passed four days; but succeeded in finding no gum, or other
substance, which appeared likely to suit their purpose.

"I should think," Reuben said one day, "that it would be possible
to make the canoe so buoyant that she would not sink, even if
filled with water."

"How would you do that?" Tom asked. "There are many light woods, no
doubt, among the trees that we see; but they would have to remain a
long time to dry, to be light enough to be of any use."

"I was thinking," Reuben said, "that we might use coconuts. There
are immense quantities upon the trees, and the ground is covered
with them, from the effects of the late gale. If we strip off the
whole of the outside husk, and then make holes in the little eyes
at the top and let out the milk, using young ones in which the
flesh has not yet formed, and cutting sticks to fit tightly into
the holes, they would support a considerable weight in the water. I
should think that if we treated several hundred nuts in this way,
put them in the bottom of the canoe, and keep them in their places
by a sort of net, which we might easily make from the fibers of the
cocoas, the boat would be buoyant enough to carry us."

The idea struck all as being feasible, and Reuben was much
congratulated upon his inventive powers. Without delay, they set to
work to carry out the plan. A piece of thin bark was first taken
and, by means of a long thorn used as a needle, was sewn over the
hole in the canoe, with the fibers of the cocoa. Then a large pile
of nuts was collected, and the boys set to work at the task of
emptying them of their contents. It took them some hours' work to
make and fit the pegs. Another two days were spent in manufacturing
a net, to stretch across the boat above them.

The nuts were then placed in the boat, the net put into shape and,
choosing a calm night for their trial--for they feared, during the
daytime, to show themselves beyond the margin of the forest--they
placed it in the water, and paddled a short distance out.

They found that their anticipations were justified, and that the
flotation of the cocoas was amply sufficient to keep the boat
afloat. She was, of course, far lower in the water than she had
before been, and her pace was greatly deteriorated. This, however,
they had expected and, returning to shore, they watched for the
next night. Then, taking in a load of provisions, they started at
once upon their way.

It was weary work now, for the water-log