The pond contained over two hundred acres, and they found that in order to obtain that, and a portion of the heaviest pine growth back of it, it would be necessary for Charlie to buy about four hundred acres, or more.
“Buy it, Charlie,” said Ben; “you will then have the mill privilege and the timber both, and can do well with it.”
Charlie concluded to take it; and Uncle Isaac wrote to Salem to close the bargain. Ben and Charlie now went to Boston and procured their trees, taking up a load of fish to Mr. Welch, for Fred. Mr. Welch gave Charlie a Gunter’s scale, a land compass and chain, with all the appurtenances.
They received a letter from Isaac Murch, to the great delight of all, especially of Captain Rhines—the readers of the Ark will remember him. Mr. Welch told the captain that he had received a letter at the same time from Captain Radford, in which he said Isaac was now second mate of the Congress, an excellent seaman, and good navigator; and he should give him a mate’s birth at the first opportunity.
“He’s my boy,” said the captain, highly gratified; “for I brought him to life when he was good as dead, and Flour and I educated him. I’ll risk him anywhere; that will be good news for his parents and Uncle Isaac.”
Fred had orders from Mr. Welch for more fish; Joe Griffin likewise.
Charlie was now abundantly supplied with material for building boats, and had more orders. The harvest being over, he was assisted by his father. In a tight shop, with a rousing fire, they had nice times together.
Nobody would fish in a canoe now; and as demand always creates supply, an ingenious man at Wiscasset (a ship carpenter, who had been injured by a fall, and could not endure the heavy work of the ship-yard) saw one of Charlie’s boats, took the dimensions of her, and set up boat-building. Uncle Sam Elwell also built a boat for himself, and other ingenious people did the same; but Charlie’s boats outsailed all the others, and were preferred; there was something about them the others could not imitate. Uncle Isaac said there was a soul in them; they were alive.
The Perseverance made several trips, and Fred obtained his goods in that way easily, and at small expense for freight, and paid Charlie his money, with a handsome profit, much more than the money would have earned at interest.