outdoor life, for fishing and for water, and the instinctive desire to
hunt which is inborn in every healthy boy.

EVOLUTION

In the evolution of water craft, the vessel propelled by pole, paddle
or oar must have preceded the use of sails. The former required more
strength and the latter more skill. But no matter what science and art
may do to make sailing more secure and comfortable, the boy,
particularly if he be country bred, and so forced to be more self-
reliant, will have a try at the raft, dingey or canoe before he
aspires to anything more elaborate and expensive.

I like work that develops the ingenuity of the boy. On a long mill
pond out in Kentucky--this was some years ago--I came upon some boys
who were managing a raft propelled by a sail made from two bed sheets.
The body of this strange craft consisted of four logs, sharpened at
the bow and of varying length, so as to present a wedge point to the
water. Across the logs cleats were nailed that kept them together and
answered for a deck. A stout pole, secured in front, served for a mast
and a smaller pole, with a piece of board nailed to the end, acted as
a rudder.

On board this strange craft there were four boys and a dog, the
latter, judging from his barking, quite wild with the fun of it.
Before the wind this sailing raft made good time, but as the craft
refused to tack, the boys lowered the sail and poled back for another
try, just as boys clamber up hill in winter for the sheer joy of
coasting down.