"While she lay at the bottom of the lake she was worth nothing. She was an abandoned wreck. If you had any property at all in her, it was subject to the salvage. Lawry Wilford raised her. I suppose you are willing to believe that the boy's father is entitled to his earnings?"
"I grant that."
"Well, sir, whatever the boy earned in the way of salvage belongs to his father; and we sue to recover that."
"This is a ridiculous suit!" exclaimed Mr. Sherwood.
"Perhaps it is, sir, but we shall hold the boat, subject to the decision of the court."
Mr. Sherwood was vexed and perplexed; for, whether the claim could be substantiated or not, the Woodville could be held until a decision was reached. Lawry then took him aside, and told him what his brother had done, in order to make himself captain of the steamer.
"Is that it, Lawry? I'm more sorry for your brother's sake than I am for yours. I pity him, because he has been capable of doing so mean a thing. Don't distress yourself, my boy. We will make this all right in the course of ten minutes."
"But they have taken the steamer away from me, and given her up to
Ben, who is to take charge of her."
"Never mind, Lawry. They shall give her back to you," replied the rich man, as he walked up to the lawyer. "How much is your claim against Mr. Wilford?"
"One thousand and sixty-four dollars," answered the legal gentleman.