10 THE SWAN AND HER CREW. 



to do with that young larch-tree ? I have been very patient all 

 this time, so you may as well tell me now." 



" Well, Jimmy, I have thought of a grand idea. You are 

 the inventive genius of us two, and I usually carry things out ; 

 but I have invented something now which we must both help 

 to carry out. What do you think of having a yacht, Jimmy a 

 large yacht, so that we could sail all over the Broad, and down 

 the rivers, and all over the country, and fish and birdnest, and 

 naturalize, and shoot wildfowl to our hearts' content ? What do 

 you think of that, my boy ? " 



" It would be an awfully jolly thing, no doubt ; but as far as 

 Hickling Broad goes, it is too shallow for any yacht. Why, 

 except in the Channel, it is not more than four feet deep 

 in any part, large as it is ; and parts of it are only two feet 

 deep, so that if we had a yacht we should stick fast directly. 

 Besides, how are we to get a yacht ? " 



" Make one." 



"How? It will be impossible." 



" We could not make a yacht of the usual shape, and if we 

 could, it would not suit our purposes. What I propose is that 

 we should build a double yacht. Just listen while I explain, 

 and don't interrupt. We will make two long pontoons, pointed 

 at both ends, and connect the two by cross-pieces, on which 

 we can lay a deck and build a small, low cabin. Such a boat 

 would not draw more than a foot of water, and to make 

 her sail to windward we should have a drop keel or centre 

 board, which we could let down or draw up according to the 

 depth of the water. Then I think a lug sail and mizen would 

 suit her best. We will build her ourselves. And inch deal is 

 cheap enough, sd it cannot cost so much. I have saved my 

 pocket-money to buy a lot of books, but I can do without 

 them for a time " 



" I have a couple of sovereigns," eagerly interrupted Jimmy. 



" That is right ; then we can do it swimmingly. We will 

 build her in old Bell's yard, and he will lend us what tools we 

 have not got." 



Jimmy warmly welcomed the idea, and, getting out some 

 paper and pencils, they began to draw plans and estimates of 

 ' cost with great enthusiasm. 



" And now," said Frank, " we will go and see Bell and ask 

 him what he thinks of it." 



