eir ends made fast to a cross piece of
wood that we had to fix to the trunk of the tree. Our nails were long,
and we drove each one of them home, so that we had no cause to fear
the strength of our work. By the time we had done this the day was far
spent, and we were all glad to lay by our tools and rest our limbs. That
night we lit our fires round the tree, tied the dogs to the roots, and
went up to sleep out of harm's way for the first time since we left the
ship. When the steps were drawn up we all felt that we were now safe at
last, and that we had brought the toils of the day to a good end.

CHAPTER VII.

WE did not wake next day till the sun shone in upon us. I told my wife
and sons that as it was the Lord's day we would do no work. Our beasts
and birds had first to be fed. This was done by my wife, who then
brought us some hot milk, and made us sit down on the grass and take it.
When our meal was done, I got on a log in front of my sons, and we all
sang a psalm we knew by heart. Then I sought to teach them and spoke to
them thus:

"There was once on a time a Great King, who had two vast realms, the
Land of Light and Truth, and the Land of Night and Sloth. Those who
dwelt in the first were full of life and joy. The King held his court at
the Place of Rest where all was bright.

"This King had a land, not far off, where those for whom he had so much
love should dwell ere they went one by one to the Place of Rest. This
land was the Home of Earth. He gave to his Son the right to rule the
host that dwelt in the Home of Earth, and set forth to think what they
were to do, and all the ills that would come to them if they did not do
as they were bid.

"At first they were all glad to hear the way in which they were to live,
and the terms on which they could reach the Land of Light and Truth. Sad
to tell, they soon broke the King's laws, and paid no heed to what they
knew to be his will. Still there were a few who did as they had been
taught, and dwelt in peace, in the hope that they would please the King
and at last reach the place where he held his court.

"From time to time ships came to the Home of Earth, and at last a great
ship was sent, the name of which was The Grave, which bore the flag of
Death. To the good it was a sign of hope, but the bad were thrown by the
sight of it into a state of gloom. These ships were not seen till they
came close to the shore, and then the crew were sent forth to find those
w