Poor indeed was the lad who had not a fish-hook and line with which to try his skill.

The very youngest had his tiny boat to be launched, while his elders were planning sailing-parties, or jumping and leaping in the water like so many dolphins.
Boys like to have a leader, some one they look up to as superior to the rest, and capable of deciding knotty questions, and "going ahead" in all times of doubt and difficulty.

Blair Robertson occupied this position among the youngsters of Fairport.

He had lawfully won this place among his fellows and "achieved greatness," by being the best scholar at the academy, as well as the boldest swimmer, most skilful fisherman, and most experienced sailor among all the boys for miles along the coast.

It was Blair Robertson's boast that he belonged to the nineteenth century, and grew old with it.