idered it a great favour to have spared."

"Well, Silva, we will try and make you as comfortable as we can," said
Cousin Silas, taking his arm. "We have a doctor to tend you, which you
would not have had on board; and as we feel fully that through your
influence our lives have been preserved, we will do our best to show our
gratitude." Cousin Silas said this as we were showing the path up to
the spot where we had commenced our hut.

In one corner we quickly made a bed of leaves and dry grass. Over this
we spread a piece of canvas, and thus constructed a very good bed, on
which we placed Silva. Dr McRitchie having examined his wounds, washed
them and bound them up; but he observed that he considered his case
somewhat serious. As soon as this was done, we set to work to cut down
some more trees, so as to increase the dimensions of our habitation. We
were employed for two entire days in building our hut, for we agreed
that, as we might have to remain a considerable time on the island, and
as probably heavy gales might at times prevail, it would be wise to
construct a habitation which could not easily be blown down. To do
this, to every upright post we put another at a considerable angle, and
then secured our canvas tightly down to it. We also beat heavy lumps of
coral tight down round the thick ends of the posts, so that it was
scarcely possible for the wind to drag them out of their holes. We had
been considerately supplied by Silva with a saw, and hammer, and nails,
and other carpenter's tools; and he now most unexpectedly benefited by
his kindness to us, as we were able to put a comfortable shelter over
his head much more rapidly than we could otherwise have done. I need
scarcely say that Cousin Silas took the lead in everything. Indeed, I
suspect, without him we should have managed but badly. Whenever our
spirits flagged, he restored them by his resignation and cheerfulness;
and he reminded us that although we might think our fate a hard one, we
should be most thankful that we had escaped with our lives from the
hands of such bloodthirsty miscreants as Bruno and his associates.

So busy were we at first, that it was some time before we had an
opportunity of inquiring how it was that the pirates had not murdered
him and Ben, when they pulled alongside the schooner. "I believe that
they were so astonished at seeing two strangers on their deck, not
knowing where we had come from, that it did not occur to the