Jacob Abbott

Forests of Maine Jacob Abbott

Book Excerpt: ...said the sailor boy. "Let me have the bucket. I'll show you the way.""No," said Marco, "I want to get it myself.""You never can get any that way," said the boy. "You must swing it back and forth, and when it is swinging well, let it drop suddenly and catch the water."So Marco began to swing the bucket back and forth, and after he had got it well a-swinging, he let down the rope suddenly, at the moment when the bucket was at the extent of its oscillation. The bucket filled instantly; but, as the boat was advancing rapidly, it was caught by the water with such force that the rope was twitched out of Marco's hand with great force."Hold on!" exclaimed the sailor boy. But it was too late. The rope fell down into the water, and the bucket, rope and all, sailed back upon the surface of the water, until they floated under the paddle wheel of the boat, which dashed them down beneath the surface of the water, and they disappeared finally from view."Why did not you hold on...