“Thou knowest he has but one, but she is large and swift, and does as much business as McLeod’s three little sloops.”
“Schooners.”
“Schooners, then––little ones!”
“Well then, there is a new kind of boat which thou hast never seen. She is driven by steam, not wind, she goes swiftly, all winds are fair to her, and she cares little for storms.”
“I saw a ship like that when I was in Edinburgh. She lay in Leith harbour, and the whole school went to Leith to see her come in.”
“If Boris will be my partner, I will lay my luck to his, and I will buy a steam ship, a large coaster––dost thou see?”
Then with a laugh she cried: “I see, I see! Then thou can easily beat the sloops or schooners, that have nothing but sails. Good is that, very good!”
“Just so. We can make two trips for their one. No one can trade against us.”
“McLeod may buy steam ships.”