tery with connections._]

The determination of the boys to build a new and better boat than the
old one was now manifesting itself in plans, which were considered.
George was in favor of building a large vessel, by means of which they
could sail anywhere they wanted to; but Harry and the Professor opposed
that plan, for several reasons. Harry, particularly, objected.

"I am just as anxious as George to build a large boat, but the
difficulty is that to do so would take a long time, longer that we ought
to take at this time. Furthermore, a large vessel would be hard to
manage with our small crew, as we would have to make it a sailing
vessel."

"Then why not make it a steam vessel?"

"That would make the job still harder and longer."

"I think Harry is quite right. A boat but little, if any, larger than
the one we built, would be the most serviceable. If the one we made had
been smaller, or lighter, we should have been able to carry it around
the falls. Instead of that we had to leave it there."

Harry insisted in his views. "What we can do with our present supplies
is to build a boat, even larger than our former one, and make it still
lighter."

"Yes," said the Professor; "we now have lumber which is dried, and with
the improvement in the tools we can turn out a boat which will be a
credit to any community."

That question settled, the plan of the boat was drawn up. It was decided
to build the boat on the general plan of the former one, as to size,
namely, from sixteen to eighteen feet in length, and at least five feet
wide, with a flat bottom, the prow to be contracted, and the bottom of
the forward end to be bent upwardly, as much as their material would
permit of bending.

For this purpose Harry stated that the body of the boat would be made of
double thickness of material, as their sawing machinery had been so much
improved that they could cut it into five-eighth inch lumber, and in
that way the joints could be lapped, and the sides and bottom more
easily bent into the required curves to make a graceful-looking boat.

The sawmill was at once put into good working condition, and within a
week the principal parts of the boat were ready to be assembled.

"In your next weekly jaunt, I suggest that you might get our old
life-boat. We should not neglect our friend."

The Professor's suggestion met with a hearty response, and on the
following day the boys were off early to bring the boat to the Cataract.

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