was much
interested in the old man's idea, bent over him to observe the result of
the experiment. Tommy Bogey sat down beside the tub as eagerly as if he
expected some wonderful transformation to take place. Bax and Bluenose
also looked on with unusual interest, as if they felt that a crisis in
the experimental labours of their old comrade had arrived.

"It floats first-rate on an even keel," cried Tommy, with a pleased look
as the miniature boat moved slowly round its little ocean, "now then,
capsize it."

Old Jeph quietly put his finger on the side of the little boat, and
turned it upside down. Instead of remaining in that position it rolled
over on one side so much, that the onlookers fully expected to see it
right itself, and Tommy gave vent to a premature cheer, but he cut it
suddenly short on observing that the boat remained on its side with one
of the gunwales immersed, unable to attain an even keel in consequence
of the weight of water inside of it.

"I tell ye wot it is, Jeph," said Bluenose, with emphasis, "you'll do it
yet; if you don't I'll eat my sou'-wester without sauce, so I will. As
the noospapers says, you'll inaggerate a new era in lifeboats, old boy,
that's a fact, and I'll live to see it too!"

Having delivered himself of this opinion in tones of much fervour, the
captain delivered his mouth of a series of cloudlets, and gazed through
them at his old friend with unfeigned admiration.

Guy and Bax were both impressed with the partial success of the
experiment, as well as with Jeph's idea, and said to him, encouragingly,
that he had very near hit it, but Jeph himself only shook his head and
smiled sadly.

"Lads," said he, "_very near_ is sometimes a long way farther off than
folk suppose. Perpetual motion has bin _very nearly_ discovered ever
since men began to try their hands at engineerin', but it ain't
discovered yet, nor never will be--'cause why? it ain't possible."

"Ain't poss'ble!" echoed Bluenose, "you're out there, old man. I
diskivered it, years ago. Just you go up to Sandhill Cottage, and
inquire for one Mrs Laker, a hupright and justifiable sister o' mine.
Open that 'ooman's mouth an' look in (she won't bite if ye don't bother
her too much), and lyin' in that there cavern ye'll see a thing called a
_tongue_,--if that ain't an engine of perpetooal motion, shiver my
timbers! that's all."

Just as the captain made this reckless offer to sacrifice his timbers,
Peekins--forme