THE NEW AND SPLENDID STEAMER
UCAYGA,
Captain Wolfert Penniman,
Will leave Hitaca every day at 6 1/2 o’clock A. M. Touching at Southport, Port Gunga, Priam, Centreport, and Ruoara, and arriving at Ucayga in season to connect with trains east and west. Will leave Ucayga at 4 o’clock P. M., and arrive at Hitaca at 7 1/2 o’clock P. M. Fare, $1.50.
W. Wimpleton, President.
Waddie took this copy, and hastened to the printing-office with it. I was confident that this program would carry consternation into the ranks of the old line. After Waddie had gone, I went down to see my father. I explained my plan to him, and told him that the boat would go through to Hitaca that night. He was a prudent man, and suggested some difficulties, nearly all of which I had considered and provided for. Except at Middleport, the wharves were free to any one who chose to use them, so that there was no trouble about the landings. Van Wolter was a pilot for the upper part of the lake. As the public generally were to be benefited by the new line, we had no opposition to dread except from the railroad company.
At half-past two, the Ucayga left her wharf, and, as usual, arrived at the foot of the lake just before four o’clock. I had fully explained my purpose to the mate, and to all on board, that they might make their arrangements to be absent over night. The railroad passengers were already in waiting when we reached Ucayga, and the trains from the east and west were in sight. Our runners were duly instructed to “ring in” for through passengers, at a dollar and a half each, with the time nearly an hour less than by the railroad line.
This was really the first day of the exciting competition. We had not yet unmasked our great battery, and the victory was still with the Lake Shore Railroad. I was not at all surprised to see Major Toppleton and Tommy among the passengers, as we landed. They had come up a second time that day to enjoy their triumph, and perhaps, also, to look out for the interests of their road. They were quite as pleasant as they had been in the morning, and both of them took the trouble to pay me another visit.
“Well, Wolf, how goes it with the new and splendid steamer?” asked the magnate of Middleport.
“First-rate, sir.”
“You don’t seem to have any through passengers,” laughed he.