not difficult as what remained of the ship lay on an even keel.
Also we got out some necessary stores, including paraffin for the
swinging lamps with which the ship was fitted in case of accident
to the electric light, candles, and the guns we had brought with
us so that they might be handy in the event of attack. This done,
by the aid of the tools that were in the storerooms, Bickley, who
was an excellent carpenter, repaired the saloon door, all that
was necessary to keep us private, as the bulkhead still remained.

"Now," he said triumphantly when he had finished and got the
lock and bolts to work to his satisfaction, "we can stand a siege
if needed, for as the ship is iron built they can't even burn us
out and that teak door would take some forcing. Also we can shore
it up."

"How about something to eat? I want my tea," said Bastin.

"Then, my reverend friend," replied Bickley, "take a couple of
the fire buckets and fetch some water from the stream. Also
collect driftwood of which there is plenty about, clean those
fish and grill them over the saloon stove."

"I'll try," said Bastin, "but I never did any cooking before."

"No," replied Bickley, "on second thoughts I will see to that
myself, but you can get the fish ready."

So, with due precautions, Bastin and I fetched water from the
stream which we found flowed over the edge of the cliff quite
close at hand into a beautiful coral basin that might have been