P'raps it'll be as well _not_ to go into the woods, but to camp where we are." "I think so too," said Martin, searching about for small twigs and drift-wood with which to make a fire.

"There is no saying what sort of wild beasts may be in the forest, so we had better wait till daylight." A fire was quickly lighted by means of the pistol-flint and a little dry grass, which, when well bruised and put into the pan, caught a spark after one or two attempts, and was soon blown into a flame.

But no wood large enough to keep the fire burning for any length of time could be found; so Barney said he would go up to the forest and fetch some.

"I'll lave my shoes and socks, Martin, to dry at the fire.

See ye don't let them burn." Traversing the meadow with hasty strides, the bold sailor quickly reached the edge of the forest, where he began to lop off several dead branches from the trees with his cutlass.