want money to buy stock and pay your men, even
before you had set up your frame."

"No, sir; we have capital enough to make a beginning."

"I am satisfied then, and you shall have the job," added Mr. Rodman.

"Thank you, sir," replied Donald, delighted at his success.

"You may go to work as soon as you please; and the sooner the better,
for Samuel is in a great hurry for his yacht."

"I will go to work on Monday morning. The model, moulds, and drawings
are all ready, and there will be no delay, sir," answered the young
boat-builder, as he took his leave of his considerate patron.

Perhaps Mr. Rodman was not satisfied that the young man would succeed in
the undertaking, but he had not the heart to discourage one who was so
earnest. He determined to watch the progress of the work very closely,
and if he discovered that the enterprise was not likely to be
successful, he intended to stop it before much time or money had been
wasted. Donald had fully detailed the means at his command for doing the
job in a workman-like manner, and he was well known as an ingenious and
skilful mechanic. Mr. Rodman had strong hopes that the young man would
succeed in his undertaking.

Donald walked toward the house of Captain Shivernock, congratulating
himself on the happy issue of his interview with Mr. Rodman. As he
passed the book and periodical store, he saw Lawrence Kennedy, a ship
carpenter, who had formerly worked with Mr. Ramsay, standing at the
door, reading the weekly paper just from the press. This man was out of
work, and was talking of going to Bath to find employment. Donald had
already thought of him as one of his hands, for Kennedy was a capital
mechanic.

"What's the news?" asked Donald, rather to open the way to what he had
to say, than because he was interested in the latest intelligence.

"How are you, Donald?" replied the ship carpenter. "There's a bit of
news from Lincolnville, but I suppose you heard it; for all the town is
talking about it."

"I haven't heard it."

"A man in Lincolnville was taken from his bed in the dead hour of the
night, and beaten to a jelly."

"Who was the man?"

"His name was Hasbrook."

"Hasbrook!" exclaimed Donald.

"Do you know him, lad?"

"I know of him; and he has the reputation of being anything but an
honest man."

"Then it's not much matter," laughed the ship carpenter.

"But who beat him?" asked Donald.

"No one knows who it was. Hasbrook couldn't make him out; b