"It is not for him to say. I have engaged this boat for my party to-day, and, beyond his crew, it is not for him to say who shall go." "I'm going, anyhow," replied Ben stubbornly. "No, you are not." "Yes, I am! if you want to fight, I'm all ready." "Young man, you wanted to be captain of this boat; you have made a mistake." "No, I haven't. You and Lawry can't make a nobody out of me." "You will do it yourself." "You see." "Will you go on shore?" "No, I won't." The sheriff stood on the wharf with Mrs. Wilford, waiting to see the departure of the _Woodville_. Ben's mother begged him to come on shore; but he was in that frame of mind which seemed to make opposition a necessity to him. "Do you want any assistance, Mr. Sherwood?" asked the sheriff, as he stepped on deck. The reckless young man would have been very glad to have Mr. Sherwood put his hand upon him, for it would have afforded him an opportunity to revenge himself for his disappointment. It was another thing to raise his hand against an officer of the law, and he sullenly walked up the gangplank when that formidable individual intimated his readiness to relieve the boat of her unwelcome passenger. "Haul in the plank, and cast off the bow-line," said Lawry. He rang the bell to back her, and when her bow pointed out from the shore, the stern-line was cast off, and she moved slowly away from the wharf. "I'm sorry your brother behaves so badly, Lawry," said Mr. Sherwood, after the steamer started. "It makes me sick to think of it, sir," replied the pilot. "I'm really afraid of him, for I don't know what he will do next." "Do your duty, faithfully; that is all you need do." "I feel almost sorry I didn't let him be captain, when I think the matter over." "He is not fit to be captain; and you did quite right in not consenting to it. I'm sorry for you, Lawry, and sorry for your mother, for he must be a sore trial to both of you." "If he wasn't my brother I wouldn't care," added Lawry, restraining the tears. "Never mind it, my boy; we won't say anything more about it. Let us hope your brother will grow better." "I hope he will, sir."