nt conversation," exclaimed
Johnson, with enthusiasm. "Now, see here, colonel, I guess I'll get you
to draw out that design right away."

"I am sure I shall be very pleased," said Lance. "But why do you wish
for such a thing? You will surely not venture, after what you have
already told us, to visit a civilised port and order a vessel to be
built?"

"I guess not, stranger. I've three prizes lyin' in harbour not far off,
which I kept, thinkin' they might come in useful some day; and we'll
break 'em up to build this new craft. You shall superintend the work;
and, as you're an engineer, I reckon I'll get you to fortify the harbour
also, so's to make things secure in case one of them frigates you was
talking about should come along and take a fancy to look inside."

"Very well," said Lance; "I will do what I can, both in the matter of
fortifying the harbour and building the new craft, upon the express
condition, however, you must understand, that we are all treated well as
long as we remain with you; and that you will make an early opportunity
to free us as soon as the work is done."

"Don't you be afraid, stranger," returned Johnson. "You do the best you
can for me, and I guess I'll do the right thing by you. That's a
bargain."

"There is just one point which occurs to me," remarked Lance. "It is
this. To do what you propose we shall require a great deal of
assistance. Now where are we to find it?"

"If it's men you mean, I reckon you'll find plenty of 'em at Albatross
Island. Men ain't always to be picked up at sea just when they're
wanted," said Johnson, "so I've took to keepin' my prisoners alive and
landing 'em there, so's I can draw upon 'em when I want to; and I've
found that if they won't cut in and take a hand with us exactly to oncet
they _gen'lly_ will a little later on, just to escape bein' worked to
death ashore."

"And what about materials?" persisted Lance. "To construct a battery,
and to make it serviceable, you know, stone, lime, iron and wood in
considerable quantities are required; to say nothing of guns, powder and
shot with which to arm the battery when it is finished."

"We've got it _all_," exclaimed Johnson; "all, that is, exceptin' iron,
and that we're very short of. There's stone in the island, and I guess
you can make lime from the coral, can't you? And as to the guns and
ammunition, why it's only three months ago that we helped ourselves to a
whole battery-full belonging t