And what we learn of this will serve us with everything else we have to hoist aboard." Once again I undid all my work by lowering the mast into the water.

But I miscalculated the point of balance, so that when I heaved the top of the mast came up instead of the butt.

Maud looked despair, but I laughed and said it would do just as well.
Instructing her how to hold the turn and be ready to slack away at command, I laid hold of the mast with my hands and tried to balance it inboard across the rail.

When I thought I had it I cried to her to slack away; but the spar righted, despite my efforts, and dropped back toward the water.

Again I heaved it up to its old position, for I had now another idea.