In order to this our first work was to have the two carpenters search about
to see what materials the Dutchmen had left behind them that might be of
use; and, in particular, they found one that was very useful, and which I
was much employed about, and that was a pitch-kettle, and a little pitch in
it.

When we came to set close to this work we found it very laborious and
difficult, having but few tools, no ironwork, no cordage, no sails; so
that, in short, whatever we built, we were obliged to be our own smiths,
rope-makers, sail-makers, and indeed to practise twenty trades that we knew
little or nothing of. However, necessity was the spur to invention, and we
did many things which before we thought impracticable, that is to say, in
our circumstances.

After our two carpenters had resolved upon the dimensions of what they
would build, they set us all to work, to go off in our boats and split up
the wreck of the old ship, and to bring away everything we could; and
particularly that, if possible, we should bring away the mizzen-mast, which
was left standing, which with much difficulty we effected, after above
twenty days' labour of fourteen of our men.

At the same time we got out a great deal of ironwork, as bolts, spikes,
nails, &c., all of which our artist, of whom I have spoken already, who was
now grown a very dexterous smith, made us nails and hinges for our rudder,
and spikes such as we wanted.

But we wanted an anchor, and if we had had an anchor, we could not have
made a cable; so we contented ourselves with making some ropes with the
help of the natives, of such stuff as they made their mats of, and with
these we made such a kind of cable or tow-line as was sufficient to fasten