ngly connected with each other
by the platform; the whole forming a very buoyant and commodious raft,
capable of being rigged, and promising to behave exceedingly well under
sail in smooth and even in moderately rough water. To rig this
singular-looking craft with an enormous mainsail and jib was no very
difficult matter, the wreckage alongside furnishing him with the
requisite spars, canvas, and rigging. Each of the rudders was then
furnished with a tiller; and these two tillers being connected together
with a cross-piece, were controlled by a central tiller that actuated
both rudders simultaneously. The construction and completion of this
catamaran cost Leslie three whole weeks of arduous labour; but when she
was finished he felt that the time had been well spent.

The next thing in order was to subject the craft to a sea-trial; and
this Leslie at once proceeded to do. He left Flora on board the brig,
with Sailor as her companion and protector, not caring to risk the
girl's safety on the catamaran until the reliability and sea-going
qualities of the latter had been tested; but he promised her that he
would not be absent more than two hours at the utmost, when, if
everything proved satisfactory, he would return and take her for a
cruise; and he suggested that she might devote the interval to the
preparation of a luncheon-basket to serve them for the day. Then,
hoisting his sails, he pushed off, and got the craft under way.

His first act, after getting away from the brig, was to test the
behaviour of the catamaran under sail by putting her through a series of
evolutions, such as tacking, jibing, and so on; and then, finding that
she proved to be marvellously handy, he tested her speed off and on the
wind. The trade wind happened to be piping up quite strong that day,
and it was therefore a very favourable occasion upon which to subject
the craft to such a test as Leslie desired; and he was not only
delighted but astonished at the quite unexpected turn of speed that the
craft developed, this being doubtless due to the enormous spread of
canvas that her peculiar form of construction enabled her to carry. She
skimmed down-wind with the speed of a swallow, and was scarcely less
swift when close-hauled and looking up within four points of the wind.

More than satisfied with the behaviour of his catamaran in smooth water,
Leslie next headed her to the north-east, steering for the passage
between the island and the r