, they settled to go no further. While Ralph with
Jacob and Ned were putting up a rough hut the midshipmen collected some
dry grass and broken branches. As they were hunting about they
discovered several fungi growing near the roots of the trees.

"This stuff looks very like tinder," said Chandos. "Let us try if it
will take a spark."

He produced the flint from the lock of the musket. In a few minutes, by
dint of blowing and puffing, they had a blazing fire, and the iron pot
with a piece of beef in it was put on to boil. The flour, though
damaged by the salt water, supplied them with cakes cooked under the
ashes. They had now no longer the fear of suffering from starvation.
After an ample meal they lay down to rest, and it was broad daylight
before any of the party awoke. The next day they resumed their search
along the shore. More casks of beef and pork were secured, and numerous
other articles. Among the things in one of the chests was a Bible,
which being enclosed in a leathern case had escaped injury. The owner
had apparently but seldom opened it. To Ralph and his companions it was
of unspeakable value. Though he had been accustomed to read the
Scriptures on a Sunday on board ship he had seldom gone to them for
guidance and strength on other days in the week. Now morning and
evening he read aloud from the precious volume, which from henceforth
became the source of comfort and support to the castaways. Several days
were spent in collecting whatever the sea had thrown on the shore from
the wreck, but not a human body was found. Probably the ship had broken
suddenly up, and all on board had been engulfed together. Having dried
the contents of the chests, and stored them and their provisions in the
hut, they returned to the bay in which they had landed. Its attractions
being far greater than those of any other part of the coast, in addition
to its possessing a well-built abode, they resolved to settle there.

The direct distance across the island was less than three miles, and by
a bird's-eye survey from the highest point in the centre, they
calculated that the most practicable path would be about five miles. By
this they at once set about removing their goods; carrying them in some
parts on their shoulders, and in others dragging them on a truck, built
out of wreck timber. The whole north shore presented no safe
landing-place, or could they have taken them round by sea much labour
would have been