AN ANCIENT SHIP. 93 



sail wonderfully close to the wind, but in running before it 

 they sometimes take it into their heads to duck under, because 

 the weight of the sail is all thrown on the fore-part of the boat, 

 and sometimes proves too much for it. 



A boat which attracted our boys' attention was a lugger, 

 with her sails crossed by strips of bamboo, so that they looked 

 something like Venetian blinds. These made the sails stand 

 very flat and firm, and the boat so rigged seemed to sail very 

 fast. The sun-lit waters of the broad, covered as they were 

 with rapidly-moving 'yachts, whose white sails contrasted with 

 the blue water and sky and the green fringe of tall reeds which 

 encircled the lake, presented a very pretty spectacle, and one 

 that called forth the admiration of our young yachtsmen. As 

 they threaded their way through the numerous vessels, they 

 saw that they themselves were an object of curiosity, and as 

 sound travels far on the water, and people seldom think of 

 that when they speak on it, the boys overheard many com- 

 ments upon themselves. Those upon their boat were some- 

 times not flattering, but those upon their skill in handling her 

 upon that crowded water were very appreciative, and at length 

 Frank said, with something like ?. blush 



" Look here, this is getting too warm.* I vote we moor her, 

 and go to Lowestoft to have a dip i.n the sea." 



The others agreed to this, and having moored the yacht in a 

 safe place, they took their departure. At the lower end of 

 Oulton Broad is a lock, by which vessels can be raised or 

 lowered, as the case may be, to, or from Lake Lothing, a 

 tidal piece of water, communicating with the sea through 

 Lowestoft harbour. A brigantine collier was in the lock when 

 our boys came up, and they stood and watched it come through, 

 going out upon a floating raft of wood, so as to see it better 

 entering the broad. 



" Why, look at her bows. They are carved all over like an 

 old-fashioned mantel-piece." 



As it came through the lock, it knocked against their raft, 

 and threatened their safety, so seizing hold of the chains that 

 hung over its bows, they climbed on board and entered into a 

 conversation with her skipper. He told them that his ship was 

 100 years old, and he considered her still stronger than many a 

 ship of more recent build. He had on board some beautiful 

 little dogs of the Spanish breed, pure white and curly-haired, 



