I intend to build her in a quiet place in a deep wood on the river Parrot, so that she may escape the eyes of the Danes." "I shall require seasoned timber," the shipwright urged.
"That will I buy," Edmund replied, "as you shall direct, and can have it brought up the river to the spot." "Being so large and heavy," the shipwright said, "she will be difficult to launch.

Methinks it were best to dig a hole or dock at some little distance from the river; then when she is finished a way can be cut to the river wide enough for her to pass out.

When the water is turned in it will float her up level to the surface, and as she will not draw more than two feet of water the cut need not be more than three feet deep." "That will be the best plan by far," Edmund agreed, "for you can make the hole so deep that you can build her entirely below the level of the ground.

Then we can, if needs be, fill up the hole altogether with bushes, and cover her up, so that she would not be seen by a Danish galley rowing up the river, or even by any of the enemy who might enter the wood, unless they made special search for her; and there she could lie until I chose to embark." The shipwright at once set to work to draw out his plans, and a week later sent to Edmund a messenger with an account of the quantity and size of wood he should require.

This was purchased at once.