On board of the little steamer there is an old friend of our
readers. He may be found in the engine-room; and as he rubs up the
polished iron of the machinery, he is thinking of Fanny Jane Grant,
with whom he escaped from the Indians in Minnesota, and whom he
expects on board with Mr. Sherwood's party. The young man, now
sixteen years of age, is the engineer of the _Woodville_. Though
he has been but two years learning the trade of machinist, he is as
thoroughly acquainted with every part of a marine-engine as though he
had spent his lifetime in studying it.

The engine of the _Woodville_ was built at the works where
Ethan French was learning his trade, and he had been employed in its
construction. As he was a frequent visitor at Woodville, he had
petitioned for the situation he now held. At first, Mr. Sherwood was
not willing to trust him; but Ethan's employers declared that he was
a man in everything but years, and was fully competent to manage the
engine, and even to build one after the designs were made. He had
come up from New York in the steamer. He had seen Mr. Sherwood at
Port Henry, on his arrival, and had been ordered to have the boat in
readiness to start on the following morning, when the family would be
passengers.

Mr. Sherwood had already selected Lawry Wilford as the pilot of the
_Woodville_. He was small in stature, and would look better in
the wheel-house than a full-grown man. He had often met the young
pilot, and had been greatly pleased with his energy and decision.
Lawry had been employed by Miss Fanny several times to row her on the
lake; and he had served her so faithfully that her influence was not
wanting in procuring for him the situation.