“Now I propose,” continued Master Benjamin, “that we build a wharf, for the purpose of carrying on our fisheries.  You see these stones.  The workmen mean to use them for the underpinning of a house; but that would be for only one man’s advantage.  My plan is to take these same stones, and carry them to the edge of the water and build a wharf with them.  This will not only enable us to carry on the fishing business with comfort, and to better advantage, but it will likewise be a great convenience to boats passing up and down the stream.  Thus, instead of one man, fifty, or a hundred, or a thousand, besides ourselves, may be benefited by these stones.  What say you, lads?—­shall we build the wharf?”

Ben’s proposal was received with one of those uproarious shouts, wherewith boys usually express their delight at whatever completely suits their views.  Nobody thought of questioning the right and justice of building a wharf, with stones that belonged to another person.

“Hurrah, hurrah!” shouted they.  “Let’s set about it!”

It was agreed that they should all be on the spot, that evening, and commence their grand public enterprise by moonlight.  Accordingly, at the appointed time, the whole gang of youthful laborers assembled, and eagerly began to remove the stones.  They had not calculated how much toil would be requisite, in this important part of their undertaking.  The very first stone which they laid hold of, proved so heavy, that it almost seemed to be fastened to the ground.  Nothing but Ben Franklin’s cheerful and resolute spirit could have induced them to persevere.

Ben, as might be expected, was the soul of the enterprise.  By his mechanical genius, he contrived methods to lighten the labor of transporting the stones; so that one boy, under his directions, would perform as much as half a dozen, if left to themselves.  Whenever their spirits flagged, he had some joke ready, which seemed to renew their strength by setting them all into a roar of laughter.  And when, after an hour or two of hard work, the stones were transported to the water-side, Ben Franklin was the engineer, to superintend the construction of the wharf.

The boys, like a colony of ants, performed a great deal of labor by their multitude, though the individual strength of each could have accomplished but little.  Finally, just as the moon sank below the horizon, the great work was finished.

“Now, boys,” cried Ben, “let’s give three cheers, and go home to bed.  To-morrow, we may catch fish at our ease!” “Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!” shouted his comrades.

Then they all went home, in such an ecstasy of delight that they could hardly get a wink of sleep.

The story was not yet finished; but George’s impatience caused him to interrupt it.

“How I wish that I could have helped to build that wharf!” exclaimed he.  “It must have been glorious fun.  Ben Franklin for ever, say I!”