Harper's Round Table, December 8, 1896

Copyright, 1896, by Harper & Brothers. All Rights Reserved.

It goes through the water like a wedge, said Pete. Old Captain Kroom had it made for himself. That's why it's so wide.
It was so wide only at the stern, and it narrowed to a blunt edge at the prow. All of its lines were pretty nearly straight. Its bottom was as flat as a floor. At its forward end it was decked over for about two and a half feet. It was a bit of deck that might serve for a seat, but in the middle of it was a round hole, and from this there stood up a straight stick nine feet high.

There's a pretty long boom for that mast, said Pete. When the sail's on it's a kind of cat-boat. Old Kroom won't row a stroke if he can help it.
Well, said Sam, I guess I wouldn't, either. But won't it tip over with a sail?
No, sirree, replied Pete, confidently. It needn't ever tip over. Why, if you know how to sail a boat, you won't let yourself be upset.
Boys, roared a deep husky voice behind them, what are you doing with my boat?
They both whirled around instantly.
We weren't touching it, Captain Kroom, said Pete. I met him up in the village, and he wants to go fishing. He says his name is Sam Williams. We've bought some clams and some sand-worms.