LAUNCHING THE BOAT. 69

and all ready to be launched! It was painted
red, inside and out, and had a wide, white
stripe aroundit. Tom and Bessie were to
have the whole day—the whole May-day—for
a holiday. They were “up with the lark,” as
they say in Old England ;—“ up with the blue-
bird,” as they say in Vew England.

“ How are you going to get the boat down
to the river, Tom?” asked Mixon, as he was
going off to the mills, to his daily occupation.

“Pat Malony is going to take her down on
his cart when he goes for a load of stone.
He’s about the best Irishman I ever did see.
There he comes now, as smilin’ as a basket of
chips. Ill help him put the boat on his cart.”

Pat stopped his oxen, and touching the old
blue woollen cap, with a red tassel in the centre,
perched on one side of his head, said, “ the top
o’ the morning to ye,” and sprang to the
ground |

“This way, Ur. Malony,” said Tom ; * there
she is, in the wood-yard.”

“ And a beautiful cratur she is,” said Pat,
touching his cap to Bessie, who stood by the
boat, wearing a pink sun-bonnet, a bright new