He had refused to pilot the steamer under the new order of things, not because he wished to be spiteful to his brother, but because he was smarting under a sense of injustice, which unfitted him for the duty. Though he did not comprehend the legal measures which had been taken, he felt that there was something wrong. The _Woodville_ belonged to him, not to his father; and though he was willing to give all his earnings for the support of the family, and even to pay off the mortgage on the place, he felt that it was not right to take the steamer from him. He stood on the wharf, paralyzed by the calamity which had overtaken him. He wanted to do something, but he did not know what to do. The sheriff, by his caution, had defeated the plans of the new captain, and Lawry was waiting to see what would happen next. He wished to see Mr. Sherwood, and he would have hastened up to his house if he could have endured the thought of losing sight of the steamer even for a moment. Ethan was still on deck, for though he refused to run the engine, he felt it to be his duty to stand by and see that no accident happened, for the steam was up, and the fireman was an unskillful person. Ben Wilford and Taylor were disappointed and chagrined at their failure to get off. They stormed and swore, till it was apparent that storming and swearing would not start the steamer. The sheriff positively refused to let the boat depart without a competent pilot and engineer. "What shall we do, Wilford?" said Taylor. "Can't you persuade your brother to take hold again?" "He's as obstinate as a mule; but I'll try," replied Ben. "Offer him twenty dollars for his day's work," added Taylor. "I may be able to compromise with him, if you're willing." "Anything you please, if you can make him and the other fellow go with us." "Lawry, Mr. Taylor will give you twenty dollars if you will pilot the steamer to-day," said Ben. "I wouldn't go for a hundred," replied the young pilot. "I won't go with you at any rate." "Don't be so obstinate, Lawry." "I engaged the boat to Mr. Sherwood, and I will not go with anybody else." "Mr. Sherwood won't care when he finds out that you are not to blame. You can't resist the law, and it isn't your fault." "Ben, I wouldn't do what you have done for all the steamers on the lake. You have got this man to attach the property, and take the house away from mother, just because you wanted to be captain of this steamer." "What's the use of talking about that, Lawry?" replied Ben impatiently. "I'm going to be captain of this steamer, anyhow; and the sooner you make up your mind to it, the better it will be for you." "I can't help myself." "I know you can't, and for that reason you had better submit with a good grace. If you will take your place in the wheel-house, Mr. Taylor will remove the attachment." "Will he?" "I will," replied Taylor. "And put everything where it was before?" asked Lawry.