I should think that if we treated several hundred nuts in this way, put them in the bottom of the canoe, and keep them in their places by a sort of net, which we might easily make from the fibers of the cocoas, the boat would be buoyant enough to carry us." The idea struck all as being feasible, and Reuben was much congratulated upon his inventive powers.

Without delay, they set to work to carry out the plan.

A piece of thin bark was first taken and, by means of a long thorn used as a needle, was sewn over the hole in the canoe, with the fibers of the cocoa.

Then a large pile of nuts was collected, and the boys set to work at the task of emptying them of their contents.

It took them some hours' work to make and fit the pegs.