"Hold on!" cried Jack. "I'm afraid you will be too heavy. It won't do
to crowd at first. We'll just row gently with the current a short
distance, and then come back and let you have a turn."
Though disappointed, the little fellows did not demur, but handed him
the oars, and waited to see the two boys glide away. But, alas!
though the _Jolly Pioneer_ moved a little, it was not with the freedom
and confidence which was to be expected of her in her native element.
She seemed to shrink and falter, "as if afraid of getting wet," as Jim
laughingly declared.
"Hello! what's that?" exclaimed Rob, as he felt something cold at his
feet. He looked down: his shoes were thoroughly wet; the water was
coming in through the crevices of the boat.
"Pshaw!" cried Jack. "That is because it is new yet; when the wood is
soaked it will swell a bit. Hurry and bail out the water, though."
"But we haven't anything to do it with," returned Rob, helplessly.
"Oh, take your hat, man! A fine sailor you'd make!" Jack answered,
setting the example by dipping in his own old felt. Rob's was a new
straw yet.
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