"You can uncrate the boat in the storeroom, if you want to," said the obliging clerk, "and then we'll have her hauled down to the water for you."
"Much obliged," answered Matt. "I believe I'll take off the crate and see how the boat has stood her long overland journey."
The clerk furnished him with a hatchet, and Matt threw off his coat and got busy. In an hour, the clean-cut hull of the Sprite had emerged from a litter of boards and old gunny sacks. An examination showed that both hull and machinery were in as good condition as ever.
While Matt was working he had noticed a map of Madison hanging from the storeroom wall. The map gave a very clear idea of Lakes Monona and Mendota, between which lay the long and narrow city.
One of the express company's drivers had come into the storeroom and was looking over the Sprite with an air of deep interest.
"I wish you would tell me something about this map, neighbor," said Matt.
"Ask me anything you want to," was the cheerful response. "I was born and raised here and I know the place pretty well."
"What's this?" Matt inquired, laying a finger on a certain part of the diagram.
"That's the Yahara River, sometimes called the 'Catfish.' It's been straightened into a canal, and connects Third and Fourth Lakes. Monona is Third, and Mendota is Fourth. There's locks at the Mendota end."
"And what's the other river coming into Mendota Lake on the side across from the city?"