BEN WILFORD'S PLAN
While Lawry was ferrying the team over the lake, Ethan occupied himself in making a long-handled boat-hook, which might be useful in the operation of raising the steamer. While he was thus engaged, a young man, about eighteen years of age, coarsely dressed, and with a very red face, came down the road and stopped at the place where he was at work.
"What you making?" asked the young man.
"A boat-hook," replied Ethan.
"Do you belong here?" continued the stranger nodding his head toward the ferry-house.
"No; I'm only helping Lawry Wilford for a few days."
"The old man's got into hot water, they say."
"Yes."
"Well, he was always preaching to me about doing the right thing; and now he's fallen off the horse-block himself," added the young man, with a slight chuckle.
"It's bad for Mr. Wilford and his family."