indlass, the
binnacle, caboose, and combings of her hatchway complete. Next I
commenced rigging her. I formed all the blocks, and expended many a
penny in purchasing whipcord and twine of different thickness, as well
as linen for her sails. Having often carefully watched the sailmakers
at work, and helped them when they would allow me, I was able not only
to cut out the sails properly, but to fasten on the bolt-ropes, and to
mark exactly the divisions of the cloths. I had also to bring the
painter's art into play; and to fashion with a file various stancheons,
and belaying-pins, and such like things, out of bits of iron and copper;
indeed, I am vain to say that I made a very complete model. When she
was perfectly completed, I walked round and round her with no little
satisfaction, surveying her from every quarter, and placing her in every
possible position--indeed, I was never tired of trimming sails. I had
had a purpose in building her, for I wanted to present her to my kind
captain for one of his little boys, whom I had seen occasionally on
board.

Old Pat Hagan, though too advanced in years to be intrusted entirely
with the charge of the ship, occasionally came down to enable me to take
a run on shore. The first day, therefore, that he made his appearance,
I started with my model on my head to the captain's residence.

"Who has sent you here, Jack, with that pretty little craft?" asked
Captain Helfrich, as I was shown into his parlour, where he with his
wife and children were sitting.

"Why, sir, as I hoped that you would not think me taking too much on
myself in offering it to Master James, I made bold to bring it myself,"
I replied, looking down and feeling somewhat bashful at the praise my
model was receiving.

"I cannot refuse your pretty gift, Jack, which, I am sure is given with
a good heart. But where did you pick her up my man?" answered the
captain. "But just let me look at her nearer. Why, she is the very
model of the _Rainbow_!"

When I told him that I had built her myself, he still further praised
me, as did his lady; and Master James was delighted with his present,
and jumped about round her, and thanked me over and over again.

"I am very much pleased, my lad, with this little craft, and from the
way you have built her, and, still more, from your general conduct, I
tell you that you would be fitted to become an officer if you had but
the necessary education. You must try and obtain tha