"It is not worth much, Mr. Sheldon," said the foreman. "You can
have it if you want it."

"No, I want to buy it."

"Oh, well, say a dollar, but you'll be a dollar out if you buy it."

"I don't think so," said Jack, who knew what the boat was worth, and
that a little money expended on it would not be wasted. "May I have
a bench for a few days?"

"Yes, for as long as you like."

Jack hired a man to take the boat to the shop, bought some paint and
brushes and some narrow boards used for flooring, and then sent for
the engine, which he placed near the boat.

He was of a mechanical turn of mind, as Brooke had said, and knew a
good deal about engines, and by the purchase of a few necessary
articles, and by working himself he managed in the course of a day or
so to put his engine into a condition that thoroughly satisfied him.

Then he bought a propeller, lamps and other necessaries, had the
engine fitted into his boat, and then proceeded to deck it over
forward, having already remedied any defects that it had, and making
it perfectly watertight, and like a new boat with a fresh coat of
paint and varnish.

He was a week on the work, but at last his boat was ready and was put