Part 7 (1/2)

”That sounds all right,” said his father. ”But how are we to get the gear up there--including the useless lump of animated clay in the shape of myself?”

”I hadn't thought of that,” replied Andy.

”We must find a more convenient spot at first,” continued Mr. McKay.

”Then, when we have landed all the gear from the s.h.i.+p that we can possibly manage to move, we can devise some means of setting up a more substantial dwelling on the terrace you mention. Now, if you will please carry me ash.o.r.e, you can proceed to unload the boat.”

In spite of the adaptable jetty, the work of getting Mr.

McKay--crippled as he was--on sh.o.r.e was no easy task. The patient bore the discomfort gamely, uttering a heartfelt sigh of relief as the lads set the improvised stretcher down in the shade of a thin grove of cocoanut palms.

”How far away is the stream--I think you mentioned there was a stream in the bay?” asked Ellerton.

”Less than a hundred yards away. It's very clean, but not so full as the one we found,” replied Andy.

”Then let's set up the tent. This place will do for a day or two at least.”

The chosen site consisted of soft springy turf, sloping very gradually towards the lagoon. In the background was a wall of rock, about forty feet in height, forming the limit of the next terrace, while on either hand the trees served as an efficient screen from all winds save those blowing from the sea.

By the aid of their axes the lads felled five young palms, and soon stripped them of their heads. Four of the trunks were then lashed in pairs, and set up with guy-ropes at a distance of about fifteen feet apart, and one end of the fifth pole was placed over the crutch formed by one of the pairs.

This done, Ellerton swarmed up the other pair of poles and fastened a small pulley to the extremity of one of them. A rope was pa.s.sed through the block, one end being lashed to the lower part of the fifth pole that rested on the ground.

”Haul away, lads!” he shouted.

And the pole, lifted into a horizontal position, was quickly placed between, thus forming the ridge of the tent.

One of the fore and aft sails was then thrown over the ridge pole and its end pegged down; while to make doubly sure, the lads piled stones and sand upon the ends of the canvas. Filling in the back and front of the tent with portions of another sail took an hour's steady work, and the dwelling was then p.r.o.nounced ready for occupation.

The box of ammunition, the rifles, bread cask, and water-beakers were neatly stowed against the afterpart of their dwelling, till, on Mr.

McKay's suggestion, a low barricade was erected close to the flap of the tent. Then pieces of canvas were cut and laid down to serve as beds, the cripple having the use of the cus.h.i.+ons that had been brought ash.o.r.e.

”I don't see why we should sleep on the hard ground,” remarked Terence.

”Of course, we have been used to it, but, after sleeping in a comfortable bunk, we are bound to feel the difference. So let us cut a number of small trees and fasten the strips of canvas to them like a stretcher.”

This was accordingly done, the beds being raised from the ground by means of two stout planks lashed to short uprights driven firmly into the earth.

”There we are, all in a row,” exclaimed Terence, as they surveyed the result of their labour with evident satisfaction.

”Now, Quexo,” said Andy, ”go down to the beach and gather as much driftwood as you can carry. And, Hoppy, you start opening that tin of beef there, and I'll slice up the bread. But----”

”What?” exclaimed Terence and Ellerton.

”We are a set of donkeys! We haven't brought a pot or a kettle ash.o.r.e with us.”

”Boil the water in the beef-tin,” said Ellerton.

”Spoil the coffee,” objected Andy.

”Either that or nothing. But how about a light? Has anyone any matches?”