e floor, and formed much after the fashion of the
doors. In the centre was a table constructed out of the planking of the
launch, with seats on either side. Bound the beds, with a sailor's
forethought, Harry had stretched some broad pieces of canvas, assisting
to keep off any draughts which might make their way in blowing weather
into the cottage. Captain Twopenny's abode, though smaller than Mrs
Morley's, was constructed in the same manner. He and Harry, with all
the men of the party, had been up by daybreak to complete them. As soon
as breakfast was over, they invited the ladies to take possession of
their new cottages. Mrs Morley and her daughters expressed themselves
delighted with theirs.

"You have indeed, Mr Shafto, laboured hard to secure our comfort," she
said, "and we feel most grateful. I little expected so soon to have
such excellent shelter."

"What a fearful place to have to live in during the winter," said Mrs
Twopenny, as she surveyed the abode to which her husband introduced her.
"Why didn't you build it of brick."

"Simply, my dear, because no bricks can be had," answered the captain,
not looking very well pleased; "and this you will, I hope, find warm and
comfortable. We might have been very much worse off, believe me."

Mrs Morley and her daughters at once set to work to arrange, with the
scanty means at their disposal, the interior of their cottage, assisted
by Mrs Rumbelow. Meantime, all hands were engaged in putting up the
other huts. One of larger dimensions was in a short time finished for
the women, into which they at once moved; Harry and the officers taking
possession of the tent; while two other huts, one for the men, and
another for themselves, were being erected.

The sun at length shone forth brightly on the little settlement: the
woods were alive with song-birds, numbers of which came fearlessly
flying up as if to ascertain what the strangers had been about. Their
notes were very sweet, though their plumage was somewhat sombre. They
seemed especially anxious to make the acquaintance of Fanny and Emma
Morley, who were standing at the porch of their cottage watching them,
and surprised at the bold way in which they approached. First one came
hopping up, and then another, and when the young ladies stooped down and
offered them some small bits of meat, the birds without hesitation took
the food out of their hands.

"How cruel it would be to kill any of our little confident