“Course I could.  I’d work my way by short drifts over as far as this, an then I’d gradually move along till I kine o’ canted over to the New Brunswick shore.  It takes time to do it, course it does; but what I mean to say is this—­it can be done.”

“Well, I wouldn’t like to be on board while you were trying to do it.”

“Mebbe not.  I ain’t invitin you to do it, either.  All I was sayin is, it can be done.  Sails air very good in their way, course they air, an who’s objectin to ’em?  I’m only sayin that in this here bay thar’s things that’s more important than sails, by a long chalk—­such as tides, an anchors in particular.  Give me them thar, an I don’t care a hooter what wind thar is.”

Lying thus at anchor, under the hot sun, was soon found to be rather dull, and the boys sought in vain for some way of passing the time.  Different amusements were invented for the occasion.  The first amusement consisted in paper boats, with which they ran races, and the drift of these frail vessels over the water afforded some excitement.  Then they made wooden boats with huge paper sails.  In this last Bart showed a superiority to the others; for, by means of a piece of iron hoop, which he inserted as a keel, he produced a boat which was able to carry an immense press of sail, and in the faint and scarce perceptible breeze, easily distanced the others.  This accomplishment Bart owed to his training in a seaport town.

At length one of them proposed that they should try to catch fish.  Captain Corbet, in answer to their eager inquiries, informed them that there were fish everywhere about the bay; on learning which they became eager to try their skill.  Some herring were on board, forming part of the stores, and these were taken for bait.  Among the miscellaneous contents of the cabin a few hooks were found, which were somewhat rusty, it is true, yet still good enough for the purpose before them.  Lines, of course, were easily procured, and soon a half dozen baited hooks were down in the water, while a half dozen boys, eager with suspense, watched the surface of the water.

For a half hour they held their lines suspended without any result; but at the end of that time, a cry from Phil roused them, and on looking round they saw him clinging with all his might to his line, which was tugged at tightly by something in the water.  Bruce ran to help him, and soon their united efforts succeeded in landing on the deck of the vessel a codfish of very respectable size.  The sight of this was greeted with cheers by the others, and served to stimulate them to their work.

After this others were caught, and before half an hour more some twenty codfish, of various sizes, lay about the deck, as trophies of their piscatory skill.  They were now more excited than ever, and all had their hooks in the water, and were waiting eagerly for a bite, when an exclamation from Captain Corbet roused them.