BY W. O. STODDARD.
CHAPTER I.
THE THREE-CORNERED BOAT.
"It goes through the water like a wedge," said Pete. "Old Captain Kroom had it made for himself. That's why it's so wide."
It was "so wide" only at the stern, and it narrowed to a blunt edge at the prow. All of its lines were pretty nearly straight. Its bottom was as flat as a floor. At its forward end it was decked over for about two and a half feet. It was a bit of deck that might serve for a seat, but in the middle of it was a round hole, and from this there stood up a straight stick nine feet high.
"There's a pretty long boom for that mast," said Pete. "When the sail's on it's a kind of cat-boat. Old Kroom won't row a stroke if he can help it."
"Well," said Sam, "I guess I wouldn't, either. But won't it tip over with a sail?"
"No, sirree," replied Pete, confidently. "It needn't ever tip over. Why, if you know how to sail a boat, you won't let yourself be upset."
"Boys," roared a deep husky voice behind them, "what are you doing with my boat?"