ou can never pray for too much," said Nub. "I
always pray for what I want; and if it no come, I know it not good for
me."

"Do you think this is papa's boat?" asked Alice.

"No, Miss Alice. I know this is Morgan the second mate's boat, which
accompanied the captain's; and we may hope that the same vessel which
received both crews on board may pick us up."

Walter having reduced the water in the boat, sail was hoisted, and she
was dropped astern, Nub jumping in to assist in bailing out the
remainder. At present she was too sorely battered and leaky to be of
any use. Their fear was that the weather might get worse, and that she
might after all have to be abandoned. However, as the day advanced,
happily the wind fell and the sea went down. As soon, therefore, as
they had breakfasted they hauled the boat up on the raft; and though she
occupied the larger portion of it, there was still room for Alice to sit
near the mast. All hands then set to work to repair her,--Walter and
Nub acting under the direction of the mate, who performed the more
difficult parts of the task. The boat-nails found in the chest were
invaluable, but, of course, without the planks which had been preserved,
nothing could have been done.

"Now, lads," said the mate, "before we begin we must see what amount of
material we have got, and fit it to the parts for which it is best
suited. A little time spent in this way will be time saved in the end,
and enable us to accomplish what we might not otherwise have the power
to do."

They worked away, scarcely allowing themselves a minute to rest or to
take food. The boat had apparently been damaged by the flukes of a
whale, several planks on one side having been broken in. These were
first repaired, and her bottom made sound; and then other injuries she
had received at the bow and stern were put to rights, either by fixing
in new planks or by nailing others over the damaged places. There was
still wood enough remaining to run a weatherboard all round her, thus to
enable her the better to go through any bad weather she might encounter
during the long voyage she would possibly have to make. Lockers were
then fitted to the bow and stern, in which provisions might be stowed,
and so prevent the risk of these being wetted should the sea break into
the boat.

Darkness found them still engaged in the task. Their intention was,
next morning to make a step for the mast and to build a little cabin aft
f