“Time we left off that,” he said smiling. “You are tired, and your hands are getting unsteady.”
“I’m afraid I shall never shoot, Uncle Dick,” I said dolefully.
“Nonsense, my boy!” he cried, clapping me on the shoulder; “you shot very badly indeed, but better than I expected, and you steadily improved until you grew tired. All these matters take time.”
Chapter Fourteen.
How to manage a boat.
The time was short before we were to start on our long journey, but Uncle Dick was determined to make the best of it, and he steadily went on with what he called my education, as well as fitting me out with proper necessaries for my voyage.
These last were very few and simple.
“For you see, Nat,” he said, smiling, “we must not encumber ourselves with anything unnecessary. You must bid good-bye to collars and cuffs, and be content with flannels, one to wear and one for your knapsack; and this you will have to wash and dry whenever you get a chance. We’ll take some socks, but after a time we shall have to be content with nothing but good boots. We must not have an ounce of luggage that we can do without.”