Hans grunted an assent.
"Anyhow, the first thing to do," Will went on, "is to gather up the pieces of biscuits. They have wasted lots, in breaking open the barrels, and I am famishing."
Hans rose with alacrity, and they soon were at work collecting pieces of biscuits.
"Let us gather up all the pieces, carefully. There are a good lot, altogether; and we may want them, badly, before we have done."
In half an hour they had collected about 30 pounds of biscuits and, having gone to the stream and taken a drink, they made for the spot where their tent had stood. As they expected, they found the canvas was gone. They set to work with their knives and, cutting a number of boughs, erected a shelter sufficient to shield them from the night air.
All day they hoped, but in vain, that some of their comrades would return, and listened eagerly to every sound in the forest; but no call, or footstep, met their ears. They had no means of lighting a fire, the first having been lit by the mate who--being a smoker--had had a small tin box of matches in his pocket. This had fitted closely, and kept out the water.
"What had we better do, if no one comes back?" Will said, as they sat in their little hut.
"Build anoder boat," Hans answered.
"But how are we to do that, Hans? We might make the framework, but we have no canvas to cover it with. Besides, even if we had, I have no idea of the direction of Singapore, and I doubt if we could find our way back to Java."
Hans had no further suggestion to offer.