promulgating his great thesis; some of the
most marvelous inventions took years to bring out and develop into such
a state as to make them acceptable to the world. Delays, patiently
borne, make strong men. The impetuous think they represent wasted
opportunities. Davy Crockett enunciated one of the greatest principles
of human action when he said, 'Be sure you are right, then go ahead.' It
was only another way of advising against recklessness or impatience in
any enterprise."

Thus three days passed, and not without misgivings, the signal was given
for the start. Angel accompanied them, and with a new flag which the
days of leisure had given them an opportunity to prepare, the little
craft sailed down the waters of Cataract, in a shining sun, bound for a
haven which might mean rest, or to a shore which might offer no welcome
to them. The wind was coming mildly from the north, and when they had
cleared the shore line and were beyond the influence of the swells,
their course was directed to the west. Several miles beyond was a point
which projected out to sea; they could see this plainly from Observation
Hill, and during the last long trip inland they reached the sea beyond
this cape.

The shore line beyond was absolutely unknown to them, but it extended to
the west as far as they could see, and when night set in the faint mist
prevented them from judging how much farther it ran in that direction.

Without proper instruments at sea, distance is always a difficult matter
to judge, and the boys were constantly venturing guesses as to the
distance traveled. The start was made shortly after nine o'clock, and it
was now past six in the evening.

"How far do you think we have gone during the day?" was George's
question.

The Professor made a mental calculation before replying. "If we have
traveled at the same speed during the entire course that we made during
the first three miles to the cape, we have gone about thirty miles."

"Do you know it is three miles to the cape?"

"Yes, it is approximately that distance. I measured it by triangulation
some time ago, using our house and Observation Hill as the base line."

The boys had neglected to take this precaution.

"What was your object in doing that?"

"So that we might have some means to observe the speed our boat could
make. If we knew the speed of the wind, we might be able to calculate
our distance."

"But the wind has been coming from the north and we are sailin