eel troubled
about another matter: see, I am getting fairly out at the elbows, and
neither `coffee and rolls,' nor roast-beef and plum-pudding in
indefinite quantities, would afford me any satisfaction, compared to the
possession of a supply of clothing, or even a few changes of linen--in
fact, comrades, what are we to do? There is danger that we shall all
become savages: I begin to feel a loss of self-respect already."

"We shall have to go into the manufacturing business, I suppose," said
Arthur. "I have often watched the whole process of making tappa, or
native cloth, from the bark of the paper-mulberry; it is quite simple,
and I have no doubt we can succeed in it; I have talked with Eiulo on
the subject and find that he understands the process thoroughly."

"But are there any paper-mulberries on the island!" inquired Morton.

"I have not seen any," answered Arthur. "If there are none, the bark of
the bread-fruit tree will answer nearly as well: the cloth made from it
is as strong and durable, though not so fine."

"For the present, and before we go into home manufactures," said Max, "I
advise Shakespeare, in order to avoid the loss of his remaining
self-respect in consequence of wearing foul linen, to betake himself to
the beach, wash his garments, and take a bath until they dry in the sun,
which is the course I intend to pursue myself."

"And what are we going to do for shoes, I wonder!" said Johnny, "mine
are badly cracked and torn, and nearly worn out: we shall all have to go
barefoot!" and he looked aghast at the thought.

"We must kill a shark by-and-bye," said Arthur, "when we have nothing
more pressing to do; and we can make leggins, or moccasins, from the
skin."

"How these things kill the romance and poetry of desert island life!"
said Max, "there's no romance about being out at the elbows, or being
obliged to wear dirty linen--"

"Or in doing one's own washing in salt-water, and sitting naked while
one's clothes are drying," interposed Browne, pathetically.

"Or in having your toes poke out at the end of your boots," added
Morton, advancing his right foot in illustration.

"No! these are all stern realities," said Max, "cases not provided for
in the story-books; how is it, Johnny, are there any precedents going to
show how desert islanders do their washing and mending?"

"I think they generally saved heaps of clothes from the wreck," answered
Johnny, gravely. "Robinson Crusoe brought off se