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Hunting Shell-Fish and Sea-Birds' Eggs

(73) a as closely together as possible, so as to discomfort and danger of wearing their form the four walls, sods of turf being wet garments night and day. At length, wedged into every open space, and the having skilfully contrived to build a firetarpaulin spread over all as a roof. The place and a chimney inside the hut, they floor was then levelled, and spread thickly became more comfortable, though the with dry shingle, above which a layer of smoke from the fire was most annoying, small twigs of heath and ferns was causing their eyes to smart and water to placed. This formed a comfortable comfortable such an extent that they could scarcely see. enough couch, soft, dry and warm, while And thus three weeks slowly dragged a fire was kept constantly burning out- along without any ship appearing, or any side, not only as a convenience for them- event occurring to vary the monotony of selves, but as a beacon-light to attract the their life upon the island. Day by day attention of any vessel which might they were all becoming more ragged and chance to pass. forlorn looking, for the want of all extra For three weeks the boys remained in clothing was one of their most serious this perilous situation. Not a mouthful troubles. Day by day they were of food had been brought from the ship, becoming more emaciated, for it was hard except a few scraps which had been to subsist for any length of time upon devoured before they reached the island. oysters and eggs alone, even with the They lived entirely on shell-fish and sea- help of an occasional fish caught in the birds' eggs, two of the boys being occu- pools on the shore. pied all the time in collecting them. also One day as David was gathering food After the building of the hut had been along the shore his eye caught sight of a finished some rather wet weather set in, sail. A ship was coming toward the which damped their fuel and drowned island. Almost frantic with joy he ran out their fire. This caused much suffer- to his companions with the good news. ing to the poor castaways who, having no They were all rescued after they had change of clothing, were reduced to the suffered many hardships.