“So that, in turning, the tendency to sweep too far to starboard may be counteracted in part. But after I have tried it a few times, I can go through without stopping her.”
“You are a genius,” laughed the colonel. “I begin to hope that we shall beat the railroad, after all.”
“We are sure of it every time we can leave Centreport at two-thirty.”
“The up-lake boats must get to Centreport as soon as that in order to enable the train to be on time,” replied Colonel Wimpleton, rubbing his hands as though he was master of the situation.
“I don’t think you are quite ready for Major Toppleton’s next step,” I replied, rather amused at his want of forethought.
“What do you mean by his next step?”
“The one I should take myself if I were in his place.”
“What’s that?”
“I think we are beating him just now, sir; and, as soon as the major finds out that we are getting ahead of him, he will make another move. We are sure of the Centreport and Ruoara trade, as long as we are on time. He can’t get that away from us. But we want our share of the up-lake business.”
“Yes and we must have it,” added the great man impatiently.