"If we had an ax we might cut down some wood, but as it is we will
have to use strong vines and cover the huts with palm leaves," said
Captain Jerry.
The boys were soon at work, cutting the vines and gathering the palm
leaves, and the girls assisted as well as they were able in fastening
up the vine-ropes and binding in the leaves. It was slow work, yet
by nightfall one half the house was complete and the other had the
roof covered.
"Now, if rain comes, we can keep fairly dry," said Tom.
It rained the very next day and they were glad enough to crowd into
the completed part, while the rain came down in torrents. When the
worst of the downpour was over the wind arose and it kept blowing
fiercely all of the afternoon and the night.
"We can be thankful we are sheltered by the hill," said Sam. "Were
we on the other side of the island, the wind would knock the hut flat
and drench us in no time."
The storm kept all awake until early morning and when it went down
they were glad to sink to rest. All slept soundly and it was not
until ten o'clock, when the sun was struggling through the clouds,
that Tom arose, to find the others still slumbering.
"I'll let them sleep," he said to himself "They need it and there
is no need for them get to up."
Stretching himself, he walked quietly from the hut and down to the
beach. His first thought was to try to collect some wood, more or
less dry, and start a fire.
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