Mrs. Wilford had but little confidence in her son's schemes, but she
did not discourage them; and Lawry racked his brain for expedients to
accomplish the task he had imposed upon himself. He had no money, and
he was too proud to ask Mr. Sherwood for the assistance which that
gentleman would so gladly have rendered. Ethan French came down to
see him every day, and the prairie boy was so kind and considerate
that they soon became fast friends.

"When are you going to work on the steamer, Lawry?" asked Ethan. "I
suppose you don't feel much like meddling with her yet."

"I don't; but she ought to be raised as soon as possible," replied
Lawry. "I am going to work upon her right off. I went down to see how
she lies this morning, and I have got my plans all laid."

"Have you?"

"I have."

"Do you think you can get her up?"

"I know I can."

"Well, how are you going to do it?" inquired Ethan.

"Do you know Mr. Nelson, over at Pointville? I suppose you don't.
Well, he is a great oil man; he has got some oil-wells down on the
St. Johns River. He is getting together all the barrels and hogsheads
he can find, to send down to his works. He has as many as a hundred
at his place in Pointville. I'm going to borrow a lot of these casks,