“To give you a lesson, my boy.”
“But you knew you could manage the boat, uncle?”
“Yes, my boy. I have had a good deal of experience in boat-sailing on the great American rivers, and on the sea.”
“And you would not mind coming out at a time like this, uncle?”
“No, my boy, certainly not. I have been out years ago with the Yarmouth boatmen in very rough seas indeed.”
There was a pause for a time, and then he said again, “Well, Nat, will you give up?”
“No, uncle,” I said excitedly, “I don’t feel half so frightened. I couldn’t help it then.”
“You’d have been a strange boy, Nat, if you had helped it,” he said laughing; “and I am very glad we came. Now, let me tell you that we are in a very small boat in water quite rough enough to be very dangerous; but knowing what I do, possessing, as I do, the knowledge which is power, Nat, there is not the least danger whatever, and you may rest perfectly assured that we will get back quite safe.”
“Then I’ve been terribly cowardly, and afraid for nothing, uncle,” I said, as I felt horribly ashamed.
“Yes, my boy, but that is generally the case,” he said smiling. “You were afraid because you were ignorant. Once you know well what you are about, you feel ashamed of your old cowardice.”