me to their home he was supplied with practically all of the
surplus goods on hand, and a new stock of ramie fiber had not been
prepared since that. The boys' clothing had been supplemented by the
goods taken from the wagon top, and while heavy garments were not
required, it was noticed that the articles first made from the ramie
were growing threadbare.

Footwear was really of more immediate necessity than clothing. Ralph and
Tom had no shoes whatever, as the only ones they had were taken away
when first captured. It is singular how hard the feet can become when
deprived of protection. Throughout Africa, where the natives never wear
them from the cradle to the grave, the soles of the feet become hard and
bony, and thus enable them to travel over any kind of surface without
injury.

It was fortunate that they had three tanned hides, and when John looked
at the denuded feet of the boys, and at his own condition, the sight of
the hides was enough to set him to work. The first thing that engaged
his attention was the making of a set of lasts, and then the ramie fiber
was twisted for threads; after which he sought out the lumber pile to
make pegs, and selected some of the dried shellbark hickory for this
purpose. Thus he imposed one very needed duty on himself.

At George's suggestion a new stock of the ramie fiber ought to be
supplied, and he, with Ralph, took the yaks, and their guns, in order to
do double duty, to bring in a new quantity, and at the same time supply
the table with game. As they were leaving the Professor called out: "If
you go near the ledge of iron ore bring in a few hundred pounds, and
also some clay. You ought to take the picks and shovels along."

Harry and Tom went across the river to visit the garden, which was now
overrun with weeds, and the entire day was spent in putting that in
order, as they hoped within a few weeks more to commence gathering
supplies from that source. The garden had been started before they
sailed away on the voyage which ended so disastrously to their vessel.

While all this was going on it must not be thought that the
determination to again visit the enemy's country had been relaxed.
Before going on another trip preparations must be made, and they did not
intend to run short of ammunition the second time.

With that object in view, the moment the present need for food and
clothing was provided for it was agreed that all efforts should be made
in the direction of prepa