She was a clinker-built boat, about seventeen feet long, and her breadth of beam--that is, the distance across her from one side to the other--was great compared with her length.

She was rigged like Frank's boat, having one mast and carrying a mainsail and jib; but as her sails were considerably larger than those of the Speedwell, and as she was a much lighter boat, the boys all expected that she would reach the island, which the young skippers always regarded as "home" in their races, long before the Speedwell.

The Champion was sailed by two boys.
William Johnson, her owner, sat in the stern steering, and Ben.

Lake, a quiet, odd sort of a boy, sat on one of the middle thwarts managing the sails.

As soon as she rounded the lock, Harry Butler sprang to his feet, and, seizing a small coil of rope that lay in the boat, called out, "Bill! if you will catch this line, we'll tow you." "No, I thank you," answered William.