omething. Then carefully taking the packing-cases apart, he shaped
the bottom planking of each somewhat after the semblance of the bow and
run of a ship--that is to say, he pointed the two square ends of each by
sawing them to the required shape. Then he put the cases together
again, curving the sides to fit the curves of the bottom planks; and
when this was done he found himself in possession of two boat-like
boxes, or flat-bottomed boats, of very respectable shape and size.
These he next strengthened by nailing stout timbers, walings, and
stringers to the bottom and sides, inside; when a careful caulking and
paying of the seams completed them by rendering them watertight. So
pleased was he with these two contrivances of his--the firstfruits of
his labours--that although he had not originally intended to use them as
boats, either of them was quite sufficiently large to convey himself and
his companion across the tranquil waters of the lagoon that stretched
between the brig and the island; and he accordingly determined that,
before applying these structures to their ultimate purpose, he would
make use of one of them in which to effect a preliminary exploration of
the island. Accordingly he fitted the interior of one of them with a
couple of seats--one in the middle for himself, and the other near the
"stern" for Miss Trevor's accommodation; secured to each side a stout
cleat in a suitable position, and suitably bored for the reception of a
pair of rowlocks; and a length of three-inch planking sawn down the
middle and shaped with a spokeshave into a pair of paddles completed the
equipment of what turned out to be a very serviceable and handy boat.

The construction of these two "pontoons," as Leslie called them,
together with the supplementary labour of fitting up one of them to
serve as a boat, consumed nearly a week; but they were so thoroughly
satisfactory when finished that their constructor regarded his time as
well spent. The last item of his task, the making of the pair of
paddles, or short oars, was completed as the sun was sinking below the
horizon on the ninth day after the stranding of the _Mermaid_; and it
was arranged that, if the weather held fine and the barometer continued
steady, the next day should be devoted to a visit to the island.

CHAPTER NINE.

AN ISLAND PARADISE.

The next morning dawned as fine as heart could wish, with a cloudless
sky of matchless blue, and a "glass" that showed a r