He blew the whistle till the shores resounded with the echoing screeches; but the Wimpletonians evidently believed the steamer had come this way on purpose to annoy them, and they stood upon their dignity. Not a boat moved, and the students in them looked as resolute as though they meant to be smashed rather than change their position. We were almost upon them, and I was afraid the captain intended to execute the barbarous threat of Major Tommy. I begged him again not to run into the boats; and seeing the enemy did not mean to move, he stopped and backed in season to avoid a calamity. “What did you stop for, captain?” shouted Tommy; but I was charitable enough to believe that the words were intended for the benefit of the Wimpletonians, rather than the person to whom they were addressed. Captain Underwood made no reply, but rang to go ahead again, though he permitted but two or three turns of the wheels. “I can shove the boats out of the way without hurting any one, I think,” said he, as the steamer moved slowly forward. “Look out, or you will run into us!” shouted my old enemy, Ben Pinkerton, who was in the nearest boat. “Out of the way, then!” replied Captain Underwood. “Go ahead, full steam, captain!” called Tommy; but again I wished to believe that his order was a threat to the enemy rather than an indication of a wicked purpose. Instead of obeying this rash command, the captain rang the bell to back her, fearful that some of the boats might be smashed. I saw Tommy rush aft, and I supposed he intended to come upon the hurricane deck, where he could bully Captain Underwood more effectually. I left the wheel-house, where I had been during the conversation with the captain, that he might not implicate me in the disobedience. But Tommy did not appear, and it was plain that he had adopted some other tactics. “Wolf Penniman!” shouted some one at the gangway. “You are wanted below!” “What is wanted?” I asked of the messenger, who could hardly speak, he was so excited. “Major Toppleton wants you.” I went below, and found Major Tommy standing at the door of the engine-room, foaming with wrath; indeed, he had steam enough on to carry a forty-horse engine. “Will you do as I tell you, or not?” stormed Tommy, addressing his energetic words to the engineer. “You must excuse me, Mr. Tommy; but I must mind the bells. It won’t do for me to disobey the captain’s orders,” protested the engineer, gently and respectfully. “Here, Wolf!” shouted Tommy. “Come here!” I presented myself to the little magnate, and I was conscious that I was already in a bad scrape. “Go in there, and start up that engine! Go ahead, full steam!” continued he. I looked at him, but I did not move to obey. I smiled, and looked as good-natured as possible, for I did not wish him to think that I was ugly about it. “Don’t you hear me, Wolf? I tell you to start up that engine!” repeated Major Tommy.