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THE INDIAN ISLAND.

own hut; and Frank busily employed himself in endeavouring to salt some of the birds he killed, and, by drying them over the smoke of a wood fire, found he succeeded very tolerably.

The rainy season again commenced; and it was with a heavy heart Frank listened to the rushing of the first mighty rains. However, he was too busy for despondency; several chests of clothes had floated on shore, and both were now employed in recruiting their own dilapidated wardrobe. The blue checked shirts were invaluable, for out of these he made Marion's new frocks, which he decorated very gaily with the bright coloured feathers he had collected in great quantities. The sewing certainly was a curiosity; for his only needle was a fine splinter of wood, in which he had burnt an eye: and it may be guessed that he was not very expert in its use. Still, the frock kept her warm, the feathers were quite gay, and Marion thought herself an Indian princess at least. Making baskets of the various twigs he had collected was another source of employment; and teaching Marion filled up the day. But the long dark nights were very tedious; for they had no lights, and no means of making any; and the small portion of oil left after Michael's death was