hope that a good part of her will come on shore, and if we can get
this lot safe on the beach we shall have timber enough for building our
craft and some to spare for fire-wood."

Though the wind blew stronger and stronger, Tom stuck to the raft, and
was rewarded for his perseverance by carrying it, just before dark,
safely on to the beach.

"Welcome back, my young friends. I shall not have to drink the gallon
of salt water," exclaimed the doctor, producing a jug. "Just taste
that."

All the party pronounced the product of the still excellent, and as they
had had nothing to drink since they had left the wreck, they were glad
to obtain it.

After taking a few hurried mouthfuls of food they set to work to drag up
the materials of the raft, lest the sea might carry them off during the
night. The task accomplished, they at length lay down in the tent,
which the doctor had rendered more tenable than it otherwise would have
been by putting up a close paling on the weather side. Fortunately no
rain fell, but the wind, which as the night advanced blew with great
force, found its way in through the crevices.

In the morning the ocean was covered with tossing foam-crested waves,
which as they rolled in broke with a continuous roar on the rocky shore.
They soon had evidence of the effect of the gale on the wreck.
Fragments of various sizes and casks of oil were seen floating in all
directions, the larger portion drifting towards the northern end of the
island. Some came right into the bay, and were at once secured; others
struck the coral rocks, and were soon ground into small pieces. Jerry
proposed going along the shore, accompanied by Tim and Pat, in order to
pick up whatever they could find. They might save not only timber but
casks and cases from the hold, which, from being under water, they had
been unable to get up. The rest of the party in the mean time commenced
building the hut. They first selected such timber and planking as would
be of no use to the vessel. The discomfort they had endured the
previous night made them anxious to secure sufficient shelter before the
rain should come on, as in that exposed situation they could not trust
to the protection of the tent. The roof, however, they intended to form
with canvas, as they had enough for the purpose, and it would answer
better than anything else they could obtain. Peter prepared dinner for
all the party.

"But there is more here than we want," obse