Year: 1879

y
down to the river bank. Here space
was cleared next the water. and four
lines of timber g ways" or slides, were
curely fastened together, and then liber-
ally spread with grease and oil. Then,
under Ralph's directions, two-inch planks
were laid side by side on the ways till a
platform was made one hundred and
eighty feet long and about twenty feet
wide in the center. More men began to
arrive, and every one who could drive
nails was promptly engaged, and within
an hour forty men were at work on the
new boat. E4 a fE


With chalk and line Ralph struck a
line through the center of the platform,
and from this struck out a curved line
on each side, and then bade the men
saw off the planks to the curved line.
This gave a long slender platform, ten
feet wide at the upper end, or stern,
twenty feet wide near the center, and
running off to long slender point at
the lower end, or bows, of the future
boat. Then upon this platform was laid
a rough coat of paint, a dozen men ply
ing the brushes at once, and then came
more planks, laid lengthwise. The two
platforms were cut to the same form,
and were quickly spiked together.


The men suggested that such long
and slender raft would never hold to-
gether.


ssWait and see,n said Ralph. g Now
for the scantling we have been getting
out at the mill. Bring it Gown by the
cart-load. Now, men, have your bits
ready for boring nail-holes in the stuff.
Make the holes a foot apart the whole
length of the strips


In moment or two several pieces of
scantling were ready, and taking one in
hand Ralph laid it along the edge of the
raft and nailed it down, then another,
till strip had been laid entirely round
the raft. AS the strips were long and
flexible, they were easily bent to fit the
curved lines of the platform. At the
upper end the cross-pieces were nailed
together, and at the bow end the strips
were brought to a point and fitted to an
upright piece set up at the end of the
platform. Then through the center of
the platform was laid another strip from
end to end, while at intervals of about
five feet cross-pieces were laid from side
to side. ~


"Now, men, you see my idea. Lay
strip over strip, and nail them firmly one
to the other through the holes, till the
sides are six feet high break the joints
of the strips and nail-holes; lay on the
paint freely as you go, and we shall
soon have steamboat without ribs.
The cross-pieces will brace her, and
she'll carry a big cargo, even if she isn't
very pretty"


The men, unaccustomed to marine
architecture, greeted this novel system
of bodybuilding with pleasant surprise,
and went to work with will. More
men arrived. and the clatter Of twenty
banners going on at once made the
woods ring. The sun went down, and
torches and bonfires were lighted. A boy
was sent round for the mems suppers
that there might be no delay. The pas
sengers of the wrecked steamer were be-
slowed in sundry farmhouses, Farmer
Besant taking his share at two dollars
each. The news of the bodybuilding
spread quickly. and the people focked
down to the mill-yard to see the work,
and with them came all the passengers.
Among them came Farmer Besant and
the captain of the Pioneer. The farmer
walked about the curious structure now
rapidly rising, and seeing the enormous
consumption of scantling, he remon-
strated in no pleasant mood.


What right have you to use up your
customers stuff in this way?"


He's failed" said Keystone, without
topping his work.


Chow do you knowp He may claim
it, and you are spelling thousands of
feet of good stuff on piece of folly.n


ssnon3+ 1rpovrr AZ +ho4 - eo,I !, l.
fellow near by. Its about the smart
est idee ever seen. Guess you belong
East, young man?"


boat built without ribs, though none
quite so big. She'll carry your cargo,



"Oh. she will when she's decked. /
say, young feller, don't you want to sell
her just as she standsp"


mo. She is to be steamboat"


Farmer Besant felt confirmed in his
views of young Keystone. He was a
born fool-come from the very home of
lunatics and visionaries


+" I'll give you three hundred dollars
tor her just as she stands, and finish her
myself"


'The Jane is not for sale.''


/" Jane for sale? Don't insult the girl,
Mr.. Ralph"


ga little more paint-lay it on thick!"
Then he turned away to drive more
nails.


Farmer Besant went home, intending
totell Jane of the insult she had received.
He would never speak to Keystone again,
neither should Jane. Luckily Jane had
gone to bed when he returned and knew
nothing of the building of the boat.


Morning came and saw the sides of the
boat well advanced. Some men left for
home and srest, and others took their
places. Even some OF the passengers
volunteered as painters and nail-drivers
There was no thought of the Sabbath.
The excitement of the wreck, the arrival
Of so many strangers and the boat build
ing brought everybody out of doors,
and the yard was filled with people
watching the progress Of the work.


Among them came one with shining
eyes and rosy blush upon her face. The
name of her lover was on every tongue
The marked approval of the captain of
the steamer, and the enthusiasm of his
engineer, won the confidence of the rural
population. Keystone had always been
considered an eccentric sort of fellow,
but now, after all. there might be some-
thing in. him. These things she heard
and treasured in her heart. She kept
out of sight in the crowd, but saw every
thing and heard everything with the
greatest interest and pleasure. There
was man painting letters in blue on