numbers, seeking their
morning repast; beautiful long-tailed and gilded moths, like
butterflies, were flying over the tree-tops; the sky had assumed the
loveliest azure colour, across which were drawn streaks of thin white
clouds with Nature's most delicate touch. The varied forms of the
trees, imperceptible during the gloom of night, now appeared, the
smaller foliage contrasting with the large, glossy leaves of the taller
trees, and the feathery, fan-shaped fronds of the palms.

The air, for a short time, felt cool and refreshing; but almost before
the sun had gilded the topmost boughs of the trees, the heat began to
increase and give indication of a sultry day. All hands were speedily
on foot. The skipper led the way on to the roots of the trees, (for I
must not say, on to the shore), followed by Peter and the rest of his
crew, and began to hew away at the smaller palms and other trees which
they thought would serve to form the proposed raft. Tree after tree was
cut down; but the felling of each occupied some time. Arthur, Tim, and
I assisted in towing them out to the log, where we arranged them
alongside each other, ready to receive the crosspieces by which the
whole were to be bound together. Trees somewhat lighter, cut into
lengths, were selected for the latter purpose. We looked out for the
Indian encampment, but from no point we could reach was it visible; and
we concluded, therefore, that we were not likely to be seen by any of
the natives. Although a description of the operations we were employed
in can be given in a few words, they occupied the whole day. After the
logs had been cut we had to collect a quantity of the more flexible
vines with which to bind them together; and this also took us a good
deal of time. Thus, though we got over our meals as quickly as
possible, it was again night before the raft was completed. Some long
poles for propelling it had also been cut and shaped.

The skipper contemplated the work with evident satisfaction. "There, my
friends," he said, "this will carry more than half of our party; and if
half of you will consent to embark, I will stop and assist in making
another like it, so that we may all proceed together. I don't like the
thought of leaving you behind."

Uncle Paul and my father, however, firmly declined the skipper's offer.
"I would much rather that you should go forward, Captain van Dunk, and
explore the way; and should you be successful in finding an