A spell of ship-building and rigging followed the flag fit ; for Thorny , feeling too old now for such toys , made over his whole fleet to `` the children , '' condescending , however , to superintend a thorough repairing of the same before he disposed of all but the big man-of-war , which continued to ornament his own room , with all sail set and a little red officer perpetually waving his sword on the quarter-deck . These gifts led to out-of-door water-works , for the brook had to be dammed up , that a shallow ocean might be made , where Ben 's piratical `` Red Rover , '' with the black flag , might chase and capture Bab 's smart frigate , `` Queen , '' while the `` Bounding Betsey , '' laden with lumber , safely sailed from Kennebunkport to Massachusetts Bay . Thorny , from his chair , was chief-engineer , and directed his gang of one how to dig the basin , throw up the embankment , and finally let in the water till the mimic ocean was full ; then regulate the little water-gate , lest it should overflow and wreck the pretty squadron or ships , boats , canoes , and rafts , which soon rode at anchor there . Digging and paddling in mud and water proved such a delightful pastime that the boys kept it up , till a series of water-wheels , little mills and cataracts made the once quiet brook look as if a manufacturing town was about to spring up where hitherto minnows had played in peace and the retiring frog had chanted his serenade unmolested . Miss Celia liked all this , for any thing which would keep Thorny happy out-of-doors in the sweet June weather found favor in her eyes , and when the novelty had worn off from home affairs , she planned a series of exploring expeditions which filled their boyish souls with delight . As none of them knew much about the place , it really was quite exciting to start off on a bright morning with a roll of wraps and cushions , lunch , books , and drawing materials packed into the phaeton , and drive at random about the shady roads and lanes , pausing when and where they liked . Wonderful discoveries were made , pretty places were named , plans were drawn , and all sorts of merry adventures befell the pilgrims . Each day they camped in a new spot , and while Lita nibbled the fresh grass at her ease , Miss Celia sketched under the big umbrella , Thorny read or lounged or slept on his rubber blanket , and Ben made himself generally useful . Unloading , filling the artist 's water-bottle , piling the invalid 's cushions , setting out the lunch , running to and fro for a Bower or a butterfly , climbing a tree to report the view , reading , chatting , or frolicking with Sancho , -- any sort of duty was in Ben 's line , and he did them all well , for an out-of-door life was natural to him and he liked it . `` Ben , I want an amanuensis , '' said Thorny , dropping book and pencil one day after a brief interval of silence , broken only by the whisper of the young leaves overhead and the soft babble of the brook close by . `` A what ? '' asked Ben , pushing back his hat with such an air of amazement that Thorny rather loftily inquired : `` Do n't you know what an amanuensis is ? '' `` Well , no ; not unless it 's some relation to an anaconda . Should n't think you 'd want one of them , anyway . '' Thorny rolled over with a hoot of derision , and his sister , who sat close by , sketching an old gate , looked up to see what was going on . `` Well , you need n't laugh at a feller . You did n't know what a wombat was when I asked you , and I did n't roar , '' said Ben , giving his hat a slap , as nothing else was handy . `` The idea of wanting an anaconda tickled me so , I could n't help it . I dare say you 'd have got me one if I had asked for it , you are such an obliging chap . '' `` Of course I would if I could .
Should n't be surprised if you did some day , you want such funny things , '' answered XXXXX , appeased by the compliment .
Bab Ben Celia Lita Sancho Thorny babble cataracts day minnows