as to form a rough imitation of that part of the
heel of a shoe where the seam is. This done, he bored a row of holes
all round the edge of the piece of skin, through which a tough line was
passed. Into the sewed-up part of this shoe he thrust his heel; then,
drawing the string tight, the edges rose up and overlapped his foot all
round. It is true there were a great many ill-looking puckers in these
shoes; but we found them very serviceable notwithstanding, and Jack came
at last to prefer them to his long boots. We also made various other
useful articles, which added to our comfort, and once or twice spoke of
building us a house; but we had so great an affection for the bower, and
withal found it so serviceable, that we determined not to leave it, nor
to attempt the building of a house, which in such a climate might turn
out to be rather disagreeable than useful.

We often examined the pistol that we had found in the house on the other
side of the island, and Peterkin wished much that we had powder and
shot, as it would render pig-killing much easier; but, after all, we had
become so expert in the use of our sling and bow and spear that we were
independent of more deadly weapons.

Diving in the Water Garden also continued to afford us as much pleasure
as ever, and Peterkin began to be a little more expert in the water from
constant practice. As for Jack and me, we began to feel as if water
were our native element, and revelled in it with so much confidence and
comfort that Peterkin said he feared we would turn into fish some day
and swim off and leave him, adding that he had been for a long time
observing that Jack was becoming more and more like a shark every day.
Whereupon Jack remarked that if he (Peterkin) were changed into a fish,
he would certainly turn into nothing better or bigger than a shrimp.
Poor Peterkin did not envy us our delightful excursions under water--
except, indeed, when Jack would dive down to the bottom of the Water
Garden, sit down on a rock, and look up and make faces at him. Peterkin
did feel envious then, and often said he would give anything to be able
to do that. I was much amused when Peterkin said this; for if he could
only have seen his own face when he happened to take a short dive, he
would have seen that Jack's was far surpassed by it--the great
difference being, however, that Jack made faces on purpose, Peterkin
couldn't help it!

Now, while we were engaged with these occup