SURPRISES Before night closed their third day on the island Jenks managed to construct a roomy tent-house, with a framework of sturdy trees selected on account of their location.

To these he nailed or tied crossbeams of felled saplings; and the tarpaulins dragged from the beach supplied roof and walls.

It required the united strength of Iris and himself to haul into position the heavy sheet that topped the structure, whilst he was compelled to desist from active building operations in order to fashion a rough ladder.

Without some such contrivance he could not get the topmost supports adjusted at a sufficient height.
Although the edifice required at least two more days of hard work before it would be fit for habitation Iris wished to take up her quarters there immediately.

This the sailor would not hear of.
"In the cave," he said, "you are absolutely sheltered from all the winds that blow or rain that falls.