s, two small
barrels, two bags, two tin bowls, two wooden bowls, and the shell of this
turtle, and that is a very good soup-tureen, only we have no meat to make
soup with."

"Well, sir," said Miss Rolleston, resignedly, "we can but kneel down and
die."

"That would be cutting the gordian knot, indeed," said Hazel. "What, die
to shirk a few difficulties? No. I propose an amendment to that. After
the words 'kneel down,' insert the words, 'and get up again, trusting in
that merciful Providence which has saved us so far, but expects us to
exert ourselves too.'"

"It is good and pious advice," said Helen, "and let us follow it this
moment."

"Now," said Hazel, "I have three propositions to lay before you. 1st.
That I hereby give up walking and take to running; time is so precious.
2d. That we both work by night as well as day. 3d. That we each tell the
other our principal wants, so that there may be four eyes on the lookout,
as we go, instead of two."

"I consent," said Helen; "pray what are your wants?"

"Iron, oil, salt, tar, a bellows, a pickax, planks, thread, nets, light
matting for roofs, bricks, chimney-pots, jars, glass, animal food, some
variety of vegetable food, and so on. I'll write down the entire list for
you."

"You will be puzzled to do that without ink or paper."

"Not in the least. I shall engrave it in _alto-rilievo,_ make the words
with pebbles on the turf just above high-water mark. Now tell me _your_
wants."

"Well, I want--impossibilities."

"Enumerate them."

"What is the use?"

"It is the method we have agreed upon."

"Oh, very well, then. I want--a sponge."

"Good. What next?"

"I have broken my comb."

"Good."

"I'm glad you think so. I want--Oh, Mr. Hazel, what _is_ the use?--well,
I should like a mattress to lie on."

"Hair or wool?"

"I don't care which. And it is a shame to ask you for either."

"Go on."

"I want a looking-glass."

"Great Heaven! What for?"

"Oh, never mind; I want one. And some more towels, and some soap, and a
few hair-pins; and some elastic bands; and some pen, ink and paper, to
write my feelings down in this island for nobody ever to see."

When she began Hazel looked bright, but the list was like a wasp, its
sting lay in its tail. However, he put a good face on it. "I'll try and
get you all those things; only give me time. Do you know I am writing a
dictionary on a novel method."

"That means on the sand."

"No; the work is suspende