There was no process by which one man could move a boat of the size of the Bridget, while out of its proper element, but to launch it by means of regular ways.  With a view to this contingency, the keel had been laid between the ways of the Neshamony, which were now all ready to be used.  Of course it was no great job to make a cradle for a boat, and our boat-builder had ‘wedged up,’ and got the keel of his craft off the ‘blocks,’ within eight-and-forty hours after he had begun upon that part of his task.  It only remained to knock away the spur-shores and start the boat.  Until that instant, Mark had pursued his work on the Bridget as mechanically and steadily as if hired by the day When, however, he perceived that he was so near his goal, a flood of sensations came over the young man, and his limbs trembled to a degree that compelled him to be seated.  Who could tell the consequences to which that boat might lead?  Who knew but the ‘Bridget’ might prove the means of carrying him to his own Bridget, and restoring him to civilized life?  At that instant, if appeared to Mark as if his existence depended on the launching of his boat, and he was fearful some unforeseen accident might prevent it.  He was obliged to wait several minutes in order to recover his self-possession.

At length Mark succeeded in subduing this feeling, and he resumed his work with most of his former self-command.  Everything being ready, he knocked away the spur-shores, and, finding the boat did not start, he gave it a blow with a mawl.  This set the mass in motion, and the little craft slid down the ways without any interruption, until it became water-born, when it shot out from the Reef like a duck.  Mark was delighted with his new vessel, now that it was fairly afloat, and saw that it sat on an even keel, according to his best hopes.  Of course he had not neglected to secure it with a line, by which he hauled it in towards the rock, securing it in a natural basin which was just large enough for such a purpose.  So great, indeed, were his apprehensions of losing his boat, which now seemed so precious to him, that he had worked some ringbolts out of the ship and let them into the rock, where he had secured them by means of melted lead, in order to make fast to.

The Bridget was not more than a fourth of the size of the Neshamony, though rather more than half as long.  Nevertheless, she was a good boat; and Mark, knowing that he must depend on sails principally to move her, had built a short deck forward to prevent the seas from breaking aboard her, as well as to give him a place in which he might stow away various articles, under cover from the rain.  Her ballast was breakers, filled with fresh water, of which there still remained several in the ship.  All these, as well as her masts, sails, oars, &c., were in her when she was launched; and that important event having taken place early in the morning, Mark could not restrain his impatience for a cruise, but determined to go out on the reef at once, further than he had ever yet ventured in the dingui, in order to explore the seas around him.  Accordingly, he put some food on board, loosened his fasts, and made sail.