Part 21 (1/2)

What became of your boat? I asked finally.

Sold. You kept yours.

Yes. Its in the cellar, there at Nantucket. I could have it sent on.

Cost as much as to buy a new one.

A new one wouldnt be as good. I bristled a little. Any one who has owned a boat is very sensitive about its virtues.

How big?

How should I know? A little boatmaybe twelve feet.

Two oars?

Four.

Round bottom?

Yes. Shed ride anything.

WellJonathan suddenly expandedheres an idea now! How would you like to have it sent on to the mainland, and then row it the rest of the wayalong the Rhode Island and Connecticut sh.o.r.es?

I sat straight up. Jonathan! Lets do it now!

Jonathan chuckled. My! What a hurry shes in!

Well, lets!

We couldnt. The boat will have to be overhauled first.

Oh, dear! I suppose so.

We could do it next spring, and go up the trout streams.

Think of that! I murmured.

Or in September and get the sh.o.r.e huntingthe salt marshes.

Oh, which?which? Already I was following our course along curving beaches and amongst the yellow marshlands. But Jonathans mind was working on more practical details.

Twelve feet, you said?

About that.

Pretty close stowing for our dunnagestilllets seetwo guns

Or the rods, if we went in the spring.