isions, though
there would be a difficulty in preserving them sufficiently to stand the
constant exposure to the sun and wet. That risk must, however, be run.
He charged Pat and Tim to thoroughly salt and smoke the pork and fish.
He directed them also to clear out a number of cocoa-nuts to serve as
bottles for holding water. Pat had succeeded in catching two hogs in
his pit-fall, and when the subject of carrying water was discussed, he
offered to sew up the skins, so as to form two big leathern bottles.

"Where will you find the needles and thread to sew them up?" asked Tom.

"The needles! shure, I'd be afther makin' them from bone, and there
would be no difficulty in finding the thread."

Though Tom allowed all preparations to go on, his mind was not at all
easy in regard to the condition of the boat, and Desmond agreed with him
that, unless her leaks could be stopped, it would be madness to put to
sea.

While the men, therefore, continued working at their several tasks Tom
had assigned to them, assisted by Billy, who was not fond of long walks,
he and Desmond continued their search for pitch or something which would
answer as a substitute. Desmond had heard of pitch springs, and looked
about for them for some time, until Tom recollected that such were alone
found in volcanic regions, and that they could only expect to discover
some vegetable substance.

At last they determined to explore the whole of the island, which would
occupy them some two or tree days.

Taking one of the muskets, they filled their wallets--which Pat lad
manufactured for them of plaited grass--with a store of dried yams, salt
pork, and fish, which they carried in case they should be unsuccessful
in obtaining game. They charged Billy, should the _Dragon_ appear, to
fire off the musket left behind, and also to light a beacon fire on the
summit of Flag-staff Hill, the smoke of which they would probably be
able to distinguish from any part of the island. Bidding farewell to
their companions, they first directed their course towards the
south-east end of the island, which, as it had a rocky and barren
appearance, they had not yet visited.

CHAPTER THREE.

TOM AND DESMOND DISCOVER A WRECK--HORRIBLE SCENE--FIND TOOLS AND STORES
ON BOARD--RETURN WITH THEIR TREASURES TO THE CAMP--VISIT THE WRECK IN
THEIR BOAT, AND BRING BACK STORES--THE BOAT FITTED FOR SEA--LAST NIGHT
ON SHORE--SETTING SAIL--STEER FOR JAPAN--WIND CHANGES--STAND TO THE
S