how they ain't got much knack fur freein' the wheel.
So we did linger in the channel a spell."

"Linger!" put in Willie. "I shouldn't call bobbin' up an' down in one
spot fur two mortal hours lingerin'. I'd call it nearer bein'
hypnotized."

Zenas Henry was now plainly out of temper. He was well aware that
Wilton had scant sympathy with his motor-boat, the first innovation of
the sort that had been perpetrated in the town.

"Hadn't you better turn your attention from motor-boats to pumps?" he
asked testily.

"I reckon I had, Zenas Henry," Willie answered, unruffled by the
thrust. "As you say, if you chose to wind yourself up in the eel-grass
it's none of my affair."

Turning his back on his visitor, he bent once more over the pump and
adjusted a leather washer between its rusty joints.

"Now let's give her a try, Jan," he said, as he tightened the screws.
"If that don't fetch her I'm beat."

By this time Jan's faith had lessened, and although he obediently
raised the iron handle and began to ply it up and down, it was obvious
that he did not anticipate success. But contrary to his expectations
there was a sudden subterranean groan, followed by a rumble of
gradually rising pitch; then from out the stubbed green spout a stream
of water gushed forth and trickled into the tub beneath.

"Hurray!" shouted Jan. "There she blows, Willie! Ain't you the
dabster, though!"

The inventor did not immediately acknowledge the plaudits heaped upon
him, but it was evident he was gratified by his success for, as he
wiped the beads of perspiration from his forehead he sighed deeply.

"If I hadn't been such a blame fool I'd 'a' known what the matter was
in the first place," he remarked. "Well, if we knew as much when we're
born as we do when we get ready to die, what would be the use of livin'
seventy odd years?"

In spite of his irritation Zenas Henry smiled.

"I don't s'pose you're feelin' like tacklin' another pump to-day," he
ventured with hesitation. "Ours up at the white cottage has gone on a
strike, too."

Instantly Willie was interested.

"What's got yours?" he asked.

"Blest if I know. We've took it all to pieces an' ain't found nothin'
out with it, an' now to save our souls we can't put it together again,"
Zenas Henry explained. "I drove round, thinkin' that mebbe you'd go
back with me an' have a look at it."

"Course I will, Zenas Henry," Willie said without hesitation. "I'd
admire to. A pump th