"But you won't be in the kitchen all the time." "That I will," she replied. "In the woods, all the world's a kitchen!" "I rather wish it was," I sighed, looking toward the savory skillet and coffee pot; whereupon she gave the brightest of laughs, telling me to set the table as things were about ready. But Smilax and I had never bothered about a table. We did not even possess a cloth, or napkin, or anything like that. So I cut some palm leaves, arranging them on the ground; then ransacked the duffle for a small kit of aluminum plates and cups, with also knives and forks. Neither had Smilax and I deigned to use this kit, principally because our meals had been taken on the move. At best palm leaves do not make a good table, as their ridges cause the dishes to wobble; so in the end we spread our steaming feast upon the grass. My word, but that was a breakfast! I don't remember what we had, but it did taste good. When it was over, right down to the last crumb--for she had complained of starvation, too--I looked across at her, saying: "If I can move, at all, and you're willing to go slowly, I'd like to show you over your new possessions!" "Right away? Mercy no," she stood up, brushing her skirt. "I'm going to get a cigarette, and you're going to wash the dishes!" "But Smilax washes the dishes," I protested. "And he may be thirty miles from here," she announced. "Will you come back and watch me?" "I will if you want me to," she laughed, "but you'll look awfully silly." "Then you needn't," I agreed, less reluctantly, "and I'll call in half an hour. By the way, I've deeded you all the 'island' east of those two big pines. The other side is mine." "Thanks. I'll take possession at once." And she left me for her spring and bailiwick and cigarette--although I never saw her smoking one before, or after. In a few minutes I heard her calling and, straightening up with some feeling of alarm, answered: "What's wrong?" "Nothing; only don't forget to use very hot water!" Later we walked to the south-western edge of the "island," so she could see how it stood in relation to Efaw Kotee's settlement; and I showed her the fort, purposely exaggerating its ability to withstand a siege and minimizing its chances of having to do so. We sat down there upon the turf, where the breeze and shade were refreshing. It was a fortunate location, also, for keeping an eye on the prairie. "Have you named this beautiful place of yours?" she asked. "No; we merely call it the 'island,' after the native fashion. Will you name it for me--for us? It's half yours, you know." "Let's call it----" she thought a moment, "oh, let's call it The Oasis; for that's cool and comfortable and suggests safety from all sorts of things!" "The Oasis it is, and we'll put it on the map some day, see if we don't!"