Branches were cut all round the glade, and they picked up all the fallen wood under the trees.

They were also able to hunt with greater success, since Pencroft now possessed some dozen arrows armed with sharp points.

It was Top who had famished these points, by bringing in a porcupine, rather inferior eating, but of great value, thanks to the quills with which it bristled.

These quills were fixed firmly at the ends of the arrows, the flight of which was made more certain by some cockatoos' feathers.

The reporter and Herbert soon became very skilful archers.