"We must try," said Joe, as the boys walked back to the Commodore's office, "to believe that the 'Rice Laker,' the 'Shadow,' the 'Rob Roy,' and the canvas canoe is the best one ever built. It seems to me something like believing that four and one are just the same. Perhaps you fellows can do it, but I'm not strong enough to believe as much as that all at one time."
The Commodore smiled when the boys entered his office for the second time, and said, "Well, of course you've found out what is the best canoe, and know just what you want to buy?"
"We've seen four men," replied Harry, "and each one says that the canoe that he recommends is the only good one, and that all the others are good for nothing."
"I might have sent you to four other men, and they would have told you of four other canoes, each of which is the best in existence. But perhaps you have already heard enough to make up your minds."
"We're farther from making up our minds than ever," said Harry. "I do wish you would tell us what kind of canoe is really the best."
"The truth is," said the Commodore, "that there isn't much to choose among the different models of canoes, and you'll find that every canoeist is honestly certain that he has the best one. Now I won't undertake to select canoes for you, though I will suggest that a light 'Rob Roy' would probably be a good choice for the smallest of you boys. Why don't you try all four of the canoes that have just been recommended to you? Then, if you cruise together, you can perhaps find out if any one of them is really better than the others. I will give you the names of three or four builders, all of whom build good strong boats."
This advice pleased the boys, and they resolved to accept it. That evening they all met at Harry's home, and decided what canoes they would get. Harry determined to get a "Shadow," Tom a "Rice Laker," Charley a canvas canoe, and Joe a "Rob Roy"; and the next morning orders for the four canoes were mailed to the builders whom the Commodore had recommended.