Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/94

 along so easily that before twelve o'clock it had made two journeys.

After a meal the work went on till four o'clock, when the day began to close in. It was tiring work, and, as there was no need to carry anything to excess, Gordon called the boys off, intending to return in the morning. And when Gordon ordered they had to obey.

Besides, as soon as they returned to French Den, they could employ themselves in sawing the blocks, splitting them, and stowing them away, and that would occupy them till it was time to go to bed.

For six days this wood-cutting went on without a break, and enough fuel was collected to last for many weeks. Of course, all this wood could not be stowed in the store-room; but there was no reason why the greater part should not remain in safety against the cliff near the door.

The 15th of July, according to the almanac, was St. Swithin's Day.

"Then," said Briant, "as it rains to-day, are we going to have forty days' rain?"

But the rain did not continue, the wind returned to the south-east, and it became so cold that Gordon would not allow any of the little ones to set foot out of doors.

In the first week in August the thermometer sank to 14 below zero, and the breath of those who for a moment exposed themselves to the air condensed into snow. The hand could not touch a piece of metal without a sharp pain as of burning. Care had to be taken to keep the temperature indoors sufficiently high.

A most painf ul fortnight followed. All suffered, more or less, from the want of exercise. Briant could not see without feeling anxious the pale looks of the little ones, whose colour had quite disappeared. However, thanks to the hot drinks, which were always procurable, with the exception of a feMf colds, the young people escaped without much damagfe.

On the 16th of August the air underwent a change, as the wind shifted into the west, and the thermometer