CHE FISHERMAN’S BOY. 17

up so high that they could get into it at
nigh tide. It was high tide now, and so the
boat was almost afloat. But the painter was
fastened to a stake farther still upon the
shore ; so it was secure.”

“ What is the painter?” said Lucy.

“A rope fastened to a ring in the bows of
the boat. They always call it the painter.”

‘‘ What a funny name!” said Rollo.

“ Jock,” continued Jonas, ‘‘ got into the
little boat, and took up the boat-hook. Do
you know what a boat-hook is?” said he.

“No,” said Lucy.

“Itis a long pole, with a spike and a hook
in one end of it, to push against the bottom,
or to fend off from the rocks, when they
come too near the shore ; or to hook up any
thing which has fallen overboard, or which
is found floating in the water. A boat-hook
is a very handy thing on board a boat.”

“Yes,” said Rollo; “well, what did Jock
do with his boat-hook ? ”

‘QO, he began pushing against the bottom,
and that made the stern of the boat, that is,
the after part, move in the water from side to
side. Jock had often done this before, when
the tide was up so as to float the boat. He

Q*