cordingly set to work to
improve the long-boat by raising the sides, and decking her over, and
also by fitting her with masts and sails and oars.

In the mean time the officers turned their attention to the procuring of
food for the settlement. Several seines had been brought in the ship; a
sandy beach, free from rocks, afforded a favourable place for drawing
them, though, as yet, they knew not what fish the sea would supply. The
two small boats were brought round to the spot, and the seine was cast.
With no slight eagerness, the greater number of the colonists stood on
the shore, watching the success of the undertaking. The officers, as
well as the men, assisted in drawing the net; as it approached the
shore, the fins and tails of innumerable fish were seen splashing above
the surface. Shouts of satisfaction rose from the spectators: the
seamen, led by the admiral himself, rushed in, regardless of a wetting,
to seize the fish, which were endeavouring to escape over the net, and
fifty men or more were now floundering about, each grasping one or more
of the struggling creatures. In their eagerness, several toppled over
on their noses, and had to be picked up by their companions to be saved
from drowning. Some came triumphantly to land, dragging huge fish, many
pounds in weight, by the gills; several received severe bites from the
sharp teeth of the fish, into whose mouths they had incautiously thrust
their hands. Not a few scampered out, declaring that there were sharks
or other monsters among the shoal, which had attacked their legs. Among
the most eager were Gilbert, Fenton, and Oliver Dane. The three youths
on all occasions bore each other company, and after each of them had
secured a fish large enough to feed a dozen hungry men or more, Fenton
and Oliver were seen coming out with an enormous one held fast by the
gills, which, in consequence of its vehement struggles, they could with
difficulty land. On the net being at length hauled up, enough fish were
secured to feed the party for several days, besides those which had
first been taken. Among them were numerous lobsters, crabs, and
crawfish, which, it was conjectured, were the creatures the seamen had
declared had bitten their legs. Here was an additional reason for
thankfulness, for while the sea so plentifully supplied food, there need
be no fear of hunger. In the holes of the rocks, salt in abundance was
also found, with which the fish could be preser