I think the strength of the rains is
over already, and perhaps in a fortnight we may venture to walk through
the wood, and examine what we have saved from the wreck."
"And we are to explore the island; are we not, Ready?" said William. "I
long to do that."
"Yes, William, but that must be almost the last job; for we shall be
away for two or three nights, perhaps, and we must look out for fine
weather. We will, however, do that before we bring the stores round in
the boat."
"But how are we to make the salt-pan, Ready? We must cut it out of the
solid rock."
"Yes, William; but I have three or four of what they call cold chisels,
and with one of them and a hammer, we shall get on faster than you
think; for the coral rock, although hard at the surface, is soft a
little below it."
The whole of that day was employed in piling up the cocoa-nut branches
and wood. Ready made a square stack, like a haystack, with a gable top,
over which he tied the long branches, so that the rain would pour off
it.
"There," said Ready, as he came down the ladder, "that will be our
provision for next year; we have quite enough left to go on with till
the rainy season is over, and we shall have no difficulty in collecting
it afterwards when the weather is dry.
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