This, however, they shrank from doing, as long as any possible method of escape presented itself.

Were it absolutely necessary, they agreed that they could burn down a tree and construct a fresh canoe; but they were by no means sanguine as to their boat-building capabilities, and were reluctant to give up the idea of continuing their voyage in their present craft, as long as a possibility of so doing remained.
So they passed four days; but succeeded in finding no gum, or other substance, which appeared likely to suit their purpose.
"I should think," Reuben said one day, "that it would be possible to make the canoe so buoyant that she would not sink, even if filled with water." "How would you do that ?" Tom asked.

"There are many light woods, no doubt, among the trees that we see; but they would have to remain a long time to dry, to be light enough to be of any use." "I was thinking," Reuben said, "that we might use coconuts.

There are immense quantities upon the trees, and the ground is covered with them, from the effects of the late gale.

If we strip off the whole of the outside husk, and then make holes in the little eyes at the top and let out the milk, using young ones in which the flesh has not yet formed, and cutting sticks to fit tightly into the holes, they would support a considerable weight in the water.