74 THE SHIPWRECK,

three branches from a tree in order to form legs for his
chair. It was a species of iron wood, the hardest in exis-
tence. The count cast a longing eye on Philip’s saw,
which would have been so useful to him; but he disdained
to ask him for the loan of it.

He sat down on the grass, and began to cut out the legs
of the future chair with his pocket knife, the only instrument
in his possession. This was a work of very great labour.
He next selected a square piece of board, and traced on it

-with his crayon the holes he deemed it proper to make
through it. He then went over to Philip’s fire, and took
out of it a burning stake, the end of which he pressed on
the places marked out for excavation, until the holes were
completely opened. He now, with a large stone, drove in
the legs, and placed his chair upright; but, the legs being
of unequal length, the poor chair was not able to maintain
its erect position, and fell over.

Philip, who had foreseen this result, was inwardly de-
lighted at the awkwardness of the count; yet, dissembling
his emotions, he called out, ‘The middle leg must be
shortened, or your chair will never keep its feet,” at the
same time pushing towards him with his foot the hatchet
and saw.

The count with a disdainful air rejected them.