As has been said, he was engaged in constructing a boat, the particular operation he was now intent upon being the excavation, or hollowing out.

Now three-legged stools are not the most secure seats in the world.

This, I think, no one will deny who has any practical acquaintance with them.

Jack was working quite vigorously, the block from which the boat was to be fashioned being held firmly between his knees.

His knife having got wedged in the wood, he made an unusual effort to draw it out, in which he lost his balance, and disturbed the equilibrium of his stool, which, with its load, tumbled over backward.
Now, it very unfortunately happened that Aunt Rachel sat close behind, and the treacherous stool came down with considerable force upon her foot.
A piercing shriek was heard, and Aunt Rachel, lifting her foot, clung to it convulsively, while an expression of pain disturbed her features.
At the sound, the cooper hastily removed his spectacles, and, letting "Dr.Kane" fall to the floor, started up in great dismay.