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The Shipwrecked Boys

N account of the wreck that the islet on which they now found of the ship Osprey, themselves was quite out of the track of little David Stuart passing vessels. and four companions This was deplorable; still, as David were cast on a desert reminded his companions, it was not imisland in the South- possible that a whaling ship might pay ern Seas. They suf- them a visit in order to obtain a supply fered much from of water. A house or hut of some kind storm and semi-starvation had, of course, to be built, and to get this during their exposure in the speedily done taxed their strength to the long-boat for five long days. utmost. They also labored under many If they had only seen some disadvantages, having only one axe, a hope of escape from the island hammer, and a few nails, though each they would not have cared had a pocket-knife. Yet with these very much for the privations which poor weapons they had plunged into the they had to endure. But the forest in order to cut down young trees prospect of escape seemed to be very with which to build their hut. The rude remote, all having come to the conclusion dwelling was made by placing the poles