Waddie appeared to be sincere; but it was visionary in him to think of such a thing as reconciling the two houses of Wimpleton and Toppleton, though, of course, such an event was not impossible.
The Ucayga was approaching Gulfport. The old boat had just made her landing there; indeed, she started just in season to allow us to use the wharf. I was rather afraid the bad blood of the major would induce him to throw some obstacle in our way, but nothing of the kind was attempted here. We landed our passengers; but the other boat had taken all who were going up the lake, which she was not to be allowed to do at the other ports.
CHAPTER XXIV.
A TRICK OF THE ENEMY.
The next port was Priam, eight miles distant; and the Ucayga dashed merrily on her way, seeming to feel and rejoice in the responsibility which was imposed upon her. Certainly she was doing all that was expected of her. We were approaching the Ruoara; for that was the name of the old boat, though it was a misnomer now to her, for she did not deign to visit the town after which she was called. She was making her best time, which, however, was very poor time, compared with the new boat. Her captain was evidently hurrying her all he could. I made the signal with the steam-whistle, to indicate that the Ucayga intended to pass her on the port hand.
I was not a little startled to see her put her helm to starboard, and crowd over upon our track, as though she intended to bother us. I took the wheel with Van Wolter, and when she had forced herself in ahead of us, I sounded the whistle to go on the starboard hand of her.
“Give her a wide berth,” said I to my companion.
“I reckon we can hit as hard as she can,” chuckled the mate.
“But we won’t hit at all, either hard or soft,” I added.
“She has put her helm to port, as though she did not mean to let us pass her.”
“She can’t help herself,” I answered, as I crowded the helm over, so as to give her a wide berth.