"To be sure!" responded Jack. "How could we have had so little
gumption as not to have thought of it?"

"Oakum is hemp obtained from untwisting old ropes," continued Uncle
Gerald. "In genuine ship-building, calking consists in crowding
threads of this material with great force into the seams between the
planks. When filled, they are then rubbed over with pitch, or what is
known as marine glue,--a composition of shellac and caoutchouc. It
will not be necessary for you to do all this, however. Oakum is often
used for packing goods also. I dare say if you hunt around in the barn
you will find a little lying about somewhere. But, bless me, you young
rogues! Here you are all this time in your wet clothes. Leo, your
mother will be worried for fear you may take cold. Run home as fast as
you can and get into a dry suit. And you other fellows, come! We'll
take the _Jolly Pioneer_ back to the workshop without delay; and then
you must hurry and do the same."



IV.

Many days had not passed before the boys succeeded in making the punt
water-tight. Yet the carpentering still went on at the barn.

"What is all the hammering for now?" asked Mr. Gordon one afternoon.
"I thought the _Jolly Pioneer_ was in splendid trim and doing good
service."

"So she is," answered Jack. "But--well, she doesn't quite come up to
our expectations; so Rob and I have given her to the little boys. We