Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/73

 boys had often looked along the cliffs in the hope of finding another cave. If they had discovered one, they would have used it as a general store for what had now to be left out in the open. But the search had been in vain, and they had had to return to the scheme of enlarging their dwelling-place by digging into the walls. There was no difficulty in doing tins in the soft limestone, and the work would give them something to do during the winter, and could be finished by the return of the fine season.

There was no need to take to blasting. The tools they had were sufficient for them to cut the hole for the chimney of the stove to be run out of, and Baxter had already been able, with some difficulty it is true, to enlarge the opening into the cave, so as to fit it with one of the doors from the schooner; and right and left of the door two holes had been cut in the wall, admitting light and air.

The bad weather had set in a week ago. Violent storms had swept across the island, but the cave had not had to face them owing to its lying north and south. The rain and snow passed away over the crest of the cliff. The sportsmen had to leave the game alone in the vicinity of the lake, and the wild ducks, snipe, lapwing, rail, coot, and white pigeon remained undisturbed. The lake and the river had not yet been frozen, but it only required a quiet night when the first dry cold would succeed the storm for them to be covered with ice.

The work of enlarging the cave could thus be conveniently begun, and a start was made on the 27th of May.