A smooth
bean pole of about the right weight served for the mast, and another stick
with a crotch at one end served as the boom or cross-spar. The spars were
cut to proper length, and the sail was then tied on, as illustrated, with
the crotch of the cross-spar fitted against and tied to the center of the
mast. A light rope, long enough to provide plenty of slack, was tied to
the ends of the mast to assist in guiding the sail when in use. In the
meantime I had procured another sheet from one of our neighbors, and Bill
helped me make a sail for myself. It was not until long after dark that we
finished our work.
[Illustration: Fig. 4. The Tape Tie Strings.]
[Illustration: Fig. 5. "Bill's" Sail Complete.]
Willow Clump Island.
The next day we tried the sails and it didn't take me very long to learn
how to steer the device. The wind had changed again and this time blew up
the canal. We took the line of least resistance, and went skimming up the
ice lane like birds for several miles before we realized how far we were
getting away from home. As we rounded a bend in the canal, much to my
astonishment, I saw just before us the bridge at Raven Hill, eight miles
from our town. We started to go back, but the wind was too strong for us,
and there wasn't much room in which to do any tacking; nor could we make
any progress when the sails were folded.
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