The Man at the Wheel (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1898 Excerpt: ... xxv. ("PROM the way things look," said the wharf1-boat, in a confidential tone, to the steamer which had just come alongside in a dense fog, 'you'll not get away till after daylight, and as the town clock just sounded one, you'd better try and make yourself comfortable. I feel like I'd like to have company, anyhow, for the nights are long and lonesome." "That was a boat signaling," put in the steamer, as an evidence of its own alertness to all that was transpiring on the river, for it behooved them both to be watchful; "but you're not far off as to the time." "Maybe you're right," said the wharfboat, as the two touched, causing a slight jar which aroused her watchman, who had fallen into a doze near the middle gangway, "for my hearing is not as good as it once was. But which way?" "Oh, I'm bound up, with a whole belly full of sugar, guards dragging, and stiff as a stone fence; no speed; will be six-and-a-half days out, the superintendent will be kicking, but I can't help it; lose eight hours here, at least." 'Where to?" demanded the wharfboat. 'You ought to know, ' rejoined the steamer; "hasn't our company been doing business with you for twenty years?" "Yes; but that ain't fifty-two, by a long shot," said the wharf oat, somewhat ruffled. 'Don't come rubbing against me with a record like that. Why, you ain't in it, at all Now, listen: Old Tom Leathers landed 'longside of me with his two-boiler 'Natchez' in '48, and he knew me long before that; he ought to--I've passed him often enough." "Oh, my " responded the steamer, with amazement; 'I must have struck blood here, sure enough; who'd have thought it?" 'No, I'm not much blood now, ' returned the wharfboat, gruffly; "but I was somebody in my day. Why, I've laid here at the bank and watched my engine wear out ...