in me grandmother's wash-tub," remarked
Teddy Maroon, in a disrespectful tone.

Smeaton, agreeing with them, lay-to the whole of the 24th, and then,
casting anchor, debated whether it were better to make for the coast of
France or try to reach the Scilly Islands. Fortunately a change of wind
on the 25th enabled them to weigh anchor and run back to Plymouth
rejoicing; and vowing, as John Bowden said, never more to venture out to
sea in a _Buss_! They reached the harbour at six in the morning, to the
intense relief of their friends, who had given them up for lost.

Thus ended the first season--1756.

CHAPTER NINE.

ACCOUNT OF THE WAR CONTINUED.

"Now then, my lads," said Smeaton, on the 12th of June 1757, "we shall
lay the foundation to-day, so let us go to work with a will."

"Faix, then," whispered Teddy Maroon to John Bowden, as they proceeded
to the wharf, where the ready-cut stones were being put on board the
Eddystone boat, "it's little good we'll do av we _don't_ go to work wid
a will."

"I believe you, my boy," replied John, heartily. John Bowden said and
did everything heartily. "An' we won't be long," he continued, "about
laying the first course, it's such a small one."

"Hallo!" shouted the man in charge of the boat, as they came in sight of
it, "come along, lads; we're all ready."

According to directions they ran down, and jumped on board "with a
will." Smeaton took his place in the stern. They pushed off with a
will; sailed and pulled out the fourteen miles with a will; jumped on
the rock, landed the heavy stones, went immediately into action, cleaned
the bed, and laid the first stone of the great work--all under the same
vigorous impulse of the will. This was at eight in the morning. By the
evening tide, the first "course," which formed but a small segment of a
circle, was fitted with the utmost despatch, bedded in mortar and
trenailed down. Next day the second course was partly landed on the
rock; the men still working with a will, for moments out there were more
precious than hours or days in ordinary building,--but before they got
the whole course landed, old Ocean also began to work with a will, and
eventually proved himself stronger than his adversaries, by driving
them, in a terrific storm, from the Rock!

They reached the _Buss_ with difficulty, and lay there idle while the
mad waves revelled round the rocks, and danced through their works
deridingly. It seemed, however, as