ting
out the ribs with the scanty tools we possessed was a slow process; and
a Dutchman alone could have conceived the possibility of succeeding in
such an undertaking, with the numerous difficulties to be encountered.

"Never fear, my friends; we will do it," the skipper was continually
saying. "Only take care not to break the axes. If we do, we shall have
to work with our knives. But remember it could be done even then; only
we should be much longer about the job. `Slow and steady wins the
race.'"

Slow our work certainly was, but every day saw some progress. While the
captain and Peter were working at the timber, the rest of us were
smoothing down the planks; and we had now a large pile ready to fix on
as soon as the ribs were set up. My father, Marian, and I were
improving in the manufacture of matting. We could not, however, make it
of sufficient strength for the sails; still, the material we
manufactured would serve to form a roof for the cabin, or it might do
for kilts or for cloaks.

We had established several other manufactories. A pottery was the
first. Fortunately, we had found some clay well adapted for our
purpose; and my father was acquainted with the principles of the art and
the mode of working. A small kiln was first put up; and we then,
kneading our clay, formed it into vessels of various shapes and sizes.
Our great object was to burn some sufficiently hard to serve for cooking
purposes. We cracked a good many, and it must be confessed they were
all somewhat rough and unshapely; but we improved in that respect, and
eventually succeeded in producing several pots which stood the fire
remarkably well. At Uncle Paul's desire, we also formed a number of
small cups, though he did not at the time tell us for what object he
required them.

He had not forgotten his promise to supply us with shoes when ours
should be worn-out. We had for some time been going about with bare
feet. We found it, however, both painful and dangerous to wander
through the forest with our feet unprotected. I reminded him one day of
what he had undertaken to do.

"I have not forgotten it, and will at once fulfil my promise," he
answered. "Come with me into the forest; before we start, however, you
must pack up the small pots you made at my request the other day."

"What are they for?" I asked.

"You shall see when we arrive at the manufactory," he answered.

We set out towards the west. After having proceeded