"The captain don't have much to do with the pilot, and I sha'n't boss you." "Suppose the question should come up, whether or not the boat should take a certain job; who would decide the question--you or I?" "I'm the oldest, and I think I ought to have the biggest voice in the matter." "But the boat is mine," added Lawry, with emphasis. "As to that, she is just as much mine as she is yours." "I'm willing to do what's fair and right; but I shall not have any captain over me in this boat," replied Lawry. "Lawry, you are my brother," said Ben angrily; "but I don't care for that. You set yourself up above me; you make me a nobody. I won't stand it!" "I don't set myself up above you, Ben." "Yes, you do. You offered me the place of deck-hand!" "I didn't ask you to take any place. I'll tell you what I will do, Ben. I'll talk with mother and Mr. Sherwood about the matter, and if they think you ought to be captain of the _Woodville_, you shall be." "Mr. Sherwood don't know everything." "I think he would know what is right in a case like this." "He thinks you are a little god, and I know what he would say." "I will do as mother says, then." "What do women know about these things?" "I don't think Mr. Sherwood or mother would like it if I should give up the command of this boat to any one." "Let them lump it, then," replied Ben, as he rushed out of the wheel-house, incensed beyond measure at Lawry's opposition to his unreasonable proposal. Captain Lawry was sorely disturbed by the conduct of his brother. He could not enjoy his pleasant position at the wheel, and he put the steamer about, heading her toward Port Rock. "Lawry," said Ben, returning to the wheel-house, "I want you to tell me what you are going to do. I'm older than you, and I have seen more steamboating than you have. I think it's my right to be captain of this boat." "I don't think so." "I don't want to jaw any more about it." "I'm sure I don't." "All I've got to say is, that if I don't run this boat no one will." "What do you mean by that, Ben?" demanded Lawry. "No matter what I mean. I'm going to have what belongs to me. Once for all, am I to be captain, or not?" "No," replied Lawry firmly. Ben went out of the wheel-house, and the pilot did not see him again till after the _Woodville_ reached her wharf. Lawry was sadly grieved at the attitude of his brother; and if Ben had been a reliable person, fit for the position he aspired to obtain, he would have yielded the point. But the would-be captain was an intemperate and dissolute fellow, as unsuitable for the command as he would have been for the presidency of a bank.