often say,
`Where there's a will there's a way.' As we shall want our sail, we
must try and manufacture some thick matting instead of canvas, to fix
over the bows to raise the gunwale a foot or two, to keep out the sea.
Then for provisions, we shall have to salt down as many hogs as we can
kill, dry a stock of yams, and carry our water in cocoa-nut shells."

"I am glad, Gerald, that you have thought about the matter; that's just
what I was going to propose," said Tom.

"Of course," cried Gerald. "I have been thinking of that and a number
of other things besides while I was digging in the sand, though I did
not like to talk about them until the time came for action."

Thus the two midshipmen discussed their plans for the future. On their
return to the camp, as the time fixed upon by Tom had passed and the
ship had not arrived, the tent was dismantled and Tom set the men to
work to cut poles of sufficient length to serve for rafters and
uprights. Their tent had answered so well that it was agreed that the
hut should have a roof of the same shape. The walls were formed by
closely interlacing the uprights with creepers, which also served to
bind on the large pandanus leaves which they used for covering the roof.
The hut being nearly completed, Tom and Desmond set out, armed with
their muskets, to try and kill a hog or some small game. Billy wanted
to go, but Tom advised him to remain and assist in finishing the hut.

"If one of those fellows were to run at you, what could you do without a
weapon of some sort?"

"But I'd take the boat-hook," said Billy.

"A wild bear would be afther laughing at it in your hands," observed
Desmond.

Though they saw several hogs, which animals seemed to abound in the
island, they were unable to get near enough to obtain a fair shot.
While in search of hogs, their object was also to explore the island.
They made their way across to the northern side. It consisted of deep
indentations and high rocks, to the top of one of which they climbed;
they could make out in the far distance another island to the north of
them. Though they narrowly scanned the ocean in every direction, no
sail was to be seen.

"I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still,
if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not
coming to look for us. My only idea is that by some mistake or other he
supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the
southwa