of charging bayonets +in the direction of the two doors leading from +the forward deck. Our fellows could do nothing; +and even the captain, with the wheel in his hand, +was as powerless as they were.</p> + +<p>Major Waddie, with his chapeau and white plume, +looked as though he were the commander-in-chief of +a great army, and had just achieved a bloody victory. +I must do him the justice to say that he had managed +the affair very well, though I saw that his two +captains, Dick Bayard and Ben Pinkerton, were +always near him with words of counsel. I was at +a loss to determine whether the capture of the +steamer had been devised on the instant, or whether +the boats had taken the position in the channel for +that purpose in the beginning. I was inclined to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span> +believe that the bold step was first suggested when +their leaders saw the muskets of the Toppletonians +stacked on the forward deck, and not a single soldier +present to guard them. Ben Pinkerton afterwards +told me that this view was correct.</p> + +<p>While the conquerors were disposing their forces +so as to hold the prize they had captured, Major +Tommy and the audience who were listening to his +angry declamation were completely intrapped. The +startling event was calculated to turn the spouter’s +thoughts into a new channel. It seemed to me that +the emergency had arisen which would justify me +in calling the attention of Major Toppleton to the +affair; but unfortunately I could not leave just then. +The steamer had backed half a mile from the island, +and had now shaken off all the boats which clung +to her.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know what these ruffians intend to do,” +said Captain Underwood, as he rang the bell to stop +her.</p> + +<p>“Waddie Wimpleton is reckless enough to do +almost anything,” I replied; for I regarded the situation +as difficult, if not dangerous.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span></p> + +<p>“I will keep the boat moving towards Middleport, +at any rate.”</p> + +<p>“That’s right, captain; if they have us, we have +them at the same time, and we can carry them to +Middleport as prisoners of war,” I added, with a +smile which was not wholly natural.</p> + +<p>Captain Underwood rang the bell to go ahead, +and soon gave her full speed, heading the boat up +the lake.</p> + +<p>“Hallo, there!” shouted Major Waddie from the +forward deck, as he flourished his sword towards the +wheel-house. “Stop her!”</p> + +<p>The captain paid no attention to this imperious +command.</p> + +<p>“Do you hear me? I say, stop her!” yelled +Waddie.</p> + +<p>“Hold your tongue, you little bantam!” replied +Captain Underwood, irreverently; for, as he owed +no allegiance to the house of Wimpleton, he felt +that he could afford to speak without measuring his +words.</p> + +<p>“Will you obey me, or not?” demanded Waddie, +furious because his imperious will was not regarded.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span></p> + +<p>But the two captains, who were really the brains +of the battalion, interposed. I do not know what +they said, but the major with the chapeau desisted +from his attempt to bully the captain. They were +more practical in their operations than the commander, +and presently I saw them forming their +forces before the two doors. Captain Bayard drew +up his company before one of them, and Captain +Pinkerton before the other.</p> + +<p>“Charge bayonets!” said Waddie, fiercely.</p> + +<p>The order was repeated by the two captains, who +placed their most reliable men in the front.</p> + +<p>“Forward!” screamed Major Waddie, making a +desperate lunge into the empty air with his flashing +sword.</p> + +<p>“Forward!” repeated the two captains, as they +drove their men through the doors, into the narrow +space on each side of the boiler and engine-room.</p> + +<p>The Toppletonians were in these spaces, and I +saw that the object of the movement was to drive +them aft, and get possession of the engine-room, +so as to control the machinery, and thus prevent +the captain from taking the boat to Middleport. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span> +Our fellows, unarmed, could not stand up against +the bayonets of the enemy, and we heard them fall +back. I concluded, by this time, that Major Tommy +had come to his senses; though, if he was disposed +still further to vent his ire, he had an excellent opportunity +to do so against the sharp-pointed weapons +of his conquerors.</p> + +<p>The Toppletonians were not only driven aft, but +were forced below the deck into the little cabin, +which was hardly large enough to hold them all. +A little later, we heard a violent altercation in the +engine-room, and then the boat stopped. The Wimpletonians +had certainly won a complete victory.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX"> + CHAPTER IX. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>FEATHERS AND THE ENGINEER.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first kern'><span class='allcaps'>Major Tommy Toppleton</span> and Company +B were prisoners in the little cabin, +while Major Waddie Wimpleton and Companies A +and B of his battalion were in possession of the +steamer. The wheels had stopped, and this was +evidence to us in the wheel-house that Forbush, the +engineer, had been driven from his post.</p> + +<p>“This will never do,” said Captain Underwood. +“The young rascals will blow us all up. They have +stopped the engine, and have not let off steam.”</p> + +<p>Though it was really becoming quite a serious +matter, I saw that the captain could hardly keep +from laughing, there was something so absurd in +the situation. Major Waddie, in his chapeau and +gold lace, strutted before us on the forward deck, +and we had regarded the whole affair as a joke; but +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span> +now we were actually in the toils of the captors. +They had not yet disturbed the occupants of the +wheel-house; but this step had only been deferred +till the other parts of the boat were made secure. +The Toppletonians had all been locked up in the +cabin, and the engine-room, the citadel of the boat, +had yielded.</p> + +<p>“It is time something was done,” I replied to the +captain. “I have been opposed to a fight, but I +think one is necessary about this time.”</p> + +<p>“What shall we do?”</p> + +<p>“That’s the question. The Wimpletonians are +armed with ugly weapons,” I added. “There are +three of us besides Forbush. I see the victors have +neglected to secure the captured arms on the forward +deck. We can jump down, arm ourselves, and +fight it out.”</p> + +<p>“But there are nearly a hundred of the rascals,” +answered Captain Underwood. “Some of them are +pretty well grown, and all of them have been exercised +with the bayonet. I don’t relish having one +of those things stuck into me, and I shouldn’t dare +to punch any boy with such an ugly iron. I think +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span> +I would rather do what fighting I do without any +bayonet.”</p> + +<p>The captain was a very prudent man, certainly; +and I was aware how dangerous it would be to +injure one of the Wimpletonians. They were reckless; +we were cautious, and fearful of hurting them; +so that they had every advantage over us, besides +that of mere numbers. While we were debating +the question, Forbush appeared on the forward deck. +One of his hands was covered with blood, and it +was plain he had not abandoned his post without +an attempt to retain it.</p> + +<p>“Captain Underwood, they have driven me out +of the engine-room at the point of the bayonet,” +said the engineer, holding up his bloody hand.</p> + +<p>“Come up here,” replied the captain.</p> + +<p>“We have a good head of steam on, and the +engine needs some one to look out for it.”</p> + +<p>“Go and fix it as it ought to be!” said the imperious +Major Waddie, as he stalked up to the +engineer with his drawn sword in his hand.</p> + +<p>“If there were no one but you on board, I would +blow you so high you would never come down +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span> +again,” added Forbush, as he glanced at his wounded +hand.</p> + +<p>“None of your impudence, but do as I tell you,” +puffed Waddie.</p> + +<p>“Look out for the engine, Forbush,” added the +captain; “and speak to the fireman.”</p> + +<p>Forbush went to the engine, and presently the +sound of the steam hissing through the escape pipe +assured us the peril of an explosion was provided +for. The engineer, having attended to this duty, +appeared upon the forward deck again. He was +not a very demonstrative man, but I could see that +he was nursing his wrath under the imperious manner +of Waddie. Passing through the Wimpletonians, +he went to the bow of the boat.</p> + +<p>“Major, there is Wolf Penniman in the wheel-house,” +said Dick Bayard, as he discovered me at +one of the windows.</p> + +<p>“We’ll fix him in due time,” replied Waddie, as +he glanced up at me with an ugly look, which +assured me I had nothing to hope for from his +magnanimity. “We must get rid of those fellows +in the cabin next.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span></p> + +<p>“Well, what are you going to do with them?” +asked Captain Ben Pinkerton.</p> + +<p>“Land them in some out-of-the-way place on the +east shore, where it will take them all day to get +home again,” suggested Captain Dick Bayard.</p> + +<p>“Where?” inquired Major Waddie, apparently +pleased with the idea.</p> + +<p>“At the point off the North Shoe, for instance,” +replied Bayard.</p> + +<p>“That’s the plan!” exclaimed the major, as he +sheathed his glittering blade, apparently satisfied that +the battle was finished. “Wolf Penniman, come +down here!” he added; turning to me again.</p> + +<p>“No, I thank you,” I replied, cheerfully.</p> + +<p>“If you want to get out of this scrape with a +whole skin, you had better mind what I tell you,” +continued Waddie, involuntarily putting his hand +on the hilt of his sword.</p> + +<p>“I think I can best keep a whole skin up here,” +I answered.</p> + +<p>“Better go down,” interposed the captain. “Moses +and I will go with you.”</p> + +<p>Moses was one of the deck hands, who had been +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span> +steering when the capture was made. There were +two more of them, besides the fireman below, making +seven men on board.</p> + +<p>“Very well; if you think best I will go down,” I +replied.</p> + +<p>“We had better keep together,” he added.</p> + +<p>I led the way down the ladder, and as the captain +followed me, he beckoned to the deck hands to +keep near us.</p> + +<p>“You have concluded to mind—have you?” +sneered Waddie, as I presented myself before his +imperial majorship.</p> + +<p>“I concluded to come down,” I answered.</p> + +<p>“Wolf, you will go to the engine-room, and mind +the bells,” he continued.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Forbush is the engineer of this boat,” I +replied.</p> + +<p>“No matter if he is; you will do as I tell you, +or take the consequences.”</p> + +<p>“Then I will take the consequences,” I answered, +for I had no intention of helping the Wimpletonians +land their conquered foe on the North Point.</p> + +<p>“Here! form around him! Charge bayonets! +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span> +Drive him into the engine-room!” said Waddie, +smartly.</p> + +<p>Instead of waiting for this programme to be carried +out, I walked forward to the extreme point of +the bow, where the engineer had taken position. I +was not quite sure that I could successfully resist +the order; but it was not in my nature to obey +the haughty commands of Major Waddie.</p> + +<p>“That’s right!” said Forbush, as I joined him. +“I’m glad to see a little grit.”</p> + +<p>Captain Underwood and the three deck hands followed +me; but Waddie drew his sword, and, filled +with rage, crowded through them towards me.</p> + +<p>“Wolf, I command this boat now, and I order +you to the engine-room,” fumed the major, as he +pointed his sword at me, as though he intended +to run me through; and I am not sure that such +was not his purpose.</p> + +<p>Forbush’s patience appeared to be exhausted, and +before I had time to make any reply, he suddenly +sprang upon Waddie, wrenched the sword from his +grasp, and, seizing him by the collar, jammed him +against the rail with so much force, that the bantam +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span> +major howled with pain and terror. The dignity +of his military position was knocked out of him, and +the glory of the chapeau, feathers, and gold lace +departed.</p> + +<p>“Look out for the rest of them!” called Forbush.</p> + +<p>I picked up one of the guns which the captors +had thrown one side, and the three deck hands followed +my example. Captain Underwood, still true +to his humane philosophy, took a handspike. But +the sudden movement of the engineer seemed to +paralyze the valiant soldiers for the moment, as they +paused to see what the grimy Forbush intended to +do with their leader.</p> + +<p>“Rally! rally!” shouted Captain Bayard, who, +now that the major was <i lang='fr'>hors de combat</i>, was the +ranking officer. “Charge bayonets!”</p> + +<p>“You keep back!” replied Forbush. “If one of +you takes a single step forward, I will throw this +fellow overboard;” and he jammed poor Waddie +against the rail again, until we could almost hear +his bones crack.</p> + +<p>“Don’t! don’t!” groaned Waddie. “Keep the fellows +back, Dick Bayard, or he will kill me!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span></p> + +<p>“That’s so,” replied the stout engineer, who did +not weigh less than one hundred and eighty, and +was six feet high.</p> + +<p>By this time the four men and myself were drawn +up in line of battle. It was clear enough to the +Wimpletonians that, if the action began, there would +be some broken heads, if not bleeding bodies. However +lightly they regarded bayonet wounds when the +weapons were in their own hands only, they seemed +to have a great respect for the cold steel in the +hands of others. They formed their line in the act +of charging bayonets; but they did not charge any. +There they stood, arrested by the plaintive cry of +their gallant leader.</p> + +<p>“Now, come out here, Feathers!” said Forbush, +as he took Waddie by the collar, besmearing the +major’s face with blood from his wounded hand, and +trotting him up to the line. “Come up here again, +and take command! Order these cubs upon the +hurricane deck, or I will make short work of you!”</p> + +<p>The engineer emphasized his commands by shaking +Waddie most unmercifully.</p> + +<p>“You let me alone!” howled the discomfited +commander of the battalion.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span></p> + +<p>“I’ll let you alone when I have done with you,” +added Forbush, as he twisted his gripe upon the +collar of his victim, so as almost to choke him.</p> + +<p>“You’ll kill me!” gasped Waddie.</p> + +<p>“Will you give the order I told you?”</p> + +<p>“Send the fellows upon the hurricane deck!” +whined Waddie to Dick Bayard, crying and howling +at the same time.</p> + +<p>“Don’t do it, Dick!” said Pinkerton, who could +not endure the thought of having the victory wrested +from the conquerors in the very moment of their +triumph.</p> + +<p>“Waddie says so. What can we do?” replied +Bayard.</p> + +<p>“They don’t mind,” added Forbush, shaking the +unfortunate major again.</p> + +<p>“Do as I tell you, Dick Bayard!” called Waddie, +writhing under the torture.</p> + +<p>Very reluctantly the senior captain gave the order, +and the Wimpletonians crept up the ladders to the +hurricane deck.</p> + +<p>“Now let me alone!” growled Waddie, trying to +shake off his powerful persecutor.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span></p> + +<p>“Hold still, Feathers!” replied Forbush, applying +a little gentle force, as if to assure his victim that +the tragedy was not yet ended.</p> + +<p>The engineer was now in excellent humor, and +was exceedingly pleased with the turn he had given +to the affair.</p> + +<p>“Ain’t you going to let me go now?” added the +major, in a pleading tone.</p> + +<p>“Not yet, Feathers. You must give security for +the good behavior of your crowd.”</p> + +<p>“What are you going to do with me?” asked +Waddie.</p> + +<p>“I’m going to throw you overboard if you don’t +behave like a man. Now, Captain Underwood, you +can let out our boys. These rascals have locked +them up in the cabin.”</p> + +<p>“Better get rid of the Wimps first,” I whispered +to the captain.</p> + +<p>“What shall we do with these fellows?” he replied, +with a significant glance at me, as he comprehended +my meaning.</p> + +<p>“Land them at North Point,” I suggested.</p> + +<p>“Good!” laughed Forbush. “It is a poor rule +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span> +that won’t work both ways. What do you say, Captain +Underwood?”</p> + +<p>“Anything to get rid of them!” replied the captain, +impatiently.</p> + +<p>“Very well; I will take care of Feathers. I will +keep him in the engine-room with me,” added Forbush. +“Now, Wolf, you and the three deck hands +stay here. If those fellows up there attempt anything +mischievous, you call me, and Feathers and I +will settle it—won’t we, Feathers?”</p> + +<p>Forbush laughed till his fat sides shook, and then +dragged Major Waddie to the engine-room.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X"> + CHAPTER X. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>KEEPING THE PEACE.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first kern'><span class='allcaps'>“Hadn’t</span> we better let our boys out before +we go ahead?” asked Captain Underwood, +in a low tone, as the engineer disappeared with his +prisoner.</p> + +<p>“There will be a fight if we do,” I replied. “We +can land the Wimps in ten or fifteen minutes.”</p> + +<p>“What will Tommy say?” added Captain Underwood.</p> + +<p>“No matter what he says. It is better to keep +the peace than to let them out.”</p> + +<p>Doubtless he fully agreed with me; but he dreaded +the wrath of his employer’s son even more than +the violence of the Wimpletonians. He went up +to the wheel-house, and rang the bell to go ahead. +The discomfited enemy on the hurricane deck were +discussing the exciting topic very earnestly. It was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span> +humiliating for all of them to lay down their arms, +practically, on account of the capture of their +leader. Ben Pinkerton was in favor of fighting +it out, and rescuing Waddie from the gripe of his +persecutor by force and arms; but timid counsels +finally prevailed, and the battalion kept quiet.</p> + +<p>I had gone up the ladder when the boat started, +so that I could see what they were doing, and +hear what they were saying; but I kept my line +of retreat open, so that I could make for the forward +deck if a storm appeared. It was only a +short run to North Point, and we soon made the +landing at a rude pier, erected for passengers going +to an interior town. As soon as the steamer was +made fast, Forbush appeared on the forward deck, +dragging Waddie by the collar, and carrying the +sword in his hand. Taking position in the bow of +the boat, where he could not be assaulted in the +rear, the engineer planted his prisoner in front of +him, while the deck hands, reënforced by the fireman +and myself, formed a line between him and +the gangway.</p> + +<p>“Now, Feathers, if your men are good soldiers +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span> +they will obey you,” Forbush began. “Just give +them the order to march down in single file, and +go ashore!”</p> + +<p>Waddie was humiliated by his defeat. He was +ashamed to confess, practically, that the battalion +had been defeated by his regard for his own safety. +But he was still in the power of the fierce engineer, +whose bloody hand was upon his throat. He +hesitated; but every instant of delay caused Forbush +to tighten his hold, and it was painfully apparent +to him that he must give the order, or be +choked by his unrelenting tyrant.</p> + +<p>“Speak, Feathers, speak!” said the engineer. +“Give your orders, and speak up like a man, so +that they can hear you!”</p> + +<p>“Don’t! Don’t! You hurt me!” whined the +major.</p> + +<p>“That’s nothing to what will come if you don’t +do as I tell you.”</p> + +<p>“March them down, Dick Bayard,” howled Waddie, +as Forbush emphasized his determination by a +fierce twist at the neck of his victim.</p> + +<p>“In single file,” added the engineer.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span></p> + +<p>“Single file, Dick!” repeated Waddie.</p> + +<p>“Single file—forward, march!” said Captain Dick +Bayard, who was plainly disgusted with the proceedings.</p> + +<p>The column of valiant warriors, grand even in +their misfortunes, descended the ladder on the port +side, and stepped on shore. They looked as sheepish +as the lambs on the neighboring hills; but +they were full of bottled-up rage, and as soon as +Waddie was out of trouble, it was probable that +something would be done.</p> + +<p>“Now let me go!” snapped Waddie, when the +last of the file had left the boat.</p> + +<p>“Not yet, Feathers,” replied Forbush, as he +glanced at the two companies on the pier. “Order +your troops to march up to the grove on the +shore.”</p> + +<p>“What for?” groaned Waddie.</p> + +<p>“Good soldiers never ask questions,” laughed the +engineer, as he twisted the major’s collar again.</p> + +<p>Waddie gave the order as he was required, +and Dick Bayard, who appeared to be on the +watch for a chance to redeem the fortunes of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span> +day, doggedly led the battalion away from the +steamer.</p> + +<p>“Now it is all right, Feathers,” said Forbush. +“Next time, when you want a steamer, you had +better apply at the captain’s office.”</p> + +<p>“I didn’t want your old steamer,” snarled the +gallant major.</p> + +<p>“What did you take her for, then?”</p> + +<p>“Because you were going to run down our boats. +I heard Tommy Toppleton tell the captain to +do so.”</p> + +<p>“Why didn’t you get out of the way?”</p> + +<p>“We never get out of the way for Toppleton +humbugs,” sneered Waddie. “You haven’t seen +the end of this.”</p> + +<p>“We shall probably see the end of it together. +Here is your cheese knife, Feathers; but behave +yourself, or you haven’t seen the worst of it yet. +Mind that, Feathers!”</p> + +<p>Waddie took his sword, and looked daggers; +but he dared not use any, or even the weapon +he held in his hand. Sullenly, he walked across +the deck to the pier. He wanted to do something, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span> +but he was prudent when his own person +was in peril.</p> + +<p>“Cast off the fasts, Moses,” said Forbush, as he +hastened to the engine-room.</p> + +<p>“Come down here!” shouted Major Waddie to +his forces in the grove. “Come! Double quick!”</p> + +<p>I do not know what the valiant major intended +to do next; but probably, if his forces had not been +sent to the grove by the forethought of the engineer, +he would have ordered an assault upon the +Middleport, and endeavored to recapture her. He +would have directed his troops to charge upon anything, +so long as he could keep behind them, and +make good his own escape in case of disaster. He +was reckless enough to do anything; but as soon +as the fasts were cast off, Captain Underwood rang +to back her, and the boat was clear of the pier +long before Waddie could bring up his forces.</p> + +<p>“We are well out of that,” said the captain, as +he rang to go ahead. “Now you can let our boys +out of the cabin.”</p> + +<p>I was not exactly satisfied with the situation in +which I found myself, for though I was very happy +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span> +in having escaped the wrath of Waddie Wimpleton, +I had still to encounter the ire of the other +“scion of a noble house.” I had expected to be +broiled on a gridiron, or subjected to some fearful +punishment, for my sins against the house of Wimpleton; +and probably I should have been a sufferer, +if Forbush had not taken the matter in hand, and +brought it to an issue. Now Tommy would berate +me for refusing to obey his order, when the engineer +had declined to do so; but I was willing to +meet this charge, if I could escape the responsibility +of advising the captain to keep “our boys” prisoners +after we had subdued the enemy.</p> + +<p>I went to the cabin door to discharge my mission. +It had been fastened with a piece of wood, placed +in the staple over the hasp, for the padlock with +which it was usually secured was lost. I threw +the door wide open, and announced to the prisoners +below that they were free.</p> + +<p>“The door is open, Major Toppleton,” called one +of the students to his chief.</p> + +<p>“Where are the Wimps?” demanded Major Tommy, +as he led the way out of the cabin.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span></p> + +<p>“We put them on shore here, at North Point, +where they intended to land you,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“Why didn’t you obey my order when I told you +to take charge of the engine?” continued Tommy, +his face beginning to kindle up with anger again.</p> + +<p>“I couldn’t take the engine out of Mr. Forbush’s +hands,” I replied with becoming meekness.</p> + +<p>“Forbush shall be discharged when the boat returns,” +said Tommy, shaking his head.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps you will change your mind when you +learn what he has done,” I suggested. “He recaptured +the boat, after he had been driven at the +point of the bayonet from the engine-room. He +was wounded in the hand, too, in the scrape. I +don’t know how we should have got out of it if +it hadn’t been for him. He is a plucky fellow, and +stood up against the bayonets of the whole crowd +of Wimps.”</p> + +<p>“What did he do?” asked Tommy, curiously.</p> + +<p>“He captured Waddie Wimpleton, took his sword +away from him, and made him order his command +to the hurricane deck.”</p> + +<p>“When was that?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span></p> + +<p>“Well, a short time ago,” I replied, cautiously.</p> + +<p>“Why didn’t you let us out then?” he demanded.</p> + +<p>“All the Wimps were here on deck. We let you +out just as soon as we got rid of them.”</p> + +<p>“What did you let them go for, if you had +Waddie?”</p> + +<p>“There were two companies of them, and they +were armed with bayonets. We were glad enough +to get rid of them.”</p> + +<p>Tommy thought, if he had been called with his +force, he could have taken care of the Wimpletonians; +but he behaved better than I expected. I +turned his attention back to Forbush, and minutely +described to the major and his men the operations +of the engineer, and the conduct of Waddie under +the torture. Tommy laughed, and the soldiers +laughed. It was a good joke, and they were sorry +they had not seen the fun.</p> + +<p>“I hope you won’t find fault with Mr. Forbush, +after the good service he has rendered, and the +cut he received in the hand in doing his duty,” I +ventured to suggest.</p> + +<p>“No! No! No!” murmured the boys.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span></p> + +<p>“I am willing to forgive him,” replied Tommy, +magnanimously. “But if he had obeyed my order, +there would have been no trouble.”</p> + +<p>“What do you think the consequences would +have been if he had obeyed your order?” I mildly +inquired.</p> + +<p>“No matter what they were; both he and you +ought to have done as I told you to do.”</p> + +<p>“The fellows in the boats would have been +smashed up under the wheels of the steamer.”</p> + +<p>“No, they wouldn’t. I only meant to duck them +a little. I should have stopped the wheels in a +minute.”</p> + +<p>I was very glad to hear Tommy acknowledge +that he did not mean to annihilate the Wimpletonians, +for I had a very good opinion of him, on +the whole. Though he did not mean seriously to +injure the enemy, I have no doubt some of them +would have been sacrificed if he could have had +his own way. It is a blessed thing that boys can’t +always have their own way.</p> + +<p>I walked with Tommy to the engine-room, where +Forbush was binding up the wound on his hand. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span> +The little major kindly inquired about the injury, +and thanked the engineer for the service he had +rendered; but he could not help adding that it +would have been better if the order he gave had +been obeyed. He then went up to the wheel-house +to see the captain; and as it did not appear that +he had done anything worthy of especial commendation, +Tommy wanted to know why he had not +let him out of the cabin sooner.</p> + +<p>“We didn’t think it was best to open the doors +till we had landed the Wimpletonians,” replied +Captain Underwood, with more candor than prudence.</p> + +<p>“You didn’t, eh?” said Tommy, waxing angry.</p> + +<p>“Wolf thought you wouldn’t care to see the +other boys.”</p> + +<p>“Then he advised you not to let us out—did +he?”</p> + +<p>“He thought it wasn’t best; and I thought so +too,” added the captain, willing to share the blame +with me.</p> + +<p>“What did you mean, Wolf?” demanded the +major, turning to me.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span></p> + +<p>“The Wimps had two companies, and you had +only one,” I replied; but it was in vain that I +tried to smooth the matter over.</p> + +<p>He was mad with me, because, in my capacity +as a messenger of peace, I had prevented a fight; +but I was satisfied. The boat ran up to the landing-place +on the Horse Shoe, and the “troops” +and their baggage were disembarked.</p> + +<p>“Wolf, you may go back to Middleport in the +steamer; I don’t want you here,” said Tommy.</p> + +<p>But I was the ambassador of peace!</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI"> + CHAPTER XI. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>AT THE HORSE SHOE.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first'><span class='allcaps'>“I should</span> like to stay with you a few days, +Major Tommy,” I ventured to say, after the +young lord had given me the imperative order to +depart on the steamer.</p> + +<p>“I say I don’t want you here,” replied Tommy, +flatly. “We can get along without you.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps I may be of some service to you,” I +modestly suggested.</p> + +<p>“I don’t want any fellow about me that won’t +obey orders,” protested the little major. “You advised +the captain to keep us locked up in that cabin, +when we might have cleaned out the Wimps, and +paid them off for what they did.”</p> + +<p>“Your father sent me down here, Tommy, to do +anything I could to assist you,” I added.</p> + +<p>“I don’t care if he did!” replied Tommy, irritated +rather than conciliated by this remark.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span></p> + +<p>“He wished me to stay with you; it was not by +my own desire that I came.”</p> + +<p>“Did he send you here to be a spy upon our +actions? If he did, so much the more reason why +we should get rid of you. We don’t want any spies +and go-betweens here.”</p> + +<p>“I am not a spy, Tommy.”</p> + +<p>“Go on board the steamer, and tell my father I +won’t have you here.”</p> + +<p>“Very well,” I replied, as I walked away from +the imperious little magnate.</p> + +<p>“Wolf is a good fellow,” I heard the dignified +Skotchley say to Tommy, as I departed. “I wouldn’t +send him off.”</p> + +<p>“You wouldn’t, and you needn’t. I will, and shall,” +replied Tommy, curtly.</p> + +<p>By this time the officers and soldiers of Company +A had gathered at the shore, and I found I had +quite a number of friends who were willing to intercede +for me; but if all the officers of the battalion +had gone down upon their knees to him in +my behalf, he would not have yielded. I was banished +from the island; and, though I was very willing +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span> +to go, much preferring to spend my vacation in +some contemplated improvements upon our garden, +I did not wish to be sent away in disgrace. I saw +that Skotchley did not like the manner in which +his interposition had been treated, and just as the +boat was about to start, I was not a little surprised +to see him come on board.</p> + +<p>“Faxon is as mad as a March hare,” said he, walking +up to me.</p> + +<p>“What is the matter?”</p> + +<p>“He says it is mean to send you off in this way.”</p> + +<p>“I am willing to go; I don’t care about staying +here, for there will be a fight soon,” I added. “But +Major Toppleton sent me here, and I thought I +ought to stay.”</p> + +<p>“I would stay, if I were you,” said Skotchley.</p> + +<p>“No; I won’t make any trouble. But the steamer +is starting; you will be carried off if you don’t +go on shore.”</p> + +<p>“That is just what I want,” replied the dignified +student, with a smile. “Like yourself, I don’t wish +to make any trouble; but I will not be snubbed by +Major Tommy Toppleton. I prefer to spend my +vacation in some other place.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span></p> + +<p>“All ashore,” said Captain Underwood, nodding +to my companion.</p> + +<p>“I am going with you, captain.”</p> + +<p>“Very well;” and the bell was rung to start her.</p> + +<p>“Hallo, there! Stop her, Captain Underwood!” +called the imperious major.</p> + +<p>The captain obeyed, of course.</p> + +<p>“Where are you going, Skotchley?” demanded +Tommy.</p> + +<p>“I am going to Middleport,” replied Skotchley, +in his quiet manner.</p> + +<p>“I don’t see it!” added the major, his face reddening +with anger at this breach of discipline. +“You are first lieutenant of Company B.”</p> + +<p>“I prefer not to remain.”</p> + +<p>“But I prefer that you should remain,” stormed +Tommy.</p> + +<p>“I am sorry to disappoint you, but I have decided +to go.”</p> + +<p>“Will you come on shore, or will you be brought +on shore?”</p> + +<p>“Neither.”</p> + +<p>“Captain Briscoe, take a file of men, and bring +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span> +Skotchley on shore. He is a deserter,” added +Tommy.</p> + +<p>Whew! A deserter!</p> + +<p>“Go ahead, captain,” I suggested to the timid +master of the steamer. “There will be a row here +in five minutes, if you don’t.”</p> + +<p>“It is all my place is worth to disobey that stripling,” +replied Captain Underwood, disgusted with +the situation. “His father rules all Middleport, and +he rules his father.”</p> + +<p>I saw Faxon remonstrating in the most vigorous +manner with the commander of the battalion, and +presently the former came on board with the olive +of peace in his hand. He begged Skotchley to return +to the shore, in order to save all further +trouble.</p> + +<p>“If Tommy will permit Wolf to remain, I will,” +replied the dignified student.</p> + +<p>Faxon returned to the shore with these terms; +but Tommy indignantly declined them. He would +have Skotchley, and he would not have me. The +order was given again for Captain Briscoe to bring +the refractory lieutenant on shore with a file of soldiers; +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span> +but the men would not “fall in” to execute +such a command. Skotchley was the most influential +fellow among the students, as his election to the +presidency of the railroad proved. Though he was +dignified, and remarkably correct in his deportment, +he was very popular. Tommy had just snubbed him, +and this had excited the indignation of the crowd. +Briscoe and a dozen others threatened to leave the +camp, and actually made a movement towards the +steamer.</p> + +<p>Major Tommy was in a quandary. There was a +mutiny among the forces, and the prospect at that +moment was the breaking up of the camp. The +students had long been disgusted with Tommy’s +tyranny, and it did not require much to kindle the +flames of insurrection in the battalion. Hurried consultations +among groups of officers and privates indicated +a tempest. The little magnate was shrewd +enough now to see that he had gone too far, but +his pride would not permit him to recede.</p> + +<p>The disaffected ones who had the courage to strike +for their own rights were collecting near the pier. +Briscoe appeared to be the leading rebel, and the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span> +force which gathered around him included half the +battalion. Tommy was informed that they intended +to desert in a body.</p> + +<p>“Start your boat, Captain Underwood,” said +Tommy, in order to prevent the departure of the +rebels.</p> + +<p>The captain pulled the bells, and the wheels of +the Middleport turned.</p> + +<p>“Now stop her!” shouted the major; and it was +evident that he intended only to move the steamer +far enough from the shore to prevent the escape of +the disaffected portion of his command.</p> + +<p>I heard the last order, but the captain did not, +for I had moved to the stern, in order to see the +result.</p> + +<p>“Stop her, I say,” repeated Tommy, savagely.</p> + +<p>Still Captain Underwood did not, or would not, +hear him, and the Middleport went on her way.</p> + +<p>“Tell the captain to stop her!” screamed Tommy, +at the top of his lungs.</p> + +<p>I deemed it to be in the interests of peace not to +heed this order, for I was afraid, if I communicated +it to the captain, he would obey. The little major +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span> +screamed till he was hoarse; but we were clear of +the island, though it was certain there was an account +to be settled in the future.</p> + +<p>“Our Academy would be a great institution, if +Tommy Toppleton went to school somewhere else,” +said Skotchley.</p> + +<p>“It is a great pity he is so overbearing,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“He seems to think all the rest of the fellows +were created only to be his servants, and he treads +upon them as though they were worms beneath his +feet. I have not been accustomed to have a fellow +speak to me as he did to-day.”</p> + +<p>“He is very haughty; but he is a generous fellow, +and has many other good qualities.”</p> + +<p>“But one can’t live with him, he is so overbearing. +I am rather sorry now that I did not accept +the office of president of the Lake Shore Railroad, +when I was elected. It would have brought affairs +to a head. But I did not want to spite him, for +he never treated me so badly before.”</p> + +<p>Tommy had made a great mistake in alienating +such a fellow as Skotchley. It was evident that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span> +the tempest among the students could not much +longer be delayed, if it had not already commenced. +From the deck of the Middleport, we saw the two +companies march to the camp ground, and begin to +pitch the tents. It was probable that the mutiny +had been nipped in the bud by the departure of the +steamer with Skotchley on board. I was afterwards +told that the students regarded Tommy’s order to +start the boat as yielding the point, and that, when +he failed to stop her, he accepted the situation, and +made a virtue of necessity, permitting the boys to +believe that the Middleport had departed in obedience +to his command.</p> + +<p>The boats of the Wimpletonians were moving +towards North Point, for those in charge of them +had comprehended the final defeat of their party. +It only remained for them to seek another camp +ground, or make the attempt to drive the Toppletonians +from their position. Skotchley and I agreed +that they would not long be quiet, and that the +week would be filled up with quarrels and skirmishes +between the students of the rival academies.</p> + +<p>In an hour the steamer arrived at the wharf in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span> +Middleport, and we went on shore. I invited +Skotchley, as the Institute was closed, to spend the +week with me at my father’s house. He thanked +me very cordially, and accepted the invitation; but +before I went home, I deemed it proper to report +to Major Toppleton the events which had transpired +during the forenoon. I intended to call at his house +on my way home; but we met him coming down +the street towards the pier.</p> + +<p>“I thought you went up to the camp, Wolf,” said +he, much surprised when he saw me.</p> + +<p>“I have been, sir, and a sweet time we have had +of it. Tommy sent me off, and would not permit +me to remain on the island.”</p> + +<p>“What has happened?” he asked, anxiously.</p> + +<p>I told him the story of the morning’s adventures, +though it took me half an hour to do so.</p> + +<p>“And Tommy sent you off—did he?” laughed +the major.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir—because I advised the captain not to +let our fellows out of the cabin until we got rid of +the Wimps; but if they had been let out, there would +have been a fight with bayonets.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span></p> + +<p>“I am very glad you didn’t let them out then; +but Tommy is rather a difficult subject to manage,” +continued the major, lightly. “I have to coax him +a great deal, for he is bound to have his own way. +If he is thwarted, it has a bad effect upon him. I +sent you up to the island to keep the run of things +there; but of course I did not expect you to oppose +him.”</p> + +<p>“I did the best I could, sir.”</p> + +<p>“You did very well; but I am sorry Tommy +sent you away, for I thought you might have some +influence with him. Did he send you away too, +Skotchley?” he added, turning to my companion.</p> + +<p>“No, sir; I came of my own accord,” replied the +dignified student: but he did not think it necessary +to add that he and Tommy had fallen out.</p> + +<p>“You think there will be a fight between the +two sides up there?” continued the major.</p> + +<p>“Before the week is out there will be.”</p> + +<p>“Something must be done,” said the major, anxiously.</p> + +<p>I saw now that he was quite as much the victim +of Tommy’s waywardness as the students of the +Institute.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII"> + CHAPTER XII. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>UP THE LAKE.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first kern'><span class='allcaps'>Major Toppleton</span> was absolutely afraid +of his son. There was a rumor in Middleport—though +I did not hear of it until after the +events narrated had transpired—that his father had +positively refused to permit Tommy to have his own +way on one occasion, when the young gentleman insisted +upon discharging a favorite servant of his +mother. The major declined to yield, and stuck to +his text. The result was, that Tommy, in his rage, +ran away in the dead of winter, and was not found +for two whole days, during which time he lived on +the fat of the land at the Hitaca House, whither he +had gone in the steamer. He refused to go home +till his father promised to discharge the obnoxious +servant, declaring that he would not live in the same +house with the woman, and threatening to go to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span> +New York and ship as a common sailor. Undoubtedly +it would have been better for the young gentleman +if he had shipped as a common sailor, for in +that capacity he would have ascertained how much +of his own way he could enjoy. His father yielded, +and Tommy, having conquered in this instance, had +no trouble in maintaining his supremacy. The major +was afraid he would run away, or do some other +terrible thing; and the man who was the lord and +master of all Middleport was the slave of his tyrannical +son. This is not the only instance on record of +the same thing.</p> + +<p>I supposed Major Toppleton would take some +steps to prevent a quarrel between the rival students, +but he did not. It was a delicate and difficult matter +to interfere with Tommy; and the fact that I +had been sent back proved that he would not submit +to any dictation, or even suggestion.</p> + +<p>“I am rather glad you have come back, Wolf,” +said the great man; and I saw that he was trying +to conceal his anxiety in regard to the students. +“I have just received a letter from Hitaca, informing +me that my new yacht is finished, and I was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span> +on my way to the wharf to find some one to send +after her. I have been told that you are a boatman +as well as an engineer, Wolf.”</p> + +<p>“I have handled all sorts of boats on the lake. +I used to sail the Marian on the other side; and +she is the largest boat in this part of the lake,” I +replied.</p> + +<p>“But she is not more than half as large as the +Grace.”</p> + +<p>“The Grace!” I exclaimed, delighted with the +name.</p> + +<p>“She is called after my daughter. Do you think +you can handle her?”</p> + +<p>“I know I can, sir.”</p> + +<p>“She is thirty-five feet long, and measures fifteen +tons. She has a cabin large enough to accommodate +half a dozen persons.”</p> + +<p>“I should like to bring her down first rate,” I +added, glancing at Skotchley; and I saw by his +looks that he would like to accompany me.</p> + +<p>“If you think you can manage her, you may go. +You will want two or three hands to help you.”</p> + +<p>“I will find them, sir.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span></p> + +<p>“You must take the steamer up the lake as soon +as she goes. I will write an order on the builder +to deliver the boat to you; call at my house for it +before you start.”</p> + +<p>I was delighted with this mission, for I had a +taste for boats almost as strong as that for a steam-engine. +I was fond of the water, and should have +preferred a situation in a steamer to anything else. +Skotchley was as much pleased as I was with the +cruise in prospect; and, after I had told my mother +where I was going, we called at the major’s for the +order. He gave me some money to pay the expenses, +and, with two of my friends, we embarked +in the steamer for Hitaca, where we arrived at half +past four. Near the steamer’s wharf, up the river, +I saw a beautiful yacht, which I at once concluded +was the Grace; and she was worthy of her name, +if anything made of wood and iron could be equal +to such an honor.</p> + +<p>I presented my order to the builder, who was in +doubt about delivering it to me, whom he stigmatized +as a boy; but when I informed him that I +was the engineer of the Lake Shore Railroad, he +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span> +made no further objection. He did me the honor +to say that he had heard of me, and that he had +ridden in the dummy from Middleport to Spangleport. +I was not a little astonished to find that my +fame had travelled so far as Hitaca; but it appeared +that everybody in the vicinity knew all about the +quarrel between the two sides of the lake.</p> + +<p>The Grace was moored in a basin of the river, +and the builder put my party on board of her in a +skiff. She was a magnificent boat, far exceeding anything +of the kind I had seen, or even dreamed of. +She was sloop-rigged, painted black outside, and +white on deck. But her cabin was the principal attraction +to me, and I hastened below to inspect it. +It was finished and furnished in a style equal to the +major’s house, with two little state-rooms, and a little +cuddy forward, with a cook-stove in it. I was astonished +and delighted, and would gladly have resigned +my situation as engineer for a position on +this beautiful craft.</p> + +<p>I sent Tom Walton and Joe Poole up to a store +to purchase a list of groceries and provisions which +I had made out, with Skotchley’s assistance, on board +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span> +of the steamer; for we should need some supper, +and perhaps breakfast, before we could reach Middleport. +While they were gone, Skotchley and I +devoted ourselves to a new examination of the +wonders of the Grace. The builder was pleased +with my enthusiasm, and the warm praise both of +us bestowed upon his work. He opened all the +lockers, and explained everything about the yacht, +from the keel to the mast-head.</p> + +<p>“When will that railroad be done?” asked the +builder, after we had exhausted the Grace, cabin, +deck, and rigging.</p> + +<p>“In a month or two,” I replied; and I could not +fail to observe the sly twinkle in his eye.</p> + +<p>“They say Major Toppleton has bought up both +the steamers, and intends to run them, in connection +with the railroad, only from Middleport to Hitaca.”</p> + +<p>“I have heard so; but I know nothing about it.”</p> + +<p>“Do you see that steamer?” he added, pointing +to a vessel, which had just been launched.</p> + +<p>“I see her. Is that the new one Colonel Wimpleton +is building?” I asked, with no little curiosity.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span></p> + +<p>“That’s the boat, and if I mistake not she will +give your road a hard run.”</p> + +<p>“I should like to see her,” I continued.</p> + +<p>The builder kindly conducted me all over her. +Everything about her was first-class work, and I +confess that I rather envied the Wimpletonians the +possession of such a steamer. They were just building +her cabins and upper works, and I saw that +she was to be far ahead of anything on the lake.</p> + +<p>“I suppose there will be some lively competition +when this boat is finished,” said I, as we left the +steamer. “But I hope it will be good-natured.”</p> + +<p>“The boat has rather the advantage of you,” +added the builder. “If the major will build a +bridge over the river at Ucayga, he will win the +day. As it is, the steamer will have the weather-gage.”</p> + +<p>It was hardly prudent for me to think so, for I +was to run the “Lightning Express” in opposition +to the new boat. But our provisions had arrived, +and just then I was more interested in the cruise +of the Grace than in the trips of the new steamer. +Skotchley and I went on board. As the river below +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span> +Hitaca was narrow, and the navigation difficult, the +builder, with some of his men, assisted us to work +her out into the open lake. The wind was tolerably +fresh from the westward, and as soon as the +men had left us, I took the helm, and headed the +Grace for Middleport. The yacht was a furious +sailer, and she tore through the water at a rapid +rate.</p> + +<p>“I rather like this,” said Skotchley, as he seated +himself at my side.</p> + +<p>“So do I,” I replied. “I wish the major would +make me skipper of this boat, and let some one else +run the locomotive.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t want anything better than this for my +vacation. I should like to spend the week in her, +cruising up and down the lake.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps you can. The major is going a fishing +in her, I heard him say. Very likely he will let +you have a berth in her.”</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid not. Tommy will spoil all my chances +of anything good for this term,” added the dignified +student, shaking his head.</p> + +<p>“I think the fellows on the Horse Shoe are likely +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span> +to bring Tommy to his senses before they get +through with him. They have him there alone, +and I don’t think they will let him have his own +way all the time. At any rate, they began as +though they would not.”</p> + +<p>“If I were in Tommy’s boots, I should try to +make the fellows love instead of hate me. He is +smart, and can make himself very agreeable when +he isn’t ugly. In my opinion, there will be a big +row on the Horse Shoe, even without any help from +the Wimps. Tommy is plucky, and I am not sure +that it will not be a good thing for him if the +Wimps attack his camp. His position is a little like +that of some king I have read of, who got up a foreign +war to save himself from being tipped off the +throne by his own subjects.”</p> + +<p>“Supper is ready,” said Tom Walton, who attended +to the culinary department of the Grace, having +had some experience in the art of cooking. “Shall I +take the helm, while you go down?”</p> + +<p>I was very happy to have him do so, for Tom +was a good boatman, which was the particular reason +why I had invited him to be one of the party. We +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span> +went down into the cabin, where the table was set +for us. It was neatly and tastily arranged. The +viands consisted of beefsteak, potatoes, milk toast, +and coffee; and I must do Tom the justice to say +that they tasted as good as they looked. Certainly +I never felt happier than when I sat down to that +supper. There was something decidedly marine in +the surroundings. The fresh breeze created quite a +sea for an inland lake, and the Grace tossed up and +down just enough to make her seem like a vessel.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp95" id="i_p148" style="max-width: 79.6875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p148..jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + THE MAN ON THE RAFT. <a href='#Page_148'>Page 148</a>. + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>“Wolf! Wolf!” shouted Tom Walton, at the +helm, just as I was taking my second cup of coffee; +for I did not expect to sleep much that night.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” I demanded, springing into +the standing-room, fearful that some calamity impended +over the beautiful yacht.</p> + +<p>“There’s some one calling to us from over there,” +he replied, highly excited, as he pointed towards +the eastern shore. “There he is! It’s a man in a +boat, or on a raft.”</p> + +<p>“Help! Help!” cried the person, in a voice +which sounded strangely familiar to me.</p> + +<p>“Let out the main sheet, Tom. We will run over +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span> +and see what the matter is,” I replied, taking the +helm.</p> + +<p>In a few moments the Grace swept round into +the wind, under the lee of the person who had +appealed to us for aid. He was on a kind of raft, +sitting upon the wet planks, over which the waves +flowed freely. I ran the bow of the yacht up to +his frail craft, to which the sufferer was clinging +with both hands. Giving the helm to Tom, I rushed +forward to help the man, whose face presented a +most woe-begone aspect.</p> + +<p>My astonishment may be surmised when I recognized +in this person Colonel Wimpleton!</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII"> + CHAPTER XIII. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>IF THINE ENEMY HUNGER.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first kern-more'><span class='allcaps'>As</span> soon as the Grace came within reach of +Colonel Wimpleton, on the raft, he improved +his opportunity. Grasping the bob-stay, he made +his way on board, with my assistance. He was +so clumsy and terrified that without my help he +would certainly have fallen overboard. He plumped +upon the deck on all fours, in a most undignified +attitude for the magnate of Centreport. I helped +him to rise. In doing so, I discovered that his +breath was very odorous of liquor, which seemed +to do something towards explaining the unfortunate +plight in which we had found him. He was +not intoxicated at the time he was pulled on board +the Grace; but perhaps he had had time to work +off the effects of the potions whose incense still +lingered about him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span></p> + +<p>“Wolf Penniman!” exclaimed he, as he grasped +one of the fore-stays, and, steadying himself with +it, gazed into my face; and his expression seemed +to indicate that he would rather have been rescued +by any other person than by me.</p> + +<p>“Colonel Wimpleton!” I replied, returning his +compliment.</p> + +<p>“Is it you, Wolf?” he added, as if unwilling +to believe the evidence of his own eyes.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir; it is I. But if you feel bad about it, +you can return to the raft.”</p> + +<p>He glanced at the little staging of three planks +on which he had made his involuntary cruise, and +shuddered as he did so, partly with cold, and partly +with dread.</p> + +<p>“I will pay you well for whatever you do for +me, Wolf,” said he, glancing doubtfully at the boat, +and then at me.</p> + +<p>“Let me tell you in the beginning, Colonel Wimpleton, +that you can’t pay me the first red cent,” +I replied, with proper spirit.</p> + +<p>“You won’t turn me adrift again—will you?”</p> + +<p>“No, sir; I will do anything I can for you.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span></p> + +<p>“We have not been very good friends lately.”</p> + +<p>“No, sir; but that shall not prevent me from +assisting you to any extent within my power. +What shall I do for you, sir?”</p> + +<p>“I am very cold and numb,” said he, curling up +with the chills that swept through his frame.</p> + +<p>“Come into the cabin, sir. I think we can warm +and dry you so that you will be quite comfortable.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you, Wolf;” and I think this was the +first time he had ever used a gracious word to me.</p> + +<p>Tom Walton had put the helm up, and the yacht +filled away on her course again. I took Colonel +Wimpleton’s arm, and conducted him to the cabin. +The fire was still burning in the little cook-room, +and shutting down the hatch on the deck, I soon +made the place so hot that it almost melted me. +Seating my distinguished guest before the stove, I +gave him a mug of hot coffee, though, before he +drank it, he asked me if there was any brandy on +board. I told him we had none, and he contented +himself with the coffee, which was quite as beneficial.</p> + +<p>Under my mild treatment, the patient gradually +recovered the use of his limbs. I went on deck, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span> +and sent Tom down to give him some supper; and +our zealous cook provided him a fresh beefsteak, +coffee, and toast, which Tom said he ate just as +though he had been a common man. It was now +quite dark, and we were off Southport, on the east +shore. The wind had subsided, and we were not +likely to reach Middleport before morning. I gave +Tom the helm again, and went below to inquire +into the colonel’s condition. He was still wet, and +was fearful that his exposure would bring on the +rheumatic fever, to which he was liable. I suggested +to him that he should go to bed, and have +his clothes dried. For such a man as he was, he +was very pliable and lamb-like.</p> + +<p>I conducted him to one of the little state-rooms, +which contained a wide berth. I put all the blankets +on board upon the bed, and the colonel, taking +off all his clothes, buried himself in them. I tucked +him up, and he declared that he felt quite comfortable. +Hanging up all his garments in the cook-room, +I filled the stove with wood, assured they +would soon dry in the intense heat of the apartment.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span></p> + +<p>“Can I do anything more for you, colonel?” I +asked, returning to his room.</p> + +<p>“No, thank you, Wolf; I am very comfortable +now,” he replied from the mass of blankets and +quilts which covered him.</p> + +<p>“Where do you wish to go, sir?”</p> + +<p>“Home! Home!” he answered with energy.</p> + +<p>“We are bound for Middleport, sir, and we will +land you as soon as we arrive.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you, Wolf. I feel like a new man now. +I was sure I should be drowned. I had been on +that raft over three hours.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed, sir! It was a very uncomfortable +craft.”</p> + +<p>“The lake was very rough, and the waves washed +over me every minute. I gave myself up for lost. +I suffered all that a man could endure in those +three hours,” said he, shuddering as he thought of +his unpleasant voyage.</p> + +<p>Probably, accustomed as he was to luxury and +ease, he had had a hard time of it; but a man inured +to work and weather would not have suffered +half so much as he did; though, chilled and terrified +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span> +as he was, I did wonder that he had not been +washed from his raft, to perish in the deep waters +beneath him.</p> + +<p>“I am very glad we happened to come along as +we did,” I added.</p> + +<p>“It was fortunate for me, Wolf. I will give you +a thousand dollars for the service you have rendered +me as soon as I get home.”</p> + +<p>“Excuse me, sir; but I cannot take anything,” +I replied, warmly.</p> + +<p>“Why not, Wolf?”</p> + +<p>“Because I should despise myself if I took anything. +There are some things in this world that +cannot be paid for with money.”</p> + +<p>“You are a strange boy, Wolf.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps I am; but I think too much of myself +to take money for doing a kindness to any one in +distress.”</p> + +<p>“Very likely I can do something else for you.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t require anything to be done for me, +Colonel Wimpleton,” I persisted.</p> + +<p>“If you have been up to Hitaca, probably you +have seen the steamer I am building there.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span></p> + +<p>“Yes, sir, I saw her; and a very fine boat she +will be.”</p> + +<p>“I shall want an engineer for her,” he suggested.</p> + +<p>“Of course you will, sir. An engineer is a necessity +in a steamer,” I replied; but I refused to +bite at the bait he threw out to me.</p> + +<p>“Are you the captain of this boat, Wolf?” he +asked, glancing round at the pleasant little state-room +in which he was lying.</p> + +<p>“For the present I am.”</p> + +<p>“Whose boat is it?”</p> + +<p>“Major Toppleton’s.”</p> + +<p>“I saw her at the yard in Hitaca; but I had no +idea she was so large and fine, as she lay in the +river.”</p> + +<p>“She is just finished, and the major sent me up +to bring her down to Middleport. I don’t suppose +I shall go in her again, for I belong on the railroad.”</p> + +<p>“I know you do,” he replied; and his tone seemed +to indicate that, at that moment, he was sorry I did.</p> + +<p>I did not care to discuss the relations of the two +sides of the lake with him, and I turned his attention +from the subject by asking what I could do +for him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span></p> + +<p>“I do not need anything more, Wolf. I am warm +and comfortable, and I am very much obliged to +you for what you have done. Did you know who +it was when you saw me on the raft?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir; I recognized you when the boat came +up to the raft.”</p> + +<p>“You did?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir; certainly I did.”</p> + +<p>“Were you not tempted to let me remain where +I was?” he asked, raising his head on the bed, so +as to see my face.</p> + +<p>“No, sir, I was not.”</p> + +<p>“I should think you would have been.”</p> + +<p>“Why, I am not a heathen, Colonel Wimpleton!” +I replied.</p> + +<p>“No; we have had considerable trouble, and I +suppose you have no reason to think very kindly +of me,” stammered he, as though the words almost +choked him.</p> + +<p>“I don’t think you used me just right, sir; but +I’m not an Indian.”</p> + +<p>“I think I should have perished in half an hour +more. It was getting dark, and I was as numb +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span> +as though I had been frozen. But I shall make +it all right somehow, Wolf.”</p> + +<p>“It is all right now.”</p> + +<p>“Did you see anything of Dr. Pomford as you +came up the lake?”</p> + +<p>“Dr. Pomford? I don’t know him, sir.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose not. He is from Philadelphia, and +is spending a week with me. He is fond of fishing, +and we came up here to try our luck.”</p> + +<p>“But how came you on that raft, sir?” I inquired. +“Did you lose your friend overboard?”</p> + +<p>“No; we had a boat, which we fastened to the +raft on the fishing-ground. We found the raft +there, moored with stakes in the deep water. Dr. +Pomford had the misfortune to drop his bottle of +brandy overboard, after we had been fishing about +an hour. Being quite chilly, he went back to the +hotel after some more, leaving me on the raft, for +the fish were biting well, and I did not like to +leave them; besides, he is a younger man than I +am, and can move about easier. His boat was +fastened to one of the stakes, and I think, when +he started, he must have pulled it up. I don’t +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span> +know how it happened, but as soon as the doctor +was out of sight behind the cliff, I found myself +adrift.”</p> + +<p>It was not polite for me to say anything; but +I could not help thinking, that if the brandy bottle +had dropped overboard sooner, the colonel would +have understood the matter better. I had never +heard that the great man was in the habit of +drinking too much; but the odor of his breath +led me to my conclusion. I think he was somewhat +fuddled, or he would have gone with the +doctor in the boat.</p> + +<p>“I never suffered so much in three hours before +in my life,” continued the colonel. “No canal +boat, steamer, or other craft came near me, and +I cried for help till my voice gave out. Wolf, I +would have given half my fortune, if not the whole +of it, to have been taken from that raft a moment +before you saw me. If I had known you were in +charge of the boat, I should not have expected +you to save me.”</p> + +<p>“My mother always taught me to love my enemies,” +I answered.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span></p> + +<p>“I hear the ministers talk about such things, +but I never believed much in them. I am under +very great obligations to you, Wolf. You have +treated me as well as though I had always been +your best friend.”</p> + +<p>“It is all right, sir. I am satisfied, if you are.”</p> + +<p>“I am not satisfied; and I shall never be satisfied +until I have made you some return for all +this.”</p> + +<p>“I shall not take anything, sir,” I replied, resolutely.</p> + +<p>“I will give you a man’s wages, if you will take +the place as engineer of the new steamer.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you for the offer, Colonel Wimpleton; +but I cannot accept it at present. I never desert +my friends till they kick me.”</p> + +<p>“That is as much as to say that I kicked you +before you left Centreport.”</p> + +<p>“I think we had better bury the past.”</p> + +<p>“I will make it all right with your father; he +shall have better wages than he has now.”</p> + +<p>“I am much obliged to you, sir; but we are +both of us very well satisfied where we are.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span></p> + +<p>The great man seemed to be intensely annoyed +at my obstinacy; and it certainly was a hard case +for him that he was not permitted even to do me +a favor. My pride would not permit me to accept +a gift from one who had treated me so badly as +he had; but it was a pleasure to serve him, to +heap the fiery coals of kindness upon his head.</p> + +<p>As I had feared, the wind died out entirely, +and the Grace lay helpless upon the smooth surface +of the lake. But below, everything was cheerful—even +Colonel Wimpleton. The lamps burned +brightly in the cabin and state-room, and I enjoyed +myself hugely, not caring whether the wind +blew or not. I gave the great man his underclothing +when it was dry, and he put it on. He +wanted to talk, and he did talk in his bed till +nearly midnight, when a breeze from the southward +sprang up, which compelled me to take my +place at the helm. The wind freshened, and the +Grace flew before it, so that we came to anchor +at two o’clock off Major Toppleton’s mansion.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV"> + CHAPTER XIV. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>COLONEL WIMPLETON BIDS HIGH.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first kern-extra'><span class='allcaps'>During</span> the run of twenty miles down the +lake, I had sat alone at the helm the greater +portion of the time, for my companions were disposed +to sleep. Colonel Wimpleton snored so that +I could hear him in the standing-room. Skotchley +had turned in, occupying the port state-room, while +Tom Walton lay on a locker, where I could call +him in a moment if his services were needed. +While I sat there I did a great deal of heavy thinking, +mostly over the relations of Toppleton and +Wimpleton. When that magnificent steamer was +completed, there would be lively times on the lake.</p> + +<p>The offer which Colonel Wimpleton had made +me of the position of engineer on board the new +steamer was very tempting to me, and I wished +very much that I could honorably accept it; but +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span> +it was no use to think about it. Whatever might +be said of Major Tommy, his father had invariably +treated me very handsomely. He had come to my +father’s assistance at a time when he needed help, +and had actually put over two thousand dollars into +his pocket. I felt it to be my duty to endure a +great deal from the son for the sake of the father, +as, it now appeared, the former was the chief man +of the two.</p> + +<p>As we approached Middleport, I called Tom Walton, +and, with as little noise as possible, anchored +the Grace. It was a moonlight night, and since +the wind had come up from the southward, the +weather was warm and pleasant. The sleepers below +had not been disturbed; but, after Tom and I +had made everything snug on deck, I waked Colonel +Wimpleton, and told him where we were. I +offered to row him across the lake in the little +tender of the Grace.</p> + +<p>“Thank you, Wolf. I will get up at once,” said +he. “What time is it?”</p> + +<p>“About half past two, sir.”</p> + +<p>“I have slept well. I had no idea of getting home +to-night.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span></p> + +<p>“We are at anchor off Major Toppleton’s house.”</p> + +<p>“Then I think I had better leave as soon as +possible. I hope the major won’t punish you for +what you have done for me.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t think he will. We get along very well +together, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Better than you did with me, I suppose,” replied +he, with a grim smile. “But I never knew +you before, Wolf. It would be different if you +should come over to Centreport again.”</p> + +<p>“I will have the boat ready in a few moments,” +I replied, wishing to change the subject.</p> + +<p>I carried the colonel’s clothing to him. It had +been nicely dried, and in a few moments he appeared +on deck. I could hardly believe he was the Colonel +Wimpleton who had been so unjust, not to say savage, +towards me. He was a lamb now, and I was +very willing to believe that his three hours of peril +had done him a great deal of good, though I was +afraid the impression would be removed when he +returned to his usual associations. I helped the +great man into the boat, and pushed off.</p> + +<p>“Have you thought of the offer that I made +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span> +you, Wolf?” said the colonel, as I gave way at the +oars.</p> + +<p>“It is useless for me to think of it, sir. I cannot +leave Major Toppleton while he wishes me to stay +with him.”</p> + +<p>“But I offer you double your present wages.”</p> + +<p>“The major has been very kind to me, and was +a good friend to our family when we needed a +friend. It would not be right for me to leave him, +and I cannot think of such a thing.”</p> + +<p>The magnate of Centreport seemed to me to be +more nettled by my refusal than I thought the occasion +required. But I enjoyed a certain triumph in +finding him thus teasing me to return to his side of +the lake—a triumph which was none the less grateful +because I had won it by kindness. The colonel +was silent for a few moments, hitching about in the +boat as though the seat was not comfortable.</p> + +<p>“How old are you, Wolf?” he asked, with sudden +energy.</p> + +<p>“Sixteen in July, sir.”</p> + +<p>“I have one more offer to make you,” he added.</p> + +<p>“It won’t do any good, Colonel Wimpleton; for, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span> +as I have said, I never desert my friends while +they use me well. If you would fill this boat up +with gold, it wouldn’t make any difference with +me,” I replied, rather warmly.</p> + +<p>“Don’t be obstinate, Wolf.”</p> + +<p>“I am very much obliged to you, sir, for your +kind offer, and I would accept it if I could.”</p> + +<p>“You shall be captain of the new steamer, and +have two dollars a day for your services. You +will have a nice state-room in the boat, and nothing +to do but superintend the management of her. I +find you are very popular, not with the boys alone, +but with the men and women, and it is for my +interest to have you on the steamer.”</p> + +<p>“I thank you very much, sir; but I cannot leave +my present place.”</p> + +<p>“Think of it, Wolf; and talk the matter over +with your father. If you like, he shall be the engineer +of the steamer.”</p> + +<p>“I thought the boat was to be managed by boys.”</p> + +<p>“But I can’t trust every boy in the engine-room. +If I can’t get you as engineer, I must have a man.”</p> + +<p>“I should be very glad to take either of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span> +places you offer me, but I cannot, sir. Major Toppleton +has done the handsome thing for me and for +my father, and I think you would despise me if I +turned against him.”</p> + +<p>He continued to press the matter with so much +earnestness that I came to think I was of a great +deal more importance in the world than I really +was. But I was steadfast in my allegiance to the +friend who had served our family when we were in +distress. I pulled the boat up to the steps in front +of the colonel’s house, and assisted him to get out. +He invited me to go in with him, but I declined.</p> + +<p>“Now, Wolf, I’m not going to let this affair pass +off without doing something for you. I feel that +you have saved my life,” said he, as I seated myself +at the oars.</p> + +<p>“It’s all right as it is, sir.”</p> + +<p>“No, it isn’t. You will hear from me again soon.”</p> + +<p>I gave way at the oars, and he walked towards +his house. I had conquered him, and it was certainly +very remarkable that I had, at this moment, +both the mighty men as my friends, though my +relations with Tommy Toppleton threatened to make +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span> +a breach with one of them. I felt that I had carried +out the spirit of my mother’s instructions, and +I ought not to be blamed for thinking very kindly +of myself, because I had discharged my Christian +duty to one who had taught me to be his enemy. +In this frame of mind I pulled back to the Grace, +and leaped upon deck.</p> + +<p>“What have you been doing, Wolf?” demanded a +stern voice, as a tall form emerged from the cabin.</p> + +<p>Whew! It was Major Toppleton! I could not +imagine what had brought him out of his bed at +that unseasonable hour; and I was speechless with +astonishment.</p> + +<p>“What have you been doing, Wolf?” repeated he; +and I saw that all hands had been called.</p> + +<p>“I have just landed Colonel Wimpleton at his +house, sir,” I replied, with due deference.</p> + +<p>“And you have been entertaining my greatest +enemy in my yacht—have you?” added the major, +in a tone which seemed to threaten the pleasant +relations that had thus far subsisted between us.</p> + +<p>“I picked him up on the lake, when he was perishing +with the cold, and in danger of being drowned.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span></p> + +<p>“I don’t object to your picking him up when he +needed help. One must do that for a dog. But +why didn’t you put him ashore at the nearest land—in +the woods or on the rocks?”</p> + +<p>“Because he was so benumbed with cold that he +was nearly helpless.”</p> + +<p>“You gave him a supper at my expense; you +could not have used me any better in my own yacht +than you did him.”</p> + +<p>“I did everything I could for him, sir,” I replied, +humbly.</p> + +<p>“You did—did you? Didn’t you know that he +is a scoundrel? that he is my bitterest enemy?” +demanded the major, warmly.</p> + +<p>“I did, sir; but I thought it my duty to take +care of him when he was suffering.”</p> + +<p>“Fiddledy-dee! What do you mean by talking +such bosh as that to me? I believe you have a +soft place in your head, Wolf. Joe Poole says you +treated him like a lord. I don’t keep a yacht for +the accommodation of Wimpleton. If you mean to +sell out to the other side, do so at once.”</p> + +<p>“I have no such intention;” and I was on the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span> +point of defending myself by saying that the colonel +had made me several handsome offers, which I had +declined; but I concluded such a defence would do +me no good, and only irritate the major.</p> + +<p>“Of course I should not expect you to let even +Wimpleton drown; but you have overdone the +thing; you ought to have put him ashore at Southport, +or Port Gunga.”</p> + +<p>“He wanted to come home, sir.”</p> + +<p>“No matter if he did; I don’t keep a yacht for +his use.”</p> + +<p>“I am sorry I have offended you, sir,” I added; +but I could not regret what I had done.</p> + +<p>“Don’t do it again. The less you do for the other +side, the better you will suit me,” he continued, +more gently, evidently because his anger had expended +itself, rather than because he accepted my +apology. “How did you get along with the boat?”</p> + +<p>“First rate, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Wolf, I have been uneasy all night about those +boys on the island. I have been afraid the Wimpleton +scoundrels would tear up the railroad track, and +I have kept the dummy going every hour since dark. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span> +I am tired out. I am afraid they will have a fight +up at the Horse Shoe, and somebody will get killed. +I’m going to bed now; but I want you to run up +there, and have an eye upon the boys. You need +not go very near the island, but be sure you know +what the students are about. The Wimpleton boys +have camped on the Shooter, and the two sides are +not more than forty rods apart. If things go wrong +there, you will run over to Grass Springs, and send +me word by Lewis Holgate.”</p> + +<p>Having delivered his instructions, Joe Poole landed +the major before his house. With the assistance +of Skotchley and Tom Walton, I hoisted the mainsail +and got up the anchor. When Joe returned, +both of my companions “pitched into” him for telling +the major that I had treated his enemy “like +a lord.”</p> + +<p>“I only told the truth,” replied Joe. “But I +didn’t mean to do Wolf any harm.”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t you know any better?” added Tom.</p> + +<p>“I thought I was doing a good thing for Wolf, +when I said that he had treated the colonel so +well, after he had used him so shabbily.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span></p> + +<p>“Humph, you are a Sunday school scholar!” +sneered Tom.</p> + +<p>“So am I, Tom,” I interposed. “I don’t blame +Joe for telling only the truth, and I should have +told the major myself if he had not.”</p> + +<p>This remark quieted the sneerer, and I think that +Sunday school doctrine had the better of the argument. +Tom ran up the jib, and, passing through +the Narrows, I headed the Grace for the Horse +Shoe. Tom had slept three or four hours, while I +had not yet closed my eyes. I gave him the helm, +and directing him to call me when we came up +with the islands, I stretched myself on the cushioned +locker, and dropped asleep.</p> + +<p>The day was dawning when the helmsman called +me. I had not slept more than an hour and a half; +but my interest in the mission upon which I had +been sent thoroughly roused me. I took the helm, +and going to the eastward of the South Shoe, I +headed the Grace through the narrow channel between +the Horse Shoe and the Shooter, which would +enable me to obtain a fair view of both camps. Major +Toppleton’s fears were not groundless, for I found +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span> +that the Wimpletonians had not devoted the night +to sleep, as the Toppletonians evidently had, for the +former had just effected a landing on the northern +part of the Horse Shoe. As the Grace passed out +of the channel, I saw the bateaux, loaded with tents +and baggage, landing their freight.</p> + +<p>A battle impended.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV"> + CHAPTER XV. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>THE IMPENDING BATTLE.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first'><span class='allcaps'>I certainly</span> did not expect to find anything +at the Horse Shoe or in its vicinity, so early +in the morning, to indicate a battle, or even a +change of position. Men engaged in a holy cause, +or in realizing the promptings of ambition, may +fight all day on the bloody field, and then look +out for the chances of another day during the +darkness of the night; but boys do not do so, +as a general rule. The Wimpletonians had evidently +done something besides sleeping during the +night. Dissatisfied with the proceedings of the +first day, they were determined to make a better +show the second day.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, the Toppletonians appeared +to be fast asleep, without even a guard to protect +or warn them of the approach of their enemy. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span> +Before daylight the Centreport battalion had been +transported from the Shooter to the Horse Shoe, +and were now in position to give battle to their +haughty foe—if either was more haughty than +the other. I saw them on the shore, landing the +last of their baggage, and securing their boats in +a little cove. On the highest part of the island +I could distinguish, in the gloom of the early +morning, a line of sentinels stretching entirely +across the land.</p> + +<p>Before the Grace was clear of the island, Skotchley, +who had made a good night’s rest of it, came +on deck, and I pointed out to him the change +which the Wimpletonians had made.</p> + +<p>“What do you think of it, Skotchley?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“I think there will be an awful row before noon,” +he replied, shaking his head. “Of course the +Wimps haven’t gone over there for nothing.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know but it would be the best thing +in the world to let them fight it out. If one side +or the other should get thoroughly thrashed, perhaps +both would be willing to keep the peace.”</p> + +<p>“I think not; for of course the vanquished +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span> +party would never be satisfied till it had retrieved +its fortunes.”</p> + +<p>“When do you think the fight will commence?”</p> + +<p>“I should say it is liable to begin at any moment,” +added Skotchley; “but I shall not expect +it for several hours after our fellows find out that +their territory has been invaded.”</p> + +<p>“Can we do anything to prevent the fight?” I +asked, earnestly.</p> + +<p>“I do not see that we can,” answered Skotchley. +“What can we do? You know what Tommy is. +If we should attempt to reason with him, he would +flare up.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t mean to reason with him; that would +be stupid.”</p> + +<p>“Of course we can’t do anything with Waddie.”</p> + +<p>“All we have to do is to inform Major Toppleton +of the state of affairs on the island,” I replied, +as I put the helm down, and told Tom Walton to +haul in the sheets till the yacht was close on the +wind. “We shall get to Middleport with this +breeze before the dummy starts.”</p> + +<p>It was only four o’clock in the morning, and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span> +though we had to beat up to our destination, I +was confident the Grace would do it in a couple +of hours. I had not had quite rest enough to +make me feel good, and giving the helm to Tom, +I lay down again. I was soon asleep, and the +two hours of rest which I obtained set me right.</p> + +<p>“Middleport ahoy!” shouted Tom, as we approached +our destination.</p> + +<p>“What time is it, Tom?”</p> + +<p>“Six o’clock. This yacht makes quick time of it.”</p> + +<p>“Where is Joe Poole?”</p> + +<p>“He has just turned out, and is getting breakfast.”</p> + +<p>“That’s sensible,” I replied, going on deck. “Clear +away the anchor, and stand by the jib-halyards.”</p> + +<p>In a few moments more, the Grace was at anchor +in the deep water off the major’s house. The +great man was still asleep; but it would be necessary +to wake him. The belligerents on the island +would soon be punching each other with their +bayonets if something was not done. But I could +not help feeling that the presence of Major Toppleton +at the scene of action would hardly better +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span> +the situation. He was as violent, arbitrary, and +exacting as his son. It was possible that he might +do something to give the victory to the partisans +of his own side; but it was hardly to be expected +that he would prevent the fight.</p> + +<p>“Skotchley, will you go ashore and call upon +the major? You have only to tell him that the +Wimps have landed on the Horse Shoe,” said I to +the dignified student.</p> + +<p>“I don’t object; but why don’t you go?” he +replied.</p> + +<p>“I wish to go somewhere else.”</p> + +<p>“Where?” he asked, curiously.</p> + +<p>“I will tell you some other time, perhaps.”</p> + +<p>“Just as you like, Wolf.”</p> + +<p>I pulled up the tender, and both of us got into +it. I rowed to the steps in front of the major’s +house, and landed Skotchley. I had made up my +mind what to do, and I had but little time to +carry out my purpose. I felt in duty bound to +prevent the fight on the island, if I could, even +independently of the mighty will and pleasure of +Major Toppleton. It was wicked to permit those +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span> +boys, armed with deadly weapons, and irritated by +a long-standing rivalry, to plunge into a strife which +might become more serious than either party intended.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Wolf!” called the sweet voice of Grace +Toppleton, just as I was about to push off the boat.</p> + +<p>I was sorry to meet even her at such a moment, +great as the luxury would have been on an ordinary +occasion. She tripped lightly down the walk +to the landing-steps; and certainly she never looked +prettier and more graceful than on that pleasant +summer morning, with the fresh dew, as it were, +glowing upon her cheeks.</p> + +<p>“Good morning, Mr. Wolf,” she continued, as, out +of breath with the haste she had made, she presented +herself before me. “That beautiful yacht!” +she exclaimed, as she glanced at the elegant craft +which bore her name. “Isn’t she a sylph!”</p> + +<p>“She is all she seems to be,” I replied, with becoming +enthusiasm, “and I think she is worthy of +her name.”</p> + +<p>“How very gallant you are, Mr. Wolf!” she +pouted.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span></p> + +<p>“I have been sailing her all night, and I ought +to speak well of her.”</p> + +<p>“Father said he had sent you to Hitaca after +her; but we did not expect to see you till this +afternoon. I want to go on board of her. I was +so surprised when I first saw her this morning!”</p> + +<p>It was very awkward, but I could not help myself. +I had a mission to perform which must be +done at once, or not at all. I could not disregard +her wishes, and I assisted her into the boat.</p> + +<p>“I have been up to the Horse Shoe, where the +students are encamped, since I returned from Hitaca,” +I continued, as I seated myself at the oars.</p> + +<p>“I suppose they are having a nice time up there,” +she replied.</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid not;” and as briefly as I could, I +told her the situation of affairs between the contending +forces.</p> + +<p>As I hoped and expected of one of her gentle +nature, she was shocked and alarmed at the prospect +of a fight, especially as her brother was foremost +in the strife.</p> + +<p>“Skotchley has gone up to call your father, and +I suppose he will interfere,” I added.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span></p> + +<p>“I hope he will;” but the manner in which she +spoke seemed to indicate that she entertained the +same doubt which had disturbed my calculation.</p> + +<p>“I was thinking of doing something more,” I replied, +rather doubtfully.</p> + +<p>“What, Mr. Wolf?”</p> + +<p>I related to her my adventure with Colonel Wimpleton +during the night, and assured her that the +great man of Centreport was very thankful to me +for the service I had rendered him.</p> + +<p>“I was going over to see him,” I added.</p> + +<p>“To see Colonel Wimpleton!” she exclaimed, +as though she thought such a step would be the +sum of all abominations, for even she could not +wholly escape the pestilent rivalry that existed between +the two sides.</p> + +<p>“I am not afraid of him. If I can induce him +to compel the students from his side to leave the +Horse Shoe, the fight will be avoided.”</p> + +<p>“I am sorry you said anything to me about it, +for father will not let you speak to Colonel Wimpleton +about the matter. But, Mr. Wolf, you do +as you think best, and I will not say a word.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span></p> + +<p>I assisted her on board of the yacht, and Tom +Walton was as polite to her as her beauty and her +position required. I was sorry to leave her; but I +was intent upon the duty of preventing the fight. +I pulled over to the other side of the lake. +Haughty servants told me the magnate of Centreport +was asleep, and must not be disturbed; +but one who had seen me there in the night with +the colonel, ventured to tell him that I wished to +see him. I was promptly admitted to his bedroom, +where I stated my business.</p> + +<p>“I don’t think there is any great danger of a +quarrel,” said he, after he had listened attentively +to my story.</p> + +<p>“I think there is, sir. The students from this +side have landed on the Horse Shoe.”</p> + +<p>“Well, our boys have always used that island for +their camp.”</p> + +<p>“But the Toppleton students engaged the Horse +Shoe of the owner, and you will agree with me +that they have the best right to the ground. If +you will direct the boys from this side to leave +the island, there will be no further trouble.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span></p> + +<p>“Do you think I shall tell our boys to run away +from those on the other side?” demanded he, indignantly. +“I am willing to do anything for you, +Wolf, after what has happened; but I think you +need not concern yourself about this affair.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t want to have a fight, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Nor I either.”</p> + +<p>“Then I hope you will do the right thing, and +send your boys off the island.”</p> + +<p>“I will not do it.”</p> + +<p>“Well, sir, suppose Waddie should get punched +with a bayonet?” I suggested.</p> + +<p>“I think Waddie can take care of himself. But, +understand me, Wolf, if I can do anything for you, +I will do it.”</p> + +<p>“I have nothing to ask but this.”</p> + +<p>“I will see what can be done,” he replied, rubbing +his head, which I judged was still suffering +from the effects of the brandy from the bottle that +had been lost overboard. “I don’t want any fighting. +I will go up to the Horse Shoe by and by, +if I feel able.”</p> + +<p>I pressed the matter as strongly as I could; but +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span> +the stupid rivalry was too strong in his mind to +permit anything which looked like yielding. I left +him, hoping that the peril of Waddie, if no higher +consideration, might induce him to take some active +steps to avert the disgraceful alternative. I pulled +with all my might across the lake, and I was not +a moment too soon, for I had hardly jumped upon +deck before Major Toppleton appeared on the shore, +and hailed the yacht for a boat. Taking Grace with +me, I pulled to the steps. The great man had his +overcoat on his arm, and it was evident that he intended +to be a passenger in the yacht to the scene +of action.</p> + +<p>“Let me go too, father,” said Grace. “I must +sail in that beautiful yacht this very day.”</p> + +<p>“We cannot wait,” replied the major, rather petulantly.</p> + +<p>“I don’t want you to wait. I am all ready,” she +added.</p> + +<p>“If there is going to be a fight up there, you +will be in the way.”</p> + +<p>“I will stay in the yacht. Don’t say no; be a +good papa.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span></p> + +<p>And he was a good papa. Miss Grace was permitted +to have her own way, though, being like +her mother, who was a very amiable and gentle +lady, having her own way did not seem to injure +her, as it did her brother. I need not say that I +was delighted with the arrangement. We got up +the anchor, hoisted the jib, and in a few moments +were standing down the lake before the fresh breeze. +On the way Joe Poole served up breakfast in good +style, and even the major declared that the beefsteak +and fried potatoes were excellent.</p> + +<p>“The row has commenced!” shouted Tom Walton, +at the helm, while we were at the table.</p> + +<p>Fortunately our appetites had been satisfied before +this startling announcement was made, and we +all hastened on deck to see the fight.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI"> + CHAPTER XVI. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>THE BATTLE OF THE HORSE SHOE.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first kern'><span class='allcaps'>Miss Grace Toppleton</span> turned pale when +Tom announced that the battle had commenced; +but her father only uttered an exclamation +of rage and impatience. The yacht was just entering +the narrow channel between the Horse Shoe +and the Shooter, and our position commanded a full +view of the field. The Wimpletonians had landed +on the north side of the island, near the middle of +which was a ridge. The camp of the Toppletonians +was at the head of the little bay between the two +arms of the Horse Shoe. Behind it was a gentle +slope of ground, which terminated at the ridge, +beyond which the descent on the north shore was +more abrupt.</p> + +<p>On this longer declivity, the two hostile battalions +were drawn up in the order of battle. The +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span> +statement that the conflict had commenced was premature; +for, though the two “serried ranks” faced +each other, no bones had yet been broken. The +field presented the traditional aspect of boy fights +when the contestants meet in force; the parties faced +each other, and each waited for the other to advance. +Though I was not an impartial judge, I could not +help seeing that the Wimpletonians had displayed +more generalship than the Toppletonians; for, instead +of waiting on the steeper descent at the north +shore, with the ridge above them, for an attack, +they had boldly mounted the hill, and taken possession +of the high ground, which gave them an advantage +that more than compensated for their inferior +numbers.</p> + +<p>The Toppletonians had not discovered the movement +of the enemy till they appeared upon the +ridge, which is another convincing proof that “eternal +vigilance is the price of liberty.” If they had +kept even half a dozen sentinels in the exposed portions +of the island during the night, they could +easily have prevented the landing of the Wimpletonians; +but probably they had no suspicion of a +night movement.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span></p> + +<p>The combatants appeared to be waiting “for something +to turn up;” for, while the Grace was running +down the channel and coming to anchor, no movement +was made by either of them. The array did +not at present indicate the bloody encounter I had +feared, and had labored to prevent; but it was plain +enough that something would result from the situation. +They would not be likely to face each other +all day without doing some mischief. I could see +Waddie Wimpleton, in his chapeau, white plume, +and gold lace, promenading up and down his lines; +and, though I could not hear him, I knew very well +what big things he was saying.</p> + +<p>“Well, what’s to be done?” said Major Toppleton, +when the Grace had come to anchor.</p> + +<p>“If I were you, sir, I would tell our boys to go +back into their camp,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“What! and let the Wimpleton students have it +all their own way! Not if I know myself,” added +the major, indignant even at the suggestion. “Our +boys have hired the island, and it belongs to them. +They shall stay there!”</p> + +<p>The major was as crazy as the colonel had been, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span> +and as neither was willing to sacrifice anything, I +could not see how the fight was to be avoided. Of +course none of us had any influence with the invaders, +and we could not induce them to retire from +the island.</p> + +<p>“Can’t you think of any way to get the Wimpleton +boys off, Wolf?” asked the major, impatiently; +and I saw that my services were not required as a +peacemaker, but rather as an active belligerent.</p> + +<p>“I don’t see any way now, sir,” I replied; “but +I may think of something by and by.”</p> + +<p>“By and by! They may kill each other before +you make up your mind,” sneered the great man. +“I will go on shore.”</p> + +<p>I pulled up the boat for him, and rowed him to +the landing-place. I walked up the slope with him, +in order to obtain a better view of the situation. +It had already occurred to me that a diversion in +the rear of the Wimpletonians might compel them +to retire; but, as I was somewhat fearful that such +a step would make them more desperate, and hasten +the conflict, I did not deem it prudent to suggest +the idea. We were within a few rods of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span> +Toppleton line, when Major Tommy discovered us. +Whether he was ashamed of his inaction, or fearful +that his father would interfere with the pastime he +had laid out, I do not know; but our coming evidently +had some influence upon him, for he immediately +commenced yelling as though the battle was +to be fought with loud words.</p> + +<p>“Attention—battalion!” said he, flourishing his +sword. “Charge bayonets!”</p> + +<p>“Stop a minute, Tommy!” called Major Toppleton, +senior.</p> + +<p>“Forward—march!” added Major Tommy, regardless +of his father’s interference.</p> + +<p>“Hold on a minute, Tommy!” repeated his father. +“I want to see you.”</p> + +<p>“Forward—march!” screamed the little major, +desperately. “Now give them fits! Don’t mind a +scratch! Drive them before you!”</p> + +<p>“Charge bayonets!” cried Major Waddie, on the +other side; and it was clear enough that he did +not intend to run away.</p> + +<p>In vain did Major Toppleton senior attempt to +check this forward movement. The Toppletonians +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span> +dashed gallantly up the hill, rushing upon the enemy +with an impetuosity which threatened them with +total annihilation. But then the Wimpletonians began +to move forward; and I felt my heart rising up +into my throat, and my blood growing cold in my +veins, as the combatants approached each other. I +could almost hear the groans of the wounded, and +see the outstretched forms upon the green sod, so +real did the scene appear to me.</p> + +<p>The two lines met, and I heard the clatter of +cold steel as the bayonets struck against each other; +but I had not time to form an exact idea of what +was going on before I saw the Toppletonians give +way in the centre. It was a confused <i lang='fr'>mêlée</i>, and I +could only see a general punching and hammering +with the muskets. When I saw a soldier on either +side make a direct thrust with his bayonet, it was +warded off with a blow. Indeed, the battle seemed +to be fought literally “at the point of the bayonet;” +for, so far as I could judge, neither party +went near enough to do any damage. Each side +seemed to have the requisite discretion to keep out +of the reach of the weapons of the other side. I +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span> +think there were not many in either rank that had +the ferocity actually to wound their adversaries with +the weapons in their hands.</p> + +<p>This was the beginning of the affray, and the +contending forces had not yet become desperate; +and, though they rushed upon each other with +appalling savageness, as seen by the observer, the +contest was at a safe distance, neither party permitting +the other to come near enough actually to +inflict wounds. In fact, it was just such fighting as +I had often seen between parties of boys, and consisted +in rushing up and falling back. Dangerous +as the weapons were, there was really no bloodthirsty +spirit on either side.</p> + +<p>The Toppletonian centre was broken. Captain +Bayard had been pressing things, and the force in +front of him, to avoid any actual punching of the bayonets, +fell back. Major Waddie strode furiously up +and down his line—in the rear of it, of course—yelled, +and stormed, and gesticulated. When he saw +the centre in front of him give way, he screamed in +his fury, and Bayard, who seemed to have some of +the spirit of his illustrious namesake, forced his +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span> +company forward till some of them were actually +pricked by the steel of the Toppletonians. But +this spurring seemed only to infuriate them; Waddie +yelled louder than ever, and Bayard, perceiving +his advantage, encouraged his soldiers till the line +before them yielded, and were swept backward +down the hill.</p> + +<p>Captain Pinkerton, on the right, inspired by the +success of the centre, and goaded on by the frantic +yells and gestures of Major Waddie, crowded his +company forward, and the line in front of him, +whose equanimity was disturbed by the rupture of +the centre, fell back also.</p> + +<p>“Three cheers, and drive them!” roared Major +Waddie, hoarsely, as his white plume flaunted in the +fresh breeze.</p> + +<p>Then the Wimpletonians yelled along the whole +length of the line, and rushed down the hill, +the demoralized Toppletonians fleeing before them. +Major Toppleton and myself were obliged to retire +in order to avoid the onslaught of the victorious +battalion.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp95" id="i_p193" style="max-width: 79.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p193.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + THE GREAT BATTLE.—<a href='#Page_193'>Page 193</a>. + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>“The scoundrels!” ejaculated the great man, who +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span> +appeared to be quite as much disconcerted as his +son.</p> + +<p>“The Wimps have the best of it,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“This is disgraceful!” muttered the major.</p> + +<p>I thought so myself; not the defeat, as he understood +it, but the battle itself, as I understood it.</p> + +<p>Near the camp of the Toppletonians was a belt +of trees extending across the island, into which the +discomfited battalion retreated. The Wimpletonians +followed them closely, and I was afraid the camp +and baggage of our boys would be captured by the +enemy. In the shadow of the grove, Major Tommy +and his two captains rallied the intimidated Toppletonians, +and they made a stand under the friendly +shelter of the trees, the enemy halting at the verge +of the grove. The great man and myself hastened +to headquarters, where we found Tommy breathless +with rage and excitement at his unexpected defeat. +His father taunted him upon his misfortune, which +did not help his fiery mood.</p> + +<p>“What could I do when the fellows gave way?” +stormed he. “They are a pack of cowards, and +would run a mile rather than be pricked with the +point of a pin.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span></p> + +<p>“It is easy enough for you to talk, Tommy Toppleton,” +snapped private Putnam. “If you went in +the front instead of the rear, it would make a difference +with you.”</p> + +<p>“I was in the place where a commander ought +to be,” retorted Tommy, stung by this reproach. +“I will give you enough of it before you get +through.”</p> + +<p>“You needn’t call us cowards while you keep +yourself in a safe place,” added Putnam.</p> + +<p>“Attention—battalion!” shouted Major Tommy, +suddenly.</p> + +<p>“What are you going to do now?” asked his +father.</p> + +<p>“I’m going to drive the Wimps into the lake this +time.”</p> + +<p>“What’s the use! If you go out of the grove, +you will only be driven back,” replied the major, +senior.</p> + +<p>“Why don’t you make a flank movement?” I +suggested.</p> + +<p>“What do you mean by that?” asked Tommy, +whose attention was arrested by the idea.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span></p> + +<p>“Send one company round to the other side of +the Wimps,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“If I send half my men away, the Wimps will +defeat the rest here.”</p> + +<p>“No; half your force can hold this wood. If you +can get one company on the high ground, you will +have the advantage over them.”</p> + +<p>Major Tommy thought favorably of the idea; and +I thought it would be safer for both parties to fight +the battle by running and manœuvring than for +them to make a stand-up conflict on the open field, +as they had done. Briscoe was sent with his company +to make the flank movement. He double-quicked +his command towards the east shore of the +island, and began to ascend the slope. Major Waddie +promptly “smelt a mice,” and despatched Captain +Bayard’s company to watch and check the +movements of the flanking force. I went with +Briscoe, intent upon using whatever influence I had +to keep the parties from coming into actual contact +with each other. We reached the summit of the +slope by hard running, in advance of Captain Bayard; +and here the Toppleton company halted on the +highest ground on the island.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span></p> + +<p>“Now you are all right, Briscoe,” said I. “Send +half a dozen fellows to demonstrate against their +boats, and you will get them out of the way.”</p> + +<p>“You do that, Wolf,” replied he. “Go down, and +shove them off, and I will do the rest.”</p> + +<p>I ran down the slope alone to the landing, where +I found Colonel Wimpleton.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVII"> + CHAPTER XVII. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>THE PRISONER OF WAR.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first kern-extra'><span class='allcaps'>Colonel Wimpleton</span> was just landing from +a boat, in which he had been ferried over +from the main shore, having come from Centreport +to this point in his chaise. As soon as he landed, +he dismissed the man who had brought him over. +The two great men of the vicinity were both on the +island.</p> + +<p>As soon as I left Captain Briscoe’s company, and +moved towards the landing-place, Bayard, in command +of the Wimpleton company, evidently suspected +my purpose, though I really had no intention of +meddling with the boats, but only of making a demonstration. +Half a dozen soldiers were sent in a +hurry to guard the fleet. This was Briscoe’s opportunity. +The force before him was now reduced so +that an attack was hopeful. I heard him shouting, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span> +and a moment later the company of Bayard came +helter-skelter over the summit of the hill. Our +fellows, mortified by their first defeat, had made a +desperate charge, and driven the enemy before them. +It was not safe, therefore, for me to meddle with the +boats, even if I had intended to do so.</p> + +<p>“How goes the battle, Wolf?” asked the colonel, +with a smile, as I met him on the beach.</p> + +<p>“Just now it seems to be going in favor of Toppleton,” +I replied; “though our boys were just +driven half way across the island by yours.”</p> + +<p>“Well, that’s good.”</p> + +<p>“But I can’t stay here now, sir; I am afraid I +shall be captured,” I added, glancing at the six +soldiers who were coming down the hill towards me.</p> + +<p>“Don’t be alarmed, Wolf; I will see that you +are not hurt,” laughed the colonel.</p> + +<p>“I don’t wish to be captured.”</p> + +<p>“You shall leave when you please. After thinking +over the matter, I concluded that I should take +our boys off the island,” added the great man of +Centreport; “but I don’t intend to have them driven +off.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span></p> + +<p>“I’m very glad to hear it, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Where is Waddie?”</p> + +<p>I explained the situation to him, and informed him +of what had already transpired on the island. He +was pleased with the victory which those who bore +his name had achieved, and with this brilliant record +of the Wimpleton battalion he was ready to +retire. But while we were talking about the matter, +the din of battle from the high ground saluted +us. It appeared that Tommy Toppleton, too impatient +to wait for the result of the flanking movement, +had charged upon the company of Wimpletonians +in front of him. Our fellows had wiped out +the disgrace of the early part of the action, and +had driven the enemy up the hill, over its summit, +regaining all the ground lost, and taking the summit +of the slope, which was “the key to the situation.”</p> + +<p>“This won’t do,” said Colonel Wimpleton, as he +saw with dismay that his party was defeated. “I +can’t take them away under these circumstances.”</p> + +<p>But the battle was lost to the Wimpletonians. +Major Tommy had gained the crown of the hill, and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span> +held it with his whole force. The ground was so +steep in front of him that double the number of the +foe could not dislodge him. The enemy had not +yet pitched their tents, and their baggage was now +in danger of capture. Major Waddie consolidated +his battalion, and formed a line at the foot of the +hill, ready to defend his camp equipage. He was +furious at his defeat, and when he saw me his eyes +flashed fire.</p> + +<p>“Arrest that traitor!” said he, flourishing his +sword, and pointing to me.</p> + +<p>“Not yet, Waddie!” interposed his father. “I +have given him a safe conduct.”</p> + +<p>“You are not in command here,” replied the ungracious +son. “What are you doing down here, +Wolf Penniman?”</p> + +<p>“I should have gone before if your father had not +detained me.”</p> + +<p>“Keep cool, Waddie,” said the colonel. “You +have enough to do to whip the Toppletonians.”</p> + +<p>“That’s what I’m going to do,” added Major +Waddie, as he glanced at the summit of the +hill.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span></p> + +<p>“I will take care of Wolf, and see that he don’t +whip the whole of you.”</p> + +<p>“I will hang him as a traitor if he don’t start +quick. He has no business over here.”</p> + +<p>“He is a non-combatant,” laughed the colonel.</p> + +<p>I do not know what the gallant commander of +the Wimpleton battalion would have deemed it +necessary to do with me, if the exigency of battle +had not called his attention to other matters. I do +not pretend to be a brave fellow, but I am willing +to say I was not afraid of being hanged, even independently +of the powerful protection of the colonel. +Major Tommy, flushed with his recent success, was +intent upon following up his victory. I heard him +call his battalion to the charge, and the words induced +my feathery persecutor to leave me. Tommy +evidently intended to drive the enemy into the lake, +or to force them to surrender on the shore.</p> + +<p>“Charge—bayonets! Forward—march!” yelled +he; and down came the Toppletonians at a furious +pace.</p> + +<p>“Now stand up to it, fellows!” screamed Waddie. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span> +“This is your last chance. Don’t run if they punch +you through.”</p> + +<p>Not only Waddie, but the two captains in his +battalion, who had more real influence than the commander, +urged the Wimpletonians to stand firm, +and not be driven from their position. But the +time for argument was short. The victorious Toppletonians +swept down the hill, and rushed furiously +at the foe. This time I am quite sure there were +some wounds given on both sides. Major Tommy, +mortified, no doubt, by the taunts of Putnam, and +perhaps of others, did not march in the rear of his +column, but very imprudently placed himself in advance +of it. Fortunately for him, there were several +privates near him who were inspired by his gallant +example, and the centre of the column broke through +the enemy’s front. This would have been a success +to the Toppletonians if the right and left wings had +supported the movement with equal zeal. They +did not, and were forced back by the desperate +Wimpletonians, and in a moment more were retreating +up the hill, closely pursued by the enemy.</p> + +<p>When it was too late, Tommy saw where he was. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span> +He was standing, supported by only half a dozen +privates, several rods in advance of his battalion. +A squad of the enemy, led on by Captain Pinkerton, +charged upon him. The daring little major defended +himself with zeal and courage, slashing right and +left with his sword. His supporters, seeing the situation, +fell back and joined their companions. Closely +pressed by his exultant foe, Tommy struck savage +blows against the muskets of his assaulters; but suddenly +his sword blade snapped off near the hilt.</p> + +<p>“Capture him! Capture him!” shouted Pinkerton; +and sending part of his squad behind Tommy, +he cut off his retreat.</p> + +<p>The gallant major was now unarmed, and incapable +of making any defence. His companions in +arms had been forced back to the summit of the +hill.</p> + +<p>“Surrender!” cried Pinkerton.</p> + +<p>“Never!” yelled Tommy, with tragic grandeur, +as he made a dive at the captain, with the intention +apparently of wresting his sword from him.</p> + +<p>Such bravery deserved a better fate; but two of +the enemy came behind the impetuous major, and, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span> +grasping him by the shoulders, threw him down. +The whole squad then fell upon him, and poor Tommy +was a prisoner of war. Two of the stoutest of +his captors, each of them half a head taller than he +was, were detailed to guard the major, and he was +marched to a tree near the camp baggage.</p> + +<p>The Toppletonians were driven to the top of the +hill, and resumed their position upon its summit. +It was useless for the Wimpletonians to attempt to +drive them beyond the ridge, and they returned to +their former halting-place on the level ground. I +began to be a little uneasy about the fate of Tommy +when Major Feathers returned, for I was afraid the +latter, inspired by no lofty ideas of military honor, +would subject his prisoner to some indignities. I +saw Waddie hold a conference with his two captains, +the result of which was soon apparent. Captain Bayard, +attended by a single private, who carried a white +handkerchief suspended on a pole, as a flag of truce, +walked up the hill. I was not informed until afterwards +of the nature of their mission; but, in the +opinion of the Wimpletonians, the capture of Tommy +decided the fate of the day, and they regarded the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span> +battle as ended, with victory perched upon their +banners. Major Waddie was graciously pleased to +declare that he did not wish to pursue his conquest +any farther, and if the Toppletonians would retire +from the island, their commander should be returned +to them unharmed.</p> + +<p>By the misfortune of Major Tommy, Captain +Briscoe was the ranking officer, and the message +of Major Waddie was delivered to him. By the advice +of Major Toppleton, senior, the terms of peace +were promptly rejected, and an intimation given that +the Toppletonians intended to recapture their commander, +and drive the invaders into the deep waters +of the lake. While these negotiations were in progress, +Colonel Wimpleton left me, and went to the +headquarters of the battalion. Doubtless he saw his +powerful rival on the top of the hill, and wished +to counteract the influence of his counsels with his +own.</p> + +<p>When the flag of truce returned, I saw a private +run to the tree where Major Tommy had been secured +with a rope taken from one of the boats. +Then the two stout fellows in charge of him +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span> +conducted him to a boat, and pushed off. It was intended +that the commander of the Toppleton battalion +should not be recaptured, and the threat of +his forces was rendered futile. But his command +immediately repeated the assault, when the nature +of Colonel Wimpleton’s advice was evident. The +beach in the rear of the Centreport battalion was +covered with small round stones, with which the +soldiers had plentifully supplied themselves. The +onslaught of the Toppletonians was received with a +volley of these missiles. They reeled under this unexpected +reception, and being on the grass they +could not procure any similar ammunition. Captain +Briscoe, imitating the example of his illustrious commander, +marched in front. The stones seemed to be +aimed at him, and he actually fell, hit by one of +them. His forces, appalled at this savage warfare, +and by the fall of their leader, halted, and then fell +back beyond the reach of the mischievous missiles. +Briscoe was picked up, and borne to the top of the +hill. The affair was becoming more serious, and, I +may consistently add, more disgraceful, especially as +the contending parties were now virtually directed +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span> +by Major Toppleton and Colonel Wimpleton, who +were old enough to have known better.</p> + +<p>It was plain enough that our boys could not +stand up against these volleys of stones, and that +the Wimpletonians could hold their ground for the +rest of the week. The battle was now to be a matter +of strategy and manœuvring. On the hill, as +they saw Major Tommy sent off in the boat, they +concluded that he was safe enough for the present, +and were not disposed to accept any ignominious +terms of peace. The two fellows in charge of the +prisoner of war had pulled off a quarter of a mile +from the shore, and were watching the issue of the +combat. I was curious to know what would be done +next, but I concluded to operate a little on my own +account. Following the shore round the island, I +reached the pier, and went on board of the yacht. +Skotchley and Grace, in the standing-room, were +watching the action, while Tom Walton and Joe +Poole had gone up to the mast-head, where they +could obtain a better view of the field of battle.</p> + +<p>“All hands, unmoor!” I called, and my ready crew +descended to the deck.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span></p> + +<p>The mainsail had not been lowered, and we had +only to get up the anchor and hoist the jib. Before +the fresh breeze we stood down the channel towards +the boat in which Tommy was an unwilling passenger.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"> + CHAPTER XVIII. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>RESCUING A PRISONER.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first kern-extra'><span class='allcaps'>On</span> the passage I told Grace and Ned Skotchley +what had transpired during the time I +had been on shore; and both of them agreed with +me that it was disgraceful to allow boys to fight. +Grace even had the courage to say that her father +ought to have compelled the Toppletonians to leave +the island, rather than encourage such outrageous +conduct.</p> + +<p>“What are you going to do now?” asked Skotchley.</p> + +<p>“I’m going to recapture Tommy.”</p> + +<p>“I thought you were a non-combatant,” laughed he.</p> + +<p>“So I am; but I’m not going to leave Tommy +in the hands of those fellows. I’m afraid the Wimps +will abuse him when they have time to attend to +his case.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span></p> + +<p>“Don’t let them hurt him,” pleaded Grace.</p> + +<p>“I will not. Tommy is as brave as a lion; if he +had been as prudent as Waddie, he would not have +been captured,” I replied.</p> + +<p>By this time we were within hail of the boat in +which the prisoner of war was held. His guards did +not know the Grace, as she was a new craft on the +lake, and did not expect any mischief from her. +They sat on each side of the vanquished little +major, whose hands were tied together so that he +could do no harm. I ran the yacht up into the +wind so that her bowsprit was over the boat.</p> + +<p>“What are you about? You will run into us!” +shouted one of the sentinels.</p> + +<p>“We won’t hurt you,” replied Tom Walton, as +he hooked on to the boat.</p> + +<p>I ran forward, and Tom and I dropped into the +boat, while Joe Poole held the painter, which I +threw up to him to avoid accidents.</p> + +<p>“Wolf Penniman!” exclaimed Baxter, one of +the guards, when he recognized me. “What do +you want?”</p> + +<p>“I want Major Tommy,” I replied, cutting that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span> +young gentleman’s fetters, while Tom Walton stood +between me and the astonished sentinels.</p> + +<p>“You can’t have him! He is a prisoner,” retorted +Baxter, picking up his musket.</p> + +<p>“He was a prisoner, but he isn’t now,” I added. +“You are free, Tommy. Jump aboard as quick as +you can.”</p> + +<p>But Raymond, the sentinel in the bow of the +boat, presented his bayonet, while Tom Walton, +with an oar in his hand, was checking a forward +movement on the part of Baxter. It is not easy +to walk over a bayonet in the hands of a stout +fellow who has been trained to use it skilfully, +and the prospect before me was not very encouraging. +However, Joe Poole turned the fortunes +of the day in our favor, by fastening to the back +of Raymond’s collar with the boat-hook, and pulling +him over backwards into the bottom of the +boat. I seized his musket, and wrenched it from +his grasp, so that the obstacle to Major Tommy’s +escape was removed.</p> + +<p>The little magnate was not slow to avail himself +of his opportunity, and springing over the prostrate +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span> +form of Raymond, still pinned down by the boat-hook, +he leaped on board of the yacht. The combat, +so far as I was concerned, was happily ended, +and Tom Walton and I made good our retreat, +which was effectually covered by Joe Poole, who +flourished his boat-hook with a vigor that set at +nought the paltry bayonets of the war-worn veterans +from whose gripe we had rescued the unfortunate +commander of the Toppleton forces.</p> + +<p>“Don’t let them go!” shouted Tommy, as he +beheld the result of the brief struggle. “Capture +them!”</p> + +<p>“Let go the painter!” I whispered to Joe Poole.</p> + +<p>“Capture them!” repeated Tommy, furiously, as +he saw the boat recede from the yacht.</p> + +<p>“Hard a-port the helm!” I called to Skotchley, +who was in the standing-room.</p> + +<p>“What are you about?” demanded Tommy, as +I went aft to take the helm.</p> + +<p>“Don’t meddle with them, Mr. Wolf—don’t, +please!” interposed Grace.</p> + +<p>“Shut up, Grace! If you say a word, I’ll throw +you overboard,” said the ungallant major, who was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span> +unhappily one of those boys who believe they may +say anything to a sister.</p> + +<p>“I came out here after you, Tommy,” I replied, +indignant at the harsh words the little major had +addressed to Grace. “I don’t think it is worth +while to meddle with those fellows.”</p> + +<p>“What do you suppose I care what you think!” +cried Tommy. “Isn’t this my father’s yacht?”</p> + +<p>“It is your father’s yacht.”</p> + +<p>“Then you will capture those fellows, or I will +know the reason why,” he added, stoutly.</p> + +<p>“Don’t touch them, Mr. Wolf—don’t, please,” +said Grace.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Wolf!” sneered Tommy. “Mr. Wolf will +do what I tell him.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t think it is quite proper to get into +a row with a young lady on board!” I added, +mildly.</p> + +<p>“Wolf Penniman, you are a coward and a traitor!” +exclaimed Tommy. “And you are another!” +he added, fixing his indignant gaze upon Skotchley.</p> + +<p>“Thank you, Tommy,” replied the dignified student, +coolly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span></p> + +<p>“You shall be court-martialed as a deserter and +a coward!”</p> + +<p>“Well, I think I can stand it.”</p> + +<p>Major Tommy glanced at the boat from which +he had been removed, and in which his two guards +had taken the oars and were pulling for the shore. +He seemed to think that they would add two more +to the force of the Wimpletonians, and that it was +a grave military indiscretion to permit the enemy +thus to be augmented. Besides, he must have his +own way, and any opposition was quite enough to +rouse the evil spirit in his nature. He insisted +again that the two guards should be captured. I +tried to excuse myself from meddling in the warfare, +and Grace stood by me with a zeal which +brought down the wrath of her brother upon her.</p> + +<p>“I say that boat shall be taken,” persisted he, +violently.</p> + +<p>“It is impossible,” I replied, weary of his tyranny. +“She is dead to windward of us.”</p> + +<p>“Please don’t, Mr. Wolf,” added Grace.</p> + +<p>“Hold your tongue, Grace!” snapped he, as he +sprang to the tiller, and shoved me one side.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span></p> + +<p>“Don’t, Tommy,” added Grace, placing her hand +upon his shoulder to deter him.</p> + +<p>The little monster actually turned upon her, and +struck her a blow in the face which sent her reeling +over into her seat. I could not stand that; +my blood boiled up, and boiled over. I sprang +upon him, and in a small fraction of an instant, +Major Tommy Toppleton was lying flat on the +floor of the standing-room.</p> + +<p>“O, don’t touch him, Mr. Wolf!” begged Grace.</p> + +<p>“You villain you, how dare you put your hand +upon me?” gasped Tommy, springing to his feet, +as savage as a young tiger.</p> + +<p>“I don’t like to see any one strike a young lady, +least of all when she is his sister.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll let you know!” whined he, crying with passion, +as he leaped upon me.</p> + +<p>Walton and Skotchley each grasped one of his +arms, and held him so that he was powerless. He +raved, tore, and swore; and it was evident enough +to me, when my indignation subsided, that I had +sacrificed myself, if not my father and the whole +family.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span></p> + +<p>“I won’t say anything more, Tommy,” interposed +Grace, terrified by the violence around her. “You +may have your own way.”</p> + +<p>“Give me that helm, Wolf!” cried Tommy.</p> + +<p>“I will give it to you,” I replied, moving aside, +influenced by the action of Grace; and I don’t +know but Tommy would have beaten his head to +jelly against the trunk if some concession had not +been made to his wrath.</p> + +<p>He cooled off as rapidly as he had become heated, +when all opposition was removed. He threw the +yacht up into the wind, and Tom Walton and I +trimmed the sails; but the new helmsman could +not manage her, and she lay with her sails flapping +idly in the wind.</p> + +<p>“Ease her off a little, Tommy, and she will go +it,” I ventured to suggest.</p> + +<p>“Mind your own business, Wolf Penniman. Your +time is out from this moment, and Grace shall never +put her foot into this yacht again, if it is named +after her,” blustered Tommy.</p> + +<p>I subsided, and seated myself on the trunk amidships +to wait the issue. The new skipper, however, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span> +adopted my suggestion, though he snubbed me for +making it. The Grace, accommodating as she was, +would not sail into the wind’s eye, and before Tommy +was ready to tack, in beating up to the chase, +the boat landed her hands on the beach. I saw +that he was vexed; but he “chewed up” his wrath. +He soon came about, and headed for the channel +between the Horse Shoe and the Shooter. I concluded +that he must be anxious to join his battalion; +but it would be impossible to beat the +yacht up the narrow passage. It was no use for +me to say anything, and I did not, for he would +be sure to go in direct opposition to any suggestion +of mine.</p> + +<p>He ran the Grace up to the north point of the +Shooter, and came about. I thought it my duty +to tell him that the water was very shoal ahead +of him, as he approached the Horse Shoe on this +tack. He politely insinuated that I was to hold +my tongue, which I succeeded in doing for a moment +longer, until the yacht grated on the gravel +bottom, and stuck fast.</p> + +<p>“That’s just where I wanted her,” said Tommy, +unmoved by the event. “Joe Poole!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span></p> + +<p>Joe Poole appeared before the imperious little +magnate, and was directed to bring up the boat +and land our uncomfortable passenger. Tommy +jumped into the boat, and as he took his seat in +the stern-sheets, he delivered his parting volley at +me, to the effect that, like Othello, my occupation +was gone, and that I should be driven out of Middleport +as a coward and a traitor. To this mild +speech I permitted myself to make no reply.</p> + +<p>“Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!” shouted the Toppleton +battalion on the shore.</p> + +<p>This shout of triumph attracted the attention of +the major, and he hurried up Joe Poole, who soon +landed him on the beach. On the whole, I concluded +that I had not made much by meddling +with the conflict, even so far as to rescue Tommy +from his captors. During the events which I have +related, I had closely watched the movements of +the contending forces. Company B of the Toppleton +battalion had been sent round the island to +flank the enemy, and obtain a position where stones +were available as ammunition. This operation had +been successful, and the Wimpletonians had been +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span> +forced back from their stronghold, for they could +not stand up against volleys of stones any better +than their rivals. Company A had dashed down +the hill at the right time, and the enemy were +driven upon their baggage. This success had drawn +forth the shout of triumph.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for us on board of the Grace, Tommy +had sailed her shaking in the wind, so that she +had gone on the shoal very gently, though hard +enough to give us two hours of severe exertion. +As we worked, moving ballast from the forward to +the after part of the yacht, we watched the movements +of the contending forces. As I anticipated, +Tommy ordered another charge as soon as he +reached the battalion, though the Wimpletonians +were actually engaged in loading their baggage +into the boats. We saw a flag of truce hoisted by +the defeated party, and a parley took place, the +result of which was, that they were permitted to +retire without further molestation. Long and loud +were the cheers of Toppleton when the fleet moved +away from the island, and pulled towards the +Shooter. The victors then returned to their camp.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span></p> + +<p>We got the Grace off at last, and, after passing +around the Horse Shoe, I anchored off the pier +in the channel. Major Toppleton soon appeared, +accompanied by Tommy, and I expected to be discharged +at once.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIX"> + CHAPTER XIX. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>A TYRANNICAL SON.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first'><span class='allcaps'>“I suppose</span> my time is out, Miss Toppleton,” +said I to Grace, as I saw the big major and +the little major approaching the pier.</p> + +<p>“Your time out?” she replied, looking anxiously +at me.</p> + +<p>“I shall be discharged from my situation, and +perhaps be driven out of Middleport.”</p> + +<p>“O, no! I hope not, Mr. Wolf.”</p> + +<p>“Tommy is very arbitrary, and after what has +happened, he will not permit me to remain on the +same side of the lake with him.”</p> + +<p>“I am sorry you touched him,” said she, musing.</p> + +<p>“I should not have touched him if he had struck +me. I was indignant and angry.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I don’t blame you, Mr. Wolf, for it is +abominable for a boy to strike his sister,” she added, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span> +placing her hand upon her pretty face, where her +brother’s rude hand had left its mark. “But Tommy +rules the whole house at home; and I suppose +he will have his own way now, as he always did.”</p> + +<p>As Tommy got into the boat which I had sent +for him and his father, I saw that he was still in a +very unamiable frame of mind. He was talking +loudly and indignantly to his father, who appeared +to be trying to soothe him and moderate his wrath. +For my own part, I could not regret what I had +done, unpleasant as the consequences promised to be. +It was not in my nature to stand by and see a little +bully, like Tommy, strike a young lady,—not pat +her gently, but strike her a heavy blow,—not even +if he were her brother. I had been tempted to +give the young ruffian the pounding which he richly +deserved, and to continue the operation until he was +willing to promise better things.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the handsome offer which Colonel Wimpleton +had made me rendered me somewhat more +independent than I should otherwise have been. I +was certainly in good condition to be discharged, +and did not feel much like submitting to any gross +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span> +indignities from the great man of Middleport, or his +hopeful son. But Major Toppleton had been very +kind to me, and to my father, and I could not forget +the service he had rendered to us.</p> + +<p>The boat came alongside, and Tommy leaped upon +the deck, followed by his father; and I could not +help noticing that the senior major looked very +anxious and uncomfortable. Tommy had doubtless +been making strong speeches to him, and it was +really melancholy to think of a man of his abilities, +dignity, and influence reduced to a kind of slavery +by the tyranny of his own son; and all the more +melancholy because he could not realize that he was +spoiling the boy by this weak indulgence.</p> + +<p>“Wolf Penniman,” said the little major, majestically, +“I always keep my promises.”</p> + +<p>“Keep cool, Tommy,” interposed his father, stepping +into the standing-room, where Grace and I +were seated alone, for Skotchley and Tom Walton +had gone forward.</p> + +<p>“You know what I said, father. I won’t have +Wolf around me any longer. He has been a coward +and a traitor, and he had the audacity to knock me +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span> +down. Wolf Penniman, you are discharged!” continued +Tommy, blustering furiously.</p> + +<p>“Don’t be too fast, Tommy,” interposed his father. +“Wolf went after the boat in which you were a +prisoner, captured it, and restored you to your command. +Captain Briscoe told you that he did not +dare to make his last move till he saw that Wolf +had taken you out of the hands of the enemy.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t blame him for that; but he refused to +obey my orders, and then knocked me down. I +say you may discharge him, or discharge me.”</p> + +<p>The alternative was a reminder of the Hitaca incident, +and a hint that, if his father did not obey +orders, Tommy would run away again, and there +would be no suitable person to inherit the great +man’s millions. I made no reply, but bowed meekly +to my fate. It appeared that, after all, I was not +to run the Lightning Express train, about which so +much had been said.</p> + +<p>“Don’t let him discharge Mr. Wolf, father,” interposed +Grace, her pretty cheeks red with indignation; +and with such an advocate I could afford to +be still.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span></p> + +<p>“Discharge Mr. Wolf!” sneered the little magnate. +“Will you learn to mind your own business, +Grace?”</p> + +<p>“He struck me in the face, father, and that was +the reason why Mr. Wolf knocked him down. I am +sorry he did so, but I think Tommy was to blame,” +continued Grace.</p> + +<p>“You needn’t stick up for him; if you do, it +won’t make any difference.”</p> + +<p>“I am astonished that you should strike your +sister,” added Major Toppleton, whose painful expression +fully proved his sincerity.</p> + +<p>“Well, you needn’t be!” replied Tommy, rudely +and disrespectfully. “If she don’t mind her own +business, and let my affairs alone, I shall teach her +better. I have said all I have to say, and I’m +going ashore to look out for my battalion. Remember, +Wolf is discharged!”</p> + +<p>Tommy abruptly left the yacht, and, leaping into +the boat, ordered Joe Poole to pull him ashore. +The fiat had gone forth. I was discharged. Tommy +was the president of the road, and doubtless he +had the power to dismiss me.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span></p> + +<p>“Here is trouble,” said Major Toppleton, with a sigh.</p> + +<p>“I hope you won’t let Mr. Wolf be discharged,” +said Grace, when the irate little magnate was out +of hearing.</p> + +<p>“What can I do?” replied the major, impatiently. +“Tommy is the president of the road, and he has +the right to discharge an employee. If I interfere, +there will be such a tempest as we had a year ago.”</p> + +<p>Poor magnate! How I pitied him! Just as I +had seen a baby tyrannize over its loving mother, +so did Tommy tyrannize over his father. The great +man—how little he seemed to be then!—mused +for a while over the unpleasant situation.</p> + +<p>“I’ll tell you what we can do, Wolf. I want +a skipper for this boat. If you will withdraw from +the railroad for a time, I will give you this situation, +with the same pay you are now receiving.”</p> + +<p>“I am entirely satisfied, sir, and shall be, whatever +you or Tommy may do,” I answered, meekly. +“I certainly like the boat better than the train; +but I suppose Tommy will not permit me to take +charge of her.”</p> + +<p>The major bit his lips with vexation. His fetters +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span> +galled him, and he had not the resolution to shake +them off. He ordered me to get the yacht under +way, and start for Middleport. As soon as she was +clear of the narrow channel, the major asked me +down into the cabin, and we had a talk, which +lasted till the Grace came to anchor before the +owner’s mansion.</p> + +<p>“You know how I’m situated, Wolf,” said he, +turning his gaze from me, as if ashamed to acknowledge +his subservience to the wilful boy. “Tommy +must have his own way; he is desperate if he does +not. He will run away, or drown himself in the +lake, if he does not.”</p> + +<p>I could not help smiling at the infirmity of the +father, and he made haste to defend himself. Tommy +was subject to fits when he was a child, and he +was fearful that irritation would bring on a return +of the malady. The young gentleman had actually +threatened to commit suicide if he could not have +his own way.</p> + +<p>“I only wish to smooth the thing over for a time, +for Tommy is a good-hearted boy, and he will come +to his senses if he is not thwarted,” added he. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span> +“You are not a father, Wolf, and you can’t understand +the matter.”</p> + +<p>“I am willing to do whatever you desire, sir,” I +replied. “Perhaps I ought to say, that I can afford +to be discharged just now. You have used me +very handsomely, Major Toppleton, and I am grateful +for your kindness. I will never leave your +service of my own accord. Last night Colonel +Wimpleton told me about his new steamer, which +is to run in opposition to our Lightning Express, +and offered me a man’s wages to go either as engineer +or as captain of her. I told him I could not +leave my friends while they used me so well, and +declined the offer. I did not mean to tell you of +this, and should not, if things had not turned out +just as they have.”</p> + +<p>The major bit his lip again. He was disposed +to be angry; and, in a passion, he was as nearly +like Tommy as one pea is like another. But he did +not give way to the inclination.</p> + +<p>“I declined the offer,” I repeated, when I saw +him struggling with the mischief within him.</p> + +<p>“When will that steamer be ready to run?” he +asked.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span></p> + +<p>“In a couple of months, the builder told me.”</p> + +<p>“I’m glad you told me of this,” he continued, +after chewing upon it for some time. “Perhaps it +will have some influence upon Tommy.”</p> + +<p>And there the matter ended for the present, +Grace said she would do all she could for me; +and however the rest of the house might regard +me, I felt sure of an earnest advocate in her. She +went on shore with her father, and as the skipper +of the yacht, I spent the rest of the day in +working upon her, and in putting down a set of +moorings for her.</p> + +<p>The next day I took a party up the lake in her, +and for the rest of the week I was kept busy in my +new occupation. I acquitted myself to the satisfaction +of my employers, not only in pleasant weather, +but in a heavy squall, which caught us in the middle +of the widest part of the lake, off Gulfport.</p> + +<p>The Wimpletonians encamped on the Shooter +after they were driven from the Horse Shoe. The +combat of Monday was not decisive enough to satisfy +them, and the war was renewed, and continued +during the week, with varying success. Each party +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span> +stole the boats of the other, and inflicted whatever +mischief it could. On Thursday night, in the midst +of a violent storm, when the Toppleton Guards +sought shelter in their tents, the invading hordes +of Wimpletonians crossed the channel, and actually +conquered the territory of their rivals. Having +levelled their tents, cut the cords, and broken up +the tent-poles, they retired, satisfied with the mischief +they had done. The Toppletonians were defeated +in a similar attempt to invade the Shooter +the next night; and when the end of the week +arrived, neither could claim any material advantage +over the other. The Wimpletonians had retrieved +the disaster of the first day, and would have held +the island if they had not been afraid of the interference +of the owner.</p> + +<p>Both parties returned to their studies, their hatred +of each other not a jot abated, and more than ever +before the Toppletonians were on the lookout for +some opportunity to spite the other side.</p> + +<p>When the battalion returned on Saturday night, +I was up the lake in the Grace, and I did not see +Major Tommy for several days. When we did meet, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span> +he seemed to have forgotten everything that had +happened; but Grace told me she had listened to +the conversation between her father and him relating +to the affair with me. At first the young +gentleman was furious at the idea of retaining me +in the yacht; but when he heard of Colonel Wimpleton’s +offer he yielded the point, and permitted +me to remain.</p> + +<p>On the 1st of September the Lake Shore Railroad +was completed. Lewis Holgate had run the dummy +while I was skipper of the yacht; but the major +would not permit him to go on the locomotive, and +I was summoned back to my old position without +opposition from the little magnate.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XX"> + CHAPTER XX. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>THE LIGHTNING EXPRESS TRAIN.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first kern'><span class='allcaps'>There</span> was something about Tommy’s actions +which I did not like. Though he spoke to me, +as before, the old grudge was not wiped out. I saw +that he and Lewis Holgate were very thick together, +and I soon found that my fireman had ceased to be +as tractable as at first. I heard he had reported +among the boys that I was a Wimpletonian at heart, +and would sell out the Lake Shore Railroad to the +other side any time when I could get a chance.</p> + +<p>The road was completed, and I ran the first train +through to Ucayga. Major Toppleton had altered +the Middleport into a ferry-boat at my suggestion, +and she plied, in connection with the railroad, from +our station on one side of the river to the town on +the other. When we had gone over the ground a +few times, the major sprang the trap. The two +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span> +boats which ran the whole length of the lake were +advertised to start from Middleport, touching at Centreport. +Passengers from the latter place could cross +in one of them, and go by the railroad to Ucayga—they +could, but they did not like to do so. The +steamers plied in connection with the road, and the +Centreporters were as angry as though they had +been shut out from the rest of the world; for their +splendid boat was not yet ready to run in opposition +to the new arrangement.</p> + +<p>On Monday morning the Lightning Express train +was to make its first trip. Major Toppleton told me +to be sure and “make time.” The track had been +carefully examined, and strengthened where it was +weak. I was to prove to the Centreporters that a +steamboat could not compete with the Lake Shore +Railroad. Everybody was excited, and the president +of the road absented himself from school, in order +to see that the programme was properly carried out. +I could have dispensed with his services; but he +insisted upon riding on the foot-board, probably to +see that I did not sell out the concern to the other +side.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span></p> + +<p>“The cars are full, Wolf;” said Tommy, after I +had backed the locomotive into the station, and the +cars were shackled to it.</p> + +<p>“I am glad to hear it,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“I saw quite a number of people from the other +side among the passengers.”</p> + +<p>“So much the better. We shall convince them +that we can make time on this side of the lake.”</p> + +<p>Turning suddenly as I made this remark, I saw +Lewis Holgate give Tommy a significant wink. I +did not understand what it meant, and it troubled +me a little. I should have been very glad to get rid +of my fireman; but he was on such intimate terms +with the president that it was useless for me to say +anything. He did not attend to his duty, did not +keep the working parts of the engine well oiled, and +even neglected his fires. In fact, he had risen above +his business since he had run the dummy.</p> + +<p>“All aboard!” shouted the gentlemanly conductor, +as he gave me the signal to start.</p> + +<p>As I always did before I let on the steam, I +glanced at the machinery around me. The reversing +lever had been changed since I adjusted it. It must +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span> +have been done by one of my companions in the +cab. I restored the lever to its proper position for +going ahead, and opened the throttle valve. The +train started, but it went heavy. The engine acted +weak. Glancing at the steam gauge, I saw that it indicated +only three quarters of the necessary pressure.</p> + +<p>“How’s your fire?” I asked of Lewis.</p> + +<p>“Good!”</p> + +<p>“Look at it and see. The steam is low.”</p> + +<p>He obeyed me; but I saw that he put hardly a +spoonful of coal into the furnace, and closed the door, +while I was looking out ahead. The train went well +down the grade; but when we approached Spangleport, +we dragged hard.</p> + +<p>“Fill up your furnace, Lewis,” said I, rather sharply, +as I observed that the gauge had hardly gained +anything.</p> + +<p>He put another spoonful of coal into the furnace.</p> + +<p>“Fill it up!” I added, warmly; and I began to +feel that some one was trying to sell me out.</p> + +<p>“It won’t burn if I put in too much,” growled +Lewis.</p> + +<p>“Shovel it in,” I continued, glancing into the fire +box, which was nearly empty.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span></p> + +<p>“More yet,” I added, as he attempted to close +the door.</p> + +<p>I kept my eye on him till I was satisfied that +we should soon have all the steam we could use. +When I stopped the train at Spangleport we had +lost five minutes, and, what was worse, I had nearly +lost my temper. Lewis Holgate appeared to be +laboring for the defeat, rather than the success, of +the Lightning Express train. The presence of Mr. +President Tommy on the foot-board seemed to be a +partial explanation of his conduct. But I was determined +that the enterprise should not be a failure. +I was fully resolved to make time if steam could +do it. Lightning Express was on trial, and if it +failed, the Centreporters, whom I was now accused +of favoring, would take courage.</p> + +<p>We stopped but a moment at Spangleport. I +opened the furnace, and stirred up the fire myself. +At the same time I kept one eye on Lewis, and +the other on Tommy; for I wanted to catch one of +them reversing a crank, or doing any other mischief. +Both of them looked innocent, though I saw them +exchanging significant glances. By this time I had +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span> +a full head of steam, and was satisfied that I could +make up the lost time, if no further obstacles were +thrown in my way. The eight miles of road between +Spangleport and Grass Springs was almost as +straight as an arrow, and I expected to recover the +lost ground on this run. Only an hour had been +allowed for the passengers to reach Ucayga. If the +train was behind time, those going east and west +would lose their passage.</p> + +<p>“All aboard!” shouted the conductor, as he gave +me the signal to start the train.</p> + +<p>“You are on time, Wolf, and you needn’t hurry +yourself,” said Tommy, as he consulted his watch.</p> + +<p>“There’s time enough,” I replied, determined not +to be deceived by him.</p> + +<p>I was nervous and excited, for I was conscious +that both of my companions on the engine were +laboring to make the Lightning Express a failure +in my charge. I kept my hand on the lever of the +throttle valve, almost afraid that it would be wrenched +from my grasp. I let on the steam, and kept letting +it on till the Ucayga—for that was the name which +had been given to the locomotive, in compliment to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span> +the place which it was necessary to conciliate—seemed +to fly through the air.</p> + +<p>“Shovel in the coal, Lewis,” said I to my unwilling +fireman, while we were rushing on at this furious +rate.</p> + +<p>“I think there is enough coal in the furnace,” replied +he, opening the door.</p> + +<p>“I don’t think so. Shovel it in!”</p> + +<p>He put in about half a shovel full, and did it +so doggedly that I was fully convinced he was +laboring to defeat the experiment. I spoke to him +very sharply. I threatened to stop the train, and +send for Major Toppleton.</p> + +<p>“I am the president of this road. If you have +any complaints to make, you will make them to +me,” interposed Tommy, who was holding on to the +cab with both hands.</p> + +<p>“Will you tell the fireman, then, to do his duty?”</p> + +<p>“He is doing it.”</p> + +<p>“Will you tell him to put in more coal?”</p> + +<p>“Fill it up, Lewis,” added Tommy, who seemed +to be conscious that there was a point beyond which +even he could not go.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span></p> + +<p>My rascally assistant then attempted to choke the +fires by overloading the furnace; but I watched him, +and succeeded in preventing him from doing the +mischief he intended. I continued to increase the +speed of the Ucayga until, I think, we were going at +the rate of forty miles an hour. Tommy’s hair stood +on end, and so did my own, for that matter; but I +was desperate. I blew a long whistle as we approached +Grass Springs. When I shut off the steam +I looked at my watch. We had made the eight +miles in twelve minutes, and the train was on time +when we went into the Springs. I was satisfied +then.</p> + +<p>The moment the engine stopped, Tommy jumped +off. He did not say anything, but I was convinced +that he did not like riding on the locomotive, going +at lightning-express rates. I was glad to get rid of +him. I need not say that the events of the morning +made me very uncomfortable. I had seen but little +of Tommy since the events on the Horse Shoe; but +I was conscious that he was nursing his wrath +against me. Long before this time he would have +driven me out of Middleport if he had not been so +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span> +unpopular himself among the boys. My friend Dick +Skotchley—for as such I was proud to regard him—had +fought my battle for me among the students. +Tommy was so conceited and overbearing that all +the fellows hated him; and they were ripe for a +mutiny against him in his capacity as president of +the road, as well as in that of major of the battalion. +More than this, Tommy’s father was still my friend, +though he feared his son. Without egotism I may +say that I was popular in Middleport. If I had not +been, I should have been kicked out, like a dog, +by my imperious little master.</p> + +<p>“How are you, Wolf?” shouted Tom Walton, as +I was about to start the train.</p> + +<p>“Jump on, Tom,” I replied, as the conductor gave +the word to go ahead.</p> + +<p>My friend leaped into the cab, and I let on the +steam. He told me he was spending a few days +with his aunt at the Springs, and that he was looking +for something to do. He was an active, industrious, +quick-witted fellow, who never needed to be +told twice how to do the same thing. Though +he knew nothing about an engine, he had the ability +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span> +to learn, and it immediately occurred to me that +he would make a first-rate fireman, for it was evident +that Lewis Holgate and myself could not much +longer stand together on the same foot-board.</p> + +<p>“This is bully—isn’t it, Wolf?” said Tom, as +the engine attained her highest speed, though, as +there were now occasional curves, I was obliged to +ease her a little at times.</p> + +<p>“Do you like it?” I inquired.</p> + +<p>“First rate. It is almost as good as the Grace—not +quite,” replied he, with proper enthusiasm. “Is +this the Lightning Express folks talk so much +about?”</p> + +<p>“This is the Lightning Express. We have come +through in a hurry this time. Five minutes’ delay +would ruin the Lake Shore Railroad, and cause +more crowing over at Centreport than ten thousand +roosters could do in a year. But we are on +time.”</p> + +<p>“I’m glad you are,” laughed Tom. “I expect +the train will always be on time while you run it.”</p> + +<p>“If nothing happens, I shall put my passengers +down in Ucayga at the time promised.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span></p> + +<p>“I hope nothing will happen, then.”</p> + +<p>But at that very instant, before he had finished +the remark, I saw, as we shot round a curve, a little +child at play between the two rails. A woman was +running towards it in frantic haste. My blood froze +with horror. At first I felt like fainting; but I +closed the valve and whistled to put on the brakes.</p> + +<p>“Jam down that brake, Lewis!” I gasped to the +fireman, indicating the one on the tender.</p> + +<p>Tom Walton did not say anything, but passing +through the window in the cab, he made his way to +the cow-catcher. I grasped the reversing levers, and +I think all the passengers must have been thrown off +their seats when I checked the train. But it was +still doubtful whether I could stop in season to save +the child, and my heart was in my mouth.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXI"> + CHAPTER XXI. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>MAKING UP TIME.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first kern'><span class='allcaps'>It</span> seemed to me, if the locomotive ran over that +child, that I could not have the audacity to live +another day, though it would not be my fault. It +was so awful, so horrible, that I prayed to be +saved from the catastrophe. I did not feel as though +I could ever hold up my head again if that innocent +little child was sacrificed. It would be better +that the Lake Shore Railroad should be sunk at +the bottom of the lake than that a single precious +life should be lost.</p> + +<p>My blood ran cold through my veins as I gazed +at the little child, who seemed to be paralyzed with +astonishment as the iron monster swept towards +her. It was a little girl, not more than four or +five years old. The woman who ran shrieking towards +the track was doubtless her mother. What +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span> +a moment of agony it was to her! My heart bled +for her, and the triumph of the Lightning Express +sank into insignificance as I contemplated the thrilling +scene.</p> + +<p>As the engine came nearer to the little girl, my +hopes rose higher, for our speed was effectually +checked by the efforts we had made. Tom Walton +was on the cow-catcher, and I knew that he would +do the right thing at the right time. The child +showed no disposition to move; indeed, I think she +had no power to do so, even if she comprehended +the nature of her peril. As we came near enough, +I saw her eyes set in a kind of fixed stare, which +indicated astonishment rather than fear.</p> + +<p>“Jam down the brakes, Lewis!” I called to the +fireman, as I labored to check the speed of the engine; +and I must do him the justice to say that +he was not at all backward in obeying my order, +though I doubt whether he would have been equally +zealous if it had been I, instead of the child, who +was on the track.</p> + +<p>The speed of the train was checked, but it was +not stopped; and so far as the life of the child +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span> +was concerned, we might as well have been going +at the rate of forty as five miles an hour, for the +slightest blow of the cow-catcher would have killed +her. All this transpired within a few seconds. +Hardly an instant elapsed after the steam was shut +off, and the brakes put on, before I was trying to +back the engine. The sparks flew under the drivewheels, +but still the iron mass swept on towards +the child, whose instants appeared to be numbered. +It seemed to me that I stopped breathing as the +little child disappeared behind the forward part of +the locomotive. I expected to hear a shriek—to +be conscious that the child was a gory, mangled, +and shapeless mass beneath.</p> + +<p>Almost at the same moment, Tom Walton straightened +up, holding the child in one arm. The engine +had almost stopped, and was still groaning and struggling +under my ineffectual labors to bring it to a +complete stand. My heart leaped the instant I saw +the child in the arms of my friend. My blood, +rolled back by the fearful suspense, seemed to be +bursting through my veins, and I was disposed to +shout for joy.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp96" id="i_p246" style="max-width: 80.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p246.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + THE RESCUE.—<a href='#Page_246'>Page 246</a>. + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span></p> + +<p>“She is safe!” cried Tom, at the top of his +voice, as he leaped from the engine upon the +ground, and placed the little girl in the arms of +her mother.</p> + +<p>I saw the horror-stricken parent press the little +one to her bosom. I heard the sob of convulsive +agony which attended the tremendous reaction. It +was like passing from death to life for her, and I +felt that I could almost understand even a mother’s +emotion.</p> + +<p>“Thank God! Thank God!” I cried; and they +were not idle words that I uttered, for it seemed to +me that the Good Father had interposed to save +me from what I should have remembered with horror +all the rest of my life.</p> + +<p>I could not but regard it as an interposition of +Providence in my favor, rather than the child’s; +but in the mother’s favor rather than that of either +of us, for she would have been the greatest sufferer. +I am sure this incident had a powerful influence +upon me, not for the moment, or the day only, but +for all the rest of my life. It has kept my eyes +open when I was disposed to close them; it has +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span> +decided the question of running a risk when nothing +else seemed to restrain me; it taught me +to regard human life as too sacred to be trifled +with.</p> + +<p>I saw the fond mother clasp her child, and with +the reaction came the thought that I was running +the Lightning Express train; that the reputation +of Middleport depended upon the time I should +make.</p> + +<p>“Jump on, Tom!” I called to my friend, as he +paused for a moment to gaze at the mother and +her rescued child.</p> + +<p>“That was a narrow squeak!” said he; and the +whole face of the generous fellow expanded into one +smile of satisfaction.</p> + +<p>“It was, indeed, Tom,” I replied, as I let on the +steam, and whistled to take off the brakes. “It +was a merciful providence that you were on the +engine with me. If you had not been, the child +would have been dead at this instant.”</p> + +<p>“I am glad I was here, then. I think that woman +will keep her child in the house after this,” replied +he.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span></p> + +<p>I crowded on the steam again, and once more +the train flew like the wind along the lake shore. +All the time I was thinking of that little child; +of the anguish that would have filled that cottage +by the lake, at this moment, if Tom Walton had +not happened to be on the engine with me. I +could have done no more than I did do, and though +the train was on the very point of stopping, there +was still momentum enough left in it to have +crushed the little one to death. I was grateful +to God as I had never been before for sparing me +such a calamity.</p> + +<p>In the exhilaration of the moment I urged forward +the locomotive till I saw the steamer which was +waiting to convey the passengers across the river. I +looked at my gold watch, thought of Grace Toppleton, +as I always did when I glanced at its face, +and almost forgot why I had taken it from my +pocket in thinking of the expression of her beautiful +face when I should relate to her the thrilling +incident which had just occurred. I was on time; +I was ahead of time, for I had driven the engine +at a furious speed. But I had worked carefully; +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span> +I had favored it on the curves, and I felt as safe +myself as if I had been in my father’s house.</p> + +<p>The brakes were put on, and the train stopped +at the rude pier which had been built for the +steamer. Major Toppleton had carefully instructed +Captain Underwood, and the boat was ready to +start on the instant. Hardly had the cars stopped +before the deck hands began to load the baggage +on the trucks. Everybody worked as if the salvation +of the nation depended upon his individual +exertions, and I am afraid that some of the passengers +had occasion to weep as they saw the +rude manner in which their baggage was tossed +about. I do not think it would have taken a moment +longer for the men to handle the trunks +respectfully—for this seems to me to be the proper +word, since the feelings of the traveller are so +largely centred in his luggage.</p> + +<p>Major Toppleton stood on the platform, and drove +up the men. He did not seem to care whose trunk +was smashed if he only succeeded in carrying out +his own plans. He had allowed just one hour for +the transportation of the passengers from Middleport +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span> +to the station in Ucayga, and I think he +would cheerfully have given ten thousand dollars +rather than fail in the enterprise.</p> + +<p>Tommy stood on the platform near his father; +but there was no expression of satisfaction on his +face. He had labored to defeat the enterprise in +order to overwhelm me. It was disaster to him, +and I am inclined to think he was still holding +in lively remembrance the disobedience of which +I had been guilty three months before.</p> + +<p>The trucks, piled high with trunks and valises, +were wheeled on the forward deck of the Middleport, +from which they could be rolled to the baggage +car on the other side when the train arrived. +The boat started. The long experience of Captain +Underwood enabled him to clear or make a landing +in the shortest possible time. But fifteen minutes +had been allowed for getting the passengers over, +and I had the satisfaction of seeing the trucks on +the platform upon the other side of the river full +five minutes before the train was due. My anxiety +had come to an end. I looked upon the Lightning +Express as a glorious triumph, and, in contrast with +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span> +it, I could not help thinking how cheap and mean +we should have felt if the train had rushed off +before the passengers arrived. The failure would +have been charged upon me, and I am afraid I +could not have saved myself by exposing the conspiracy +which had been instigated by Tommy.</p> + +<p>The trains from the east and from the west, +which passed each other at Ucayga, were both +on time, as they generally were. I saw the truck +unloaded, then loaded again with the baggage of +the passengers who were going up the lake, and +in a few moments the Middleport was crossing +the river. The train was to leave at quarter past +ten, but the promptness of the steamer’s people +allowed me five minutes of grace. Lewis had left +the engine, when he knew that it was his duty to +“oil up,” and I was performing this work myself, +when Major Toppleton came up, his face beaming +with smiles. My fireman was talking with Tommy +on the platform.</p> + +<p>“Well, Wolf, this works to a charm,” said the +magnate, rubbing his hands with satisfaction.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir; we came through on time, after all,” +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span> +I replied, as I poured the oil on one of the piston +rods.</p> + +<p>“I heard there was a child on the track this side +of the Springs.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir; Tom Walton, who was on the engine +with me, went out on the cow-catcher and saved it. +I think we should have lost the trip if Tom had +not been with me,” I continued, fully explaining +the exciting incident.</p> + +<p>“Tom is a good fellow, and he always has his +head near the ends of his fingers,” answered the +major.</p> + +<p>I wanted to tell him that Tommy and my fireman +had done what they could to defeat the great +enterprise; but I concluded that it would be useless +to do so, for the son was the master. I had +made a good impression in Tom Walton’s favor, +and I reserved my next step till a more convenient +season.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXII"> + CHAPTER XXII. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>THE NEW FIREMAN.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first kern-more'><span class='allcaps'>“All</span> aboard!” shouted our bustling conductor, +who was a very gentlemanly young man, +and had had considerable experience in this capacity.</p> + +<p>He wore a gold badge on the lapel of his coat, +wrought in the shape of a train of cars, on which +was inscribed the word “Conductor,” in such curious +old English text that no one who did not know +what it was could read it. He alleged that the +jewel had been presented to him by a host of admiring +passengers; but those who knew him best +declared that he had spent a whole month’s salary +in its purchase. It was a very pretty thing, and, +wherever he got it, he was certainly polite enough +to have merited it.</p> + +<p>The gentleman with the gold jewel bowed, and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span> +gracefully made the signal to me; and, after glancing +at the reversing handle, I grasped the throttle +valve, ready to start. At this moment Lewis sprang +upon the foot-board. I had attended to the fire +myself, and was thoroughly disgusted with the conduct +of my fireman.</p> + +<p>“Stop!” shouted Tommy, imperiously.</p> + +<p>It was the president of the road who spoke, and +I was obliged to obey.</p> + +<p>“It is against the rules of the road for any one +to ride on the engine,” continued the little magnate.</p> + +<p>“I never heard of any such rule before, Mr. +President, or I should not have disregarded it,” I +replied, as gently as I could, though I know my +face flushed with indignation.</p> + +<p>“I make the rule now, then,” added Tommy.</p> + +<p>“Tom is only going to Grass Springs with me,” +I ventured to suggest.</p> + +<p>“He shall not ride on the engine. Conductor, you +will collect his fare,” replied Tommy, glancing at +the gentlemanly person with the gold jewel.</p> + +<p>“Wolf, I haven’t a red cent in my trousers pocket; +but I suppose I can walk to the Springs,” said +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span> +my friend, who knew how vain it would be to +appeal against the orders of the magnificent little +president.</p> + +<p>I slipped half a dollar into his hand, and he +jumped down.</p> + +<p>“Have you the money to pay your fare?” demanded +the gentlemanly conductor, for he was +ready enough to “spoony” to the president.</p> + +<p>“I have,” answered Tom, with dignity, as he +stepped into the forward car.</p> + +<p>It was a gratuitous insult to me, and Lewis Holgate +chuckled with delight. I bit my lips with +vexation; but I said nothing—it was of no use +to say anything. Even Major Toppleton himself +would not have dared to dispute the fiat of his son.</p> + +<p>“All right!” cried the conductor; and I started +the train, a minute behind time.</p> + +<p>I was vexed and unhappy. I felt like a free +man reduced to slavery. I had lost Tommy’s favor, +and I was nobody, though everybody else praised +me. I felt that I had done my duty to the road, +and to Middleport in general. I had worked hard +at electioneering to keep Tommy in his position as +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span> +president. I had supported him to the best of my +ability; but he insulted me without remorse. I +could not help thinking that it was stupid and +servile in me to stand it; and I did not think I +could endure another snubbing without resenting it. +I felt weak and ashamed of myself, especially as +Colonel Wimpleton was still anxious to have me +go in the new steamer.</p> + +<p>I ran into Grass Springs on time, and Tom left +the train, though not without saying a parting +word to me. I wanted him to “fire” with me, +and I had a plan in my mind to bring it about; +but while the president of the road was bottling +up his spite against me, I could hardly hope to +gain my point.</p> + +<p>The steamer for Hitaca was advertised to leave +Middleport at eleven o’clock, and at the appointed +hour I had the passengers on the wharf. Within +a few moments of the time, the boat was off, and +those who were bound to Centreport made the +passage in an hour and a quarter from Ucayga, +which was three quarters of an hour less than +they had ever accomplished it before. Major +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span> +Toppleton was more delighted than ever, and, though +it was against the rules of the road for any one to +ride on the engine, he jumped upon the foot-board +as lively as though he had been a boy. I ran up +to the engine-house.</p> + +<p>“It works splendidly, Wolf!” said the great man, +rubbing his hands.</p> + +<p>“It has come out right this time; but I think +it is making rather close calculations,” I replied, as +we walked out of the building.</p> + +<p>“What do you mean, Wolf?” he asked, anxiously, +as though he feared there was still room for +the great enterprise to fail, as indeed there was if +Lewis Holgate continued on the engine with me.</p> + +<p>“We have hardly five minutes to spare now, +and the slightest accident might cause us to miss +our connections.”</p> + +<p>“But with me the battle is to make the time to +Ucayga inside of an hour. If it is more than an +hour, it will sound bad, and we might just as well +be an hour and a half as an hour and a quarter. +I thought it was done handsomely this trip.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps it was, sir; but I was five minutes +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[259]</span> +behind time when we reached Spangleport, and if +I had not run at the rate of a mile in a minute +and a half we should have missed the trains. Then +the child on the track threw me back two minutes +more, and compelled me to run the engine at its +highest speed. The iron on the track is not heavy +enough for such high rates.”</p> + +<p>“But why were you five minutes late at Spangleport?” +asked the major.</p> + +<p>Should I tell him why? It might endanger my +place to bring a charge against Tommy; but I felt +myself independent enough to do so.</p> + +<p>“My fireman did not do his duty. I have been +obliged to run the engine and fire too,” I replied, +explaining all that Lewis had done.</p> + +<p>“What, Holgate! Discharge him then, at once,” +said the great man, impatiently.</p> + +<p>“I am afraid that will not be so easy a matter,” +I added, with a smile.</p> + +<p>“I think it will.”</p> + +<p>“Lewis does not act altogether on his own account, +though he wants my place.”</p> + +<p>“Turn him off. Don’t let him run another trip.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[260]</span></p> + +<p>“I am sorry to say, sir, that Tommy is at the +bottom of the mischief.”</p> + +<p>“Tommy?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> + +<p>I told him that Tommy had been working against +me since the affair at the Horse Shoe; that he was +trying to undermine me. The major was incredulous. +Tommy was obstinate, he knew, but the +president would not do anything to injure the Lake +Shore Railroad. He was willing to believe that +Lewis Holgate wished to get me out of my place, +but not that his son was a party to the conspiracy.</p> + +<p>“Lewis left the engine while we were waiting +for the boat at Ucayga, and I should not have had +steam enough to start the train if I had not shovelled +in the coal myself. He did not even oil up, +as he should have done, and as I told him to do,” +I continued.</p> + +<p>“Discharge him, then.”</p> + +<p>“But all this time he was talking with Tommy; +and you may be sure that your son will not permit +him to be discharged.”</p> + +<p>Major Toppleton bit his lips. He was beginning +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[261]</span> +to comprehend the situation. He was actually afraid +to carry his purpose into execution now, and, as I +expected he would when the pinch came, he changed +the subject of conversation, and said no more about +getting rid of Lewis Holgate.</p> + +<p>“I think, if we could save the two stops at Spangleport +and Grass Springs, I could make the time +without difficulty, even if we lost a few moments +on the way,” I suggested, as the entering wedge +of the plan I had formed.</p> + +<p>“But we can’t neglect those two places. The +people would tear up the rails if we failed to accommodate +them.”</p> + +<p>“We will not neglect them. I suggest that you +run the dummy half an hour before the Lightning +Express for way passengers.”</p> + +<p>I explained fully my plan, and he was willing to +adopt it, especially when I added that Lewis Holgate +could handle the dummy very well indeed. +He understood me then, and I thought I could see +a smile of relief on his face.</p> + +<p>“But you must have a fireman,” he added.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir; and I would like to have Tom Walton. +He is a faithful fellow, and learns quick.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[262]</span></p> + +<p>“Engage him then at once. Who is the superintendent +now?”</p> + +<p>“Wetherstane, sir.”</p> + +<p>He knew very well who the superintendent was, +and knew also that he was one of the president’s +most bitter opponents. Wetherstane would discharge +any one whom Tommy did like, or hire any +one whom he did not like, without any scruples, +and enjoy the operation. When the session of the +Institute closed, the superintendent was waited upon +by the major. I do not know what passed between +them; but the next day posters in all the places +on the line announced the new arrangement. Tom +Walton was engaged.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon I ran the Lightning Express +through the second time. Tommy was not on the +engine this time, and by closely watching my fireman, +I compelled him to do his duty; but without +this care on my part, we should have failed in our +connections. The next day, the last that Lewis was +to run with me, for the new arrangement was to +take effect on Wednesday morning, I found that +the tender tanks were empty just as the engine +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[263]</span> +was to move down to the station for the train. +They had been filled an hour before, and I was +satisfied this was another trick to bring me into +disgrace. If I had not discovered the fact in season +to correct the mischief, the trip would have +been lost, to say nothing of a worse calamity, if +anything could be worse in the estimation of the +major.</p> + +<p>The pit under the track where the engine stood +was half filled with water, and it was evident enough +to me that my rascally fireman had uncoupled the +connecting hose while I was at dinner, and emptied +the tanks in this manner. I was provoked, and +disposed to pitch into the rascal. But this was +his last chance, I thought, and I concluded to +hold my peace. The scoundrel had probably drawn +off more of the water than he intended, or I might +not have discovered the condition of the tender in +season to fill it. But the train started on time, and +I was fortunate enough to make the connection at +Ucayga.</p> + +<p>I had Tom Walton’s appointment in my pocket, +and when we stopped at the Springs I gave it to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[264]</span> +him, telling him to be at Middleport the next morning. +This sharp movement had been prudently kept +from the president, and I hoped, as he would be in +school when the train started, that he would not ascertain +what had been done until my friend had +made one or two trips.</p> + +<p>The next morning, at half past eight, Lewis Holgate +started the dummy for Ucayga. He was very +curious to know what I was going to do for a fireman; +but I kept Tom in the shade till he was on +the way to the foot of the lake. There was to be +an awful row soon; but I was willing to postpone +it as long as possible. My friend was faithful and +intelligent, and before the train reached Ucayga, he +comprehended his duties. I made my time without +hurrying on this occasion.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon, just as the Lightning Express +was to start on her second trip, Tommy rushed up +to the engine, looking as furious as a lunatic. At +Ucayga, where the dummy waited till the express +train had started, Lewis Holgate discovered who his +successor was. That Tom was a friend of mine was +enough to bring down upon him the wrath of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[265]</span> +president. With such an assistant, I was not likely +to permit the Lightning Express to be a failure.</p> + +<p>“What are you doing on that engine?” demanded +Tommy.</p> + +<p>“I fire on this engine now,” replied Tom Walton, +good-naturedly.</p> + +<p>“No, you don’t! not while I am president of the +Lake Shore Railroad. Get off, and clear out!”</p> + +<p>“If he leaves, I do,” I interposed, quietly; but +my blood was up.</p> + +<p>Tommy looked at me, and ground his teeth with +rage.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[266]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"> + CHAPTER XXIII. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>THE PRESIDENT AND THE ENGINEER.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first kern'><span class='allcaps'>In</span> five minutes it would be time for the Lightning +Express train to start, and that was a very +short time in which to fight the impending battle. +Tommy was as unreasonable as a mule, and it was +useless to attempt to conciliate him. Besides, I was +tired of being buffeted by him. I was ashamed of +my own servility, and much as I liked my occupation, +I had deliberately come to the conclusion that +it would be better for me to “hire out” for my +board and clothes, than be a football for Tommy’s +capricious toes. I had always treated him respectfully +and kindly; but he had insulted me a dozen +times within a month.</p> + +<p>“Are you the president of the Lake Shore Railroad?” +demanded Tommy, violently.</p> + +<p>“I haven’t that honor,” I replied.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[267]</span></p> + +<p>“Then it is not for you to say who shall and who +shall not run on the engine.”</p> + +<p>“That is very true; but it <em>is</em> for me to say whether +I will run on it myself or not. Tom Walton was +regularly appointed by the superintendent to fire on +this engine. He does his duty to my satisfaction.”</p> + +<p>“Who appointed him? I never heard of his appointment +till half an hour ago.”</p> + +<p>Tom coolly took the letter of the superintendent +from his pocket, and exhibited it to the president.</p> + +<p>“If that isn’t all right, it isn’t my fault,” added +the new fireman.</p> + +<p>“That isn’t worth the paper it is written on,” said +Tommy, his face red with wrath.</p> + +<p>“What’s the reason it isn’t?” inquired Wetherstane. +“I wrote it and signed it, and I am superintendent +of the road.”</p> + +<p>“Did you write that?” gasped Tommy.</p> + +<p>“I did; and I’m superintendent of the Lake Shore +Railroad,” answered Wetherstane, whose back was up.</p> + +<p>“Without consulting me?”</p> + +<p>“I didn’t know that the superintendent had to go +to the president every time a new fireman was wanted. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[268]</span> +If Tom Walton isn’t fireman, then I’m not superintendent.”</p> + +<p>“I won’t have Tom Walton on the road,” fumed +Tommy, as he glanced at the fireman, who looked +as good-natured as the quarter of an apple pie. “I’m +president of this road.”</p> + +<p>“And I’m superintendent,” retorted Wetherstane.</p> + +<p>“Then I order you to discharge Tom Walton at +once. If you appointed him, you did. Now discharge +him.”</p> + +<p>Wetherstane saw that he could not very well +refuse to obey this order, since his right to appoint +the obnoxious fireman was not now disputed.</p> + +<p>“I’ll discharge him to-night, if you insist upon it,” +said he, doggedly.</p> + +<p>“I insist upon it now. Tom Walton, you are discharged,” +added the president.</p> + +<p>“I don’t want to make a row, and I guess I’ll +be off,” whispered the new fireman to me.</p> + +<p>“You can’t help yourself,” I replied; and he +jumped down from the foot-board.</p> + +<p>“All aboard!” shouted the gentlemanly conductor.</p> + +<p>I let off steam, and stepped down from the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[269]</span> +locomotive. The conductor made the signal to start; +but I did not heed it; I had lost my interest in the +Lightning Express.</p> + +<p>“All right! Go ahead!” said the conductor, impatiently, +when his signal was disregarded.</p> + +<p>“Jump on your engine, and go ahead,” added +Tommy.</p> + +<p>“I can’t run the engine without a fireman; and I +would not if I could,” I replied; and I felt that I +was vindicating myself.</p> + +<p>“Do you mean to say you won’t run this train?” +demanded Tommy.</p> + +<p>“That is precisely what I mean. I won’t run it +without Tom Walton. You discharged him on purpose +to insult me.”</p> + +<p>“Where’s Faxon?” asked Tommy, who seemed to +be conscious, at last, that the train must go.</p> + +<p>Faxon was in the station, and appeared to answer +to his name.</p> + +<p>“Faxon, you will run this train through,” continued +Tommy.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know how. I can run the dummy, but +I don’t know anything about running a locomotive,” +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[270]</span> +replied Faxon, who was among the number of those +who were utterly disgusted with the tyranny of the +president.</p> + +<p>“We are five minutes behind time now,” fretted +the conductor, who had come forward to learn the +cause of the delay.</p> + +<p>“Here comes Major Toppleton,” said half a dozen +of the interested spectators.</p> + +<p>The magnate bustled into the centre of the group, +and Tommy told him I refused to run the train, +and had taken that moment to spite him.</p> + +<p>“My fireman has been discharged,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“Tom Walton!” exclaimed the major.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir; turned out!” laughed Tom.</p> + +<p>“This won’t do, Tommy,” said the great man, pulling +out his watch.</p> + +<p>“Tom Walton can’t run on this train,” replied the +little president, decidedly.</p> + +<p>“Let him go this trip, till we can arrange matters,” +pleaded the father.</p> + +<p>“No, sir; he shall not put foot on the engine +again.”</p> + +<p>“But we are losing the trip,” protested the major.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[271]</span></p> + +<p>“I can’t help that.”</p> + +<p>“Won’t you run this trip through to oblige me?” +said the magnate, taking me aside.</p> + +<p>“I can’t run it without a fireman,” I replied. “I +will do anything to oblige you, sir; but Tommy +means to ruin me if he can.”</p> + +<p>“Start the train, and I will see that Tom Walton +is with you as soon as you will need him,” added +the great man, in a whisper.</p> + +<p>“I will, sir.”</p> + +<p>I jumped upon the engine, and started her, just +ten minutes behind the time. I saw Major Toppleton +take Tom Walton into the forward car with +him, as I opened the throttle valve. The president +also jumped upon the rear car, after the train started, +as though he suspected the purpose of his disobedient +father, and intended to defeat him. As +the train went out of the station, Tom crawled +over the tender, and took his place on the foot-board.</p> + +<p>“Tommy is rather rough on me,” said he, with +his usual good-natured smile.</p> + +<p>“He is rough on almost everybody, and the roughest +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[272]</span> +of all upon his own father,” I replied, as I let +on more steam. “Fill up the furnace, Tom. We +are behind time, and must make up ten minutes. +We will make time as long as we are on the +engine.”</p> + +<p>In a few moments the train was flying down the +gentle slope, and, by the time we came to the up +grade beyond, Tom had steam enough to do anything +of which the engine was capable. I knew that Tommy +was in one of the cars, and I wondered that he +did not stop the train, as by this time he must be +aware that his father had disobeyed and evaded his +peremptory mandate. I could hardly keep from +laughing when I thought of the magnate of Middleport, +so haughty and unyielding to others, bowing +so low to his own son. It was simply ridiculous, +and very ludicrous. But I had little doubt of the +ultimate fate of Tom Walton and myself. The +world was upside down on our side of the lake, +and the great man had virtually become the little +man.</p> + +<p>I was not quite sure that Major Toppleton could +help himself, after he had so often yielded to Tommy, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[273]</span> +and thus encouraged him to insist upon having his +own way. After abandoning his fortress even once +before, I did not see how he could hold it afterwards. +But all this was a question between Tommy and his +father, and they must fight it out themselves. My +self-respect would not any longer allow me to be the +victim of his petty tyranny. Yet I have no hesitation +in saying that Tommy, if his wilfulness could +have been subdued, would have been one of the +best fellows in the world; and the sequel of my +story will justify my belief.</p> + +<p>I had no difficulty in making up the ten minutes +we had lost by the president’s unseasonable demonstration, +and at a quarter to ten I stopped the train +at the ferry landing. I confess that my heart beat +a lively tattoo against my ribs, as I saw the passengers +hastening into the boat, for I dreaded a scene +with Tommy and his father. I would have avoided +it if I could, for I had no taste for disturbances. +But neither Tommy nor his father appeared +at once.</p> + +<p>“Wolf, I don’t want you to get into trouble for +my sake,” said Tom Walton. “I am willing to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[274]</span> +take myself off, and let you live in peace with +Tommy.”</p> + +<p>“Tommy don’t want peace with me. Ever since +our affair at the Horse Shoe, he has been down upon +me,” I replied. “I don’t know how the major prevailed +upon him to let me stay as long as I have. +But he has insulted me and domineered over me +in every possible manner, and I have stood just as +much of it as I can. If you were not a friend of +mine, Tommy would not object to you.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I don’t want to stand in your way, Wolf,” +added Tom.</p> + +<p>“You don’t stand in my way. If you are discharged, +it will be for my sake. I think we had +better hang together. If I can’t hold this place for +you, I may be able to get you another quite as +good.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you, Wolf; you have always been a good +friend, and I will do just what you say. If you +think it would be best for me to go, I want you +to say so.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t think so. My mind is made up. If you +can’t stay, I can’t; and I shall stick to my text to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[275]</span> +the end of time,” I replied, with sufficient emphasis +to be understood.</p> + +<p>The gentlemanly conductor, with the gold jewel, +walked up to the engine at this moment, and interrupted +our conversation.</p> + +<p>“There’s going to be the jolliest row you ever +heard of,” said he, chuckling as though he enjoyed +the prospect.</p> + +<p>“Where is the president?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“He and his governor are talking over the matter +in the car. The little gentleman made an awful +tempest on the train, and all the passengers laughed, +and enjoyed the fun. The president is going to +have his own way, or drown himself in the lake,” +laughed the conductor.</p> + +<p>I learned that this remark was “founded on +facts,” and it was evident that Tommy had not forgotten +his old tricks. I stood on the engine, expecting +the crash every moment; but I was ready +for it.</p> + +<p>The dummy, in charge of Lewis Holgate, stood on +the track ahead of the locomotive, prepared to follow +our train. Tommy and his father seemed to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[276]</span> +be having a hard time of it, for neither of them had +appeared when the boat from the other side returned, +and I concluded that the scene was to be deferred +till a more convenient season. As the passengers +were getting into the cars, I saw the major go on +board of the steamer, which immediately started for +the other side. A moment later Tommy approached +the engine, attended by Lewis Holgate.</p> + +<p>“Our time has come, Tom,” I whispered to my +companion.</p> + +<p>“Now, Tom Walton, you will get off that engine, +or the baggage masters shall pitch you off,” began +the president.</p> + +<p>“I got off before when you told me,” replied +Tom, laughing. “I always obey orders.”</p> + +<p>“Of course you include me in the order,” I +added.</p> + +<p>“I don’t include you, Wolf Penniman; but you +will find that you are not the president of the Lake +Shore Railroad, and can’t dictate to me. If you +are mean enough to leave, after all we have done +for you, you can do so.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[277]</span></p> + +<p>I was mean enough to leave after all they had +done for me, and stepped down upon the platform.</p> + +<p>“Just as you like; but don’t let me see you +round this road again,” continued Tommy, his face +red with anger.</p> + +<p>I walked away with Tom Walton.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[278]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"> + CHAPTER XXIV. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>THE PRESIDENT HAS A FALL.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first'><span class='allcaps'>I do</span> not think, after all Tommy’s blustering, +that he believed I would really leave the service +of the Lake Shore Railroad. It was plain +enough that Major Toppleton had been crowded +down in the debate with his son, and had yielded +the point. I supposed he had gone over to Ucayga, +to avoid the unpleasant scene that was likely to +ensue. In this, however, I was mistaken, for I afterwards +learned that he had gone to procure the services +of an engineer, for he had not much confidence +in the ability of Lewis Holgate to run the locomotive.</p> + +<p>I bought two tickets for Middleport at the office, +and with Tom took a seat in one of the cars. +Tommy was busy instructing Lewis in regard to +his duties on the engine, of which he knew as +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[279]</span> +little as any person connected with the road, and +he did not follow my movements.</p> + +<p>“Well, we are men of leisure now, Tom,” I remarked, +as we seated ourselves.</p> + +<p>“I have had rather too much of that sort of +thing lately, and I would rather not be a man of +leisure,” answered Tom, dryly.</p> + +<p>“You will soon find something to do,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“Is Lewis Holgate going to run this train?”</p> + +<p>“I suppose so. Tommy and he are on the best +of terms; and I know that Lewis has been trying +to use me up for some time, in order to get my +place. I hope he is satisfied now.”</p> + +<p>“Does he understand the business?” asked Tom, +curiously.</p> + +<p>“He did very well on the dummy; but he is too +careless to be relied on. I don’t think he understands +a locomotive. He hasn’t his thoughts about +him always. But I hope he will do well.”</p> + +<p>The train started, and dragged at a snail’s pace +for a mile. I realized from the motion that the +engineer did not feel at home on the foot-board, +for it was attended by frequent jerks, and by as +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[280]</span> +frequent slacking of the speed. When the conductor +picked up the tickets, he told me Lewis +had with him on the foot-board a man from the +steamer, so that he could not have been embarrassed +by having too much to do. At Grass Springs +we were ten minutes behind time; but Lewis did +better on the next stretch, which was level and +straight; but even here he was losing time, and +it was fortunate that the boat would wait at Middleport +until the arrival of the train.</p> + +<p>After we passed the Springs I saw Tommy stalking +through the car, and coming towards me. I +pitied him much more than I should if he had +been defeated in his purpose, for success to him +was ruin. In spite of all he had done to vex and +annoy me, I tried to harbor no ill will against him. +He knew that the train was behind time, and that +it was still losing. I had no doubt that the fact +vexed him. It seemed to me that an opportunity +presented itself by which I could show him that +I had no ill feelings towards him. I wished still +to carry out the good principles which my mother +had taught me; and, as the little president +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[281]</span> +approached my seat, I promptly decided that I would +ride on the engine the rest of the way, and give +Lewis such instructions as he evidently needed. I +meant to do this, hoping it would make things a +little pleasanter between us.</p> + +<p>“Tommy, I suppose you see that Lewis is losing +time,” said I, as he halted in the aisle, and stared +at me as savagely as though I had been a snake +in his path.</p> + +<p>“What are you doing here?” demanded he.</p> + +<p>“I was going to say, if I could be of any service, +I would ride on the engine with Lewis, and +show him how to run it.”</p> + +<p>“I guess not,” said he, shaking his head. “What +are you doing here?”</p> + +<p>“I’m going home,” I replied, not comprehending +what he was driving at.</p> + +<p>“Didn’t I tell you never to let me see you about +this road again?” continued he, with imperial majesty, +and, I may add, with lion-like ferocity.</p> + +<p>“I believe you did; but I am going home, and +the railroad is now the only conveyance up the +lake.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[282]</span></p> + +<p>“How dare you disobey me?” stormed he.</p> + +<p>“I was not aware that I had disobeyed you.”</p> + +<p>“What are you on this train for, then?”</p> + +<p>“But I paid my fare, and Tom Walton’s too,” I +replied.</p> + +<p>“I don’t care if you did! After what has happened, +I won’t have you on the road.”</p> + +<p>“Even Centreporters are allowed to ride on the +road by paying their fare.”</p> + +<p>“No matter if they are; you can’t.”</p> + +<p>“After I get home, I won’t trouble you or the +road,” I added, mildly.</p> + +<p>“But you won’t get home on this road,” said +he, seizing the connecting line which ran through +all the cars to the engine, and giving it a violent +twitch.</p> + +<p>Lewis Holgate, unfortunately for me, understood +this signal, and whistled to put on the brakes. The +conductor was counting his tickets at the end of the +car, and came forward to witness the scene. The +train came to a halt.</p> + +<p>“Now, Wolf Penniman, out with you!” said +Tommy, fixing a savage gaze upon me.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[283]</span></p> + +<p>“I don’t wish to make any trouble, Tommy; but +I have paid my fare, and I intend to ride to Middleport,” +I replied, as calmly as I could, though my +blood was boiling with indignation at the gratuitous +insults heaped upon me.</p> + +<p>“Good, my boy! Don’t budge an inch,” said +a respectable-looking gentleman in the seat behind +me.</p> + +<p>“Mind your own business!” snapped Tommy to +the speaker.</p> + +<p>“What, you young puppy!” said the gentleman, +springing to his feet. “Don’t you give me a word +of impudence! If you do, I’ll thrash you within +an inch of your life!”</p> + +<p>This was not exactly the kind of customer Tommy +liked to deal with, for there was fight in the +stranger’s eye; but he was just the person whom +Tommy’s case required.</p> + +<p>“Are you going to get out, Wolf Penniman, or +are you going to be put out?” added the president, +turning from the stranger to me.</p> + +<p>“I’m not going to get out, and it remains to be +seen whether I’m going to be put out.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[284]</span></p> + +<p>“He has paid his fare,” suggested the gentlemanly +conductor, in a low tone.</p> + +<p>“Give him back his money, then.”</p> + +<p>I refused to take it, and the belligerent gentleman +urged me not to budge an inch.</p> + +<p>“Put him out, conductor,” said Tommy.</p> + +<p>“If you put him out, you must put me out,” +suggested Tom Walton, with one of his broad, +good-natured laughs.</p> + +<p>“Put them both out!” stormed Tommy.</p> + +<p>“I shall be prosecuted, if I do, for assault and +battery.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” growled the gentleman behind me.</p> + +<p>“I’ll see you through,” interposed Tommy, violently.</p> + +<p>“This thing has gone far enough,” said the stranger, +rising in his seat. “This road was chartered +for the accommodation of the public. These two +young men have paid their fare, and have behaved +themselves properly in the car. I say, for one, they +shall not be put out.”</p> + +<p>“So say we all of us!” shouted several of the +passengers, who were annoyed by the delay; and +most of them understood the merits of the case.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[285]</span></p> + +<p>“Now, conductor, start your train, and don’t keep +us waiting here all day,” added the gentleman.</p> + +<p>“Go ahead!” shouted some of the passengers.</p> + +<p>“You can’t go ahead till these fellows are put +out,” replied Tommy, who seemed to feel that he +had the weather-gage in the dispute.</p> + +<p>“Go ahead!” “Go ahead!” cried the passengers.</p> + +<p>“Why don’t you put them out, as I tell you?” +said Tommy to the conductor.</p> + +<p>“If you say so, I will, whatever happens,” replied +the conductor.</p> + +<p>“I do say so!”</p> + +<p>The proprietor of the gold jewel put his hand +upon my collar; but he had hardly done so before +my belligerent friend did him a similar service, and +jerked him away from me. Other passengers crowded +forward.</p> + +<p>“It’s an outrage! Bully for the young engineer,” +shouted the noisiest of the crowd.</p> + +<p>The conductor was intimidated. He had no heart +in the job he had undertaken, and he gave up with +no show of fight.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[286]</span></p> + +<p>“Now go ahead!” said the belligerent stranger. +“We won’t submit to any outrage here.”</p> + +<p>“This train won’t start till those persons are put +out of the car,” added Tommy.</p> + +<p>“Won’t it?”</p> + +<p>“No, it won’t. I’m the president of this road,” +replied Tommy.</p> + +<p>“Are you? Well, this train’s going ahead,” added +the stranger.</p> + +<p>To my astonishment, he seized the distinguished +little functionary by the collar, and dragged him +towards the door. The conductor attempted to +interfere; but the passengers, among whom there +were hardly a dozen Middleporters, crowded upon +him, and prevented him from doing anything.</p> + +<p>“Out with him!” “Out with him!” called the +indignant passengers, not a few of whom were Centreporters.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp95" id="i_p286" style="max-width: 79.625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p286.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + THE PRESIDENT IS INSULTED.—<a href='#Page_286'>Page 286</a>. + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The stout stranger landed Tommy on the ground, +and then, by a dexterous movement, pitched him +down the steep bank to the beach on the shore of +the lake. If the president of the road was never +astonished before, he was astonished then. He had +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[287]</span> +discovered that his lordly will, though it carried +terror into his own family, could not accomplish +much among the general public.</p> + +<p>“Now go ahead!” said the gentleman, as he +stepped into the car.</p> + +<p>“I can’t go without the president,” replied the +conductor.</p> + +<p>“Then go with him!” yelled a stout fellow, who, +I think, had drank more liquor than was good for +him, as he seized the gentlemanly official, and +hustled him after the president.</p> + +<p>Some one pulled the string; but the train did +not start. I looked out the window. I was sorry +to see that Tommy appeared to be hurt, for he +sat on the ground, rubbing one of his legs. The +conductor went to his assistance. Lewis Holgate +now appeared, and I told the stranger he was the +engineer.</p> + +<p>“Will you go ahead now?” demanded my uncompromising +friend.</p> + +<p>“What’s the row here?” inquired Lewis.</p> + +<p>He was informed; but, instead of going ahead, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[288]</span> +he went down to the place where Tommy and +the conductor were. Several of the passengers got +out, and went forward to the engine. Half a dozen +of them beset me with entreaties to run the train +up to Middleport; but I positively refused. Indeed, +I was thinking of going to the assistance +of the disabled president, though I was sure my +services would not be welcome, when the train +started. The passengers crowded in, and it was +evident that some one had taken possession of the +engine.</p> + +<p>“Here’s a pretty kettle of fish!” said Tom +Walton.</p> + +<p>“I’m sorry for it; but I can’t help it. I have +as much right to ride on this road as any one else,” +I replied.</p> + +<p>“We are going it now,” added Tom, as the +train began to leap forward at the rate of thirty +miles an hour.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you submit to any imposition, young +man. I’ve heard all about your case, and if you +want any help, call on me,” said my belligerent +supporter.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[289]</span></p> + +<p>I thanked him, and he gave me his card, +which I deposited in my wallet. The new engineer +understood his business, and in less than +half an hour we entered the station at Middleport.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[290]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXV"> + CHAPTER XXV. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>THE PRESIDENT IN TROUBLE.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first'><span class='allcaps'>I had</span> not waited to ascertain the condition of +Tommy Toppleton. I had seen the stout stranger +pitch him down the bank. The gentlemanly +conductor had rushed down after him, to render +whatever assistance he might require. Lewis Holgate +had left the engine to sympathize with his +powerful young friend. My occupation was gone; +but I felt a certain pride and satisfaction in having +stood up for my rights. I had not allowed +Tommy to tread upon me this time, and I felt +more like a man than I had ever felt before.</p> + +<p>I wish to add, to some of my unreasoning young +friends, that I felt an equal pride and satisfaction +in the fact that I had so often submitted. I had +not made haste to get into a row, and it was just +as pleasant to think of what I had endured, as of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[291]</span> +the resistance I had made to oppression. If Tommy +had been even tolerably reasonable, there could +have been no trouble. It was a very agreeable +reflection that I had not been forward in making +issue with my imperious young master. If he had +not been laboring to ruin me, I think I could even +have borne his insults.</p> + +<p>I was very curious to know what construction +Major Toppleton would put upon my conduct. My +gratitude to him made me anxious to retain his +good opinion, and I had submitted to much for +his sake. He certainly could not blame me for +what I had done. I had merely refused to be +put out of the cars after I had paid my fare. I +had simply rebelled against an exhibition of petty +malice, as contemptible as it was unreasonable. But, +after all, it was not safe to predict what the magnate +of Middleport would do when his son was +involved in the affair, for the father was quite as +much a victim of the young gentleman’s tyranny +as I was.</p> + +<p>The stout stranger was on his way to Hitaca, +and he went on board the steamer to continue his +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[292]</span> +journey. Of course there was a great deal of excited +talk about the incident of the day, and of +the dozen Middleporters on board, those who had +the courage to say anything condemned Tommy +and upheld me. I thought I was safe enough; +and perhaps I should have been, if exciting news +had not come down from the scene of the affair.</p> + +<p>The engineer who had taken possession of the +locomotive let off the steam; and being on his way +up the lake, he abandoned the machine. As there +was no one to take charge of it, Wetherstane, the +superintendent, asked me to run it into the engine-house, +which I did. I had been duly discharged, +and it was not proper for me to do anything more. +I walked home with Tom Walton; and we discussed +the matter as thoroughly as the occasion +required.</p> + +<p>“How do you suppose it’s coming out, Wolf?” +asked Tom, as good-naturedly as ever, but still +anxiously.</p> + +<p>“I haven’t the least idea,” I replied. “I have +yielded as long as I could, and I am willing to +take the consequence.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[293]</span></p> + +<p>I felt that I was not likely to be a martyr as +long as Colonel Wimpleton kept his offer of a +place on the new steamer open to me, with the +promise of a man’s wages.</p> + +<p>“If I were the major, I should rebel against +Tommy a little, just to see how it would seem,” +laughed Tom Walton. “Don’t it look strange that +a great man like him—I mean the major—should +be such a fool as to let his son have his own +way?”</p> + +<p>“It is strange; but I have learned that Major +Toppleton is more afraid of Tommy than of all +the rest of the world.”</p> + +<p>“If my mother should let me have my own +way like that, I couldn’t respect her. I should +think the major would turn over a new leaf, and +be a free man.”</p> + +<p>“He is his own master—”</p> + +<p>“Not much!” exclaimed Tom, interrupting me; +“Tommy is master here.”</p> + +<p>“Well, he has the right to obey his son, if he +chooses to do so,” I added. “I don’t know, but I +can’t help thinking that this matter has come to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[294]</span> +a head now. Major Toppleton wants me to run +the engine, and Tommy don’t want me to do it. +I hope the thing will be settled to-day.”</p> + +<p>It was settled that day.</p> + +<p>I went home, and pretty soon my father came +to his dinner. He had, of course, been my confidant +in all the matters relating to my quarrel +with Tommy. I told him all about the stirring +events of the morning, after we sat down to dinner; +and he was so interested that he neglected +to touch the food before him till he had heard +the whole of it.</p> + +<p>“Have I done wrong, father?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“Certainly not. You couldn’t have done anything +else. You live here, and the railroad is now +the only way for you to come up the lake. You +paid your fare, and they had no more right to put +you off the cars than they had to throw you into +the lake,” he replied, warmly.</p> + +<p>I ought to add here, that my relations with the +road had been discussed every day, and often two +or three times a day. My father, and my mother +especially, had cautioned me not to be impulsive, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[295]</span> +and not to resist while it was decent to submit. +Our obligations to Major Toppleton were acknowledged, +and all of us were very anxious to keep the +peace with him.</p> + +<p>“I don’t see how Major Toppleton can uphold +that boy any longer,” added my mother.</p> + +<p>“I don’t see how he ever could do it,” said my +father. “But that is his business, not mine. I +don’t think we make much, however, by trying to +keep on the right side of these rich men by sacrificing +our own self-respect. I am thankful that the +major does not hold the mortgage on my house.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose he could get it, if he wanted it,” suggested +my mother.</p> + +<p>“Well, it has two years to run, whoever has it; +and as long as I pay the interest, we shall be safe +enough,” continued my father. “I am thankful we +are not in such a scrape as we were on the other +side of the lake.”</p> + +<p>We ate our dinner in peace, in spite of the storm +which had raged without. My father was in deep +thought, and it was not difficult to conjecture the +subject of his meditations. Doubtless he congratulated +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[296]</span> +himself most heartily that it was not in the +power of either of the magnates to harass and +annoy him. The major could discharge us both, +and even make Middleport too warm to contain +us; but the colonel was ready to receive us both +with open arms. It seemed just as though I was +a shuttlecock, to be batted back and forth from +one side of the lake to the other at the will and +pleasure of the mighty men who ruled the neighborhood.</p> + +<p>But I had some hope that Major Toppleton would +sustain me, or at least that he would not persecute +our family, even if he yielded to the caprices of +his son. Whatever mischief had been done, I had +not done it, though I had been the indirect cause +of it. I had not stopped the train; I had not put +Tommy out of the car; I had not pitched him +down the bank. If these things had been done +on my behalf, I had no agency in them. The indignant +passengers, who were detained by the whim +of the little president, had been the responsible +actors, and I had no doubt the stout stranger was +ready to answer for his conduct. Whether he was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[297]</span> +or not, this was not my affair. I had his card in +my pocket; but so far as I could ascertain, no one +knew anything about him. I regarded him as a +person of some consequence.</p> + +<p>We finished our dinner, and my father was on +the point of returning to the mill, when Tom Walton +rushed into the kitchen, out of breath with +running. His appearance indicated that some unusual +event had occurred, for my friend was one +of the cool sort, and not easily stirred by small +matters.</p> + +<p>“The dummy has just come in,” exclaimed Tom, +in the intervals between his rapid breathing.</p> + +<p>“Well, what of it?” I inquired, not deeming +this very startling intelligence.</p> + +<p>“Tommy Toppleton’s leg is broken,” gasped Tom.</p> + +<p>“Broken!” I exclaimed.</p> + +<p>“Snapped off, like a pipe-stem, below the knee, +they say.”</p> + +<p>“I am sorry for that,” I added; and I almost +wished it had been my leg, instead of the little +tyrant’s.</p> + +<p>“His father is the maddest man that ever drew +the breath of life.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[298]</span></p> + +<p>“I dare say,” said my father, shaking his head.</p> + +<p>“How did it happen?” I inquired.</p> + +<p>“Why, that stout man did it when he pitched +him down the bank,” answered Tom. “I’ll bet it +will cost that man a penny or two. That’s what +they say up to the station.”</p> + +<p>“I will go up and see about it,” I added, taking +my hat.</p> + +<p>“You!” ejaculated Tom, with a stare of astonishment.</p> + +<p>“Why not?”</p> + +<p>“If you know what you are about, you will +keep out of the way,” suggested Tom, with significant +emphasis.</p> + +<p>“I haven’t done anything that I am ashamed +of,” I replied. “I am not afraid to see the major, +and tell him the whole story. I’m sorry for Tommy’s +misfortune, but it is all his own fault.”</p> + +<p>“Face the music, Wolf,” said my father. “No +one ever makes anything by skulking in the dark. +You have a tongue, and you can explain your own +conduct better than any one can do it for you.”</p> + +<p>“But they are all down upon you like a hundred +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[299]</span> +of brick, Wolf,” continued Tom, who was fearful +that I might be lynched in the excitement which +he said prevailed in the vicinity of the major’s +house.</p> + +<p>“I can’t help it. When I was insulted, I did +not resist nor make any row.”</p> + +<p>“But you left your train at the time it ought to +have started,” said Tom.</p> + +<p>“I should not have done so if the president had +not taken that time to insult me. It was not necessary +for him to discharge my fireman at such a time. +But no matter for all this; I am going up to Major +Toppleton’s house. It he chooses to kick me out, +he may do so.”</p> + +<p>I could not help feeling that my chances of a +fair hearing at such a time were very small, but I +could not have kept away from the centre of the +excitement if I had tried. I must know my fate, +whatever it might be.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[300]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"> + CHAPTER XXVI. + <br> + <span class='chap-title'>THE NEW STEAMER.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p class='chap-first kern'><span class='allcaps'>However</span> much Tommy Toppleton deserved +the fate which had befallen him, I really +pitied him. I am sure that not a single emotion +of triumph had a place in my heart. I neither +said nor thought that it served him right. I was +sorry for him, and my regret was entirely unselfish. +The only personal consideration that disturbed me +was the reflection that I must in the future be entirely +banished from the presence of Grace Toppleton. +I had not the impudence, boy of sixteen as +I was, to believe that I was in love with her. If +such a thought had entered my head, the wide +difference between her social position and mine +would have driven it out.</p> + +<p>I was deeply interested in her as a friend. She +had been very kind and considerate towards me. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[301]</span> +She had treated me with respect and regard, and +did not seem to think that I was not her equal in +the social scale. I never spoke to her, and never +even thought of her, except with a respect bordering +upon reverence. I was content to stand off at +a proper distance and admire her pretty face, her +graceful form, and her gentle manners. I thought +she was an angel; not merely because she was +beautiful in person, but because her pure heart and +kind manners seemed to elevate her far above the +low and selfish lives of those around her.</p> + +<p>By the time I reached the mansion of Major +Toppleton, the excitement had in a measure subsided. +The bone of Tommy’s leg had been set, +but he was suffering severe pain. It appeared that +the major had procured the services of an engineer +at Ucayga, who had run the dummy up from that +point, starting only half an hour behind the Lightning +Express. Arriving at the place where the imperious +little president had stopped our train, the +magnate found the conductor and Lewis Holgate +bearing Tommy towards the nearest house. He was +placed in the dummy and brought home.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[302]</span></p> + +<p>Of course Lewis and the conductor told their own +story, and I was represented as the wickedest fellow +in that part of the country. All the mischief had +been done by me; and as Tommy lay writhing in +agony, my sins became as mountains in the eyes +of his father. Tommy was a saint then, and I +was a demon.</p> + +<p>I went to the side door of the mansion and rang +the bell. The servant who opened the door bestowed +upon me a look of positive horror. I inquired +for Major Toppleton, and was shown into +the library, where I had so often before conferred +with the great man. As I was entering the room, +Grace crossed the hall, and discovered me.</p> + +<p>“O, Mr. Wolf! Why did you come here?” exclaimed +she; “my father is terribly incensed against +you.”</p> + +<p>“I have only done what I thought was right, +Miss Grace,” I replied. “I did not even know +that Tommy was hurt, till a few moments ago.”</p> + +<p>“Father says you were the cause of it.”</p> + +<p>“I was not—at least, not intentionally.”</p> + +<p>“I know you were not. Whatever happens, Mr. +Wolf, we shall be friends.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[303]</span></p> + +<p>To my astonishment she extended her pretty, +white hand, and I took it. It was her good by +to me.</p> + +<p>“I know you would not do any wrong, Mr. +Wolf,” she continued; “and I wish Tommy was +like you.”</p> + +<p>She gently shook my hand, and left the room. +Whatever her father thought, she understood the +situation without any explanation. She had hardly +left the room before her father came in. He looked +ugly and remorseless, as he had never before been +to me.</p> + +<p>“Have you the impudence to come here, after +what has happened, Wolf?” said he, with a heavy +frown.</p> + +<p>“I hope you will not consider it impudence, sir. +I did not know that Tommy was hurt till a little +while ago,” I replied, as meekly as the occasion +required. “I am very sorry indeed that anything +has happened.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t be a hypocrite, Wolf!”</p> + +<p>“I am not, sir; I am truly sorry that Tommy +was hurt.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[304]</span></p> + +<p>“You are the cause of all this; and if you had +broken his leg yourself, you would not have been +more to blame.”</p> + +<p>“You have always been very kind to me, and +you cannot understand the matter, or you would +not say that.”</p> + +<p>“I understand it very well. I think, after all I +have done for you, I had a right to expect something +better from you. You insisted upon crossing +and vexing Tommy.”</p> + +<p>“He was very unreasonable, and I could not submit +any longer. I paid my fare in the cars, and +there was no other way for me to get home.”</p> + +<p>“That’s enough. You needn’t attempt to explain +it. Perhaps Tommy was wrong; I don’t say that +he was not. But it was not for you to make +trouble.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t think I made it, sir.”</p> + +<p>“I think you did. No more words. You have +abused my good nature. I don’t want to see you +again. You and your father are both discharged, +and the sooner you leave Middleport, the better +you will suit me.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[305]</span></p> + +<p>I afterwards ascertained that Tommy had insisted, +even in the midst of his agony, that my father and +I should be immediately discharged. Grace told me +this when I met her on the lake a few weeks later +in the season. She said it to defend her father, +who, arbitrary as he was, had some well-defined +ideas of justice.</p> + +<p>I took my cap and left the house, after an attempt +to declare that I felt no ill-will towards the major, +who, however, would not permit me to finish the +sentence. The catastrophe had come. The hint +that the sooner our family left Middleport, the better +it would suit the magnate, seemed to indicate +an intention on his part to drive us out of the +town. When I reached home, I found my father +there. The mandate dismissing him had already +been sent to him. We talked the matter over for +a time; and while we both regretted Tommy’s misfortune, +we agreed that it would be better for both +of us to work for half the wages we had been +receiving, rather than be the slaves of the little +magnate.</p> + +<p>For my own part, I felt that I had borne enough +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[306]</span> +from Tommy. I was willing to be tried on the +facts of the case, for I think no one will say that +I ought to have submitted to being put out of +the cars, after I had paid my fare, just to gratify +the petty malice of the little tyrant. I had done +my duty faithfully, even while the president of +the Lake Shore Railroad had been willing to sacrifice +the interest of the concern for the sake of +ruining me.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon, when it was time for the train +to arrive from Ucayga, I went to the station. The +Lightning Express had not appeared, and it did +not come till half an hour behind time. In spite +of his sufferings, Tommy still felt an interest in +the outside world, and insisted that Lewis Holgate +should have the locomotive. His father could not +deny his request, though he knew that Lewis was +incompetent. The engineer, whom the major had +engaged, refused to serve as fireman under a boy, +and the steamboat hand was retained in this position. +The trains east and west had waited that +day for the Lightning Express, or the passengers +would have been compelled to lie over.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[307]</span></p> + +<p>The next day, Lewis did a little better; but in +the course of the week he was behind time twice; +and once the conductors on the other lines refused +to wait. But Tommy obstinately declined to permit +his friend to be superseded by the experienced +engineer who ran the dummy. Lewis declared that +it was not his fault that the train was behind time; +but I knew that he was lacking in judgment. He +did not understand when to ease off the machine +and when to crowd on the steam. He had no +talent or fitness for his occupation.</p> + +<p>I had made up my mind not to apply to Colonel +Wimpleton for any situation. If he wished to employ +me, and to redeem some of his large promises, +he knew that I was out of a situation, and he could +send for me. I did not mean to begin by cringing +to him. I suppose, after the first impulses of gratitude +subsided, some of the old feeling of malice +towards me came back to him. It is very likely +that Waddie, who had never forgiven me for deranging +his plans, during the battle on the Horse +Shoe, by recapturing Tommy, had some influence +with his father. Whatever the reason was, I was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[308]</span> +not sent for. Father and I worked in the garden, +where there was enough for both of us to do. He +had money enough on hand, our joint earnings, to +support the family for some months. We were both +of the opinion that it was not prudent to apply to +Colonel Wimpleton for situations. If he wanted us, +he must come for us.</p> + +<p>While we were thus waiting for “something to +turn up,” the Ucayga, the new Centreport steamer, +arrived. She was certainly a magnificent boat, surpassing +all the ideas I had ever formed of a floating +palace. I went over to see her, and I could not +but realize that she would be a formidable rival of +the Lightning Express, even if she did require +half an hour longer to make the trip. On her +passage down the lake, she had made sixteen miles +an hour without pressing; but as half her freight +and passengers depended upon Ruoara, she was to +be allowed an hour and three quarters for the trip, +against an hour and a quarter required to make +the passage by the Lake Shore Railroad.</p> + +<p>Flaming posters about the streets of Centreport +announced that the Ucayga would leave at quarter +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[309]</span> +past eight, and connect with the trains east and +west at the foot of the lake. It all looked very +pretty, but the battle was yet to be fought. The +competition was for through-passengers. When the +boats from Hitaca reached Centreport twice each +day, the question with travellers was to be, whether +they would go to Ucayga by the new steamer +or by the railroad. The boats from up the lake +usually arrived at quarter past eight and quarter +past two, allowing fifteen minutes at Centreport, +and fifteen more to land their passengers at Middleport. +If the Ucayga could get off on time, she +was safe enough on her connections. It was a +question of minutes and seconds on which the success +of the steamboat enterprise depended. But +of the hard-fought battle which ensued, I shall speak +in another story—“On Time.”</p> + +<p>Everybody in Centreport and Middleport was excited +over the impending contest, for it was still +a battle between the two sides of the lake. Major +Toppleton professed to be entirely confident of the +result, and mysteriously hinted at resources for winning +the race which had not yet been developed. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[310]</span> +The Ucayga made her first trip crowded with passengers, +while the Lightning Express train was comparatively +deserted. Still the major was confident, +declaring that “a new broom sweeps clean,” but +the passengers would soon return to the railroad, +especially during the approaching winter, when the +steamer was liable to be troubled with ice in the +lower part of the lake.</p> + +<p>But a shadow soon came over the dream of +Colonel Wimpleton, who boasted grandiloquently +over his success. The up-lake boats began to be +regularly ten minutes late; and one day, in spite +of all the crowding done on board of the Ucayga, +she missed her connections. Then she did it again, +and again, and people would not trust her. Steamer +stock went down. As Major Toppleton’s hopes +rose, Colonel Wimpleton’s fell. It was plain enough +now that the major required the Hitaca boats to be +ten minutes late. The colonel swore terribly when +he realized the nature of the trick.</p> + +<p>As my connection with the Lightning Express +had ceased, it would not be proper for me to remain +any longer under that flag; and I must take +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[311]</span> +leave of the Lake Shore Railroad for the present, +to forage in a new field.</p> + +<p>About the time the Ucayga arrived at Centreport, +Tommy Toppleton was able to leave the +house on crutches. The only word the major +had spoken to me since our interview in his mansion, +was to tell me that I had lamed his son for +life. I did not believe this, and it was a great satisfaction +for me to hear the doctor say that Tommy’s +leg would be as good as ever in a few weeks. +I hoped his sufferings would do him good, and do +something to modify his arbitrary character.</p> + +<p>I need hardly say that the rival Academies were +still rivals. Neither was satisfied with the result +of the battles on the Horse Shoe, and each was +thirsting for an opportunity to overwhelm the +other. I could not justify myself for giving the +details of this miserable warfare, if it were not for +contrasting it with the glorious peace and fraternity +which grew out of it.</p> + +<p>Tommy was, perhaps, as unpopular as ever; but +his misfortune, if it did not excite the sympathy of +the Toppletonians, prevented them from manifesting +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[312]</span> +their feelings in a mutiny, as they intended, at my +discharge. I am happy to say that I stood first +rate with the students on the Middleport side, when +Tommy and his father had done their worst; but +the mutiny came at last, when Tommy’s tyranny +could be no longer endured. I was satisfied. I +shall always remember with pleasure most of my +experience on the Lake Shore Railroad, and especially +on the <span class="smcap">Lightning Express</span>.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="ads"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[313]</span></p> +</div> +<p class='center mt1 mono fs200 bold'>OLIVER OPTIC’S MAGAZINE,</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" id="i_p313" style="max-width: 46.9em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p313.jpg" alt="Our Boys and Girls"> +</figure> + +<p class='center lh1'>The only Original American Juvenile Magazine published once a Week.</p> +<p class='center mth lh1'>EDITED BY OLIVER OPTIC,</p> +<p class='center mth lh1'> + Who writes for no other juvenile publication—who contributes each year</p> +<p class='center fs200 bold shadow ltsp3'> + Four Serial Stories,</p> +<p class='center lh1'> + The cost of which in book form would be $5.00—<i>double the subscription + price of the Magazine!</i></p> +<p class='center mth lh1'> + Each number (published every Saturday) handsomely illustrated by + <span class="smcap">Thomas Nast</span>, and other talented artists.</p> + +<hr class='r20'> + +<p class='lh1'>Among the regular contributors, besides <span class="smcap">Oliver Optic</span>, are</p> + +<blockquote class='lh1'> + <b>SOPHIE MAY</b>, author of “Little Prudy and Dotty Dimple Stories.”<br> + <b>ROSA ABBOTT</b>, author of “Jack of all Trades,” &c.<br> + <b>MAY MANNERING</b>, author of “The Helping-Hand Series,” &c.<br> + <b>WIRT SIKES</b>, author of “On the Prairies,” &c.<br> + <b>OLIVE LOGAN</b>, author of “Near Views of Royalty,” &c.<br> + <b>REV. ELIJAH KELLOGG</b>, author of “Good Old Times,” &c. +</blockquote> + +<p class='mth lh1'>Each number contains 16 pages of Original Stories, Poetry, Articles of +History, Biography, Natural History, Dialogues, Recitations, Facts and +Figures, Puzzles, Rebuses, &c.</p> + +<p class='mth lh1'><span class="smcap">Oliver Optic’s Magazine</span> contains more reading matter than any +other juvenile publication, and is the <em>Cheapest and the Best</em> Periodical of +the kind in the United States.</p> + +<hr class='r20'> + +<p class='center bold fs150'><span class='allsmcap'>TERMS, IN ADVANCE.</span></p> + +<table class='bclp mth'> +<tr><td>Single Subscriptions, one year,</td><td class='tdr'>$2.50</td></tr> +<tr><td>One Volume, Six Months,</td><td class='tdr'>1.25</td></tr> +<tr><td>Single Copies,</td><td class='tdr'>6 cts.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Three copies,</td><td class='tdr'>6.50</td></tr> +<tr><td>Five copies,</td><td class='tdr'>10.00</td></tr> +<tr><td>Ten copies (an extra copy <em>free</em>),</td><td class='tdr'>20.00</td></tr> +</table> + +<p class='mth lh1'>Canvassers and local agents wanted in every State and town, and liberal +arrangements will be made with those who apply to the Publishers.</p> + +<p class='mth lh1'>A handsome cloth cover, with a beautiful gilt design, will be furnished +for binding the numbers for the year for 50 cts. All the numbers for 1867 +will be supplied for $2.25. Bound volumes, $3.50.</p> + +<p class='mth lh1'>Any boy or girl who will write to the Publishers shall receive a specimen +copy by mail free.</p> + +<p class='center fs150'> + <span class='ltsp2 bold'>LEE & SHEPARD,</span> Publishers,</p> +<p class='right pr1'> + 149 Washington Street, Boston. +</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="ads"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[314]</span></p> +</div> + +<p class='center fs150 sans bold'>LEE & SHEPARD’S JUVENILE PUBLICATIONS.</p> +<hr class='r20'> +<p class='center sans bold ltsp3'>SOPHIE MAY’S BOOKS.</p> +<hr class='r20'> + +<p class='center bold fs200'>LITTLE PRUDY STORIES.</p> + +<p class='center fs80'><i>Six volumes. Illustrated. In Sets or separate. Per +volume, 75 cents.</i></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">LITTLE PRUDY.</div> + <div class="verse indent4">LITTLE PRUDY’S Sister Susy.</div> + <div class="verse indent8">LITTLE PRUDY’S Captain Horace.</div> + <div class="verse indent12">LITTLE PRUDY’S Cousin Grace.</div> + <div class="verse indent16">LITTLE PRUDY’S Story Book.</div> + <div class="verse indent20">LITTLE PRUDY’S Dotty Dimple.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<hr class='r20'> + +<p class='center bold fs200'>DOTTY DIMPLE STORIES.</p> + +<p class='center'>By the author of “Little Prudy Stories.”</p> + +<p class='center mth lh1'><i>Six volumes. Illustrated. In Sets or separate. Per +volume, 75 cents.</i></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">DOTTY DIMPLE at her Grandmother’s.</div> + <div class="verse indent4">DOTTY DIMPLE at Home.</div> + <div class="verse indent8">DOTTY DIMPLE out West.</div> + <div class="verse indent12">DOTTY DIMPLE at Play.</div> + <div class="verse indent16">DOTTY DIMPLE at School.</div> + <div class="verse indent20">DOTTY DIMPLE’S Flyaway.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='fs90 lh1'>Read the high commendation of the <cite>North American Review</cite>, which +places Sophie May’s Books at the</p> + +<p class='center fs120 bold sans'>Head of Juvenile Literature.</p> + +<p class='fs90 lh1 mtq'>“Genius comes in with ‘Little Prudy.’ Compared with her, all other +book-children are cold creations of Literature only; she alone is the real +thing. All the quaintness of childhood, its originality, its tenderness and its +teasing,—its infinite, unconscious drollery, the serious earnestness of its +fun, the fun of its seriousness, the natural religion of its plays, and the delicious +oddity of its prayers,—all these waited for dear Little Prudy to embody +them. Sam Weller is not more piquant; Hans Anderson’s nutcrackers and +knitting-needles are not more thoroughly charged with life. There are six +little green volumes in the series, and of course other <i lang='la'>dramatis personæ</i> +must figure; but one eagerly watches for every reappearance of Prudy, as +one watches at the play for Owens or Warren to re-enter upon the stage. +Who is our benefactress in the authorship of these books, the world knows +not. Sophie May must doubtless be a fancy name, by reason of the spelling, +and we have only to be grateful that the author did not inflict on us the +customary alliteration in her pseudonyme. The rare gift of delineating +childhood is hers, and may the line of ‘Little Prudy’ go out to the end of the +earth.... To those oversaturated with transatlantic traditions we recommend +a course of ‘Little Prudy.’”</p> + +<p class='fs90 lh1'>Sold by all booksellers and newsdealers, and sent by mail, post-paid, on +receipt of price.</p> + +<hr class='r20'> + +<p class='center fs120 bold sans'>LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers, Boston.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="ads"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">[315]</span></p> +</div> + +<p class='center fs150 sans bold'>LEE & SHEPARD’S JUVENILE PUBLICATIONS.</p> +<hr class='r20'> +<p class='center'> By the Author of “Spartacus to the Gladiators.”</p> +<p class='center fs200 bold'>ELM ISLAND STORIES.</p> +<p class='center mth'><i>To be completed in six vols. Ill. Per vol., $1.25.</i></p> +<hr class='r20'> + + +<p class='ad-hang'><cite>LION BEN OF ELM ISLAND.</cite> 16mo. Illustrated. $1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“Elm Island lays off the coast of Eastern Maine, a wild and romantic +region, and the incidents of the story are recorded as happening when this +country was just emerging from its struggle for independence. It is a +capital story of the rough-and-tumble life of the early settlers.”—<cite>Chicago +Journal of Commerce.</cite></p> + +<p class='ad-hang'><cite>CHARLIE BELL, THE WAIF OF ELM ISLAND.</cite> 16mo. Illustrated. $1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“This volume tells the story of Charlie Bell, who was thrown upon Elm +Island like a waif from the ocean, and adopted by Lion Ben. With Yankee +boys he shares the exciting adventures of a new country and a rude state +of society.”</p> + +<p class='ad-hang'><cite>THE ARK OF ELM ISLAND.</cite> 16mo. Illustrated. $1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>This volume of the series is by no means inferior in interest to its predecessors, +dealing principally with adventures at sea, which are always +delightful to boys.</p> + +<p class='ad-hang'><cite>THE BOY FARMERS OF ELM ISLAND.</cite> 16mo. Illustrated. $1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>The fourth volume of the series gives, in graphic and earnest style, the +efforts of three lads to transform Elm Island from a wilderness to a fruitful +and productive land. It is full of life, adventure, and fun.</p> + +<p class='ad-hang'><cite>THE YOUNG SHIPBUILDERS OF ELM ISLAND.</cite> 16mo. Illustrated. $1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“Mr. Kellogg is winning laurels as a writer for and educator of youth. +Health and vigor are in his writings, and the lad has more of the first-class +man in him after the perusal.”—<cite>Providence Press.</cite></p> + +<hr class='r20'> + +<p class='center'>Sold by all Booksellers and Newsdealers, and sent by mail, postpaid, +on receipt of price.</p> + +<p class='center fs120 bold sans'>LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers, Boston.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="ads"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">[316]</span></p> +</div> + +<p class='center fs150 sans bold'>LEE & SHEPARD’S JUVENILE PUBLICATIONS.</p> +<hr class='r20x'> +<p class='center sans bold ltsp1'>TALES OF ADVENTURE.</p> +<hr class='r20'> +<p class='center fs200 ltsp2 bold'>THE FRONTIER SERIES.</p> +<p class='center mt1'><i>Four volumes. 16mo. Ill. Price, per set, $5.00.</i></p> + +<p class='ad-hang'><cite>THE CABIN ON THE PRAIRIE.</cite> By <span class="smcap">Rev. Charles H. +Pearson</span>. 16mo. Illustrated. $1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“<cite>The Cabin on the Prairie</cite> is an earnest, healthy book, full of the +hardships, trials, and triumphs of life in our new settlements.”</p> + +<p class='ad-hang'><cite>PLANTING THE WILDERNESS</cite>; or, The Pioneer Boys. +By <span class="smcap">James D. McCabe, Jr.</span> 16mo. Illustrated. $1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“<cite>Planting the Wilderness</cite> tells of the strange adventures of real life, +which, more than the fancies of the novel writer, are of absorbing interest.”</p> + +<p class='ad-hang'><cite>TWELVE NIGHTS IN THE HUNTERS’ CAMP.</cite> By +<span class="smcap">Rev. W. Barrows</span>. 16mo. Illustrated. $1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“<cite>Twelve Nights in the Hunters’ Camp</cite> is a pleasant, stirring, sensible +book, full of life and incident, and all aglow with the breezy freshness +of woods and prairies, lakes and rivers.”</p> + +<p class='ad-hang'><cite>A THOUSAND MILES’ WALK</cite> across the Pampas and +Andes of South America. By <span class="smcap">Nathaniel H. Bishop</span>. +16mo. Illustrated. $1.50.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“<cite>A Thousand Miles’ Walk across South America</cite> is a record of the +experiences of a Yankee boy, full of enthusiasm to see and learn by actual +experience the wonders of that almost <i lang='la'>terra incognita</i>.”</p> + +<p class='mth'>This series of books are of sterling merit, and while they +closely follow real experiences, are full of those thrilling incidents +which charm both youth and age.</p> +<hr class='r40'> + +<p class='center'>Sold by all Booksellers and Newsdealers, and sent by mail, postpaid, +on receipt of price.</p> + +<p class='center fs120 bold sans'>LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers, Boston.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="ads"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">[317]</span></p> +</div> + +<p class='center fs150 sans bold'>LEE & SHEPARD’S JUVENILE PUBLICATIONS.</p> +<hr class='r20'> +<p class='center sans fs120 ltsp2 bold'>OLIVER OPTIC’S BOOKS.</p> +<p class='center fs200 ltsp1 bold'>ARMY AND NAVY STORIES.</p> +<hr class='r20'> + +<p class='ad-hang'>THE SOLDIER BOY; or, Tom Somers in the Army. +16mo. Illustrated. $1.50.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“This is a story of the rebellion, narrating the adventures of a patriotic +youth, who left the comforts of home to share the dangers of the field. +He is carried through several battles, and for a while shared the hospitalities +of the rebels as a prisoner. The story is true to history, giving in the form +of personal adventure correct accounts of many stirring scenes of the war.”—<cite>Hartford +Courant.</cite></p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>THE SAILOR BOY; or, Jack Somers in the Navy. +16mo. Illustrated. $1.50.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“Jack is the brother of Tom, the Soldier Boy, whose adventures in the +army were so much enjoyed. We have only to repeat that there are few +better stories for boys than these of Mr. Adams’. Always bright and even +sparkling with animation, the story never drags; there are no stupid tasks +or tiresome descriptions; the boys whose characters are drawn are real +boys, impulsive, with superabundant animal life, and the heroes are manly, +generous, healthy creations.”—<cite>Hartford Press.</cite></p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>THE YOUNG LIEUTENANT; or, The Adventures +of an Army Officer. 16mo. Illustrated. $1.50.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“The Young Lieutenant” is a sequel to “The Soldier Boy,” and carries +the reader through the stormy scenes of the rebellion, creates Thomas +Somers an officer, and as such he performs much difficult work in the rebellion.</p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>YANKEE MIDDY; or, Adventures of a Naval Officer. +16mo. Illustrated. $1.50.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“The incidents of the story are those which have occurred on the ocean, +and on the bays, inlets, and rivers of the South, common in the experience +of all our naval officers who have been actively employed during the war.”—<cite>Notices +of the Press.</cite></p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>FIGHTING JOE; or, The Fortunes of a Staff Officer. +16mo. Illustrated. $1.50.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“The description of battles and sieges, of picket and skirmishing, of camp +life and marching, are wrought out with thrilling detail, making the story +truly fascinating; while, in connection with this, useful and practical information +respecting men and places is conveyed, and a proper spirit of morality +and patriotism inculcated.”—<cite>Notices of the Press.</cite></p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>BRAVE OLD SALT; or, Life on the Quarter-Deck. +16mo. Illustrated. $1.50.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>A book of adventure, of personal experience, describing a living hero, and +exhibiting the great truth that, by fidelity of conscience, country, and God, +earthly and heavenly blessings are secured.</p> + +<p class='mth fs90'>Sold by all booksellers and newsdealers, and sent by mail, post-paid, on +receipt of price.</p> +<hr class='r20'> + +<p class='center fs120 bold sans'>LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers, Boston.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="ads"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">[318]</span></p> +</div> +<p class='center fs150 sans bold'>LEE & SHEPARD’S JUVENILE PUBLICATIONS.</p> +<hr class='r20'> +<p class='center sans fs120 ltsp2 bold'>OLIVER OPTIC’S BOOKS.</p> +<p class='center fs200 ltsp1 bold'>WOODVILLE STORIES.</p> +<p class='center mt1'><i>16mo. Handsomely Illustrated. In sets or separate.</i></p> + +<hr class='r40'> + +<p class='ad-hang'>RICH AND HUMBLE; or, the Mission of Bertha +Grant. $1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“No author is more welcomed by the young, and no books can be more +safely placed in their hands. His writings, as in this volume of ‘Rich and +Humble,’ inspire the reader with a lofty purpose. They show the wrong +courses of life only to present, by contrast, the true and right path, and +make it the way which youth will wish to walk in, because of its being the +most pleasant and inviting.”—<cite>Mass. Teacher.</cite></p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>IN SCHOOL AND OUT; or, The Conquest of Richard +Grant. $1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“Oliver Optic is as well known and as highly appreciated among the +young people of our land as Charles Dickens is among the older folks. ‘In +School and Out’ is equal to anything he has written. It is a story that will +deeply interest boys particularly, and make them better.”—<cite>Notices of the +Press.</cite></p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>WATCH AND WAIT; or, The Young Fugitives. +$1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>The author has used, to the best advantage, the many exciting incidents +that naturally attend the career of a fugitive slave, and the seeds that he may +sow in youthful hearts will perhaps bear a hundred-fold.</p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>WORK AND WIN; or, Noddy Newman on a Cruise. +$1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“A nautical story of adventure and endurance, written to delineate the +upward progress of a boy whose moral attributes were of the lowest order, +in consequence of neglected education, but in whom high religious principles +were afterwards developed.”—<cite>Notices of the Press.</cite></p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>HOPE AND HAVE; or, Fanny Grant among the +Indians. $1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“This is a story of Western adventure and of peril among the Indians, +and contains the experience of Fanny Grant, who, from a very naughty girl, +became a very good one, by the influence of a pure and beautiful example +exhibited by an erring child, in the hour of her greatest wandering from the +path of virtue.”—<cite>Philadelphia Age.</cite></p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>HASTE AND WASTE; or, The Young Pilot of +Lake Champlain. $1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“This is a story of boyish daring and integrity upon Lake Champlain, +and older heads than those of sixteen may read and profit by it.”</p> + +<p class='ad-copy mth'>The stories in the “Woodville” series are hinged together only so far as +the same characters have been retained in each.</p> + +<p class='center mth fs90'>Sold by all booksellers, and sent by mail, post-paid, on receipt of price.</p> +<hr class='r20'> + +<p class='center fs120 bold sans'>LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers, Boston.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="ads"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">[319]</span></p> +</div> +<p class='center fs150 sans bold'>LEE & SHEPARD’S JUVENILE PUBLICATIONS.</p> +<hr class='r20'> +<p class='center sans fs120 ltsp2 bold'>OLIVER OPTIC’S BOOKS.</p> +<p class='center fs200 ltsp1 bold'>THE BOAT CLUB SERIES.</p> +<p class='center mth'> + A library for Young People. Each volume illustrated. In sets or separate. +</p> +<hr class='r20'> +<p class='ad-hang'>THE BOAT CLUB; or, the Bunkers of Rippleton. +$1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“One noticeable feature of this author’s books is their purity. Not a line +is to be found in any work of his but what will tend to elevate and purify the +mind of the boy or girl who may peruse it.”</p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>ALL ABOARD; or, Life on the Lake. $1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“<span class="smcap">All Aboard</span>” was written to gratify the reasonable curiosity of the +readers of the “<cite>Boat Club</cite>,” to know what occurred at Woodlake during the +second season; and though it is a sequel, it has no direct connection with its +predecessor. The Introduction in the first chapter contains a brief synopsis +of the principal events of the first season; so that those who have not read +the “<cite>Boat Club</cite>” will labor under no disadvantage on that account.</p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>NOW OR NEVER; or, the Adventures of Bobby +Bright. $1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>The author has been for many years a successful teacher in one of the +Boston Public Schools, and the knowledge of youthful character thus obtained +has been used to good advantage in his works.</p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>TRY AGAIN; or, the Trials and Triumphs of Harry +West. $1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>The story of Harry West is a record of youthful experience designed to +illustrate the necessity and the results of perseverance in well doing. The +true success of life is the attainment of a pure and exalted character; and he +who at three-score-and-ten has won nothing but wealth and a name, has +failed to achieve the noblest purpose of his being. This is the moral of the +story contained in this volume.</p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>LITTLE BY LITTLE; or, the Cruise of the Flyway. +$1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>Paul Duncan, the hero of this volume, is a nautical young gentleman, and +most of the events of the story occur upon the water, and possess that exciting +and captivating character for which this author’s books are famous. But +the author hopes that something more than exciting incidents will be found +upon his pages; that though he has seldom, if ever, gone out of his way to +define the moral quality, or measure the moral quantity, of the words and +deeds of his characters, the story will not be found wanting in a true Christian +spirit.</p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>POOR AND PROUD; or, the Fortunes of Katy +Redburn. $1.25.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>The history of a smart girl, where fortunes are made to depend upon her +good principles, her politeness, her determined perseverance, and her overcoming +that foolish pride, which is a snare to the feet. In these respects she +is a worthy example for the young.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy mth'>Sold by all booksellers and newsdealers, and sent by mail, post-paid, on +receipt of price.</p> +<hr class='r20'> +<p class='center fs120 bold sans'>LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers, Boston.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="ads"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">[320]</span></p> +</div> +<p class='center fs150 sans bold'>LEE & SHEPARD’S JUVENILE PUBLICATIONS.</p> +<hr class='r20'> +<p class='center sans fs120 ltsp2 bold'>OLIVER OPTIC’S BOOKS.</p> +<p class='center fs200 ltsp1 bold'>YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD.</p> +<p class='center mth fs90'> + A Library of Travel and Adventure in Foreign Lands. 16mo.<br> + Illustrated by Nast, Stevens, Perkins, and others.</p> +<hr class='r20'> + +<p class='ad-hang'>OUTWARD BOUND; or, Young America Afloat. +$1.50.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“In Outward Bound, the Ship Young America, sails for Europe, with +a school of eighty-seven boys aboard her, who pursue the studies of a school, +and at the same time work the ship across the Atlantic, being amenable to +regular naval discipline.”</p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>SHAMROCK AND THISTLE; or, Young America +in Ireland and Scotland. $1.50.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“This volume continues the history of the academy ship and her crew of +boys, with their trips into the interior as well as voyages along the coast of +Ireland and Scotland. The young scholar will get a truer and fuller conception +of these countries by reading this unpretentious journal of travel, than +by weeks of hard study upon the geographies and histories.”</p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>RED CROSS; or, Young America in England and +Wales. $1.50.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“The third volume of Oliver Optic’s Library of travel and adventure +chronicles the doings of the Young America and her crew in British ports +and waters, and is replete with thrilling adventures and descriptions of noted +places.”</p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>DIKES AND DITCHES; or, Young America in +Holland and Belgium. $1.50</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“The author takes his readers on voyages up the rivers and canals of Holland +and Belgium, on tramps through the cities, their schools, their art galleries, +and their wonderful buildings, giving at every turn vivid impressions +of what is seen and heard therein and thereabouts.”</p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>PALACE AND COTTAGE; or, Young America in +France and Switzerland. $1.50</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>“This volume relates the history of the American Squadron (<cite>Young +America</cite> and <cite>Josephine</cite>) in the waters of France, with the journey of the +students to Paris and through a portion of Switzerland. As an episode, +the story of the runaway cruise of the Josephine is introduced, inculcating +the moral that ‘the way of the transgressor is hard.’”</p> + +<p class='ad-hang'>DOWN THE RHINE; or, Young America in Germany. +$1.50.</p> + +<p class='ad-copy'>This volume concludes the first series of Young America, and is as interesting +and instructive as the preceding volumes. So great has been the success +of this series, that Oliver Optic is now preparing a second. “Up the +Baltic” will be the first volume, to be followed by “Northern Lands,” “Vine +and Olive,” “Sunny Shores,” “Cross and Crescent” and “Isles of the Sea.”</p> + +<p class='ad-copy mth'>Sold by all book-sellers and news-dealers, and sent by mail on receipt of +price.</p> +<hr class='r20'> +<p class='center fs120 bold sans'>LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers, Boston.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="transnote"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="Transcribers_Notes"> + Transcriber’s Notes + </h2> + +<ul> +<li>Illustrations relocated close to related content.</li> + +<li>Obvious typographic errors silently corrected.</li> + +<li>Archaic spellings kept as in the original.</li> +</ul> +</div> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76892 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/76892-h/images/cover.jpg b/76892-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..61a03a2 --- /dev/null +++ b/76892-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/76892-h/images/i_f002.jpg b/76892-h/images/i_f002.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d50777a --- /dev/null +++ b/76892-h/images/i_f002.jpg diff --git a/76892-h/images/i_p023.jpg b/76892-h/images/i_p023.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f2d05e8 --- /dev/null +++ b/76892-h/images/i_p023.jpg diff --git a/76892-h/images/i_p055.jpg b/76892-h/images/i_p055.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..80d5a33 --- /dev/null +++ b/76892-h/images/i_p055.jpg diff --git a/76892-h/images/i_p098.jpg b/76892-h/images/i_p098.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d8ed0d1 --- /dev/null +++ b/76892-h/images/i_p098.jpg diff --git a/76892-h/images/i_p148..jpg b/76892-h/images/i_p148..jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..eaffedc --- /dev/null +++ b/76892-h/images/i_p148..jpg diff --git a/76892-h/images/i_p193.jpg b/76892-h/images/i_p193.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1febc85 --- /dev/null +++ b/76892-h/images/i_p193.jpg diff --git a/76892-h/images/i_p246.jpg b/76892-h/images/i_p246.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..922da62 --- /dev/null +++ b/76892-h/images/i_p246.jpg diff --git a/76892-h/images/i_p286.jpg b/76892-h/images/i_p286.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d6fcbf8 --- /dev/null +++ b/76892-h/images/i_p286.jpg diff --git a/76892-h/images/i_p313.jpg b/76892-h/images/i_p313.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8923eaa --- /dev/null +++ b/76892-h/images/i_p313.jpg |
