sensitive fibre and elegant frame.

But the sea-going folk of Springhaven had learned, by lore of

generations, to build a boat with an especial sheer forward, beam far

back, and deep run of stern, so that she was lively in the heaviest of

weather, and strong enough to take a good thump smiling, when unable to

dance over it. Yet as a little thing often makes all the difference in

great things, it was very difficult for anybody to find out exactly

the difference between a boat built here and a boat built ten or twenty

miles off, in imitation of her. The sea, however, knew the difference in

a moment between the true thing and the counterfeit, and encouraged

the one to go merrily on, while it sent back the other staggering. The

secret lay chiefly in a hollow curve forward of nine or ten planks upon

either side, which could only be compassed by skilful use of adze and

chisel, frame-saw and small tools, after choice of the very best timber,

free from knots, tough, and flexible. And the best judge of these points

was Zebedee Tugwell.

Not having cash enough just at present (by reason of family expenses,

and the high price of bread and of everything else) to set upon the

stocks the great smack of the future, which should sail round the

Rosalie, Captain Tugwell was easing his mind by building a boat for

stormy weather, such as they very seldom have inshore, but are likely to

meet with outside the Head. As yet there were not many rowing boats here

fit to go far in tumbling water, though the few that could do it did

it well, and Tugwell's intention was to beat them all, in power, and

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