se together, and every
sixth rib is larger and longer than the others and made of tougher wood.
All these ribs are bound together by longitudinal pieces, or laths, of
very tough wood, yet so thin that the whole machine is elastic without
being weak. Besides this, there are two strong oiled-canvas partitions,
which divide the canoe into three watertight compartments, any two of
which will float it if the third should get filled."

"Is this then the craft in which you intend to voyage?" asked Nigel.

"It is. We shall start in an hour or two. I keep it in this cave
because it is near the landing-place. But come, you will understand
things better when you see us making our arrangements. Of course you
understand how to manage sails of every kind?"

"If I did not it would ill become me to call myself a sailor," returned
our hero.

"That is well, because you will sit in the middle, from which position
the sail is partly managed. I usually sit in the bow to have free range
for the use of my gun, if need be, and Moses steers."

Van der Kemp proceeded down the track as he said this, having, with the
negro, again lifted the canoe on his shoulder.

A few minutes' walk brought them to the beach at the spot where Nigel
had originally landed. Here a quantity of cargo lay on the rocks ready
to be placed in the canoe. There were several small bags of pemmican,
which Van der Kemp had learned to make while travelling on the prairies
of North America among the Red Indians,--for this singular being seemed
to have visited most parts of the habitable globe during his not yet
very long life. There were five small casks of fresh water, two or
three canisters of gunpowder, a small box of tea and another of sugar,
besides several bags of biscuits. There were also other bags and boxes
which did not by their appearance reveal their contents, and all the
articles were of a shape and size which seemed most suitable for passing
through the manholes, and being conveniently distributed and stowed in
the three compartments of the canoe. There was not very much of
anything, however, so that when the canoe was laden and ready for its
voyage, the hermit and his man were still able to raise and carry it on
their shoulders without the assistance of Nigel.

There was one passenger whom we have not yet mentioned, namely, a small
monkey which dwelt in the cave with the canoe, and which, although
perfectly free to come and go when he pleased, se