han period;
being built with an excessive amount of sheer and a very high-peaked
narrow poop, upon the after end of which the remains of what were
probably three poop-lanterns could still be distinguished. She had a
slight list to starboard, and had, in the course of her long
submergence, either settled or become buried in the sand to the extent
of about half the depth of her hull. What her nationality may have been
it was of course impossible to tell, clothed as she was in a rankly
luxuriant growth of weed. Leslie carefully noted in his pocket-book the
exact bearings of the wreck; and then, lifting his anchor, they resumed
their fishing, their efforts being rewarded with an excellent day's
sport.

Leslie now set to work with earnestness and enthusiasm upon his great
task of putting together the cutter, the component parts of which had so
fortunately happened to form a part of the _Mermaid's_ cargo. And the
first thing he did was to name the prospective craft the _Flora_, as a
compliment to his companion.

Now, the _Flora_, when completed, would be a craft of very respectable
dimensions; far too bulky, indeed, to be launched by the simple process
of pushing her off the beach into the water, as one would launch a small
boat. The method of launching, therefore, was a matter requiring
consideration, and would have to be arranged for before a stroke of work
was done upon the boat herself. Leslie thought the matter over
carefully, and at length arrived at the conclusion that there was
nothing for it but to build the boat upon properly constructed launching
ways. And for these he would require a considerable quantity of good
stout timber properly squared; the provision of which involved a task of
very considerable labour and difficulty. Trees there were in plenty on
the island, of ample dimensions for his purpose; but how was he,
single-handed, to get them down upon the beach, even after they had been
trimmed and squared? And how was he to square them without a sawpit.
The pit-saw itself he had, having found several among the other tools
that formed part of the brig's cargo; but to work such a tool
single-handed was an impossibility. Weighing all these difficulties in
his mind, Dick at length came to the conclusion that there was no
alternative but to draw upon the brig for the necessary material; and he
accordingly went, rather reluctantly, to work upon the task of breaking
up the poor old _Mermaid_. He decided