of with tough sods,
and plaster up the crevices in the sides with mud. But Mollie thought
the fore-topsail of the schooner would be better than sods and mud,
though it was not half so romantic. They had whole casks of nails, small
and large, and the sail was finally chosen, and securely nailed upon the
roof and sides. A floor was made of the boards, and the house banked up
so as to turn the water away from it when it rained. Two rooms, one for
each of the exiles, were partitioned off with sail-cloth. A bunk was
made in each, which was supplied with a berth-sack and bed-clothes from
the schooner. Besides these two rooms, there was one apartment for
general purposes.

This important work occupied three weeks; but it was perfectly luxurious
when completed.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE VISITORS.

The house was finished, and the satisfaction which it afforded to the
young exiles cannot be expressed in words. Noddy had exercised his
ingenuity in the construction of a fireplace, a chimney, and a table.
The stern-lights of the Roebuck furnished the windows of the principal
apartment; while single panes of glass, obtained from the assorted cargo
of the vessel, admitted the light to the sleeping-rooms. They had
knives, forks, spoons, dishes, and cooking utensils in abundance.
Everything they wanted was at hand; and in this respect they differed
from all the Crusoes of ancient and modern times.

The miscellaneous cargo of the schooner supplied the house with all the
comforts and many of the luxuries of civilization; and if Noddy had been
familiar with the refinements of social life, he would probably have
added the "modern improvements" to the mansion. If the house had been an
elegant residence on Fifth Avenue or Blackstone Square, the occupants
could not have enjoyed it more. Day after day Noddy added some new
feature of comfort, until he was as proud of the dwelling as though he
had been the architect of St. Peter's.

The work was done, and they had nothing to do but sit down under their
"own vine and fig-tree," and enjoy themselves. They had provisions and
water enough to last them six months. But Noddy had discovered that
idleness was the sum of all miseries; and after he had thoroughly
explored the island, and amused himself for a few days among the
novelties of the place, he realized that work was a positive luxury.
Even patient, plodding labor, without any excitement, was better than
doing nothing.

Though there had