--as Mr
Meldrum had foreseen when causing the raft to be constructed--although
it was now too late in the day to utilise it to that end, for, even
while they were landing the things, the evening had closed in and it was
nearly dark.

Meanwhile, the second body of men, working under Frank Harness's
direction and Mr Meldrum's personal supervision, were equally
industrious.

The site for the camp having been chosen, a couple of the largest spars
that had been brought ashore on the raft were erected as uprights, some
twenty feet apart, close under the scarp of the cliff; and a block and
running tackle having been previously attached to the top of each of
these, a third spar was hoisted up and lashed across them at right
angles. After this, a spare top-sail, which had been brought with them
in the jolly-boat, was pulled over the framework; and, the ends of this
being tied down by the reef points to stout pegs driven in the ground,
the structure formed a good sized tent which would do well for temporary
accommodation for a night or two. Of course, something more substantial
would be required if the shipwrecked people were forced to remain long
on the island--which, indeed, seemed more than probable, considering the
time of year, and the faint hope of their rescue by any whaling vessel
before the month of November.

"I guess it air prime," said Mr Lathrope, looking at the tent with much
satisfaction as he walked round it. He evidently took considerable
pride in the construction, in which, indeed, he had some share, his
experience "out west" having been of great use in suggesting the shape
and location of the shelter.

"Yes," replied Mr Meldrum, who was still busy at work on the details.
"I think it will do till we can rig up something better."

"Wa-ll, all you've got to do neow, I guess," said the other, "is to
stretch a rope across the hull consarn, and fix up a blanket or two to
screen off the femmels from the menfolk; and the thing's done slick and
handsome."

"Right!" responded Mr Meldrum, taking his advice and dividing the tent
across into two portions, one of which was reserved for the ladies;
when, the spare bedding and blankets having been brought up from the
raft, the improvised apartments were made to look as comfortable as
circumstances permitted. Really, the interior, on being lighted up by
the ship's lanterns, which had not been forgotten, appeared quite cosy,
especially when Snowball's fire, which was