Lawry was also as busy as a bee all the time, scrubbing the floors, cleaning the paint, and polishing the brass-work. When the boat was ready to return to Port Rock, she was in condition to receive her furniture. She was launched early in the morning, and Ethan proceeded at once to get up steam. Both of the boys were in the highest state of expectancy and delight; and when Lawry struck the bell to start her, he was hardly less excited than when he had done so for the first time after the water had been pumped out of her. All the bunting was displayed at the bow and stern, and the _Woodville_ now plowed the lake at full speed. Her happy owner realized that she was good for ten miles an hour, which, for so diminutive a craft, was more than he had a right to expect. "Hello!" shouted Lawry to himself, as the steamer approached the ferry-landing; "what's that?" In the deep water which the young pilot had indicated as the best place for a wharf, a pier was in process of erection. A score of bridge-builders were sawing, hammering, and chopping, and Mr. Sherwood stood in their midst, watching their operations. The structure was not complete, but the mooring posts were set up, so that the _Woodville_ could be made fast to them. Mr. Sherwood and the workmen gave three cheers as the steamer approached. "Run her up here, Lawry!" shouted his wealthy friend. "Aye, aye, sir." "You have taken this job out of my hands, sir," said Lawry, as he glanced at the wharf. "Yes; I thought I could do it better than you could, as your time will be fully occupied." "I think I should have found time enough to do what I intended; but of course I couldn't have built any such wharf as this." "It is none too good." "But I ought to pay for it out of the money I may earn with the boat." "Never mind that, Lawry," added Mr. Sherwood. The young captain explained what had been done during his absence, and informed his interested friend that the steamer was in condition to receive her furniture. "Shall you have her ready for a trip by to-morrow?" asked Mr. Sherwood. "Yes, sir." "Because I have taken the liberty to engage her, in your name, for several parties." "You are very kind, sir," replied Lawry. "Have you fixed upon any price for her?" "Ethan and I were talking over the matter. We shall need some help on board, and that will cost money. Coal is pretty high up here on the lake." "Well, how much did you intend to charge for her by the day, or the hour?" "We thought about three dollars an hour," replied Lawry, with much diffidence. "Three dollars an hour! You are too modest by half," laughed Mr. Sherwood. "Make it five, at least. I told the parties I engaged for you that the price would not be less than fifty dollars a day." "I'm afraid I shall make money too fast at that rate," added Lawry. "No, you won't. It will cost a great deal of money to run the boat. What do you pay your engineer?" "I don't know, sir; we have made no bargain yet."