I have got the 'Marie'
going forward, but I may run her aground if he doesn't come
along pretty soon."
Mr. Sparling reached the companionway in two bounds, and, leaping
to the lower deck, caught the pilot by the coat collar, shaking
off the two circus men who had hold of Cummings.
"You get up to that pilot house or you'll be in the worst fix
in your whole river career." Mr. Sparling accompanied the
words with a violent push that sent the pilot headlong toward
the stairway. But the showman was by the fellow's side by the
time he had gotten to his feet, and began assisting him up the
companionway, while Teddy Tucker followed, prodding the pilot
in the back with a clenched fist.
Into the pilot house they hurled the man, Cummings.
"Now, you steer! If it had not been for that boy we might have
lost our whole equipment. I don't care anything about your old
boat, but I'm blest if I am going to let a fool pilot wreck
us--a pilot who is afraid of a donkey."
"I'll quit this outfit tomorrow," growled Cummings. "I kin pilot
steamers, but I can't fight a menagerie and a pack of boys with
the very Old Nick in them.
Pages:
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163