Such a vessel as we want can't be built and got off the stocks in much, if any, less than a year.

What are we to do meanwhile ?--wait for it ?" "No," said Wade.
"No," said Raed.
"What then ?" asked Kit.
"Hire a vessel," I suggested.
"Can we do that ?" asked Wade.
It seemed likely that we could.
"Has it ever occurred to any of you that we none of us know anything about sailing a vessel ?--anything to speak of, I mean ?" Kit inquired.
We had all been vaguely aware of such a state of things; but not till now had we been brought face to face with it.
"It would be the worst kind of folly for us to go out of port alone," I couldn't help saying.
"Of course it would," replied Kit.
"I'm well aware of that," said Raed.

"We shall have to learn seamanship somehow." "Besides," remarked Wade, "sailing a vessel wouldn't be very light nor very pleasant work for us, I'm thinking.

If we could afford to hire a good skipper, it would be better." "We shall have to hire one till we learn how to manage a vessel ourselves," replied Raed.
"And not only a skipper, but sailors as well," said Kit.

"What shall _we_ be able to do the first week out, especially if it be rough weather ?" "Do you suppose we shall be much seasick ?" Wade asked suddenly.
"Very likely we shall be sick, when it's rough, for a while," said Raed.