It was decided that Mr. Harborough should cut the bamboos and the canes, while I would build the house, having acquired some skill from my previous work.
"I fear you will find it laborious work, for I have only this knife," I observed, taking out my much-used knife.
"Ah," he replied, "I have a good knife, larger and stronger than yours;" so saying he produced a large pocket-knife, having a broad, strong blade.
"Capital," said I; "now we shall get on famously."
I conducted him to the thicket of bamboos a a little way up the stream, leaving him, while I went a little further down, to cut reeds.
"Oh, but I want to do something to help," exclaimed Miss Harborough. "What can I do?"
"You can be of the greatest assistance by carrying reeds to the house. They are very light, and, besides, you can take small armfulls."
She was overjoyed at the idea, and she at once set to work with much enthusiasm. I cut a quantity of reeds and then went back to bring some bamboos, after which I set to work cutting a door-way through the side of the house to connect it with the extension. I pursued the same methods as in making the main house, Mr. Harborough cutting bamboos and reeds, his daughter bringing all the filling material from the stream, while I set up the frame and wove the reeds into the walls. This finished, grass was cut for thatching the roof. We worked steadily, only stopping for a bit to eat at noon, so that, by sunset, the addition was completed. It was six by eight feet in dimensions, and it was very thoroughly made. After consulting Miss Harborough, it was decided not to have a door between the two apartments, but to hang up a curtain instead. I suggested that the curtain be made of cocoanut cloth, and I promised Miss Harborough to gather the cloth in the morning, and show her how to sew it together with fine roots.
We all sat for a time in front of the house, enjoying the breeze which blew toward the land after the sun-down, retiring early in anticipation of the work of the morrow. Before I slept I had formed a plan to reach the barkentine on the reef, which I believed would prove successful. The morning dawned bright and cloudless, and the household was awakened by Puff, screaming for his breakfast.
CHAPTER XVII.