Everybody in Centreport and Middleport was excited over the impending contest, for it was still a battle between the two sides of the lake. Major Toppleton professed to be entirely confident of the result, and mysteriously hinted at resources for winning the race which had not yet been developed. The Ucayga made her first trip crowded with passengers, while the Lightning Express train was comparatively deserted. Still the major was confident, declaring that “a new broom sweeps clean,” but the passengers would soon return to the railroad, especially during the approaching winter, when the steamer was liable to be troubled with ice in the lower part of the lake. But a shadow soon came over the dream of Colonel Wimpleton, who boasted grandiloquently over his success. The up-lake boats began to be regularly ten minutes late; and one day, in spite of all the crowding done on board of the Ucayga, she missed her connections. Then she did it again, and again, and people would not trust her. Steamer stock went down. As Major Toppleton’s hopes rose, Colonel Wimpleton’s fell. It was plain enough now that the major required the Hitaca boats to be ten minutes late. The colonel swore terribly when he realized the nature of the trick. As my connection with the Lightning Express had ceased, it would not be proper for me to remain any longer under that flag; and I must take leave of the Lake Shore Railroad for the present, to forage in a new field. About the time the Ucayga arrived at Centreport, Tommy Toppleton was able to leave the house on crutches. The only word the major had spoken to me since our interview in his mansion, was to tell me that I had lamed his son for life. I did not believe this, and it was a great satisfaction for me to hear the doctor say that Tommy’s leg would be as good as ever in a few weeks. I hoped his sufferings would do him good, and do something to modify his arbitrary character. I need hardly say that the rival Academies were still rivals. Neither was satisfied with the result of the battles on the Horse Shoe, and each was thirsting for an opportunity to overwhelm the other. I could not justify myself for giving the details of this miserable warfare, if it were not for contrasting it with the glorious peace and fraternity which grew out of it. Tommy was, perhaps, as unpopular as ever; but his misfortune, if it did not excite the sympathy of the Toppletonians, prevented them from manifesting their feelings in a mutiny, as they intended, at my discharge. I am happy to say that I stood first rate with the students on the Middleport side, when Tommy and his father had done their worst; but the mutiny came at last, when Tommy’s tyranny could be no longer endured. I was satisfied. I shall always remember with pleasure most of my experience on the Lake Shore Railroad, and especially on the LIGHTNING EXPRESS. OLIVER OPTIC’S MAGAZINE, [Illustration: OUR BOYS AND GIRLS]