82 BRAGGADOCIO.

Tom.—We'll draw up the timber to this
place ; for it is the best place for the purpose
in the island. Under these trees we will build
our house.

And they went to work, and dragged up to
the place some of the rails and pieces of wood
and timber that had floated down the river,
and lodged upon the island. They thus
amused themselves till the sun was over
head.

“Now,” said Tom, “it must be twelve
o'clock, and I am glad, for I am as hungry as
a wolf.”

They went to the place where Bessie had
left the dinner-basket.

She took out a clean,- brown towel, and
spread it upon the flat rock. Then she care-
fully unpacked the basket.

The bread and butter, nicely cut and spread,
she laid upon the cloth ; some corned beef, cut
in thin slices; some of Tom’s favorite water-
cresses, and a dried-apple pie. Even vinegar
and salt were, not forgotten. To be sure, they
had but two plates, and no knives or forks ;
but that did not spoil their appetites.