The alternative was a reminder of the Hitaca incident, and a hint that, if his father did not obey orders, Tommy would run away again, and there would be no suitable person to inherit the great man’s millions. I made no reply, but bowed meekly to my fate. It appeared that, after all, I was not to run the Lightning Express train, about which so much had been said. “Don’t let him discharge Mr. Wolf, father,” interposed Grace, her pretty cheeks red with indignation; and with such an advocate I could afford to be still. “Discharge Mr. Wolf!” sneered the little magnate. “Will you learn to mind your own business, Grace?” “He struck me in the face, father, and that was the reason why Mr. Wolf knocked him down. I am sorry he did so, but I think Tommy was to blame,” continued Grace. “You needn’t stick up for him; if you do, it won’t make any difference.” “I am astonished that you should strike your sister,” added Major Toppleton, whose painful expression fully proved his sincerity. “Well, you needn’t be!” replied Tommy, rudely and disrespectfully. “If she don’t mind her own business, and let my affairs alone, I shall teach her better. I have said all I have to say, and I’m going ashore to look out for my battalion. Remember, Wolf is discharged!” Tommy abruptly left the yacht, and, leaping into the boat, ordered Joe Poole to pull him ashore. The fiat had gone forth. I was discharged. Tommy was the president of the road, and doubtless he had the power to dismiss me. “Here is trouble,” said Major Toppleton, with a sigh. “I hope you won’t let Mr. Wolf be discharged,” said Grace, when the irate little magnate was out of hearing. “What can I do?” replied the major, impatiently. “Tommy is the president of the road, and he has the right to discharge an employee. If I interfere, there will be such a tempest as we had a year ago.” Poor magnate! How I pitied him! Just as I had seen a baby tyrannize over its loving mother, so did Tommy tyrannize over his father. The great man--how little he seemed to be then!--mused for a while over the unpleasant situation. “I’ll tell you what we can do, Wolf. I want a skipper for this boat. If you will withdraw from the railroad for a time, I will give you this situation, with the same pay you are now receiving.” “I am entirely satisfied, sir, and shall be, whatever you or Tommy may do,” I answered, meekly. “I certainly like the boat better than the train; but I suppose Tommy will not permit me to take charge of her.” The major bit his lips with vexation. His fetters galled him, and he had not the resolution to shake them off. He ordered me to get the yacht under way, and start for Middleport. As soon as she was clear of the narrow channel, the major asked me down into the cabin, and we had a talk, which lasted till the Grace came to anchor before the owner’s mansion.