n to meet Nub.

"Yes, Missie Alice, bery good fish inside here," he answered. "Nuf for
good supper for eberybody; only we cook it first."

The large clam--such was the species to which the shell-fish belonged--
was placed on the ground.

"Where de oders?" asked Nub. "I want Tidy to help make fireplace. Dan
Tidy, where are you?" shouted Nub.

Just then Dan made his appearance, with the information that they had
found a stream of fresh water running down from the hills not far off,
and that the doctor had sent him back to get the cask, he himself
remaining on the watch for any birds or quadrupeds which might come down
to drink. The remaining contents were therefore shared among the
thirsty party, and the Irishman went away with the empty cask on his
shoulder; while the mate and Walter assisted Nub in building a
fireplace--the materials being furnished by some masses of coral rock
which lay on the beach. Fuel was then collected and arranged between
the two piles of stone, and the mollusc being placed so that its edges
rested on the top of them, the mate set fire to the wood.

Scarcely was the fire lighted when Dan returned with the cask. "Arrah,
now, Nub, you are mighty clever; but there's one thing I think I can
beat you in, and that is in blowing up a fire. Shure, they used to call
me `little bellows' at home, and set me to make the turf blaze up when
the praties were put on to boil." Saying this, Dan threw himself on the
ground, and began blowing away with a vehemence which soon made the
sparks fly, speedily followed by a flickering flame. The sticks caught
and crackled, and the smoke rose in dense volumes.

While he was so employed, the doctor arrived with a large water-fowl
which he had cleverly caught, as he lay hid in the long grass, while the
bird was passing by, unconscious of danger. "I will undertake the
cooking of the mollusc," he said. "If the creature is cut up into small
pieces, it will be much more rapidly and perfectly done. We must first
open the shell, however. Walter, fetch me the cold chisel and hammer
which you brought on shore."

After the mollusc had been for some time exposed to the fire, he with a
few strokes opened it, allowing each half to rest on the piles of stone.
Honest Nub was in no way offended at being superseded in his office of
cook, and went off to collect a further supply of fuel, with which he
quickly returned; while Walter employed himself in plucking the wild
f