western end, that had served to protect and preserve
a clump of forest about two miles long; and the sounds that proceeded
from it indicated that many animals had found sanctuary there. By the
time that we had completed our survey it was too late to think of
returning to Eden that day, so we again bore up for the wreck, spending
that night aboard her and returning to our own island on the day
following.

On our way back I touched at Cliff Island and had a chat with Bowata,
relating to him the result of our trip of inspection. I told him that
we had seen very few dead apes, and hazarded the conjecture that the
brutes, retreating before the flames on their own island, had swum the
Middle Channel to West Island, on the northern and unburnt portion of
which they might have established themselves. But when he suggested
that this portion also of the island should be set on fire, to make
assurance doubly sure, I very strongly demurred, pointing out that, even
if my conjecture should be correct, the unburned forest would doubtless
be swarming with animal life other than that of the apes, and that it
would be a very great pity to destroy it all in order to effect the
extermination of the apes, unless such a drastic measure should prove to
be imperatively necessary.

After the little break following upon the firing of Apes' Island I
returned with enthusiasm to work upon the cutter, and in the course of a
month used up all the available material which I had thus far
accumulated, necessitating another visit to the wreck to obtain more. I
collected as large a quantity as I believed I could conveniently handle,
and, forming it into a raft, took it in tow for transport to Eden. The
passage, that under ordinary conditions could easily be accomplished in
a single day, occupied _five days_, and was, I think, the toughest job I
had ever undertaken in my life, the raft being so deadly sluggish in
movement that it was impossible to tow it to windward; and finally I
found myself compelled to kedge it more than half the way. But I was
glad when I had at length brought it safely into the cove and anchored
it there, for I now had enough material to carry on with for at least
four months. I estimated that another raft of equal size would suffice
to complete the cutter, and, notwithstanding the difficulties that I had
just encountered, I felt strongly inclined to return forthwith to the
wreck and procure a sufficiency for all future need