eh?"

"No, I only tried to clean the clock a little, and set it going again."

"Ay, and left all ta wheels out. Haw--haw--haw!"

The miller's laugh almost made the mill boards rattle.

"I say, don't talk about it, Mr Round," cried Vane; "and, really, I
only forgot two."

The miller roared again.

"On'y left out two! Hark at him! Why, ivery wheel has some'at to do
wi' works. Theer, I weant laugh at thee, lad, only don't fetch us all
oot o' bed another night, thinking the whole plaace is being bont aboot
our ears. Theer tak' the boat when you like; you're welcome enew."

Vane went off in high glee, and that day he had long interviews with
Wrench the carpenter, and the blacksmith, who promised to work out his
ideas as soon as he gave them models or measurements, both declaring
that they had some splendid "stooff" ready to "wuck off," and Vane went
back to his own place and gave every spare moment to his idea.

That propeller took exactly two months to make, for the workmen always
made the parts entrusted to them either too short or too long, and in
fact just as a cobbler would make a boot that ought to have been the
work of a skilful veteran.

"It's going to be a rum thing," said Macey, who helped a great deal by
strolling down from the rectory, sitting on a box, and drumming his
heels on the side, while he made disparaging remarks, and said that the
whole affair was sure to fail.

The doctor came in too, and nodded as the different parts were
explained; but as the contrivance was worked out, Vane found that he had
to greatly modify his original ideas; all the same though, he brought so
much perseverance to bear that the blacksmith's objections were always
overridden, and Wrench the carpenter's growls suppressed.

One of the greatest difficulties encountered was the making the machine
so self-contained that it could be placed right in the stern of the boat
without any need for nails or stays.

But Vane had a scheme for every difficulty, and at last the day came
when the new propeller was set up in the little workshop, and Distin,
brought by curiosity, accompanied Gilmore and Macey to the induction.

Vane was nervous enough, but proud, as he took his fellow-pupils into
the place, and there, in the middle, fixed upon a rough, heavy bench,
stood the machine.

"Why, you never got that made for five pounds?" cried Gilmore.

"N-no," said Vane, wincing a little, "I'm afraid it will cost nearly
fifteen. I h