Читать книгу The Young Game-Warden онлайн

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But still Silas hated him, as he hated every one who was better off in the world than he was.

A little distance farther away stood a solitary individual, who, if the expression of his countenance could be taken as an index to his feelings, was mad enough to do something desperate.

He took the deepest interest in all that was going on before him, and indeed he had good reason for it. His livelihood depended upon what the commissioner and his jury of twelve disinterested freeholders might decide to do. A bridge at that particular place would ruin his occupation as effectually as it would break up the business of ferrying.

"That's Hobson," said Silas, looking around for his hat. "I don't wonder that he's mad. What do they want to put a bridge across here for, anyway? Ain't there a good ferry right in front of the door, and can't we take care of them that wants to go back and forth?"

"We can, but we don't," answered Dan. "When that horn toots, you never move till you get a good ready."

"I know that," assented Silas. "I ain't hired myself out for a slave yet, and them that expect me to jump the minute a man who has got more money than I have chooses to call on me, will find themselves fooled. I have always run this ferry to suit Silas Morgan, and nobody else."