The Voyage of the Rattletrap | Page 3

a half
wide. They ran up straight on either side for two or three feet, and then
rounded over, like a croquetwicket, being high enough so that as we
stood upright in the wagon-box our heads would just nicely clear them.
Over this skeleton we stretched our white canvas cover, and tied it
down tightly along the sides. This made what we called the cabin.
There was an ample flap in front, which could be let down at night and
fastened back inside during the day. At the rear end the cloth folded
around, and was drawn together with a "puckering-string," precisely
like a button-bag. By drawing the string tightly this back end could be
entirely closed up; or the string could be let out, and the opening made
any size wanted. After the cover was adjusted we stood off and admired
our work.
"Looks like an elephant on wheels," said Jack.
"Or an old-fashioned sun-bonnet for a giantess," I added.
"Anyhow, I'll wager a cheese it'll keep out the rain, unless it comes
down too hard," said Jack. "Now for the smaller parts of our rigging,
and the stores."
On the back end we fastened a feed-box for the horses, as long as the
wagon-box was wide, and ten or twelve inches square, with a partition
in the middle. We put stout iron rings in the corners of this, making a
place to tie the horses. On the dash-board outside we built another box,
for tools. This was wedge-shaped, about five inches wide at the top, but
running down to an inch or two at the bottom, and had a hinged cover.

We put aboard a satchel containing the little additional clothing which
we thought we should need. Things in this line which did not seem to
be absolutely necessary were ruled out--indeed, for the sake of
lightness we decided to take just as little of everything that we could.
We made another box, some two feet long, a foot deep, and fourteen
inches wide, with a hinged cover, which we called the "pantry," for our
supply of food. This we stood in the wagon with the satchel. Usually in
the daytime after we started each of these rode comfortably on the bed
back of the seat. This bed was a rather simple affair, made up of some
bed-clothing and pillows arranged on a thick layer of hay in the bottom
of the wagon-box. Our small two-wick oil-stove we put in front next to
the dash-board, a lantern we hung up on one of the bows, and a big tin
pail for the horses we suspended under the wagon.
"Since you're going to be cook," I said to Jack, "you tend to getting the
dishes together."
"They'll be few enough," he answered. "I don't like to wash 'em. Tin
mostly, I guess; because tin won't break."
So he put a few knives and forks and spoons, tin plates and cups, a
frying-pan, a small copper kettle, and a few other utensils in another
box, which also found a home on the bed. Other things which we did
not forget were a small can of kerosene; two half-gallon jugs, one for
milk and one for water; a basket for eggs; a nickel clock (we called it
the chronometer); and in the tool-box a hatchet, a monkey-wrench,
screw-driver, small saw, a piece of rope, one or two straps, and a few
nails, screws, rivets, and similar things which might come handy in
case of a wreck.
"Now for the armament and the life-boat," said Jack.
For armament Jack contributed a double-barrelled shot-gun and a heavy
forty-five-calibre repeating rifle, and I a light forty-four-calibre
repeating rifle, and a big revolver of the same calibre (though using a
slightly shorter cartridge), with a belt and holster. This revolver we
stored in the tool-box, chiefly for use in case we were boarded by
pirates, while the guns we hung in leather loops in the top of the cover.

In the tool-box we put a good supply of ammunition and plenty of
matches. We also each carried a match-box, a pocket compass, and a
stout jack-knife.
"Now, how's your life-boat?" asked Jack.
I led her out. She was a medium-sized brown Colorado pony, well
decorated with brands, and with a white face and two white feet. She
wore a big Mexican saddle and a horse-hair bridle with a silver bit.
"She'll do," said Jack. "In case of wreck, we'll escape on her, if possible.
She'll also be very handy in making landings where the harbor is poor,
and in exploring unknown coasts."
[Illustration: Grandpa Oldberry Presages Disaster]
All of this work took several days, but when it was done the Rattletrap
was ready for the voyage, and we decided to start the next morning.
"She's as prairie-worthy