than we anticipated. The few fine days
during which we finished our preparations for it, as mentioned in the
last chapter, were succeeded, in accordance with Arthur's prediction, by
more than a week of steady rain, and for several weeks there was not a
day without rain. During this time, of course, we were thrown entirely
upon our indoor resources, and, thanks to the forethought which had
provided an abundant store of materials, upon which the ingenuity or
industry of each of us could be variously exercised, we have thus far
managed to keep pretty busy.

We have twisted a great store of cord for fishing-lines, nets, and other
purposes, from the supply of hibiscus bark previously laid in. We have
also manufactured more than a dozen pairs of serviceable moccasins, with
no other materials than cocoa-nut cotton and bread-fruit bark. Browne
has made a chess-board, and rudely but elaborately carved a complete set
of men, of gigantic size, in which he has evinced much skill and
ingenuity, and a vast deal of perseverance. The castles are mounted
upon the backs of elephants, which Johnny innocently mistook for
enormous swine with two tails apiece. The knights are provided with
shields, bearing Saint Andrew's cross and the thistle for a device, and
would have been arrayed, without doubt, in kilt and tartan had it been
possible. The bishops wear grotesque-looking cocked hats, intended for
mitres, and their countenances are so singularly truculent and
unprepossessing, that Max accuses the artist of having in this petty
way, evinced "his Scottish and Presbyterian spite against Episcopacy."

Morton has, among other things, made a couple of nets, and a mortar and
pestle for pounding bread-fruit and taro.

Max's time and attention have been chiefly devoted to the manufacture of
a variety of warlike weapons, among which are four or five formidable
bludgeons, which he styles "Feejee war-clubs," made from the hard and
ponderous wood of the casuarina. He has also worked a good deal, at
intervals, upon the huge log, out of which the "Messenger ship" is to be
constructed.

Arthur has been more usefully employed in contriving two frames or
stands, designed as candlesticks for holding the native substitute for
candles, which substitute consists simply of a cocoa-nut stalk, some
eighteen inches long, strung with candle-nuts. These nuts are of about
the size of a horse-chestnut, and contain a considerable quantity of
oil: they are t