fined within wire bars, could fly in and out as they
pleased, and go off to the woods in search of the food they found most
suitable to their tastes.

The young ladies, however, did not give all their time to their pets,
for they were anxious to set an example of industry to the rest of the
women. They had found some long grass, which they set to work to plait.
They began by making some hats for the children; and these succeeding
well, they manufactured others for the women as well as for themselves.
Even Mrs Twopenny, seeing them employed, tried to make herself useful,
and succeeded beyond the expectations of her companions. As soon as the
huts were supplied with bedplaces, and tables, and seats, two or three
of the men employed themselves in making wooden bowls and cups and
plates, though, as they had no turning-lathe, the articles were somewhat
rough in appearance. However, as the supply of crockery which had been
brought in the boats was but small, they were very acceptable. Others
were engaged in making casks for preserving the seals' flesh. Mrs
Rumbelow had also carefully collected all the feathers from the
wild-fowls which had been killed. With these she made several warm
quilts, the first of which she presented to the ladies, telling them
that she hoped still to have enough feathers to supply all the women and
children.

Another important object, which Harry especially desired to succeed in,
was the manufacture of the seal-skins into leather. He was anxious to
have these to serve as bed-coverings for the men as soon as possible; he
foresaw, too, that their shoes and clothing would soon wear out, and
that the seal-leather would be the only material with which to supply
their places. On making inquiries among the men whether any of them
knew how to dress the skins, Dick Sharp said that he had been
apprenticed to a currier, and thought, if he could obtain some suitable
bark, he should be able to dress the skins, and make them fit for any
purpose which might be required.

"Very well," said Harry; "we must appoint you to that duty; and, doctor,
it must be your charge to look out for bark with tanning properties."

His chief anxiety, however, was to provide food for the party. The boat
had been sent over every day for seals, but they were already becoming
wary, and fewer were killed than at first. Some mussels had been found
on the rocks, but they were only to be obtained at low water, and in no
large qu