So, after breakfast, the boys built their fire. With big blocks of lava
they made a sort of stove, and on top of this was placed a large cup-like
stone, which they had chanced to find. Into this they put the tallow to
melt. In the meantime Tom pulled a quantity of thick rushes, and set
Frank and the girls to peel them, while the dogs looked on as if
wondering what it was all about.

[Illustration]

"It's something to eat, I suppose," said Briton, looking very wise.

"A sort of soup of some kind from the smell of it, I should think," was
Veevee's remark.

The long threads of white pith were about as thick as a penholder, and
these were to form the wicks. When dried they were tied two and two by
one end.

Then between two uprights Tom placed a long willow rod, with three dozen
strong thorns stuck in it about two inches apart, to serve as hooks.

By this time the tallow was melted and all was ready.

"Now, ladies and gentlemen," said Tom, "you shall see how candles were
built in the Royal Navy when Uncle was a boy." He rolled up his sleeves,
and, picking up a double wick, dipped it in the pan, and then hung it on
the first peg for the tallow to set. He did the same with all the rest,
and by the time he had the thirty-sixth wick hung up, No. 1 was ready to
be taken down and dipped again. So on he went all along the row, till he
had dipped them a dozen times at least, when, lo! and behold! they were