"So can Rounds," replied Lawry, referring to the deckhand whom he called to the wheel when he left his post. "Lawry, you are my brother--ain't you?" "Of course I am." "And I am your brother--am I not?" "Without a doubt you are." "Then there are two good reasons why we should not quarrel." "I'm very sure I don't wish to quarrel, Ben," added Lawry earnestly. "And I'm just as sure I don't," continued Ben. "This is a splendid little boat, and we might make a first-rate thing of it. I still think I ought to be captain of her; but I won't quarrel about that now. I'll take any place you have a mind to give me." This was certainly very kind and condescending on the part of the elder brother, after what had occurred; and Lawry really felt happy in the excellent spirit which Ben appeared to manifest. "You might give me a chance as mate, if you like," added Ben, as he perceived the smile on his brother's face. "I will speak to Mr. Sherwood about it." "What do you want to speak to him for? Don't you own this boat?" "I do; but he has been very kind to me, and I want to take his advice when I can. I wish you hadn't got into that scrape the other day." "What scrape?" "Why, causing the boat to be attached for father's debts." "I didn't mean anything by it, Lawry," answered Ben, in apologetic tones. "You must acknowledge that you provoked me to it." "How, Ben?" "I can't get it out of my head that I ought to be captain of this boat. I think it would be a good deal better for you, Lawry. Just look at it one minute! You are a pilot, and you have to leave the wheel to see to everything on board. You ought to have nothing to do but to navigate the steamer; while I, as captain, could take the money, see to the dinners, and keep the deck and cabins in good order." "We get along very well," replied Lawry. "But it will wear you out in a month. Mother is afraid you will kill yourself, running the boat night and day." "If you were captain I should have to be in the wheelhouse all the time, just the same." "Well, I don't insist on it, Lawry," replied Ben, with becoming meekness. "I was only saying what would be best for all concerned." "I will talk with Mr. Sherwood." "Whatever you say, he will agree to. Now, give me the wheel, Lawry, and you go and see your passengers." Ben took hold of the wheel, and the young pilot involuntarily released his grasp on the spokes. The older brother was certainly in a very amiable frame of mind, and it was perfectly proper to encourage him; but there was no more need of a mate than there was of another captain. Rounds, as the older of the two deck-hands, now performed the duties of that office. There was no freight to be received and discharged, which the mate superintends; and there was nothing for him to do but attend to the gangplank and the mooring lines, and see that the decks were washed down when required.