the blade of the oar to prevent it from splitting.

This also was a fortunate discovery. Jack went down on his knees,
and with the edge of the axe began carefully to force out the
nails. But as they were firmly fixed in, and the operation blunted
our axe, we carried the oar up with us to the place where we had
left the rest of our things, intending to burn the wood away from
the iron at a more convenient time.

"Now, lads," said Jack, after we had laid it on the stone which
contained our little all, "I propose that we should go to the tail
of the island, where the ship struck, which is only a quarter of a
mile off, and see if anything else has been thrown ashore. I don't
expect anything, but it is well to see. When we get back here it
will be time to have our supper and prepare our beds."

"Agreed!" cried Peterkin and I together, as, indeed, we would have
agreed to any proposal that Jack made; for, besides his being older
and much stronger and taller than either of us, he was a very
clever fellow, and I think would have induced people much older
than himself to choose him for their leader, especially if they
required to be led on a bold enterprise.

Now, as we hastened along the white beach, which shone so brightly
in the rays of the setting sun that our eyes were quite dazzled by
its glare, it suddenly came into Peterkin's head that we had
nothing to eat except the wild berries which grew in profusion at
our feet.

"What shall we do, Jack?" said he, with a rueful look; "perhaps