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The situation of the stranded American sailors now became very tolerable. The tedium of the days was enlivened by frequent conversations with Charley Washington, the little old Englishman, and through him with the natives, and in learning the language and customs of these South Sea islanders.

As day after day passed, however, with monotonous regularity and no sail of a white man's ship appeared, the Americans began to think of the advisability of attempting a voyage by boat to some other less remote point in the seas. Finally mentioning this to the natives, they were encouraged, and the king of the island declared that he himself and his people would build a suitable ship for the purpose. He said that some time past there was a white man's ship lost among the Koracoas, inhabitants of a neighboring archipelago, and that these people had built a ship by which the mariners returned home. If the Koracoas could do this for Captain Wilson and his crew—that being the name of the former shipwrecked captain,—why could not the Pelews do the same for Captain Barnard?

Without any particular faith in this scheme, and knowing that the king's suggestion was mere conceit, the Americans, however, accepted the proffer, and readily agreed to procure for him payment for his proposed services,—which was no less than two hundred rifles if he would deliver them safely to an American or European vessel.

The command then went forth to the chiefs to bring timbers and prepare for making a ship. This was quickly obeyed, and all sorts and descriptions of timber were brought together with childish eagerness. The royal command was then given to put these together and con-