ly examined the two very small paddles which
dropped over each side, so arranged that they should, when worked by the
cranks and hand levers, churn up the water horizontally instead of
vertically like an ordinary paddle wheel.

There were a good many other little things to do, such as driving in a
few wedges between the frame-work and side of the boat, to get all
firmer, but Vane had come provided with everything necessary, and when
he could no longer delay the start, which he had put off as long as
possible, and when it seemed as if Macey would be missing if they
stopped much longer, the lad rose up with his face very much flushed and
spoke out frankly and well, explaining that it was quite possible that
his rough machine would not work smoothly at first, but that if the
principle was right he would soon have a better boat and machine.

Hereupon Gilmore cried, "Hooray!" and there was a hearty cheer,
accompanied by a loud tapping of the rector's walking stick, on the
wooden gangway.

"Now, Vane, lad, we're getting impatient," cried the doctor, who was
nearly as anxious as his nephew. "Off with you!"

"Well said, doctor," cried the miller; "less o' the clapper, my lads,
and more of the spinning wheels and stones."

"Ready, Macey?" whispered Vane.

"No," was whispered back.

"Why?"

"I'm in such an awful stew."

"Get out. It's all right. Now then. You know. Come down and sit in
your place steadily."

Macey stepped down into the boat, which gave a lurch, and went very near
the water, as far as the gunwale was concerned.

"Hi theer; howd hard," cried the miller; "he's too heavy. Coom out,
lad, and I'll tak thy place."

There was another roar of laughter at this.

"Oh, I say, Mr Round, don't chaff us or we can't do it," whispered Vane
to the jolly-looking great twenty-stone fellow.

"Aw reight, lad. I'll be serious enew now. Off you go! Shall I give
you a shove?"

"No," said Vane. "I want to prove the boat myself. Now, Macey, you sit
still till I've worked her round even, and then when I say off, you keep
on stroke for stroke with me."

"All right," cried Macey, and Vane began to work his crank and paddle on
the boat's starboard side with the result that they began to move and
curve round. Then, applying more force and working hard, he gave
himself too much swing in working his lever, with the result that his
side rose a little. In the midst of the cheering that had commenced the
little hor