"Haul away, lads!" he shouted.
And the pole, lifted into a horizontal position, was quickly placed between, thus forming the ridge of the tent.
One of the fore and aft sails was then thrown over the ridge pole and its end pegged down; while to make doubly sure, the lads piled stones and sand upon the ends of the canvas. Filling in the back and front of the tent with portions of another sail took an hour's steady work, and the dwelling was then pronounced ready for occupation.
The box of ammunition, the rifles, bread cask, and water-beakers were neatly stowed against the afterpart of their dwelling, till, on Mr. McKay's suggestion, a low barricade was erected close to the flap of the tent. Then pieces of canvas were cut and laid down to serve as beds, the cripple having the use of the cushions that had been brought ashore.
"I don't see why we should sleep on the hard ground," remarked Terence. "Of course, we have been used to it, but, after sleeping in a comfortable bunk, we are bound to feel the difference. So let us cut a number of small trees and fasten the strips of canvas to them like a stretcher."
This was accordingly done, the beds being raised from the ground by means of two stout planks lashed to short uprights driven firmly into the earth.
"There we are, all in a row," exclaimed Terence, as they surveyed the result of their labour with evident satisfaction.
"Now, Quexo," said Andy, "go down to the beach and gather as much driftwood as you can carry. And, Hoppy, you start opening that tin of beef there, and I'll slice up the bread. But——"
"What?" exclaimed Terence and Ellerton.
"We are a set of donkeys! We haven't brought a pot or a kettle ashore with us."