heavy dews, and which we can have ready next time it comes on to rain."

A suitable position was soon found high up where no flood was likely to
reach, and presenting several attractions.

First, it was at the head of the clearing exactly facing the river, so
that a passing boat could be seen. Secondly, it was between two great
trees, apparently twins, whose smooth columnar trunks ran up some twenty
feet without a branch; after that they were one mass of dense foliage,
which drooped down nearly to the ground and looked thick enough to throw
off, as the leafage lay bough above bough, any fall of rain short of a
waterspout.

The trees were about twelve feet apart, and from a distance the boughs
had so intermingled that they looked like one.

"That's the spot, sir!" Shaddy exclaimed. "Now then, the first thing
is to find a branch that will do for a ridge pole."

That first thing proved to be the most difficult they could have
undertaken, for a long search showed nothing portable at all likely to
answer the purpose; and though palm after palm was found, all were too
substantial to be attacked by pocket-knives. They were getting in
despair, when Rob hit upon one close down to the river, which the united
strength of all three, after Rob had climbed it and by his weight
dragged the top down within reach, sufficed to lever out of the
saturated ground.

As soon as the young palm was down, Shaddy set Brazier and Rob to cut
off the roots and leaves, which latter they were told to stack ready for
use, from where they hung six or eight feet long, while he--Shaddy--
knife in hand, busied himself in cutting long lianas and canes to act as
ropes.

An hour later they had the young palm bound tightly to the trees about
six feet from the ground, after which branches were cut and carried, so
that they could be laid with the thick ends against the ridge pole and
the leaves resting upon the ground from end to end.

This done, others were laid on in the same way, the leaves and twigs
fitting in so accurately that after a busy two hours they had a strong
shed of branches ready for stopping up at one end with thorns and more
boughs, while Rob had to climb up the slope and thatch the place with
the palm leaves, forming a roof impervious to any ordinary rain.

"That will do for sleeping, eh, gen'lemen?" said Shaddy. "We'll finish
it another time. We can rest in shelter. Now then for getting our
wages--I mean a decent supper."