Go and see her, that's a good feller." So the young man did go.

He climbed aboard the stranded craft--a forlorn picture she made, lying on her side in the mud--and was surprised to find how much had been manufactured "out of nothing." Her seams, those which the sun had opened, were caulked neatly; her deck was clean and white; she was partially rigged, with new and old canvas and ropes; and to his landsman's eyes she looked almost fit for sea.

But when he said as much to Seth, the latter laughed scornfully.
"Fit for nothin'," scoffed the lightkeeper.

"I could make her fit, maybe, if I wanted to spend money enough, but I don't.

I can't get at her starboard side, that's down in the mud, and I cal'late she'd leak like a skimmer.