a,
and to put on dry wood at night to make a bright blaze which could also
be seen a long way off. This was soon done, and a site was then
selected for the projected hut. Among the palm-trees on the summit of
the bank were three trees so placed as to form the points of a fairly
spacious triangle. Roger selected these, intending to nail or otherwise
secure planks to their trunks, making a three-sided enclosure; leaving
space, of course, in one of the sides for a door. A roof they believed
they could dispense with, as the trees were not very high, and the tufts
of leaves at their summits were so thick, and grew so close together,
that it seemed very doubtful whether even the furious rain of the
tropics would be able to penetrate them. They found a number of nails
in the planks and timbers which they had collected, and these served
their purpose. Roger, Jake Irwin, and Walter Bevan worked right
manfully at the job of erecting the new hut, and in a few hours it was
finished. Evans, poor fellow, was far too weak to take a hand in any of
the operations, and lay in his shelter almost unable to move. When the
new hut was finished, the builders found the man too far gone to walk,
so they brought some planks and put him on them, carrying him up in that
way. He was laid gently down and made as comfortable as possible under
the circumstances. A pannikin of water was left with him, and some cold
provisions placed near him in case he should feel hungry. The others
then went away to seek further wreckage and casks, but they found no
more. Then they decided to make another shelter wherein to protect
their provisions. It was thought advisable to construct this place near
the new hut; so the old shelter--such as it was--was taken down and
replaced close behind their new structure, and the casks, barrels, and
other perishable matters were placed therein as being safer, as well as
easier to get at at all times. They were now fairly settled down in
their new domain; they had shelter, and plenty of food to last for some
months, even on full rations. There was water in abundance to be had
from the spring, and altogether their lot was far and away more
satisfactory and endurable than that of the poor marooned pirate had
been. Besides, there were now four of them, and they had the advantage
and comfort of each other's company, while Evans had been entirely alone
with only his own miserable thoughts for companions until Roger and h