"There is no better way in which to start the day; and, unless my eyes deceive me, this bids fair to prove a day of sore trial.
Have you looked to the damage done the boat ?" "Nay," he returned earnestly, bending low to examine the rent.

"I slept like a man in drink, and even now am scarcely well awakened.

'T is, indeed, a serious break, friend; one, I fear, which will prove beyond our remedying." "Have you skill with tools ?" "It is one of my gifts; yet of what use in the wilderness where tools are not to be found?
However, I will see what may be done, after we break our fast--there is little accomplished working on an empty stomach." It was a morning of sorrowful labor; from the beginning a perfectly hopeless one.

The planking had been so badly crushed that a portion was actually ground into powder, leaving a great gaping hole.

To patch this we possessed no tool to shape the wood properly, or, indeed, any wood to shape, except the seats of the oarsmen.