juring the original keel. Fortunately, they had found some long
screws, which much assisted them.

"I have a bright idea," said Tom, as they were about to begin. "We'll
nail on a length in the first place two inches deep, which we can firmly
secure with iron hoops to the side of the keel, and into that we can run
our screws, so that there will be no risk of splitting the keel."

This plan was carried out.

"To my mind, no carpenter could have done it better," exclaimed Jerry,
as he surveyed the work.

The fore-part of the boat was next decked over, a piece of canvas being
nailed down on the top of it, and well painted, thus rendering it
perfectly water-tight. On the same principle they formed some large
lockers aft, and another amidships, in which their heavier previsions
could be stored.

These being made water-tight, would materially assist in keeping the
boat afloat should a heavy sea break on board of her. The gunwale was
then raised a foot all round, and a bulwark placed athwartships, abaft
the forecastle deck, from which, extending some feet further aft, a
sliding hatch was fitted, so that in reality their boat was half decked
over. They lastly gave her a thick coat of tar outside, and two coats
of paint all over inside. She was rigged with a mainsail, a mizen, and
a foresail, to which they added a sliding bowsprit, so that a jib could
be set in light winds, with a flying gaff topsail. Having plenty of
canvas and spars, they also fitted a square sail; some sand-bags served
for ballast, although the stores they intended to take would reader them
at first unnecessary. Tom had, however, half a dozen spare ones made,
which could be filled from the beach of any island at which they might
touch, as their stores became exhausted. Altogether the craft was made
thoroughly seaworthy. They had been working hard all day, the last
touch was given, and after a critical examination she was pronounced
complete.

"Now, lads, we will launch her," cried Tom.

By means of the rollers placed under her keel, this was done without
much difficulty, and all hands jumped on board. Ballast was then placed
in her, and she was found not to make a drop of water.

"For my part," exclaimed Tom, anxious to encourage the rest, "I should
be ready to sail right across the Pacific in her."

"And so should I," cried Billy and Desmond in chorus.

"Pardon me for saying it, sir; there are two things we cannot carry
enough of to do