"He thinks it would be a good plan to put some preserving soap on the lugger," said Panton laughing.

"No, I don't," said Oliver, "but I was thinking that it would not be a bad plan to drag the brig's anchor down here, and get it out in the lagoon, and then fix up the capstan on board the lugger and work it there."

"No," said the mate, "it would drag her bows down and wedge her more fast."

"I had not done," said Oliver.

"Well, what would you do then?" asked the mate.

"Dig a trench just a little wider than the keel, right away down to the sh.o.r.e, and let the water in at high tide."

"It would all soak away."

"At first," said Oliver. "After a time it would be half sand, half water, and yielding enough to let the keel go through like a quicksand."

"He's right," cried Mr Rimmer, and the men set to work spending two whole days digging what resembled a pretty good ditch in the sand, and leading from the embedded keel right out nearly to the edge of the water.

While this was going on one of the brig's anchors was lowered down into the dinghy and laid across a couple of pieces of wood, then, with a couple of planks for the keel to run upon, each being taken up in turn and laid end on to the other, the anchor was got right down to the lagoon, dropped about fifty yards out after being attached to a cable, another was knotted on to this, and again another to the last, and carried through the lugger's bows to where the capstan was fixed.

At high tide the little remaining sand was rapidly dug away, and the water began to flow in; the capstan was manned, and a burst of cheering rose; for as fast as the bars could be worked and the cables in turn coiled down, the new boat was drawn through the sand and out till she was head over the anchor, with a clear foot below her keel.

"You'd better take command, Mr Lane," said the mate, shaking hands warmly. "I ought to have thought of that, but it was beyond me. There we are, then. Now, all we have to do is to load her up with your treasures and plenty of stores, and then make for some other island, and from one to the other until we can get to a civilised port."

"Why not make another lugger, so as to have everything you can belonging to the _Planet_?"

"And give you gentlemen more time to collect?"

"Exactly."

"Well, I don't see why not," said the mate, thoughtfully. "It grieves me to have the good old vessel stranded here with no end of valuable stuff in her; and now that we shall soon have the means of getting away when we like, I think I might as well set the men to work at another."

"But you'll get the rigging and stores on board this one first," said Panton.

"Of course," replied the mate; "but there is another thing to think of, gentlemen."

The others looked at him inquiringly.

"When this boat is ready and properly laden, she cannot be left without a crew on board."

"On account of the blacks," cried Oliver. "No, it is impossible for her to be left."

CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN.

LEFT IN THE LURCH.

The question of building another craft remained in abeyance for a time, all attention being given to the furnishing, the decking, rigging, and other fittings of the _Little Planet_. Then the cases of specimens were got down and placed on board, Panton's first, for they took the place of ballast. Then all necessary stores and water were stowed away, with compa.s.s, instruments, and everything ready for an immediate start.

"We shall be packed pretty close," said the mate; "but I propose that we land whenever we have an opportunity, so that we shall not feel the confinement quite so much."

"Then, now that all is right, we may go on collecting?"

"Yes," said the mate, "and I think instead of attempting to build another it would be wiser to half-deck over our two best boats and store them ready. I can't help feeling that it will be safer, and that if we try to save too much we may lose all."

This was finally settled, and a crew selected for the lugger under one or other of the pa.s.sengers, each taking the command for a week.

This went on for a month, when one day the mate said,--

"Look here, gentlemen, I want a holiday. I've worked pretty hard, and I think it's my turn to go on the new expedition. What do you say?"

"It is only just," they chorussed.

"Then I propose taking the lugger and sailing round the island--as we believe it to be--and then I shall learn something about the prowess of our new craft and see how she can sail."

"That's quite right, Mr Rimmer," said Panton. "Eh, Lane?"

"Of course; we have been horribly selfish in letting him keep on at work for us while we have been taking our pleasure."

"Which again was work, gentlemen, work," replied the mate, good-humouredly. "But all the same, my dear fellows, there will not be much pleasure in this trip. I want to see whether our craft is seaworthy before we are compelled to take to her in real earnest. It would be rather awkward if she began to open her seams as soon as any strain was put upon her by the sails and a heavy sea. Believe me, I would not go if I didn't think it right."

"My dear Mr Rimmer," said Oliver, "do you think we do not know that?"

"But it's like leaving you all in the lurch."

"Nonsense," cried Panton; "we shall be all right. How long will you be gone?"

"I can't say. Two or three days. Perhaps altogether."

"Eh?" cried Drew, in dismay.

"The _Little Planet_ may prove untrustworthy, and take me to the bottom, gentlemen," said the mate, calmly. "Who knows?"

"Suppose we don't make the worst of it," said Oliver. "We know what a sailor you are."

"Well, I grant that I am, gentlemen, and ought to be," replied the mate.

"I was brought up to the sea, but I never tried my hand at ship-building before."

"Never mind, you've done wonders," cried Panton. "When shall you start?"

"To-morrow, about mid-day. That will give me time to make a few preparations. Let's see, I must have some fighting tools and powder."

"Of course. How many men will you take with you?"

"Three. That will be enough to manage the sails. I shall take the helm. You, gentlemen, will take command, of course, and see that the watches are kept regularly."

Oliver nodded as much as to say, "you may trust us," and after a little more discussion of the mate's plans, the three men were selected and sent down to the boat to take the places of two men who were in charge.