“All aboard that’s going!” shouted the mate of the Ucayga.
“Haul in the planks, and cast off the fasts!” I called to the hands who were in readiness to discharge this duty.
I confess that my bosom thrilled with strange emotions as I issued my first order. But I felt quite at home, for I had run a great deal upon the old boats, both in the engine-room and on deck. I had witnessed the operation of making a landing so frequently that I was sure I could do it without assistance, if necessary. I had measured the distance, estimated the force of winds and currents, so many times that I had thoroughly conquered the problem.
The Ruoara backed out and headed for Middleport at quarter of three, for the train started at three. Lewis Holgate still ran the locomotive, and it had been found that he must start on time or he was sure to miss his connection.
No regular pilots were employed on any of these steamers. The mate and deck-hands took the wheel when required, and any of them were able to make the landing. I told the former to take the wheel, for I had decided to let him make the landings on this trip, rather than run even the slightest risks by my own inexperience. The Ucayga slipped out from the wharf, and my father, true to his instructions, gave her full steam.
“We are nearly ten minutes later than usual,” said Colonel Wimpleton, shaking his head ominously, as we met on the forward deck.
“I pledge you my word, sir, that the boat shall be in Ucayga on time,” I replied confidently.
CHAPTER XIII.
IN THE WHEEL-HOUSE.
Colonel Wimpleton was evidently very anxious, as he had been from the beginning, for the success of the steamer. On the present occasion, when the Ucayga was nearly ten minutes behind her ordinary time, I grant that he had not much to hope for in the light of past experience; but he did not know my plans, and I did not wish to startle him by announcing them, fearful that, if I did so, he would not permit me to carry them out. I repeated my promise to be on time, and though he was far from satisfied, he could not do anything but wait the result.
My calculations were based upon the assured fact that the Ucayga could easily make sixteen miles an hour. She had the reputation of being a fast boat, and I intended that she should sustain her reputation. Immense expense had been lavished upon her to give her great speed, as well as to make her elegant and commodious. The testimony was that she had repeatedly made her sixteen miles without straining or undue crowding. This was all I asked of her. If she did only what she was warranted to do, and what she had often accomplished, I was safe.