When this had been done to his satisfaction he started once more on the exploring tour, and after having walked fifteen or twenty minutes was rewarded by another “find” which seemed even more valuable than the first.
This was neither more nor less than what appeared to be the hull of a small vessel almost entirely buried in the sand, the ends of the framework only showing above the surface.
“Now I can build me a house that won’t be in danger of goin’ to sea when the first storm comes on,” he said triumphantly. “The only thing is to rig up something which will answer as a spade, and the rest is just a question of hard work.”
CHAPTER V.
A DISCOVERY.
Although Ned had never been shipwrecked, nor, except in the case of the story about Robinson Crusoe, had he ever read of such disasters, yet he understood that before he gathered a supply of food, in case such a thing should be possible, it was necessary to have a substantial building in which to keep it.
It was his intention to lay in a quantity of salt; but in case he was forced to store it in the shanty of leaves the stock would be destroyed by the first storm of rain, and in fact it seemed as if all his hopes of being able to hold out until some craft should come within hail depended upon his having a building sufficiently strong to resist the weather.
Therefore it was that he hailed the discovery of the wreck as of the highest importance, and resolved to work at her incessantly, save when it was necessary to prepare food or sleep, until he had accomplished his purpose.
In view of the fact that the only tool he possessed was a pocket knife, the task was gigantic; but it was as if the difficulties in his path only served to increase his courage.
He had said that all he needed was something which would serve as a spade; but even with such a modest want in his mind he was brought to a standstill.
To hew down a tree sufficiently large to provide him with material for a wooden shovel an ax would be absolutely indispensable, and it was quite positive there was no lumber to be found on the shores, for he had already made nearly an entire circuit of the key.