"She is good for nothing to me now. I will give her to any one who wants her." "There are plenty who will want her," said Lawry. "It will cost them a fortune to raise and repair her--almost as much as she is worth, if she is to be used as a plaything. But I have come to the conclusion that she is a dangerous machine for me, and I don't want anything more to do with her. I came very near drowning my wife and my friends with her; and this fills me with disgust for the boat and for myself." "Just now you spoke of a reward for what I had the good luck to do for you, Mr. Sherwood," continued Lawry. "I did; and you may be assured I shall never forget your noble conduct," replied Mr. Sherwood warmly. "If you are going to give the _Woodville_ away, sir--" "Well, what?" asked Mr. Sherwood, as the young pilot paused. "I don't know as I ought to say what I was going to say." "Say it, Lawry, say it," added Mr. Sherwood kindly. "You said you would give the steamer to any one who wanted her," continued Lawry, hesitating. "And you want her?" laughed the wealthy gentleman. "Yes, sir; that is what I was going to say." "Then she is yours, Lawry; but I might as well give you the fee simple of a farm in Ethiopia. I don't feel as though I had given you anything, my boy." "Indeed you have, sir! I feel as though you had made my fortune for me; and I am very much obliged to you, sir." "I don't believe you have anything to thank me for, Lawry. As I understand it, the _Woodville_ lies on the bottom of the lake, with her bow stove in, and her hull as useless as though the parts had never been put together. The engine and the iron and brass work are worth a good deal of money, I know; but it will cost all they will bring to raise them." "I don't think the steamer is ruined, sir. I hope you are not giving her away believing that she is not worth anything," said Lawry. "I don't think she is worth much." "I think she stove a great hole in her bow, and that is all that ails her. If we can get her on the ways, she can be made as good as ever she was in a week." "Whatever her condition, Lawry, she is yours. I will give you a bill of sale of her at once." Mr. Sherwood executed the paper in due form, affixed the stamp, and gave the document to the young pilot. "I can hardly help weeping when I think of the beautiful little steamer," said Mrs. Sherwood. "She was a perfect little fairy. How elated we were as we moved up the lake in her! What fine times we were promising ourselves on board of her! Now the dear little craft lies on the bottom of the lake, broken and spoiled!" "I shouldn't dare to put my foot in her again," added Miss Fanny. "I shudder when I think of her." "I shudder when I think of you, Fanny. You were sinking when Lawry dived down after you," said Mr. Sherwood. "We ought all to be grateful to God for His mercy in saving us," added Fanny Jane.