48 The Catskill Fazrves.

“«T was only a baby then, he thought. ‘Now I must be
grown up.’

“ He roamed everywhere while the ship was building, with
the magic bag to protect him. He crept into the old fruit-
vender’s pocket and spilled her snuff; he peeped into the tin
pails which the children brought for their fathers at noon; and
he clambered about the workmen whose hammers kept time
on the ship’s sides—rat-a-tat-tat.

At last the vessel was finished, and the people gathered to
see her launched. The sprite was on board before any one
else, however, and perched on the bow when the ship slid
gracefully down into the water. There was nothing for the
sprite but to become a sailor, now that the dear oak-tree was
prepared to follow the sea. He enjoyed himself beyond meas-

ure, and he was soon at home in every nook except the medi-

 

cine-chest. Down in the hold he met the rats, and they were
sharp fellows enough.
“«Ha, ha!’ laughed the rats. ‘We like new ships, too, so

we just skipped on board when all was ready.’