"Say it, Lawry, say it," added Mr. Sherwood kindly.
"You said you would give the steamer to any one who wanted her," continued Lawry, hesitating.
"And you want her?" laughed the wealthy gentleman.
"Yes, sir; that is what I was going to say."
"Then she is yours, Lawry; but I might as well give you the fee simple of a farm in Ethiopia. I don't feel as though I had given you anything, my boy."
"Indeed you have, sir! I feel as though you had made my fortune for me; and I am very much obliged to you, sir."
"I don't believe you have anything to thank me for, Lawry. As I understand it, the Woodville lies on the bottom of the lake, with her bow stove in, and her hull as useless as though the parts had never been put together. The engine and the iron and brass work are worth a good deal of money, I know; but it will cost all they will bring to raise them."
"I don't think the steamer is ruined, sir. I hope you are not giving her away believing that she is not worth anything," said Lawry.
"I don't think she is worth much."
"I think she stove a great hole in her bow, and that is all that ails her. If we can get her on the ways, she can be made as good as ever she was in a week."