went on Amos, not heeding what his
sister had said, "we'll lay these pine boughs across the lines. See? We
can have the branches come well over each side and lap one row over
another and make a fine roof," and Amos jumped about, greatly pleased with
his own invention.

They all returned to piling up sand and before sunset had made walls
taller than their heads, and Amos had put the lines across and the
covering of pine boughs, so that it was nicely roofed in.

"It will be a lot better than sleeping under the dory," said Anne, as they
looked proudly at the little shelter, "and there's pine boughs enough left
for beds, too!"

"We can get more to-morrow," said Amos, "and we'll have a fire to-morrow
if I can only find some punk, and cook those fish."

"But I want to go home to-morrow," said Amanda; "I know my mother wants
me. We've got a boat; can't you make an oar and row us home, Amos?"

"There isn't anything to make an oar out of," answered Amos.

They made their supper on more mussels and beach-plums, and then lay down
on their beds of boughs in the little enclosure. They could see the moon
shining over the water, the big dory hauled up in front of their shelter,
and they all felt very glad that they were not drifting out at sea.

Amos had many plans in his head, and was eager for another day to come
that he might carry them out, but Amanda and Anne went to sleep hoping
only that the next day would see one of the big fishing-boats of Province
Town come sailing up to the island to take them safely home.

CHAPTER IX

THE CASTAWAYS

"My, it was cold last night," shivered Amanda, as she and Anne went toward
the spring of fresh water which bubbled up near the shore for their
morning drink. "I do wish Amos would plan some way to get us home
to-day."

"How can he?" asked Anne; "he hasn't any oars, and see what a long way it
is across the water to Long Point. He couldn't swim that far."

"Yes, he could, too," declared Amanda, "and when the tide is out the water
is so shallow that you can see the yellow sand shining through. He could
swim some and walk some, and he'd get over there all right; then he could
walk home and tell father and Captain Enos and they would come right after
us."

"Why doesn't he go then?" questioned Anne. "I do know that my Aunt Martha
is sadly worried; it is full two days since we set forth."

"Amos likes to stay here," said Amanda, lowering her voice to a whisper;
"he thinks it i