TRYING OUT THE NEW BOAT


In half an hour the two boys were at the wharf of the machine shop,
and Jack was showing his new acquisition to Percival, whose delight
could hardly be expressed in words.

"Why, I say, Jack, she looks as if she had just been turned out of
the shops. Why, she's a beauty and no mistake. And you did all the
work on her yourself?"

"I did not build the boat, Dick, but I fixed her up, caulked, painted,
and decked her over forward, put the rail around the standing room,
and put in the seats, installed the engine, set the propeller, and
got her in the shape you see her now. She's all right?"

"All right? Well, I should say she was. I'd never believe that you
hadn't just got her brand new from the shop. No wonder you get along,
Jack. A fellow who shows a knack for doing things that you do and
goes ahead in spite of all obstacles is bound to get on. Come on,
let me see how she can go. My boat is a lot fancier than yours, but
I doubt if she can make the same speed or last as long. Come ahead,
get aboard!"

The boys got on board, and Jack took his seat, started his engine,
took the tiller and glided out upon the river, and then down toward
the railroad station, Percival noting the speed, the smoothness with
which everything worked, and the apparent ease with which Jack
managed it all, as though he had always been used to such things.