, facing the seashore. The ground-floor they
divided into two rooms, with space for a staircase to lead to the upper
floor. This floor was to be divided into three rooms,--one for Alice,
another for Walter, and the third for the surgeon; while the mate and
the two men were to occupy one of the lower rooms, the other being
intended for a parlour. The kitchen, they agreed, it would be best to
form at a little distance from the house, lest it might by any accident
catch fire.

While they were thus busily employed, the doctor came back with a large
supply of two different kinds of fruit--one like a plum, the other
having a hard rind but a delicious pulp--while his pockets were filled
with some roots, which he considered were of even more value. He also
reported that he had found a palm which he had no doubt would yield an
abundance of sago; but it would take some time and labour to prepare it.
He proposed forming a manufactory near the stream, as an abundant
supply of water was required for the necessary operations: also that
they should commence the work next morning; for he considered that no
time should be lost, as it would afford them an abundant supply of
nutritious food, on which they could depend under all circumstances. He
would, however, require one hand to assist him. Nub at once volunteered
his services. "I hope by that time to have one of the bows finished,"
said Walter, "and I will go and shoot game, while Mr Shobbrok, Dan, and
Alice continue working away at the house." The mate agreed to this
proposal, though he observed that he thought it would be advisable, as
soon as a sufficient supply of sago was got, for all hands to set to
work at the house, so that they might have shelter should bad weather
come on.

Nub had not forgotten to spit and put the hornbills before the fire in
good time; and when evening came on, and they could no longer see to
work, they sat down to the most ample meal they had yet enjoyed, aided
by the roots and fruits the doctor had collected.

"In a couple of days more, Miss Alice, I hope you will have a good roof
over your head, and a room to yourself," observed the mate. "I shall
not rest satisfied till I see you comfortably lodged."

Alice declared that she was perfectly satisfied with her tent.

"That's very well while the weather is calm and dry; but should the rain
begin to fall, which, from the look of the foliage, I have no doubt is
very heavy hereabouts, it would be