as was possible; after which I handed them their new clothes and bade
them burn their old rags. They seemed to consider me quite unreasonably
particular, and grumbled a good deal at what they appeared to regard as
the wholly unnecessary trouble I was imposing upon them; but I would
take no denial; and when at length they realised that I intended to have
my way they surlily submitted. In the end I believe that, in despite of
themselves, they were rather glad that I had been so insistent; for when
they once more stood fully clothed their appearance was improved almost
beyond recognition, and they seemed quite pleased with themselves.

They were by no means so pleased, however, when, in response to a remark
by one of them, I gave them to clearly understand that I would not house
them in the bungalow, and that during the comparatively short period of
our further stay on the group they would have to be content with such
accommodation as a tent would afford. They argued hotly that, being
castaways and survivors from the same shipwreck, we all stood upon a
perfectly equal footing and were alike entitled to share equally in
everything. To which I replied that the bungalow, the sailing boat, and
the cutter were all mine, built with my own hands out of material salved
by me from the wreck; that they had not participated or helped in the
slightest degree in any of the salving or building operations.
Therefore I considered they were not entitled to claim any share in the
comforts or advantages arising from those operations; but that, as an
act of grace, I was prepared to allow them a reasonable share of those
comforts and advantages; while, if they would help me to complete the
cutter, make her ready for sea, and assist me on the voyage, they should
be welcome to a passage in her. For a heated five minutes I believed I
was in for very serious trouble with the two men; but in the midst of
the argument--which was chiefly between Van Ryn and myself--Svorenssen
intervened, drawing his companion away and saying a few hasty words that
seemed to have the effect of wonderfully calming the Dutchman's
excitement; and the dispute ended by their admitting--rather lamely I
thought--that since I was evidently master of the situation, they
supposed they must make the best of it and accept what I chose to give
them. As to helping with the completion of the cutter, they expressed
themselves as only too willing to do so, since they had had mor