I knew every tree and point on the west shore, along which the railroad extended, and its exact distance from Middleport. I watched these points, and consulted my watch frequently, to assure myself that the boat was not falling behind my calculations. Her first four miles were made inside of fifteen minutes, and I was not sure that my father was not overdoing the matter; but he was a safe man, and I did not think it necessary even to see him.
On the forward deck I attended to the arrangement of the baggage, so as to make the stay at Ruoara as brief as possible. There were two baggage-trucks, upon which I caused to be loaded all the freight, luggage, and merchandise for Ruoara. I saw that the deck-hands were rather disposed to snuff at a boy like me in command of the steamer; but, in self-defense, I must add that I was nearly as tall as a man. They were slow, and did not obey promptly. I thought I could, in part, explain the failure of my predecessor to be on time. But it was of no use for me to bluster at these men, though they were probably working more leisurely than usual.
“Is everything going to suit you?” asked the colonel, as they were approaching the wharf at Ruoara.
“Not quite, sir.”
“What’s the matter?” he demanded anxiously.
“The men work as though they were digging their own graves, which were to be occupied as soon as finished.”
“Don’t they mind you?”
“They don’t refuse to mind, but they are slow. They think I’m only a boy.”
“I’ll discharge every one of them!”
“Excuse me, sir; but don’t do that. I would rather add a quarter a day to their wages,” I replied; for I happened to know that they were greatly dissatisfied with their pay, and justly so, I thought. “Then, if they don’t work, they shall be discharged.”