The planks were therefore placed on each other's
edges, and sewed together with the tough cordage already mentioned. They
were also thus sewed to the stem, the stern, and the keel. Each stitch
or tie was six inches apart, and was formed thus: Three holes were bored
in the upper plank and three in the lower,--the holes being above each
other, that is, in a vertical line. Through these holes the cord was
passed, and, when tied, formed a powerful stitch of three ply. Besides
this, we placed between the edges of the planks, layers of cocoa-nut
fibre, which, as it swelled when wetted, would, we hoped, make our little
vessel water-tight. But in order further to secure this end, we
collected a large quantity of pitch from the bread-fruit tree, with
which, when boiled in our old iron pot, we payed the whole of the inside
of the boat, and, while it was yet hot, placed large pieces of cocoa-nut
cloth on it, and then gave it another coat above that. Thus the interior
was covered with a tough water-tight material; while the exterior, being
uncovered, and so exposed to the swelling action of the water, was we
hoped, likely to keep the boat quite dry. I may add that our hopes were
not disappointed.

While Jack was thus engaged, Peterkin and I sometimes assisted him, but,
as our assistance was not much required, we more frequently went
a-hunting on the extensive mud-flats at the entrance of the long valley
which lay nearest to our bower. Here we found large flocks of ducks of
various kinds, some of them bearing so much resemblance to the wild ducks
of our own country that I think they must have been the same. On these
occasions we took the bow and the sling, with both of which we were often
successful, though I must confess I was the least so. Our suppers were
thus pleasantly varied, and sometimes we had such a profusion spread out
before us that we frequently knew not with which of the dainties to
begin.

I must also add, that the poor old cat which we had brought home had
always a liberal share of our good things, and so well was it looked
after, especially by Peterkin, that it recovered much of its former
strength, and seemed to improve in sight as well as hearing.

{Leaving for the "mud-flats": p175.jpg}

The large flat stone, or rock of coral, which stood just in front of the
entrance to our bower, was our table. On this rock we had spread out the
few articles we possessed the day we were shipwrecked; and on the s