e calm matter-of-fact way in which his
wife and daughter bore their privations, had an influence on the rest of
the party, the captain looking less troubled, and Mr Gregory less
serious. As for the sailors, they appeared to be quite enjoying
themselves and treating the whole as a kind of picnic.

But there was plenty of work to be done, for as soon as the captain had
seen to the two wounded men, who were able to talk now feebly, but
without a trace of delirium, he began to make his plans, talking the
matters over with the major and the mate; while the men, pending
instructions, cut off all the cocoa-nut leaves to lay to dry, and
gathered plenty of fuel for the cooking fire, whose place Small decided
ought to be in a nook among some rocks, where it would be sheltered from
the wind, and the rocks would grow heated and help the roasting or
baking.

"It is gloriously fine now," the captain commenced by saying; "and one
of the first things we ought to do is to provide a kind of hut or shed
against the tremendous showers we are sure to have before long."

"My dear Strong," said the major, "I'm ready for anything, from shooting
savages to cutting down trees."

"Then take your gun," said the captain, "and shoot a few savages, only
keep yourself to the smaller inhabitants of the place, as we are not
cannibals."

"Can I have Mark for my game-bearer?" said the major; and the lad darted
a grateful look at him.

"I was going to propose that he should take a gun and go with you," said
the captain. "He can catch a fish, and the sooner he can shoot us food
the better. But be careful, my lad, and don't waste powder."

"I'll drill him," said the major; "and, by the way, would it not be as
well to hoist something in the shape of colours on the top of the
highest tree one of the men can mount?"

"I had planned that too," said the captain. "I hope our signals will
soon be seen; but we must go on as if we expected to be in this place
for years."

"That's good policy, my dear Strong," said the major; "so we'll leave
you to your work, while we two idlers see what we can find inland. Now,
Mark, guns and cartridges, and call your dog. His leg seems to be
healing fast."

"Keep a sharp look-out," whispered the captain. "That noise must be
made by some uncouth creature, so be on your guard."

"That's why I'm going to have the dog," replied the major; and, leaving
the rest all busy over some preparation for the future comfort of