Chapter Fifteen.
A Catastrophe, a Letter, and a Surprise.
Autumn at length gradually drew to a close, and we began to make preparations for the long winter that lay before us.
Our saw-mill, having been repaired and improved, had worked so well that we had cut a considerable quantity of planks, as well for the boats which we intended to build as for the houses. It was fortunate that this had been accomplished before the occurrence of an event which put an effectual stop to that branch of our industries. It happened thus:
One afternoon the fine weather which we had been enjoying so long gave place to boisterous winds and deluges of rain, confining us all to the fort and making us feel slightly miserable.
“But we mustn’t grumble, Max,” said Lumley to me, as we looked out of our small windows. “We must take the evil with the good as it comes, and be thankful.”
“Please, I wasn’t grumbling,” said I, sharply.
“No? I thought you were.”