his attempts in extreme disgust. Not forgetting, however, to point
out to Jack that his failure was a direct contradiction to the
proverb which he, Jack, was constantly thrusting down his throat,
namely, that "where there's a will there's a way." For he had a
great will to become a cook, but could by no means find a way to
accomplish that end.

One day, while Peterkin and I were seated beside our table on which
dinner was spread, Jack came up from the beach, and, flinging down
his axe, exclaimed, -

"There, lads, the boat's finished at last! so we've nothing to do
now but shape two pair of oars, and then we may put to sea as soon
as we like."

This piece of news threw us into a state of great joy; for although
we were aware that the boat had been gradually getting near its
completion, it had taken so long that we did not expect it to be
quite ready for at least two or three weeks. But Jack had wrought
hard and said nothing, in order to surprise us.

"My dear fellow," cried Peterkin, "you're a perfect trump. But why
did you not tell us it was so nearly ready? won't we have a jolly
sail to-morrow? eh?"

"Don't talk so much, Peterkin," said Jack; "and, pray, hand me a
bit of that pig."

"Certainly, my dear," cried Peterkin, seizing the axe; "what part
will you have? a leg, or a wing, or a piece of the breast; which?"