" think so," replied his friend; " got wet, great deal pleasanter under the water "

field-road side pond which Podington well knew, and proceeding they came bridge and got main road

"Now get home as fast ," cried Podington, "or both take cold I hadn't lost my whip Hi now ! Get along ! "

Podington was now full of life and energy, his wheels were hard road, and himself again

When his head was turned toward his home, the horse set off at great rate

"Hi there ! " cried Podington " so sorry I lost my whip "

"Whip ! " said Buller, holding fast side seat; "surely you don't want him any faster than this And look here, William," he added, "it seems much more likely cold wet clothes rush air Really, it seems that horse is running away "

"Not bit of it," cried Podington " home, and his dinner Isn't he fine horse ? Look how he steps out ! "

"Steps out ! " said Buller, " I'd like to step out myself Don't it wiser to walk home, William ? warm me up "

" take you an hour," said his friend "Stay where , and I'll in dry suit of clothes in fifteen minutes "

"I tell you, William," said Mr Buller, two sat smoking after dinner, "what you ought ; never go out driving without life-preserver and pair of oars; I always take them It would make you feel safer "

Mr Buller went home the , because Mr Podington's clothes fit him, own outdoor suit was so shrunken be uncomfortable Besides, another reason, connected desire of horses to reach their homes, which prompted his return But he forgotten his compact friend, and course of week he wrote to Podington, inviting him some days Mr Podington was man of honor, and recent unfortunate water experience break his word He went to Mr Buller's seaside home appointed

Early morning after his arrival, family were up, Mr Podington went out and strolled down edge bay He went to look at Buller's boat well aware that asked sail, and as Buller had driven , it impossible for him to decline sailing with Buller; but see the boat train home at quarter past seven; if he premises be asked to sail If Buller's boat were little, flimsy thing, take that train--but wait

small boat anchored near the beach, and man--apparently fisherman--informed Mr Podington belonged to Mr Buller Podington looked at it eagerly; not and not flimsy

" consider that safe boat ? " he asked the fisherman

"Safe ? " replied the man " upset her tried Look at her breadth of beam ! go anywhere boat ! thinking of buying her ? "

The idea that think of buying boat made Mr Podington laugh The information impossible to upset the little vessel had greatly cheered him, and laugh

Shortly after breakfast Mr Buller, like nurse with dose of medicine, came to Mr Podington expected invitation sail

"Now, William," said his host, "I understand perfectly your feeling about boats, and what is feeling without any foundation I don't want to shock you or make you nervous, so not going you out today bay in my boat as safe bay on land--a little safer, perhaps, under certain circumstances, allude--but still sometimes little rough, and this, at first, might cause you some uneasiness, and so going to let you begin your education sailing line on perfectly smooth water About three miles back of us very pretty lake several miles long part canal system which connects the town railroad sent my boat town, and walk up there and go canal lake; only about three miles "

If he had to sail at all, this kind of sailing suited Mr Podington canal, quiet lake, and boat which upset reached the town the boat was canal, ready

"Now," said Mr Buller, "you get in and make yourself comfortable My idea is to hitch on to canal-boat and be towed lake The boats generally start morning, go "

Mr Podington, under the direction friend, took seat stern sailboat, and then he remarked:

"Thomas, life-preserver on board ? not used to any kind of vessel, and clumsy Nothing might happen boat, but trip and fall overboard, and 't swim "

"All right," said Buller; "here's life-preserver, and put it on you perfectly safe Now go tow "

But Mr Buller found canal-boats start at their usual time; the loading of was not finished, and informed that to wait for an hour or more suit Mr Buller at all, and hesitate to show his annoyance

"I tell you, sir, what do," said men in charge boats; " don't want to wait till ready to start, we'll let boy and horse to tow you lake That won't cost you much, 'll be back before 'em "

The bargain , and Mr Buller joyfully returned boat intelligence to wait canal-boats long rope, with horse attached other end of it, was speedily made fast boat, and with boy head horse, they started up the canal

"Now kind of sailing I like," said Mr Podington "If I lived near canal I believe buy boat and train my horse to tow long pair of rope-lines and drive him myself; then roads were rough and bad the canal would always be smooth "

" all very nice," replied Mr Buller, who sat tiller the boat away bank, "and you in boat under any circumstances , William, that although plan it, there better way your sailing education Here we glide along, slowly and gently, with no possible thought of danger, for boat should suddenly spring leak, it were the body of wagon, all to step on shore, and you get end canal like this gentle motion that perfectly ready the second stage of your nautical education "

"Yes," said Mr Podington "How long did you say this canal is ? "

"About three miles," answered his friend "Then go lock and lake "

" as concerned," said Mr Podington, " the canal were twelve miles long imagine anything pleasanter than this If I lived anywhere near canal--a long canal, I mean, is too short--I'd--"