This part of the business having been duly attended to, the time had come for united and vigorous action; and accordingly the whole male population of that region repaired to the woods, to procure timber. In the mean time the females, animated by a spirit of emulation, betook themselves to the task of making mats, to serve as sails to our vessel, when it should be completed. In fine, the whole resources of the country, of every kind, were taxed to the last extremity, to accomplish the work. Considering the means they had for carrying the plan into execution, it is surprising that they accomplished as much as they did. The best tools we had were a few old inch chisels, which served as substitutes for the broad-axe, in manufacturing trees into planks, and afterwards fitting them to their places. There were a few spikes on the island, but we had neither auger nor gimlet. When news had been received that the timber was ready in the woods, orders were given to have it brought together. Seldom had we witnessed a more novel scene than that presented by the natives when they brought from the forests the rudely prepared materials for the boat. They were seen coming in from all quarters with loads of timber on their shoulders, of every size and shape that could be conceived of, and causing the hills and vales to resound with their shouts. In due time the work of putting together the materials commenced. We succeeded in laying a sort of keel, and at length contrived to erect a kind of frame, which, though it might not be regarded as a first-rate specimen of naval architecture, nevertheless looked somewhat like the beginning of a water-craft. But when we came to the more difficult part of the business, that of putting on the planks, we found that not only our skill, but that of the whole nation, was completely baffled. We were compelled to abandon the undertaking; and despaired of ever being able to succeed in building any thing of the kind.