ginald could not use it in an
efficient way, Dick proposed that his companion should work away at one
end with the hot pokers, while he plied his adze at the other. He chose
the stern, and using the adze vigorously, chopped away the wood under
his feet, sending out large chips at every stroke, while Lord Reginald
ran backwards and forwards with his hot pokers; but though he made a
great deal of smoke, he found that he burnt away only a small quantity
of wood with each instrument. Though there was no doubt that he would
succeed in the end, he had to confess that Dick's method was the most
rapid.

"Still," he observed, "every little helps, and I'll go on burning away
at my end, while you continue chopping at yours."

This plan was agreed to, and they were both well satisfied with the
progress made during a single day. It took them, however, not one day,
but several, before the canoe was cleanly dug out. The last part of the
process was much slower than the first, from the necessity there was to
be careful lest they should dig their gouges through the sides. As
these became thinner and thinner, Dick would frequently stop and run his
brad-awl through to ascertain their thickness more exactly, taking care
to stop the hole afterwards.

As may be supposed, they constantly kept an eye on the volcano, which
occasionally threw up flames and smoke, but gave no indications of
preparing for a more serious eruption. Still, the two Crusoes agreed
that it would be wise in them to get their craft ready for sea, in case
of being compelled to put off from the island.

It was a day of rejoicing when they had at length completed the hull,
and as they looked all round her they felt satisfied that she was of
equal thickness at the sides, except the bow and stern, which were of
course thicker. They had now again to turn her over to fix the keel,
which was already prepared.

While Dick had been engaged in finishing off the inside with his gouge,
Lord Reginald had searched all the timber thrown on shore, for bolts and
nuts. About a dozen were found, with which the keel was fixed on, and
bolted inside in a way which gave it great strength, so that it could
not be torn off, even should a rock be struck. Having sheered up the
canoe, she now stood on an even keel, and Dick and his companion walked
to a little distance to admire their handiwork, and both agreed that she
was as perfect as could be.

"Yes, and we owe her perfection to y