rather overdone, they were, nevertheless, of tempting appearance and
appetizing odor. Finally, the lobster was removed, and Tom contented
himself with one of the claws, which he placed on a dish, reserving the
remainder for another time.

And now the articles were all cooked, and Tom's repast was ready. He
looked with a smile of gratification upon the various dishes which his
ingenuity and industry had drawn forth from the rocks, and cliffs, and
mud, and sand of a desert island, and wondered whether other islands,
in tropical climates, could yield a more varied or more nutritious
supply. He thought of other plants which might be found here, and
determined to try some that seemed to be nutritious.

Here is the repast which Tom, on that occasion, spread before himself:--

1. Roast clams,
2. Baked lobster,
3. Boiled mussels,
4. Boiled shrimps,
5. Roast eggs,
6. Dandelions,
7. Dandelions with eggs,
8. Roast dulse,
9. Strawberries,
10. Pilot-bread.

In one thing only did Tom fall short of his wishes, and that was in the
way of drinks. But before that dinner was finished, even this was
remedied; for necessity, the great mother of invention, instigated Tom
to squeeze about half of his strawberries into a little water. Out of
this he formed a drink with a flavor that seemed to him to be quite
delicious. And that made what Tom called,--

11. Strawberry cordial.

XX.

New Discoveries.--The Boat.--A great Swell.--Meditations and Plans.--A
new, and wonderful, and before unheard-of Application of Spruce
Gum.--I'm afloat! I'm afloat!

Tom sat there over his banquet until late. He then went down to the
beach, and brought up a vast collection of driftwood, and throwing a
plenteous supply upon the fire, he lay down beside it, and looked out
over the water, trying, as usual, to see something through the thick
mist. The flames shot up with a crackle and a great blaze, and the
bright light shone brilliantly upon the water. The tide was now up, and
the boat was full before him. Tom fixed his eyes upon this boat, and
was mournfully recalling his unsuccessful experiment at making her
sea-worthy, and was waiting to see her sink down to her gunwales as she
filled, when the thought occurred to him that she was not filling so
rapidly as she might, but was floating much better than usual. A
steady observation served to show him that this was no fancy, but an
actual fact;