CHAPTER XXV. THE STEAMBOAT EXCURSION.

“Hold on to him!” shouted Tommy. “This is our next move.”

“I am sorry to trouble you, Captain Penniman; but I must do my duty,” said the constable.

“I should like to inquire what all this means,” I added, as the officer, finding I did not attempt to annihilate him, let go his hold of me.

“I don’t know; the warrant comes up from Middleport. I suppose it is all right.”

“Don’t stop here with him,” interposed Major Toppleton. “Take him away to jail, or some other safe place.”

By this time Colonel Wimpleton was at my side with Waddie, both of them so indignant that I was afraid that a scene would transpire on the spot. My powerful patron desired to see the warrant, and the constable, to the great disgust of the major, exhibited the document.

“All right,” said Colonel Wimpleton. “This warrant commands you to bring your prisoner before a magistrate at Middleport. Step right on board of our boat, and we will see that you are enabled to obey the command to the letter.”

“I am satisfied,” answered the constable.

“But I am not,” interposed Major Toppleton angrily.

“All aboard!” shouted Van Wolter.

“I shall do my duty as I understand it,” continued the constable, as I led the way to the deck of the _Ucayga_.

“It is your duty to commit him to jail,” growled the magnate of Middleport.

“I will be responsible for the consequences,” added Colonel Wimpleton, who could afford to be good-natured, as he saw his great rival defeated in his purpose.

To my surprise, both Major Toppleton and his son followed us on board, and did not offer to go on shore when the plank was hauled in, and the fasts cast off. They had evidently remained at Hitaca for the purpose of carrying out the little scheme they had contrived; and, having done their worst, they had no further business there. Probably they could not endure the idea of remaining at the upper end of the lake while the battle between the two lines was going on at the other end. They had learned from our handbills, so profusely scattered through the town, that the _Ucayga_ would make another through trip in the afternoon, and it was necessary for them to be at Ucayga to attend to the interests of the Lake Shore Railroad.

It was plain to me that Major Toppleton had come up to Hitaca with the warrant in his pocket, not to obtain justice for the injury which Tommy had sustained, but to interfere with the operations of the new line. I should have been arrested the day before if Grace Toppleton, whom I had come to regard as an angel of peace in my path, had not given me warning. My enemies must have been entirely satisfied that they could not hold me responsible for the damage done to Tommy, and my arrest was only intended as a blow at the steamboat line. At Hitaca, doubtless, they expected to detain my boat long enough, at least, to make her lose her connection at the lower end of the lake.

The arrival of the _Ucayga_ at Hitaca, and the announcement of a new daily line, at reduced rates, had created no little excitement in the town. The people believed that they were to be better accommodated, and, very naturally, their sympathies were with the new line, as the large number of passengers we carried fully proved. The constable told me that he had been called upon to serve the warrant only a few minutes before he made his appearance on the wharf. He saw at once that it was a trick to annoy the new line, but he could not help himself. The moment Colonel Wimpleton showed him how he could discharge his duty without injury to the enterprise, he promptly embraced the opportunity. Major Toppleton and Tommy were doubtless sorely vexed at their failure; but they went into the cabin, and I did not see them again for some time.

It was a beautiful autumnal morning when the _Ucayga_ started upon her trip, crowded with passengers. Colonel Wimpleton, alive to the importance of this day’s work, had engaged the Hitaca Cornet Band to enliven the passage with their music. The weather was warm, and the soft haze of the Indian summer hung over the hills on the shore, where the woods presented the many hues of the changing foliage. The water was as tranquil as a dream of peace, and the inspiring strains of the band completed the pleasure of the occasion.

I explained to Colonel Wimpleton, Waddie, and others who were interested in the matter, the occasion of the proceedings against me. It is needless to say that I had no lack of friends; and, with the consent of the constable, it was arranged that he should take me before the magistrate at noon, while the boat was at Centreport. No charge could be proved against me, and I hardly gave the subject a thought.

The passage down the lake was a delightful one. We passed the old _Ruoara_ just before we made the landing at Gulfport. At this town we saw Major Toppleton and his son go ashore, for the purpose of taking the railroad boat on her arrival. Neither of them showed himself on the trip, and I only hoped they appreciated the new steamer, and enjoyed the delightful music. I was rather afraid the colonel would court a collision with his powerful rival; but I am happy to say he was too good-natured, in the flush of his success, to exult over his enemy.

We made all our landings, and, passing through the Horse-Shoe Channel as usual, arrived at Ucayga on time. This concluded our first round-trip to the head of the lake. It was a success far beyond our most sanguine hopes, and the exchequer of the steamboat company was largely benefited by it. The future was as bright as the present, and really I could not see that the Lake Shore Road had any chance against us.

But this was to be a day of excitement. Colonel Wimpleton landed at Centreport for the purpose of organizing a grand steamboat excursion to Ucayga and back in the afternoon; and when the boat returned I found the town in a blaze, for a pleasure trip, with a band of music, was no small affair to the people. Handbills were scattered throughout the place, and, as we had the advantage of a magnificent day, there was no want of enthusiasm on the subject.

As soon as the steamer reached Centreport, I went with the constable, Colonel Wimpleton, and the ablest lawyer in the place, over to Middleport. We found Captain Portman at the hotel, and hastened to the office of the magistrate. Like my friend from up the lake, I waived the examination, and was simply bound over to appear before the court several weeks hence for trial. Colonel Wimpleton and one of his friends gave bonds for my appearance, and the excitement in this direction was ended.

I went home, and invited my mother and sisters to the excursion in the afternoon. Of course I had a long story to tell of the history of the trip to Hitaca, and I had attentive listeners in the dear ones at home. I knew that my mother dreaded and deprecated the fearful rivalry which was going on between the two sides. I assured her that the best way to make peace was not always by giving up. One party was as nearly right as the other, and when each had shown his full strength there would be a better opportunity to heal the breach. I told her that, so far as I was concerned, and Waddie also, there was no ill-feeling. It was a business competition, in which neither had any reason to complain of the other, so long as he did not trench upon his rights.

As I walked down to the lake with my mother and sisters, I saw Grace Toppleton in her father’s garden. I wished that I could invite her to the excursion, for nothing could have added so much to its pleasure as her presence. But it was not proper for me to ask her, and it would not have been proper for her to accept if I had. I was proud and happy as I went on board of the _Ucayga_ with my mother and sisters. The steamer was already filled with passengers, and at half-past two we started. The band struck up an appropriate air as the wheels began to turn, and I never saw a happier party than that which crowded the decks of the _Ucayga_. In spite of the excitement, in spite of the throng on board, we were, as usual, on time.

When we touched the wharf near the railroad, the ferry-boat had arrived, and I saw Major Toppleton and Tommy on shore, listening to the music and observing the multitude which covered our decks. I hoped I should not meet them, face to face, again; for I knew that our success had only increased their bitterness toward me. But they did not seem to be so ugly as when I had last seen them. Indeed, there was a smile upon their faces, as though the music delighted them. When our bow line was thrown ashore, they stepped on board, and came upon the hurricane-deck, where I stood.

“You seem to be having a great time to-day, Wolf,” said Tommy.

“Only a little excursion,” I replied. “But the music is good, and I rather enjoy it.”

“So do I, Wolf,” answered Tommy graciously. “I am going up with you, if you have no objection.”

“Certainly not. Here is my stateroom; and if you and your father will walk in, I will do the best I can to make you comfortable,” I replied, pointing to my apartment.

“Thank you; I prefer to be on deck,” added Tommy. “You have beaten us all to pieces to-day, Wolf, and we give it up now. What’s the use of quarreling about it?”

“None at all, most assuredly,” I replied, with enthusiasm. “There is Waddie Wimpleton, who is just of your opinion.”

“Well, I don’t think much of Waddie, as you know, Wolf. I only meant that you and I wouldn’t quarrel.”

“I don’t know why you and Waddie should quarrel. He intends to do the right thing.”

“Perhaps he does; but the least said is soonest mended,” said Tommy, rather coldly.

I was amazed and astounded at this sudden change of front in Tommy, who had hardly bestowed a pleasant word upon me for months. I could not feel sure that he meant what he said; but I resolved to afford him no cause of complaint if he really was sincere. It seemed to me more probable that he had some end to gain, under the mask of friendship, than that he was willing to make peace with me.

“Your boat appears to be doing remarkably well to-day, Wolf,” said Major Toppleton, stepping up to me.

“Yes, sir; she is making good trips to-day.”

“By the way, Wolf, you need give yourself no uneasiness about that trial. I caused your arrest under a misapprehension, and no harm shall come to you.”

“I am very glad to hear you say so, sir, though I really had no fears of the consequences.”

“I am going to adopt Tommy’s suggestions, and have no more quarreling,” added the great man.

“I hope not, sir.”

“You can have it all your own way on the lake now.”

“I only wish to do what is right.”

“I know you do, Wolf. Are you at home in the evening, now?”

“No, sir. I have to spend the night at Hitaca. I suppose our family will move up there soon, and you will get rid of us then.”

“We don’t desire to get rid of you,” interposed Tommy.

“I want to see you, Wolf, when you are at leisure,” continued the major. “When can you call upon me?”

“To-morrow noon, if you please,” I replied, delighted at the prospect of again being permitted to stand under the same roof with Grace.

“I will be at home,” said the magnate, as he walked away at the approach of Colonel Wimpleton.