]
[Illustration: Fig. 249. The Diamond Box Kite.]
CHAPTER XXI.
THE WATER WHEEL.
Summer found us again on Willow Clump Island with heads full of new ideas.
Bill had come across an old copy of Ewbanks' "Hydraulics" in the school
library. It was a book describing machines of the ancients--principally
devices for raising water. Rather dry reading, I thought, even though it
was a wet subject; but Bill seemed to find it absorbingly interesting. I
came in late one afternoon, after a glorious game of baseball, only to
find Bill poring over the yellowed leaves of the "Hydraulics" as
fascinated as most fellows would be over a detective story. It exasperated
me to note that he thought more of this old book than he did of our
baseball team.
"Bill," I exclaimed, "what's got into you? I can't for the life of me see
what is so entertaining in that prehistoric book." "Oh, go way. Don't
bother me," was the surly reply. But I wouldn't be put off that way.
Quickly I snatched the book from his grasp and threw it out the window.
"Now, sir," I cried, "maybe you will kindly explain to me why you persist
in studying that old volume, to the neglect of our baseball team."
"Don't get so excited, old chap," he replied.
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