e other side and meet it.
Even with a very poor pond it is still possible to have a very good
time. In buying or making a boat, be sure that the lead along the keel
is heavy enough. So little do toy-shop people think of these things
that they very often put no lead at all on their boats, and more often
than not put too little. Once a boat is properly weighted in this way
you are certain to have fun in sailing her, but otherwise it will be
useless to try. In boat-sailing it is well to have a long stick with a
hook at the end with which to draw the ship to land. For suggestions
as to making a useful and simple sailing-boat see p. 295.

Little Boats on a Stream

Sailing boats in a stream is little good, because there is no
steadiness of wind, but ordinary boats will float along in the current
splendidly. It is interesting to launch one and follow its adventures
from the bank. Sometimes it will be caught in a weed; sometimes an
eddy will sweep it into a back water; sometimes, in shooting the
rapids, it will be overturned. But a long stick can always put things
right. Or one of you will go down the stream to a given point and the
other will send down messengers--pieces of wood, walnut boats (see p.
298), paper boats (see p. 285), or whatever it may be.

A Stream's Fascination

But there is no absolute need for you to have boats in order to enjoy
a stream. There are so many other things to do, not the least
interesting being to make a dam and stop or divert the course of the
water. And when tired of playing it is very good to sit quite still on
the bank and watch things happening: perhaps a water-rat will swim
along suspecting nothing, and then, seeing you make a movement, will
dive and disappear, and suddenly come into view ever so far away on
the other bank. Perhaps a kingfisher will flash by or settle on a
branch overhanging the water. Kingfishers grow more rare every year,
owing to the merciless and unthinking zeal with which they are shot;
and maybe before long there will be no more to be seen anywhere.

Solitary Watchfulness

Indeed, to keep absolutely quiet and watch things happening is for
many people one of the most delightful occupations which the country
holds. When there is no one else to play with it is as good a way of
spending the time as can be found.

Mice and Moles

In a wood or in any place where there are old leaves, as in a dry
ditch, you will usually get through the ear the first tiding