erboard.
The framework connecting the two tubes together, and supporting the
stage or deck, was next fixed; then the deck itself, which was in three
pieces, and so contrived that, when properly put together and laid in
its place, a single bolt secured the whole immovably. Our centre-board
and rudder were soon in their places, and nothing remained but to step
the mast and bowsprit, set up the rigging, bend sails, and be off.

These latter operations took but a very short time, as every device had
been adopted which would facilitate the boat's equipment; and, having
timed ourselves, we found that our boat was ready and under weigh
_within_ an hour of the time at which we had first begun to work at her.
We considered this very smart work, but we hoped to shorten the time
considerably after a little practice. We took a few turns in the bay,
whilst the _Emerald_ was getting under weigh, and tried a few manoeuvres
with perfect success. There was only one thing about which we had any
doubt, and that was whether she would _stay_ or no. In the smooth water
close to the shore (the wind was strong from the south-west, that day)
she tacked beautifully, head-reaching a long way in stays; and later on
in the day we found that in this respect rough water made very little
difference to her, owing to the peculiar shape of her tubes.

It was blowing a strong breeze from the south-west, as I have already
said, and we took down a reef in our mainsail, whilst the _Emerald_
started under trysail and jib, keeping her mainsail stowed, so as not to
run away from us.

We intended to run out round the _Shambles_ light-ship and back; but as
soon as I got clear of the bay, and from under the lee of the _Nothe_, I
hauled sharp upon a wind to test the stability of my craft. To my
astonishment, she did not appear to feel the effect of the wind at all,
except as it tended to urge her through the water. She skimmed along
very fast, but stood quite upright. Under these circumstances we, of
course, shook our reef out and bore up for a run away to leeward.

The _Emerald_ could do nothing with us at this game, much to the chagrin
of her noble owner; so she was obliged to in trysail and set her
mainsail, whilst we hove-to and waited for her. But even after her
mainsail was set we had the advantage of her.

She was a regular racer--long, lean, and deep in the water; whilst we
floated entirely upon the surface, the tubes being exactly half
submerg