almost always been accounted for, and found to be quite simple, on
close examination. I certainly can't imagine what THAT sound is;
but I'm quite sure I shall find out before long, - and if it's a
ghost I'll - "

"Eat it," cried Peterkin.

"Yes, I'll eat it! Now, then, my bow and two arrows are finished;
so if you're ready we had better turn in."

By this time Peterkin had thinned down his spear and tied an iron
point very cleverly to the end of it; I had formed a sling, the
lines of which were composed of thin strips of the cocoa-nut cloth,
plaited; and Jack had made a stout bow, nearly five feet long, with
two arrows, feathered with two or three large plumes which some
bird had dropt. They had no barbs, but Jack said that if arrows
were well feathered, they did not require iron points, but would
fly quite well if merely sharpened at the point; which I did not
know before.

"A feathered arrow without a barb," said he, "is a good weapon, but
a barbed arrow without feathers is utterly useless."

The string of the bow was formed of our piece of whip-cord, part of
which, as he did not like to cut it, was rolled round the bow.

Although thus prepared for a start on the morrow, we thought it
wise to exercise ourselves a little in the use of our weapons
before starting, so we spent the whole of the next day in
practising. And it was well we did so, for we found that our arms