Page:Traits and Trials.pdf/178

172 the action of fire, and an idea struck him that they might harden square pieces of this clay, so as to form a floor for their dwelling, the soft damp earth beneath the banama being both comfortless and unhealthy. His plan was adopted, and they had soon a hard, dry, and firm floor.

There being certainly no risk of robbers, they left most of the things brought from the wreck, on the palm-tree knoll, having run up a slight partition of boards for their protection, only taking to the banama what was absolutely necessary. Francis, too, was the archer of the party; he had been accustomed to the use of a bow and arrow from his infancy, and a little practice made him so expert a shot that they were seldom without a bird for dinner; indeed, the island swarmed with them; and then they were roasted gypsy fashion—a fire was kindled on the ground, and the bird hung between two sticks to roast.

No time was ever lost, and nobody was ever idle; even Marion's services were called in requisition, and she soon became very industrious in collecting all the light and dried sticks to be used for fuel. One of their first tasks had been to plant some yams and peas in an open space, and their labour was