Now three-legged stools are not the
most secure seats in the world. That, I think, no one can doubt who
has any practical acquaintance with them. Jack was working quite
vigorously, the block from which the boat was to be fashioned being
held firmly between his knees. His knife having got wedged in the
wood, he made an unusual effort to draw it out, in which he lost his
balance, and disturbed the equilibrium of his stool, which, with his
load, tumbled over backwards. Now it very unfortunately happened
that Aunt Rachel sat close behind, and the treacherous stool came
down with considerable force upon her foot.
A piercing shriek was heard, and Aunt Rachel, lifting her foot,
clung to it convulsively, while an expression of pain distorted her
features.
At the sound, the cooper hastily removed his spectacles, and letting
"Captain Cook" fall to the floor, started up in great dismay--Mrs.
Crump likewise dropped her sewing, and jumped to her feet in alarm.
It did not take long to see how matters stood.
"Hurt ye much, Rachel?" inquired Timothy.
"It's about killed me," groaned the afflicted maiden. "Oh, I shall
have to have my foot cut off, or be a cripple anyway." Then turning
upon Jack, fiercely, "you careless, wicked, ungrateful boy, that
I've been wearin' myself out knittin' for. I'm almost sure you did
it a purpose.
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