We then sought for some flat stones in the bed of the charming little river that ran at a little distance from us, and set about constructing a cooking-place.

Francis collected dry wood for the fire; and, while my wife was occupied in preparing our supper, I amused myself by making some packing-needles for her rude work from the quills of the porcupine.

I held a large nail in the fire till it was red-hot, then, holding the head in wet linen, I pierced the quills, and made several needles, of various sizes, to the great contentment of our indefatigable workwoman.
Still occupied with the idea of our castle in the air, I thought of making a ladder of ropes; but this would be useless, if we did not succeed in getting a cord over the lower branches, to draw it up.
Neither my sons nor myself could throw a stone, to which I had fastened a cord, over these branches, which were thirty feet above us.

It was necessary to think of some other expedient.

In the mean time, dinner was ready.