THE DEAR LITTLE ISLAND. 7

had decided to build the boat, was to find wood’
for the purpose.

“Can’t you make a canoe, as Robinson
Crusoe did ?” asked Bessie.

“No; for I can’t find a log of wood big
enough; and besides, if I had a big log, it
would take a great while to dig it out. We
must be contented with a flat-bottomed scow,
till I can find crooked timber fo build a boat
ship-shape and Bristol fashion.”

The children cast one longing look towards
the beloved island, upon which the shadows of
evening were falling, and then turned their
steps homeward.

“Tam afraid I shall be too late to on father’s
supper ready, when he comes home; let us
hurry as fast as we can,” said Bessie, starting
upon a full run.

In about ten minutes they reached the house,
and found to their great joy that their father
had not yet returned from work. It was a
small brown house by the road-side, with two
rooms below and two above. One of these
lower rooms was a kitchen, and the other was
called Bessie’s parlor. The upper, or garret