With a cool daring and skill, perfectly characteristic, he rolled his masts and spars on to the beach, where, by the help of the tide, he could handle them as he pleased, and built them somewhat into the shape of a vessel, securing the whole firmly together with cross-ties and treenails. He then made a large oar to steer with, which no one but himself could lift, that worked in a port, so that it could not slip out and float up. He then put a large timber across the stern, with deep notches cut in it, to hold the oar in whatever direction he placed it, in order that he might be able to leave it, and go to other parts of the raft to attend to other matters. A mast had been already built in when the raft was made; he bought an old mainsail that belonged to John Strout, made for the Perseverance, and put a cable, anchor, and boat-compass on board.
“I must have a chance to make a cup of tea,” said Ben; “for I shall be up nights, as there’s only one in a watch.”
They placed a large flat stone in the midst of the raft to build the fire on, and then made a fireplace with stones laid in clay, to prevent the wind from blowing the fire away from the kettle. Two crotches were then placed each side of the fireplace, and a pole put across to hang the tea-kettle on. Wood and water were now put on board; some dry eel-grass to lie down on; staves, shingles; and feathers, the results of gunning at odd times; and the preparations for the voyage were complete.
“Ben,” said his wife, “Joe says you are going to Boston on that thing alone?”
“I’m going to set out, Sally. I can tell you better when I come back, whether I get there or not.”
“Suppose you should get blown off to sea, and never be heard from again.”
“Suppose, what is more likely, I shouldn’t.”
“Suppose the raft should come to pieces.”
“Suppose it should stay together. We never shall save the woods, and the beach, and all the pretty things, if it costs half the spars are worth to get them to market.”
“Better lose the island than your life; what if there should come a big sea, and wash you overboard?”