For many days after this Jack applied himself with unremitting
assiduity to the construction of our boat, which at length began to
look something like one. But those only who have had the thing to do
can entertain a right idea of the difficulty involved in such an
undertaking, with no other implements than an axe, a bit of hoop-iron,
a sail-needle, and a broken penknife. But Jack did it. He was of that
disposition which _will_ not be conquered. When he believed
himself to be acting rightly, he overcame all obstacles. I have seen
Jack, when doubtful whether what he was about to do were right or
wrong, as timid and vacillating as a little girl; and I honour him for
it!
As this boat was a curiosity in its way, a few words here relative to
the manner of its construction may not be amiss.
I have already mentioned the chestnut tree with its wonderful
buttresses or planks. This tree, then, furnished us with the chief part
of our material. First of all, Jack sought out a limb of a tree of such
a form and size as, while it should form the keel, a bend at either end
should form the stem and stern-posts. Such a piece, however, was not
easy to obtain; but at last he procured it by rooting up a small tree
which had a branch growing at the proper angle about ten feet up its
stem, with two strong roots growing in such a form as enabled him to
make a flat-sterned boat. This placed, he procured three branching
roots of suitable size, which he fitted to the keel at equal distances,
thus forming three strong ribs.
Pages:
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149