Haste and Waste; Or, the Young Pilot of Lake Champlain. a Story for Young People by Optic, Oliver, 1822-1897

Captain Lawry was firm, and the gentlemen were angry and indignant. While they were debating the question in excited tones, another steamer left the wharf, bound up the river. Her departure seemed to spoil the young pilot's argument. The party tried to hail the steamer in the fog, wishing Lawry to put them on board of her; but her people did not hear their demand, or would not stop for them, and the party were highly incensed at what they called the obstinacy of Lawry.

"Haste and waste, gentlemen," replied the little captain. "The river is narrow and crooked, and there is great danger of getting aground if I attempt to run in this fog."

"That other steamer has gone, and if she can run, you can, if you know your business," replied one of the gentlemen.

"I'm very sorry; but I don't think we should gain anything by starting now," added Lawry.

Finding it was useless to insist any longer, the party took supper, and turned in, when their anger had partially subsided. The little captain did not retire that night; he "planked the deck," and watched the weather. It was a seven hours' run to Burlington, and the "trot" was to come off at nine o'clock in the forenoon. He still hoped that he should be able to satisfy his unreasonable party.

At midnight the wind chopped round to the westward, and blew the fog over. At one o'clock the _Woodville_ was going up the river at full speed. At three o'clock she came up with the steamer which had started from St. Johns four hours before, hard and fast aground. She hailed the little _Woodville_, and requested assistance. Lawry took a hawser on board, and gave her a few pulls; but she was too hard on the sand to be started, and he was compelled to abandon her. The commotion caused by these operations awoke some of the gentlemen in the cabin of the _Woodville_, and they came on deck to learn the occasion of it.

"What's the trouble, Captain Lawry?" asked one of them.

"Haste and waste," replied the young pilot sententiously.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing, only the boat which left St. Johns four hours before us is aground, and can't get off."

"Well, haste and waste does mean something, after all," laughed the speaker.

The gentlemen went to bed again; the _Woodville_ continued on her course, and when the party came on deck, at seven in the morning, she was in sight of Burlington. Of course, the excursionists were delighted to be able to attend the "trot." At four o'clock in the afternoon, the steamer which had grounded reached Burlington. Some of Lawry's party came on board in the evening to settle their accounts with the boat. They were gentlemen, and they acknowledged their error, and apologized for the strong language they had used.

"Well, gentlemen, I am very glad you are satisfied," said Lawry, as he put their money in his pocket. "I shall still believe in and follow my motto--HASTE AND WASTE."

THE END