Frank, the Young Naturalist

on th

changed. A "center-board" and several handy lockers had been neatly fitted up in her, and her long, low hull painted black

was almost night, and consequently he could not try her sailing qualities that day; and he was so im

uarter of a mile from Mrs. Nelson's, but they and Frank were together almost all the time. Harry, who was about a year older than Frank, was a very impulsive fellow, and in a moment of excitement often said and did things for which he felt sorry when he had time to thi

o we thought we would row up and see what had become of you. Why don't you come down and see a fellow? Hallo!" he e

Frank. "I've been trying

e sail?" inq

hed her, and have not had time t

ell, and climbed over into her. "But I'll tell you what it is," he continued, peeping into the lockers and examining th

job," said George. "Did you m

r, after all the trouble I've had. How would you like to spend an hour with me

s blowing directly down the creek. He amused himself for about two hours in his shop; and after he had eaten his breakfast, he began to get ready to start on the proposed excursion. A large basket, filled with refreshments, was carefully stowed away in one of the lockers of the Speedwell, the sails were hoisted, the painter was cast off, and Frank took his seat at the helm, and the boat moved from the shore "like a thing of life." The creek was too narrow to allow of much maneuvering, and Frank was obliged to forbear judging of her sailing qualities until he should reach the river. But, to his d

exclaimed George, suddenly,

the top of the masts and sails of a boat which was

ver, and get as far ahead of him as you can, and see if we can'

ss her from one side to the other-was great compared with her length. She was rigged like Frank's boat, having one mast and carrying a mainsail and jib; but as her sails were considerably larger than those of the Speedwell, and as she was a much lighter boat, the boys all expected that she would reach the island, which the young skippers always regarded as "home

l catch this line

am. "I think we can get along ver

and we'll catch you before yo

that!" shouted

t. But they soon found that it would be much longer than they had imagined. Instead of the slow, straining motion which they had expected, the Speedwell flew throu

ntil they were hoarse, and Frank was so

f the Champion beats this, she will

dwell's "sailing qualities;" and William hauled more to the wind and "crowded" his

at length; "but I guess we can keep a

she did gain-and when the Speedwell had accomplished half the distance ac

wind was broken by the trees. The Speedwell gradually slackened her headway, and the Champion, wh

aid William; "her sails are too small. She can car

fact is, I did not know how she would behave, and was afraid she

lambering over into the Speedwell. "Why, how nice and handy every

ow we are off for a crop o

sland, and, just as Harry spoke, their bows ran high upon the sand. The boys sprang out, and spent two hours in roaming over the island in search of stra

s the wind blew from the main shore, they were obliged to "tack," and the Speedwell again showed

sails and carried them into his shop. He had promised, before leaving George and Harry, to meet them at five o'clock the nex